"He'll be fine Jack! There's nothing a little healing can't fix!"

I frantically ran to Rudy's side muttering every healing and revival spell I knew.

"Cecilia! There's no blood… there's something strange about his arm." Jack said pointing to the wound.

I didn't want to believe Jack, "No Rudy can't be a demon!" My head started spinning I had trusted Rudy with my life, befriended, and even loved him.

Jack yelled in fury at me "We can't abandon him now Cecilia! I don't care if he's a demon he's our friend."

The dream shifted from the scene and into complete blackness. A cold and harsh voice called out to me.

"Well, well it certainly looks like you did end up abandoning him."

"No! I don't understand I never abandoned him. Who are you anyway!?"

The voice laughed "If you didn't abandon Rudy then where is he know? Oh wait, you don't know do you!" Peals of laughter erupted from the bodiless voice.

"NO NO NO! STOP TORMENTING ME, I TRIED!"

"Hmmm, apparently not hard enough."

I sprang up to a sitting position my face was damp and my hands were shaking. It was just a bad dream, my fourth in the past two weeks. There had to be something wrong with me! Sure I missed my days as a Dream chaser, well Rudy in particular, but two years had passed since I had heard from him. I admit I was really worried and maybe that's what brought the dreams. I lay back and smacked my head against the headboard.

"DAMN!" I pressed my hand against my head "That will bruise."

I heard and shrill cough and I jumped back to sitting. I hadn't noticed my Lady in Waiting Rose sitting beside my bed! I braced my self for a harsh scolding for my unladylike language. I couldn't help that Jack's ways had rubbed off on me.

"Cecilia! Are you alright?" Rose look extremely worried.

"Oh, well, my head feels perfectly fine…" I was a little confused about what she was talking about and why she wasn't scolding me.

"Not your head! No… you were crying out in your sleep again. Who is this Rudy anyway?"

"He's no one," I sighed and looked away. "I guess he's just a part of the past."

Rose raised her eyebrows as if to say "all right, whatever" and she began telling me Uncle Johan's plan.

Apparently he had arranged yet another suitor for me, but this time I would have no choice but to say yes to his proposal. It seemed a bit like blackmail but I loved my uncle and I couldn't hurt his feelings.

"Don't feel too bad C," Rose walked over and patted my hand reassuringly. "I've heard he's a nice man, handsome too!"

I wanted to retort and tell her to go marry him but instead I just took a deep mental breath and smiled. "I'm fine Rose really! Help me find something to wear to this meeting, alright?"

Rose smiled as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders. I can tell she worries about me and it makes me happy that I have a lot good friends in the castle. Even though they aren't quite like Rudy, Jack, and Hanpan. Rose and I walked over to the wardrobe and picked a beautiful silk white gown. I put it on and Rose helped me cinch up the bodice. I sat down in front of the mirror and brushed through my long blonde hair.

"Beautiful!" Rose proclaimed after she tied the teardrop around my neck. "Any young gentleman would be proud to call you his wife."

I started laughing. "Yes, well this one might not be so young. In fact he is probably an old fat cad!"

We both giggled and Rose escorted me to the Great Hall where Uncle Johan was waiting.

"Stop worrying, you'll be fine!" Rose whispered into my ear. She gave me a thumbs up and backed away.

I tried to smile back but I was too frightened. My uncle gently patted my shoulder.

"I'm sorry that I have to do this Princess Cecilia, but you already had your chance at love and now you have your duty." Uncle Johan said.

Tears welled into my eyes as I thought of Rudy. Funny that he would be the first to come to my mind when I heard the word love. I smiled grimly, "Don't worry, I am the princess and I will be strong."

As I entered the room a tall man turned to face me. He was maybe a year or two older than I and he had very short black hair. He was fine looking but I sensed something a little off about him. It was like I had known him and we hadn't been friends.

"You must be Princess Cecilia!" He smiled and kissed my hand. "My name is Lord Lucas."

I smiled prettily, "Well it's very nice to meet you Lord Lucas." He seemed to be an all right man and possibly even an all right ruler. I suppose I would have to live.

"Yes, yes Cecilia you will find that Lord Lucas is quite accomplished!" Uncle Johan said telling me Lucas's life story while the Lord himself grinned pompously. I almost took back what I said about him being an all right man. A kind heart and modesty were what I really appreciated in a person.

Seeing the look on my face Lord Lucas tried to turn the attention to me.

"Cecilia, I am absolutely yearning to know a bit more about you."

"Oh, well, I not really sure where to start." I didn't really want to tell him my life story; it dug down into painful memories.

"Hmm… what's your favorite food?"

"Chow Mein!" I answered wistfully. I blushed beet red as he began to laugh.

"Well then my princess later today I shall take you to get chow mein!"

I laughed, "The best place is the pub in town, if you can stoop so low as to eat there."

"I have not always been a Lord princess!" he said airily.

"In that case I don't see why not! I will meet you there at six o'clock." I was beginning to like him or maybe I was just really excited for the chow mein.

He bowed and agreed to meet me, and some others, at the pub. We said our goodbyes and I walked upstairs to tell Rose. The Lord wasn't Rudy and I definitely would never love him, but he seemed generally honest. Trying to look on the bright side I told myself that he would make a fine ruler.