Ta da! Here is Nasap's sequel, "Not All Books Should Be Read" which I shall affectionately call Jab, because it was first called "Judging a Book" and now I've gotten used to calling it that.

For this story, I am starting off every chapter with a quote from another fanfic that at least has something to do with the chapter. It sounded like an interesting idea, so I ran with it --smile--

This chapter is also dedicated to SIMBA's sanity -- in hopes that it shall be retained while dealing with two irritable people in a house where the AC is broken.

"You haven't seen the last of me!" Claudius snarled as the guards dragged him away. "I shall be the curse of your children and their children for generations!"

Ryan watched, his mouth a pinched line. Lauren laced her fingers through his and smiled comfortingly.

"Don't listen to him. What harm can he do locked in a jail cell?"

"None, I suppose," he said with a small smile.

"You worry too much. Relax, would you? We'll be safe as long as we're together."

Ryan looked sidelong at the woman beside him and ran his fingers through her hair.

"You're right, as usual," he breathed, leaning forward and—

Lilliana groaned, snapping the book shut loudly.

"Great story, until the mushy ending. Now I must find a new book without one," she muttered crossly, sliding the book underneath her bed. "Dumb romance, it messes up all the good stories. It should be banned."

Thus was the proclamation of Lilliana Tiroe, Crown Princess of Berensia. Unfortunately for her, no royal scribe was there to record it, so it wasn't official.

Lilliana stood on the top of the ladder, shifting her weight expertly to keep from falling as she stretched her short fingers toward the spine of the book. The unassuming maroon cover inlaid with patterns of gold blended in well with the surrounding high-class books, but it caught Lilliana's eye so she was determined to get it.

She carefully stood on tiptoe, reaching a little farther with the practiced air of one who does this sort of thing often. The threat of a seven foot fall meant nothing to the single minded eleven year old princess as she bit the end of her tongue in concentration and poked the bottom corner of the book. It moved.

Smiling, she pushed harder, shoving the bottom of the book backward which threw off its balance, causing it to tumble from the shelf. Lilliana snatched it out of the air, then lost her footing and fell backward off the ladder with a scream.

She hugged the book to her chest, eyes closed and bracing herself for the impact. Instead of stone, however, she hit a pair of sturdy arms.

"Why hello, Princess Lilliana," the young voice said seriously, disguising an irrepressible laugh.

Lilliana peeled her eyes open to behold Aberforth's smiling face. The messenger set her down carefully on the stone and bowed.

"Hello, Abe, and thank you ever much for catching me," Lilliana said, also serious, but having a hard time quelling her giggles.

"The pleasure is singularly mine, your majesty," he said, kneeling and kissing her hand.

"Rise, good subject. Come, I have need of an escort to my chambers."

She checked the title of the book she had just acquired and groaned softly. "The Many Cures for Fairy Curses" Why was it with the fictional works? Abe offered his elbow and Lilliana took it, setting the book on a table as they passed. She would find a different book another day.

They walked with great to-do from the library to her chamber, idly talking of things nobles would discuss. Nre watched the pair pass her study, calmly conversing on the matter of Abe's cousins, and rolled her eyes. Acting again.

Lilliana and Abe were always acting like someone; most of the time he took on the role of a noble – which was helping Lilliana apply her etiquette lessons – but occasionally they were heroes and villains from Lilliana's most recent book.

Whenever Ceilear or Stephen was about, (Lilliana's sister and Sarah's son) they would join the fun. The quartet was often seen romping around the palace hallways in extravagant outfits, laughing and chasing each other.

Nre listened to their fading voices, continuing her letter to Princess Iriana, Cameron's younger sister who was now heir to the Grendathian throne.

… but how are you, dear? Your last letter seemed harried and there was hardly any mention of you at all. You might be in need of a vacation from palace life. Enjoy life a little, before you're queen and can hardly escape!

I'm sure you could convince your parents to let you visit us here, at least under pretense of the Annual Berensian Royalty ball, which is to be held in two weeks' time. It's mostly a cover for some sort of peace-ball for the recent disagreements we've been having with Trule, but it should still be fun, and you don't have to worry about that. I know this is short notice, but really, Iriana, I think you need a break.

Let me know your decision as soon as you can.

All my love,

Nre

Carvin entered as she folded up the letter, shaking his head in resignation.

"If only she would act like that in public!" he moaned, rubbing his tired eyes. "Then negotiation wouldn't be so difficult."

"Negotiation?" Nre said, narrowing her eyes against the insinuation of that statement.

Carvin noticed her undertone and quickly clarified himself.

"Not marriage, Nre, good heavens! No, Alphonse and I are having trouble making agreements with countries who believe the future queen of Berensia will be an uncontrollable troublemaker too smart for her own good."

"If only Alphonse had children," Nre sighed.

"But alas, he does not," Carvin agreed, sitting across the desk from his wife and taking her hand. "So the lot falls to us, then Linna. If only she would behave, we would not have this trouble."

They lapsed into silence, mulling over possible courses of action for what felt like the thousandth time. Carvin absently rubbed his thumb on Nre's hand. Then, he had an epiphany.

"Reading!" he declared. "She shan't be allowed to read!"

Nre was horrorstruck.

"Carvin, no! Reading is knowledge! Reading is imagination! Reading is – "

" – one of her favorite things to do," he interrupted, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "If we just take it away until after the upcoming ball, warning her that if she doesn't act right she won't get the privilege back, then I think that would teach her a sound lesson. What have you to say on that?"

He looked apprehensive. Nre opened her mouth and closed it twice before she swallowed and tried again.

"I do not like it, but I believe you are right."

Carvin was relieved.

"Good, I could not have done it without your approval."

"You tell her," Nre said firmly.

Carvin winced.

"I WILL NEVER OPEN THIS DOOR AS LONG AS I SHALL LIVE!"

"Linna, please listen to me."

"LEAVE ME ALONE TO DIE OF MISERY!"

"Linna…"

"I SHALL WALLOW IN THE PIT OF MY DISMAL EXISTENCE UNTIL I AM SMOTHERED BY THE EXTENT OF MY DESPAAAAAAIR!"

Carvin gave up trying to reason with her and walked away, listening with worry to the overdramatic howls of his eldest daughter. Abe, carrying a tall stack of books that had been recovered from Lilliana's room, fell into step with him.

"Don't worry, your highness," he said brightly. "She's just pitching a fit. She'll be right as rain after a few days."

Carvin smiled weakly.

Final word count: 1135

Thank you, if you have gotten this far! Please push that little button down there; I'll hand out beginning-of-fic Drumstiks (you know, the ice cream kind, not the chicken kind)

EDIT: Thank you Cimh for helping me reword a sentence!