A/N: In this story, the Shadow Lord never invaded Deltora. Lief grew up as prince, while Jasmine grew up as a normal girl in Del. What happened as a result of that? Read to find out, and I'd appreciate a review at the end:)

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

The Christmas Party

I have never liked Prince Lief of Deltora. He is arrogant, hotheaded, annoying, cold at times, gorgeous… Wait, did I just say that? I must be going mad. I did not just say that. Anyway, we were always rivals as children. We played pranks on one another and teased each other constantly. The other children never understood why we hated one another. I think it was just an instant reaction, our personalities clash.

I had not seen Lief in about a year. My father Jarred had organised a Christmas party and had invited many young men, hoping I would fall for one of them. He seems to think that I need a man to take care of me, even though he knows I am a strong fighter. I talk to the young men that he finds, some of them are even interesting. I always decline their advances when they attempt to flirt with me, however.

My friends, Alice, Rachel and Tara, were constantly flirting with the men around us during the Christmas party. Father had even brought in some musicians (he can be incredibly extravagant at times) and there were many couples dancing. There was food on all of the tables and large groups of people were talking and eating. I will never understand why they come to our Christmas parties…

"Jasmine! There is a group of people coming this way. Guess who it is?" Tara exclaimed excitedly.

"Who?" I asked warily.

"It is Prince Lief, and the king and queen!"

My stomach plummeted. This was just wonderful. My childhood enemy was coming to my Christmas party. His father and my father had been friends for years, but I never went with Father to the palace.

"Jasmine, I do not think you have seen Lief in ages. He is very handsome…" Alice trailed off dreamily. I could not care less how handsome the future king was, Alice should have known that. I would have to actually talk to him, seeing as otherwise I would be grounded for months.

There was a loud knock on the door. Father opened it and ushered the royal family and their escort inside. I took one look at Lief and had to stop my jaw from dropping. Alice was right, he is very handsome. He has thick, silky black hair and the most beautiful eyes of a stormy grey. He is tall, taller than his father, and quite muscular. He is very graceful and smiles a gentle smile, flashing his white teeth.

Alice, Tara and Rachel walked over, doing their very best to look elegant, and greeted the royals with low curtseys. The king and prince inclined their heads, and the queen gave a slight curtsey. The guards bowed low. My friends all blushed slightly because of their close proximity to Lief. They only like him because he is royalty…

A guard with a thick beard spoke to Lief and they both laughed a little. I think his name is Barda… yes that is it. Barda, captain of the royal guards. I do believe that he has been friends with the royal family for a good few years. It still beats me as to why anyone, including Father, would want to be closely acquainted to them. Lief may be handsome, but personality is what I look for in a friend.

Queen Sharn interrupted Lief and Barda's conversation and said something to him. He nodded and whirled away from her. He was walking towards me. Father came up beside me (good timing on his part) just as Lief reached me. I curtseyed to Lief, looking as mocking as I possibly could without being reprimanded. He bowed to me and smiled.

"Good evening, Lady Jasmine. Good evening, Jarred. I trust that you are both well?"

"Very well, thank you, Lief. It seems that your parents brought quite a large escort." Father replied, arching an eyebrow.

"Indeed they did." Lief sighed. "I personally do not see the point. We are only around ten minutes walk from the palace, and I am perfectly capable of looking after my self, as is my father."

"I am sure they have a good reason. They are probably concerned for your safety." Father said.

"They worry too much. I am not an ornament, I will not break easily. They forget that I am not only a prince, I do have a personality!" The prince snapped.

"They do not treat you like an ornament, I am sure. And they have good reason to worry! You are the only heir to the belt after all." Father pointed out.

I watched as Lief looked over at his parents. Sharn gave him a significant look that left no room for his opinion. She wanted him to do something that he did not want to do. Lief sighed and looked at me. "Would you do me the honour of dancing with me?" he asked reluctantly. I looked at Father and he gave me a look that told me I would either dance with Lief or be in very deep trouble. I chose the former; it would give me time to taunt him.

"You honour me, your Majesty." I replied, smiling a smile that he knew was fake. Lief led me to the dance floor and we began to dance, very reluctantly and as far apart as possible.

"I hear that you will be married very soon, your Highness. Do tell me, who is the lucky girl?" I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster.

"I am not engaged, though it is my parents' wish. I have no inclination to marry in the near future." He replied, giving me one of his infamous glares.

"What a pity. I wonder if you will ever have the inclination to marry? Or is it that you can find no woman who will accept you?" I questioned coldly.

Lief stopped being polite and became the boy I remembered as he said, "You know very well that many women wish to marry me. There is a simple reason for that, Jasmine. I am prince! Just because I do not care about any of the harlots who try to gain my love does not mean I will never marry."

"Language, Majesty. What would your parents say if they heard you call all the poor, deceived girls who think that you are a reasonable person harlots? They would be so ashamed." I chided.

"They are already ashamed of me, one more thing could not matter much. Thank you for pointing that out my Lady!" he snapped. I was taken aback. That was the last thing that I had expected him to say. His parents were ashamed of him? I wonder why? He seems to be a perfect little prince when he is around them.

We finished the dance and let go of each other very quickly. He walked me over to my father and then walked off again. He was soon out of my sight, which was a very good thing for both of us. Alice came up to me and began ranting on about how handsome and graceful and perfect Lief was. I nearly choked on the water that I had been drinking. Lief perfect? Never.