Chapter 1

Daria did not want to get caught. Hopefully, she wouldn't. One game, that was it. Once she was found, the children would attract a lot of attention in the gardens and the Nurse would hear the racket. Nurse would definitely inform Daria of some engagement she was supposed to be attending.

If she did, she would have to go back sooner. She could only imagine her mother's shock if she saw her. She smiled slightly at the thought.

She was supposed to take tea with her mother, the Queen. But then all the courtiers had appeared so she slipped away while her mother made small talk. Of course, no one had noticed. When compared with the courtiers, Daria was always more quiet.

Daria remained silent, crouched underneath the tall willow tree, hoping her baggy green servants' shirt and leggings blended in with the surrounding.

Rustling could be heard in the bushes. A giggle and some shrieks.

A group of girls and boys jumped out of their respective places. She was discovered.

"Daria! We found you," shrieked one of the little girls, who was the daughter of King Stephen's most trusted advisor. "We searched everywhere! We were even going to try the kitchen, but Marie was looking so angry we didn't dare go in."

Daria laughed loudly and held the hands of the littlest girls, while the boys pranced around her, each claiming themselves the ones who found her.

"So you did, Elizabeth." Daria smiled. "Now, I can't play anymore. I will have to return soon."

It was these moments she loved best. Playing with the children of the Court. Those in court who were similar in age to her were either entirely intimidated by Daria or maliciously superficial towards her. Ever since she was a child, there had always been that distinctive barrier between her and all the others.

Of course, Daria was brought up like any princess should. From the age of ten, she had taken dancing, etiquette, sewing lessons and to her mother's chagrin but at her father's insistence, archery, riding, history, languages and even a little of bit of politics lessons. The other girls in her court just did not find anything but court gossip interesting. Everyone agreed privately that the Princess Daria was remarkably beautiful but really, a very strange girl who actually found more interest in riding than dancing or conversing with girls her age!

She sighed inwardly. That awkward difference! Even now, at the age of seventeen, no longer a mere child, she still regretted her lack of interaction with anyone else but her own siblings. She had tried talking with all the other courtiers and their children. But their interest in her wealth and power disgusted Daria. Their pettiness repelled her. So any intercourse was limited to tea functions, balls or court gatherings and Daria found solace in reading, her lessons and sneaking out to play with the children.

Of course, no one but the children and Nurse knew that she played with them. Her mother would not approve. The Queen's patience had been tried enough times when the King allowed Daria to take lessons with her elder brother. It would've been frowned upon anyway. The eldest Princess Daria of Blaven playing hide-and-seek with the children? She could almost hear the tongues of the gossiping countess's and duchess's.

"Children," a call from Nurse could be heard. "Where are you?"

A plump figure rounded around the bushes and stopped upon seeing the gathering.

"Why," Nurse exclaimed and curtsied at once. "Your Highness, playing with the children again?...Regin told me not five minutes ago that Sir Hilton has been waiting rather impatiently for you in the library."

"Sir Hilton?," Daria smiled at the Nurse. "Thank you for telling me. I've forgotten my lessons again! I just wanted to relax for a while. I'm afraid I have to leave, Elizabeth…"

Despite the protests of the children, Daria untangled their hands from her and returned towards the palace.

She walked briskly along the hallways, keeping her head down. Hopefully, if anyone saw her they would just past her off as a servant.

The sundial in the garden had read twelve o'clock. She hadn't intended to play for so long! But then the children were in the garden and she could never resist playing with them.

Daria realized with a jolt she needed to change quickly back to her normal attire. Her tutor was waiting. She hurried into her room and saw her handmaid Lara arranging the wadrobe.

"Lara! Hurry," she called.

Lara was her best friend and confidante and understood that Daria was late for something again. Within a matter of minutes, no explanation needed, a dress was donned and the hair was coiffed and up. Daria was ready for her lesson.

Outside the library door, Daria took a deep breath and composed herself before entering the door.

The old tutor's eyes twinkled bemusedly at Daria's flushed appearance.

"Sir Hilton. I am so sorry. I was out in the gardens, I did not realize the time. I promise I will make up the lost time." Daria explained hurriedly.

She was so busy apologizing that she did not notice the two men on the couch until too late…

She blushed crimson as she realized just who they were: the King and a vaguely familiar handsome stranger.

"Father!"

"Daria," The King smiled. "Not late for a lesson, were we? After your enthusiasm to learn when you were ten, I hope you would keep it up."

Daria blushed deeper as she realized her father was teasing. She looked down at the carpet in embarrassment. In front of a stranger! This is too humiliating!

"Daria, this is Prince Derek of Swarical." The King remained seated while the man stood up at his introduction. "Prince Derek, my daughter, Princess Daria."

"It is an honour to meet you again." Prince Derek smiled a handsome smile. His teeth were perfect. That would put him in mother's good list, Daria thought. Still, she had to admire his brilliant smile. It was quite fortunate for a prince to have such good looks.

His voice sounded familiar.

"As it is with me, Prince Derek." Daria replied as etiquette required and curtsied. When she came back up from her curtsey, her eyes meet his eyes. A light shade of blue that matched perfectly with his blonde hair. His eyes looked familiar too.

Her eyes widened as she thought back to a ball for her fifteenth birthday, two years ago.

Royalty from all countries were invited, even Durack. The foreign relationship between Blaven and Durack had been unstable and precarious for a decade over borderline arguments; however, the King and Queen of Blaven had still deemed it necessary to invite them.

Daria had danced with the Crown Prince of Swarical then. He was everything charming and gallant. The corners of Daria's mouth turned upwards as she remembered her sister, Heidi, being enamored as a maiden of thirteen would have been. Daria herself had received his attentions with amiableness. They had become acquaintances, though he had only stayed but a week in the royal Blaven Palace.

She would not be sorry to continue that acquaintance. Though, she was surprised. What brought the Prince of Swarical to Blaven winter's? All the continent knew that wintertime in Blaven was harsh and cold.

Daria realized with a jolt that she had been staring out the window for sometime; Prince Derek was still looking at her.

"Prince Derek," she smiled at him and spoke to overcome the silence. "I trust your family is well?"

"Yes, thank you. I have no need to ask of your wellbeing, Princess Daria. I can see for myself that you are quite well and captivating as ever."

She blushed slightly at his compliment. He had been quite a charmer! Even at the ball when he was only eighteen, three years older than her.

"Thank you." She replied quietly. She did not want to become like the gossipy court girls who became giddy whenever a handsome prince or courtier talked to them. Still, she had to admit, he was attractive. Daria scolded herself mentally as she began to blush again. She had only met this boy and she was all over the place already!

"I am glad we have had the chance to meet again." He continued. "The ball was very pleasant and I was sorry I could not stay long last time."

The King had remained silent after his introduction. But now, he stood from his seat.

"I am afraid I must leave you two. I have some business to discuss with Sir Hilton. We would be delighted if you joined us for dinner, Prince Derek. Would you please excuse Sir Hilton and I?"

"Don't forget, Daria. Don't be late for dinner." With that, the King exited the room with her tutor.

Daria grimaced slightly. Prince Derek was probably one of the few people that she had met and spoke to her with friendliness and without pretence. It was just like her father to tease and embarrass her in front of a guest.

"Don't worry," he replied, with a teasing look in his eye. "I have a tendency to be…fashionably late…for engagements too."

She composed her expression and continued on lightly, "I'm afraid I did not know of your arrival. I was quite surprised."

"Yes, I could tell from your expression. I only arrived at noon and then the King brought me here."

Daria became curious. "Really, did he say why?"

"No."

"Why are you here?" She then cringed slightly at her bluntness. Daria wondered if you could be out-of-practice for socializing. It had been so long since she had actually talked to someone her age.

Something flashed into Prince Derek's eyes for a moment and then it was gone. She wasn't sure if what she saw was a glimmer of contempt or humour…but his eyes were warm and kind when she looked back again.

"I hardly know. My parents only said that some diplomatic business was currently being discussed and my presence was needed for the seal of royalty. Fortunately, I believe my stay will be for over a month."

"Well, now that you are here to stay, would you like to view the grounds again? Your last stay was rather brief."

"That would be great."

For the whole afternoon, he was always assisting and complimenting. She was charmed by his eloquence and intelligence. Whenever, they met the court ladies, blushes and giggles were plenty. Daria could understand; perfect looks, good humour and temper, intelligence and pleasant character was not often all found in the sons of the Dukes and Baron's of Blaven. The only person she knew to possess all those characteristics was her brother, Charles.

His amiableness toward her that afternoon made her overlook the strange look she had glimpsed in his eyes. Daria passed it off as a strange angle of light and enjoyed his attentions with all the delight a young princess could.