Hey all!

I'll be updating just about once a week, to give you all a heads' up. I'm giving Lobuck Ashbreeze time to finish her story (which, consequently, has info that ties in a bit here). It's a story about all the trouble Faidn gets himself into after Nasap is over with, and it's ace. As soon as she publishes it, I will be blatantly advertising it everywhere, much to her chagrin, to be sure.

Oh yes, by the way, I highly recommend it for reading. --wink--

"Rose."

The woman sat on a cool marble bench, leaning against the rough wall of the castle. A dark green book was held firmly in her grip and her eyes were racing across the lines of script. She didn't appear to be reading, but looking for something.

"Rose?"

She turned the page, her light brown hair escaping its holding place behind her ear. She pushed it back absently, her whole mind focused on her task.

"Derwin, Derwin, Derwin," she muttered, biting her lip.

"Rose!"

She jumped when the voice shouted in her ear.

"Who in the blazes – STEPHEN DANNLIN McCRAW!"

Stephen danced just out of her reach, laughing uproariously.

"Mommawantsyouinthekitchen!" he said very fast and then turned around and sprinted through the garden.

Rose clenched her fists and growled in frustration.

"Just like your blasted father! No appreciation of my right to be undisturbed! I lost my place!" she murmured angrily, picking up the book from where it had fallen in the grass.

She stared at the front cover for a moment, her face creasing in worry, then tucked it under her arm and went into the palace

Knock knock.

Lilliana threw her old stuffed horse at the door without looking away from the window.

"Go away! Can't you just leave me in peace so I can die?!"

"For the love of brandy, Linna, it's just Stephen!" said the taken-aback voice from the other side of the door.

"Oh, very well then," Lilliana said, cheering up considerably. "Come in."

Stephen opened the door and stuck his head in, jovial face serious as he warily searched for more projectiles.

"Is it safe?" he whispered in mock fear.

"You won't be safe when your mum hears what you just said," Lilliana pointed out, scooting to a sitting position on her bed. "'For the love of brandy,' Stephen? Honestly."

"Ah, probably true," he said, plopping down next to her and drawing his knees up to underneath his chin. "So, no books, I hear, until you prove yourself a noble citizen."

"Yeah," Lilliana glowered.

"Don't say 'yeah'; that's not polite," he chided, not dodging in time to escape Lilliana's thump on the head.

He, in turn, punched her arm and the girl retaliated with a blow to the stomach. The tussle lasted a few more seconds before Lilliana let Stephen have the last swipe and she looked at a clock.

"I have got to get to etiquette now," she sighed.

"I thought you weren't leaving," Stephen teased.

"The only way I'll get my books back is by being a perfect princess," she said. "I'm not stupid. I'll throw a fit when I don't have to be anywhere, but I'll do just what they want. That will frustrate them, and then we both win."

Stephen rolled his eyes.

"Allow me to escort you, milady."

"Absolutely not," Lilliana said firmly. "The last time I allowed that, we ended up sliding into my lesson in a heap and without shoes. Miss Huggins lectured me for a whole hour on appearance and propriety."

She shuddered in remembrance. "Never act any way that you don't want the whole world to know about! Think about the rumors – the princess cavorting with a common servant!"

"He is not a common servant!" Lilliana said loudly. She had been silent for the whole lecture, realizing that she deserved it for the most part, but she thought that insulting Stephen was a rather low blow.

"I read the stories, Miss Huggins, and his mother and father are heroes! They just didn't want to be nobles."

"And a fine disgrace to the highnesses' favor that was," Miss Huggins sniffed.

Lilliana threw herself on the teacher, howling and punching the young lady right in the eye.

"Don't insult them, d'you hear me? NEVER INSULT MY FRIENDS!"

"I was put on restriction for three weeks," she remembered.

"I still think that was a bit harsh for just having a bit of fun," Stephen commented.

She shrugged noncommittally and walked toward the door. Stephen opened it with a bow.

"Thank you," she observed.

"The very least I could do," he said humbly.

Lilliana rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue while Stephen laughed.

Nre,

I would love to visit you! My parents have reluctantly agreed to let me attend your ball, heavens be thanked. I have arranged to arrive on the 3rd, will that suffice? And what kind of dresses should I bring – what type of ball is it? I don't want to be overdressed.

Thank you sincerely for your concern; your worries are not unfounded. My parents have been thrusting more responsibilities upon me in preparation for my coronation in two years, in hopes that I would gradually become accustomed to them. Unfortunately, they are only succeeding in frustrating and confusing me. I dearly need a break; maybe the Berensian air will clear my head?

How are your charming children? I am sure you won't be pleased to hear this, but it is better that you hear it from me than a snooty noble, I should think. Rumors of Lilliana's escapades have reached even to our fair kingdom. I must ask, however – did she really set a cat loose on the refreshment table during your last ball? Our representatives tut tutted, but I think it's brilliant. Your lovely lady has spunk!

And what of Ceilear and Mittlan? Ceilear is a gem! I only hope, for your sakes, that she will be more softspoken than her sister. And Mittlan is four, so the most we can expect from him is an adorable laugh, yes? I cannot contain my excitement at seeing you all, and especially the children!

Oh, yes, what has become of dear Stephen? The last time I saw him he was deftly assisting Lilliana with unscrewing the wheels of my carriage. I trust he has grown up to be much the same, only handsomer? He looks like his mother, how could he not? Haha!

With much excitement,

Iriana

The princess sealed the envelope with a kiss before dripping the wax on and pressing her ring against it, leaving the royal crest emblazoned on the ocean blue wax.

"Clayton, to the Princess Nre," she instructed, handing the letter to a man who stood at attention by her door.

Clayton bowed and took the letter from her hand, leaving the room in a soundless swish of fabric.

Iriana sighed and examined her hands, excitement bubbling up within her. She was going to see Nre!

Her fingers were slender and smooth, evidence of her royal upbringing. With a frown, she balled her hands up, hiding the offending fingers, and reverted her thoughts to her upcoming trip.

She had last seen Nre and Carvin three years ago, when Mittlan was still a dimpled angel, Ceilear was a shy four year old in a poofy white dress, and Lilliana was a restless eight year old. How she dearly loved children! She was often found cavorting with the servant's children, much to her parents' chagrin. She couldn't resist their inventive minds and ever-present smiles.

Her mind went, unbidden, to her first occasion to meet Nre; at Cameron's funeral.

"Excuse me, your highness," a soft voice said.

Iriana looked up, furious that someone had discovered her in a moment of weakness. Tears still glimmered on her cheeks. A brown haired girl perhaps a few years older than she stood before her, dressed luxuriously in a silk and taffeta dress of rich black with silver accents.

"Thank you for coming," she said in a practiced and steady voice, lowering her eyes to the girl's hands.

"It was the least I could do," the girl whispered, her own voice trembling.

Iriana looked up sharply, trying to recognize the face.

"Who—?"

"I am Nre," she said, looking into her eyes. "Do you remember me?"

Nre! Princess of Berensia! The one her brother –

Her expression hardened.

"I understand if you hate me," Nre said, her voice resigned and grief-stricken. "But I felt I could not come to the funeral without meeting you once more and apologizing. I feel at least partially responsible for Cameron's... death. If it hadn't been for me, he would have stayed safely at home."

Iriana felt like yelling and raging at this girl who stole her brother away, but she calmed her temper and replied sensibly.

"You did not ask him to come," she said, looking away from Nre's gaze. "It is not your fault."

"But I still feel like it is, and so do you," Nre said bluntly. "No matter how nonsensical it is, I still feel responsible."

"And you are!" Iriana said, before she could stop it.

Nre flinched slightly, but did not look surprised.

"If you hadn't – hadn't seduced him, he would not have lost his head trying to rescue you from a danger that did not exist! If he hadn't been so smitten by you, he would have realized that there were better ways! You messed up his mind!"

"I did not seduce him!" Nre retorted hotly, a flush rising on her cheekbones. "How dare you accuse me of such a disgrace!"

"The fact remains that it is your fault!"

"He is the one who decided to rescue me!"

"Only because his mind was clouded with thoughts of love for you!"

They stared angrily at each other, fists behind them. People peeked into the room, but when they saw the confrontation, slipped away hastily. They were both shaking with rage.

Then, without warning, they both began to cry, tears flowing down their carefully painted faces and running into the dresses. Before they quite knew what was happening, they were embracing and mumbling apologies through their tears.

"I know you didn't seduce him – "

"I knew you didn't mean it – "

"He was a brave man – "

"He fought till the end – "

Long blonde hair tumbled together with short brown, pale skin with tanned, and smooth hands clasped rough ones as two broken hearts helped each other to mend.

Final word count: 1660

I hope you enjoyed this rather... spaced out chapter. --face-- I really wanted that Nre-Iriana scene in, though; it gives a deeper basis for their friendship. But was it too much? Two flashbacks in one chapter? Comments and criticism is appreciated, please!

If you review I'll give you a Dr. Pepper-strawberry-ice-cream-chocolate-syrup float!

--dodges full glasses of concoction that were lobbed at head--

Well, erm, I like it, anyway. Howabout a Root Beer float, then?