Hi! I'm sorry it's been soooo long, but I had/ still wave a LOT projects for school.. This has been my only break. But I'm glad that semester exams are over ( that's a load of my mind!). And here is the long-awaited next chapter!

thanks to everyone that reviewed, followed, or favorited this story! It's only just starting!

Princess Tutu was in front of the door to the dining room, glaring at the floor. She was dressed in a golden and white dress, her now-long red hair swept into a bun on top of her head. Pike had insisted she leave her crown, because the Royal Crows would find that an offense to their power. Tutu didn't want to cause any more problems than she had, so she placed it carefully on her bed.

Now Pike was at her side. "Um, Miss? You should probably go in." She said. "It's not a good idea to be late if your right here."

"Pike, I told you. Don't call me miss. I'd like to think of you as a friend here, even though you're a crow-born. I don't think all crows are bad anymore!" Tutu replied. She trusted Pike. Pike really seemed like a nice girl. "There's no need for formalities." Tutu took in a deep breath.

"Thank you, Mi- I mean, Tutu," replied the maid. "You should let out your breath and go in. You're all blue."

Tutu released the breath, and turned to her friend. "Your welcome, Pike. I'm just nervous, I'm clumsy now -I'm sure you've noticed- and I don't want to rub them the wrong way."

"I promise it won't be so bad," comforted Pike.

Tutu shot Pike a nervous smile and pushed the door in front of her.

The princess blinked as she took in the view. From what she had seen of the castle, crows had a luxurious dark taste in decoration. In broad daylight, it looked menacing. She imagined that at night, it would be a spectacle. The dining room also gave her that feeling of raw power. The table was a bit long, like the one at the sawn kingdom, but made with a dark, powerful wood. The chairs had a similar appearance.

Tutu brought her round blue eyes up and saw, for the first time in her life, the crow royals. The king sat at the head of the table, where he should. He had dark raven hair, and dark- almost black- eyes. His features were sharp, and menacing. He looked at Tutu as if judging her worthy. Tutu brought her eyes down, afraid to meet his gaze. She could feel not only his gaze, but everyone else's.

Then, as if a physical burden had been lifted from her small frame, she felt his gaze go elsewhere. Tutu summoned her courage and looked up, now avoiding to look at the king.

The queen, whom sat at the king's right side, had a dark evergreen hair, almost black. Her eyes, also, were a dark green, but not too close to black. She looked beautiful, but in a dangerous sense, not a heartwarming one. The queen was looking at Tutu, but not judging. She wore an emotionless mask. Tutu couldn't tell anything she was thinking.

The last one at the table was the Royal Crow Prince. He had inherited his father's sharp features, but with his mother's coloring, dark hair and green eyes. His gaze was not only emotionless, but menacing and dangerous.

Tutu gulped down her fear. She couldn't even recall their names, much less what Pike instructed her to do as they'd rushed down the halls to arrive on time. "U-u-uh..."

The young Prince muttered something under his breath.

"Princess Tutu, " said the queen. Queen-Laila. That was her name. Tutu remembered it now. "I will, on the behalf of my family and nation, welcome you to our kingdom. We wish you no harm. Please, take a seat." Her voice was a sweet, intoxicating lullaby, not expressing any emotion. Tutu was once again taken aback at how not mean or cruel Queen Laila had been.

Maybe the rumors at home were wrong... Maybe Crows are actually nice...

Tutu did as she was told, clumsily falling into the chair facing the king. Now she recalled his name. King Ragnar, often also called the Raven.

Oh, and the Prince's name. Prince Fakir, heir to the throne of the crows. His cousin, Kraehe, would be the one who was kidnapped, mused Tutu.

The servants clad in black brought the meal, all which smelled and looked delicious. Tutu's stomach grumbled, and she realized she hasn't eaten since she left home.

Home. Tutu felt a wave of grief and sorrow wash over her, and her eyes threatened to spill tears. Not here, Not now.

Anyways, the food was as tasty as it seemed. It was a complete new style Tutu has never eaten, but she enjoyed every bite. She was so busy stuffing her empty stomach, she didn't realize the silence in which the Royal family ate in.

After Tutu was on her maybe 3rd serving, Queen Laila cleared her throat. "I do hope you enjoy your stay here, and I do regret the fright you must have had."

ENJOY MY STAY!? Tutu was bewildered. How does one enjoy being a captive, no matter the luxuries? "U-uhh-um, thank you, your highness," stammered the young girl. "May I be on my way?"

"To your living quarters?" inquired the Queen. "Certainly." she waived over a servant. "Send for the young maid Pike. She is to prepare the Princess's room. Prince Fakir, please be a gentleman and escort our guest to her room." she said that last line with an edge, it's not a request, but a demand.

"Yes Mother," muttered the clearly annoyed and angered Prince. He stood up and waited impatiently for Tutu to stand up. She promptly tripped as she stood. "Come on!" he snapped.

"I'm sorry! I-I lost my balance!" apologized Tutu. She ran across to the door and strained to pull open the heavy door. "Why is this so heavy..." she grunted.

"Idiot." Fakir pulled the door with a graceful ease. Tutu's mouth opened on awe. He didn't look that strong at all...

She shook the thought out of her head and rushed out the door.

Why would I be jealous? wondered Kraehe not for the first time. She was forced out of her black dress into a white one that made her feel out of place. Did she give in easily? No. But that LILIE promised not to say a word about "jealous" Kraehe for the nest two days. It was worthwhile. Besides, Kraehe didn't plan on staying that long.

The white gown fell like silt to the ground, and flowed easily with the cool breeze. It blew her raven hair out of her face. She'd eaten alone, tricking Lilie one way or another into requesting it.

Kraehe wondered what the Royals were like. From what she had heard, they were on the verge of blind trusting, or stupidity. But after seeing the palace, a pearly white marble illusion, she did not believe that so much.

Kraehe took in a deep breath, steadying herself. She glanced up at the numerous guards always patrolling the area. They kept their distance, but always keeping an eye on her. She felt as if escape was more of a dream than reality.

Kraehe adjusted her position on her perch on the stone rock in the one garden of bushes. They were cut up into figures. The one near her, for example, was of a dancing pair.

From the rock, there were two paths. One led back to her room, the other, she had yet to be granted entrance by the guards. Down that path was walking down the biggest confusion of Kraehe's life. The Prince himself, of all people.

He smiled naturally, as if it's the easiest thing to do.

There's nothing to smile at...So why do you?

Prince Siegfried didn't seem to be affected whatsoever by Kraehe's glare or the guards now watching the pair. He just strode up to the rock and stood in front of her.

Kraehe narrowed her eyes further. Just what is he doing?

"Hello, Princess Kraehe. I noticed that you didn't attend dinner, so I decided to come find you," he said, his voice gentle and welcoming. Kraehe was taken back. No one in the Crow kingdom would state the fact she missed dinner in such a light tone. "I'm sure you know me, but just in case, I'm Prince Siegfried, of the Swan kingdom." He continued with a bow.

Kraehe made no reply.

The prince smiled and chatted with her. "I do hope you enjoy your stay, I'm afraid that we are in a tight situation."

They treat me like a guest... I'M THEIR PRISONER!

As if sensing she did not want to talk, the Prince said his farewell and went back down the path from which he came.

Kraehe sighed in relief. She did not want to be anywhere near that boy again. He made her feel worlds away from anything she knew. Maybe it was just the way Swans behaved, but that prime really ticked something off inside of her.

She leapt of the rock, and swiftly went back to her room. The sun was setting, and Lilie would be finished cleaning that room anyways.

Kraehe glanced over her shoulder toward the retreating prince and wondered why he smiled at a Crow like her.

And that's it for now. I own nothing except the characters I made.

FYI, I chose the names for the king and queen because of their definitions.

Laila

As intoxicating as wine.

RagnarScandinavianA wise warrior.

Just thought I'd share that with you...

bye!