A/N-Thanks to my reviewers!

Disclaimer-Naught but the plot is mine.

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"Thank you. I appreciate your time. Now, back to my question. Where should I be? And before another stupid answer come out of your mouth, think I about this: I am the princess."

Silence, including every worker. This was a nasty surprise.

"Well I be darned," someone exclaimed.

"Quiet!" snapped Lukiem. "How do I know that your not simply a-a low-born, commoner wench? I should be dealing with a real princess, one who knows when to hold her tongue!"

"Do you really want proof?" She was going to make his life miserable. She had found out by torturing people with stupid questions was an excellent way.

"Yes I want proof!"

She handed over several documents. She than called for the captain of the ship she had been on.

Lukiem still wasn't satisfied.

After every single document had been looked over, every member of the ship interrogated, and a mage to confirm that the papers were not forged and she was in fact Kalasin, Lukiem was in a very difficult position.

"We…were not expecting you for a day still," Lukiem said, trying in vain to smile.

"Good passage and an even better captain. Now, for the last time: where should I be?"

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Finally, Kalsin thought, a bed that isn't rocking.

Kalasin was flopped down on her massive temporary bed. She thought over the events of the last hour. She had been brought to the east wing, which had survived Daine's rampage, and been told to wait for a slave to tend to her any whims. Lukiem had somehow disappeared as soon as she reached the palace.

A sharp sting on her arm brought her back to reality. She had left the window open. She jumped up, and swatted a massive bug on her arm. She…despised bugs. Carthak would take some time to get used to, since the bugs here were twice the size of the ones in Tortall.

"Mithros!" she shouted as another bug of the same kind flew in. She smacked it against the bedside table, where it had landed. Then two more flew in. She let out a small scream of frustration. If she closed the window, she would die of heat, but if she left it open the bugs would feast on her, since they obviously enjoyed stinging her.

She picked up a book that was lying on a desk, and began running around the room like a maniac trying to smack the bugs into tiny bits.

And then the door opened.

Kalasin immediately recognized him as her soon-to-be husband, Kaddar.

He took one look at her messed-up hair, her book that was covered in one of the bug's guts, her clothes that were mussed, and her trying sneaking up on one of the massive bugs.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked smoothly.

She put the book down and smoothed her hand over her hair.

"Not at all, Majesty." She bowed down, since she couldn't curtsy, seeing as how she was still in breeches.

He looked around her room, which by the second was being invaded by more and more bugs.

"Here," he said, walking over to the window. "This may help."

He pulled the tie on a piece of fabric beside the window, and before Kalasin thought it had been decoration. They were made of extremely light, purple fabric, light enough to see through it. It was then Kalasin noticed a slide at the top of the window. He pulled the fabric across, and tied it on the other side. Her window was now protected by the oncoming bugs, but the outside air could now come in.

"Thank you, Majesty. I appreciate it."

All of a sudden, Kaddar realized that he was a room with his betrothed.

Voice strained with tightness, he said, "I have told a slave to tell you on what will happen over the course of the next few days. I hope you will find it to your liking. I had received news of your arrival by Lukiem, and wished to extend a formal greeting to you."

Inside her head, Kalasin swore violently. She hadn't heard such formal talk for ages.

Matching his formality, she said, "It is of course of my liking. I would expect no less of the Emperor."

He nodded. They then stumbled over bits of small talk, which went over horribly.

"Excuse me, Majesty," she was nearing tears at the prospect of marrying someone she couldn't even talk with, "can I have a minute please?"

He nodded once again and left. The second the door closed, Kalasin broke out crying.

Why? She thought. I can have anything I ever wanted! Gold, money, chocolate, riches, and power-yet I hate it! I hate it! She grabbed the book and threw it across the room. She knew the answer to her question. Because Carthak simply wasn't Tortall.

She then grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, and began writing a letter home.

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A/N-Awwww, poor Kalasin! Don't hate me! It'll get better, and will all be explained….please review!