(A/N: Okay guys, this chapter one took me the longest to write so far because of its immense amount of events as well as detail. Just a warning, in this chapter there will be a little bit of racism and prejudice featured (never thought you'd see that in a Hetalia fanfic, did ya?) in some parts. If you can't deal with the idea or literature of this nature I would suggest you wait until the next chapter to come out (which should be about a few weeks). But by the end of this, there will be a lot of questions you need to ask yourself as well as me. Why me? Well soon, I will be making a video focusing on questions asked by you (the fans aka the readers) about the first part/half of this story, which is from the beginning all the way to the lemon in the next chapter. If you have any questions, reguardless whether it's about the characters, plot, or setting just leave a review and I will respond by linking to the video when all the questions are asked. The deadline for questions has not been set yet but it will be by the time of the end of part one, or in other words the next chapter.

So by all means, enjoy! I'll shut up until the end.)

*~Wedding day~*

KANDAKE'S POV

My eyes fluttered open as the rays of sunlight hit my face. I stretched my arms out and felt an empty space in the bed beside me.

Gilbert had left.

A smile made its way across my lips, "He kept his promise..." When I leaned up I heard a knock on my door, "Come in."

Elizabeta walked in with a handful of towels, "Good morning, Kandake."

I smiled back, "Good morning." Suddenly, memories of my dream began flashing back in my mind and I huddled my knees to my chest,

"Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, "Oh no, nothing's wrong!" I said with a bright smile, "Can I ask you something Eliza?"

"Of course your highness," She replied with a bright smile, "What's on your mind?"

"It's kind of a personal question, I don't want to cause any offense when I ask it."

My chambermaid shook her head, "Don't worry about it Kandake, just ask your question." I paused. "W-When you and Roderich did... "it" for the first time, did it hurt?"

Elizabeta then blushed a deep red. "W-Well, um..." She then stood up and began pacing around the room, thinking of what to say, "I won't lie, it does hurt the first time..." I felt my heart sink and quicken its beats in fear, "...but the pain usually doesn't last that long. In about five to ten seconds I guarantee it'll be gone." I looked at her slightly with fear. "I'm sorry but that's all I can really tell you for now..."

"It's okay Eliza," I smiled, "You really helped." She smiled back, "Now lets hurry and get you prepared for your wedding."

GILBERT'S POV

I heard Rodrich walk into my room, "Get up, Gilbert." He ordered me and I rolled my eyes with great discomfort.

"Wake up!"

I turned around to face him and leaned up, "I'm up, I'm up." I told him, whilst rubbing my eyes. I noticed Roderich look at me strangely, "What?" I asked. A sigh left his lips before he said, "Can I ask you a question?"

I nodded,

"I can see that you're going to go through with this, and I'm glad. But... what would the people say?"

I looked at him confused, "Huh?"

"Well it's just that... Kandake... well she's not from around here and-."

I raised my hand up, "Look, look, if it's about the whole poverty, plantations thing I got it all under control. They'll never kno-."

"I'm not worried about that. It's just... well... Kandake isn't... normal."

Now I was really confused, "What?"

"What I'm trying to say is, what are the people going to think about her? Because Kandake's kind of... different."

I started thinking about Kandake. What the hell was he talking about? Everything about her is perfectly normal! The only thing that was different was her...

Oh.

My face went from confused to serious in a matter of seconds. "Well then," I said while getting out of my bed, "If my people cannot handle the way my wife looks, then they'll just have to get used to it." I began walking towards Roderich with the same expression plastered on my face, "I wouldn't care how she looks or what her skin color is," I furrowed my eyebrows even more, intimidating Roderich a little, "because she is my wife, and I love her."

My butler backed away a little and said, "Y-Yes sir."

I walked past him but then stopped, "Roderich, something's wrong with me..."

"What is it Gilbert?"

"I can't explain it," I told him whilst shaking my head, "But there's something..."

"What?"

"Last night, Kandake and I..."

I could feel the anger radiating off of Roderich, "You slept with her?!"

I turned to him, "No! Well... kind of." I said rubbing the back of my head.

"What do you mean 'kind of'? There is no 'kind of', did you sleep with her or not?!"

"We did sleep together," I said, "but I assure you nothing happened." My butler looked at me suspiciously, "Last night I couldn't sleep for some reason... I guess something she said to me yesterday really struck a chord inside of my heart, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. So I went into her room and then..." I sighed, "I nearly had sex with Kandake, and almost committed a sin against god! But she stopped me and told me to wait until after the wedding. I agreed, but she let me lay in bed with her until dawn. And that's when I left and came in here."

I slowly turned to look at my friend with realization and guilt written on my face, "Roderich... I think... I think I might actually be falling in love with her." Roderich stared at me unsure of what to say. "What do you think I should do-?"

"We don't have time to worry about meaningless things like that," He said, adjusting his glasses, "Right now, all that matters is that we get you ready for your wedding."

I nodded, "Alright."

LATER

SADIK'S POV

I was awakened by the sound of whispers outside of my door, "This isn't good," I heard a voice say, "he told me that he's actually falling in love with her." My eyes slightly opened when I recognized the voice as the main butler, Roderich. "This is all becoming so messed up," He continued, "if our future king continues to get attached to her then he won't be able to discard Kandake that easily!"

Discard... Kandake?

"What?" I thought to myself as I continued to listen in on the servant's conversation.

"Roderich, I don't think this is right." I heard the female servant, Elizabeta whisper, "She's been kind to us all the while and had the chance to fire us when we were sleeping together! I really don't think we should do this..."

"Eliza, we have to. It's our job to make sure that everything goes according to Gilbert's plan. Don't worry, it'll all be alright." I furrowed my eyebrows before I heard Roderich say, "We have to wake up the guests now for the wedding."

I then shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep while I heard footsteps walking away.

There was a knock on my door. "Sir Sadik?"

I grumbled, "Come in."

The door opened and he walked into my room, "It's time for you to get ready for Kandake's wedding," He told me. I turned over in the bed and leaned up, facing the servant. "Okay." I grumbled whilst wiping my eyes in the process. "Here's your suit for the special occasion, I trust that you are well acquainted with it." I nodded, "Yes." Roderich bowed and left me alone, pondering over what I had just heard.

RODERICH'S POV

I walked down the hallways and smirked sneakily under my breath, "I guess he heard us..." I closed my eyes, "things really are going according to plan."

ALEGRIA'S POV

I was awakened by a soft knock at my room door. I walked out of my bed, tidying up my hair in the process, and opened it, "Yes?" In my sights was Lili, the youngest maid standing in front of me with a pile of clothes folded neatly in her hand, "Good morning Madame Alegria," She said softly and held up the items for me to see, "here's your bridesmaid dress for the wedding."

Lili handed me my clothes, "Thank you, Lili." I said before seeing a pile of extra clothes on a porcelain cart with golden edges at the side. "Are those everyone else's dresses?" I asked, curious as to why a small child no older than me would have to do such a long task.

Lili nodded, "Would you like me to help you?"

Her face turned to shock before nodding and smiling. I walked out from my room and began pushing the cart of clothes and following Lili to the next room, "My big brother would usually help me, but when he was promoted to captain of the guard I had to do most things on my own."

"Oh it's fine, I don't mind at all." I smiled brightly.

GILBERT'S POV

I walked to a large closet in my room and opened the door revealing a mannequin holding my royal wedding attire. A red cloak pinned together by a golden pendant of an eagle covered a prussian blue gauntlet vest with a neat white dress shirt underneath. The pants were the same color as the vest and right beside the mannequin was a pair of calf-high brown boots. I always admired this attire because it had belonged to my father in the years earlier. When I was dressed in my new kingly robes, minus the cape, I looked in the mirror at myself and sighed, "Never thought I'd wear this one day."

I wrapped the red cloak around my shoulders and clipped the gold eagle pendant to keep it together. Suddenly I heard a knock at my door, "It's probably Roderich with last minute news," I thought to myself unphased, "Come in."

The door opened and instead, Sadik came walking inside. I turned around to face him in a bit of shock. "Sadik," He closed the door, "What's wrong? Is there something you need?"

"I just came here to warn you."

I raised my eyebrow in confusion, "Excuse me?"

Sadik crossed his arms, "I've known Kandake for nearly 10 years," He started, "and I practically know her better then anyone else here, except for maybe her sisters who have known her longer." I slightly furrowed my eyebrows; I knew where this was going. "And I'm gonna tell you right now," He leaned closer to my face, "If I hear that you've hurt her, or made her cry in any way, I will hunt you down."

THere was a long second of silence. "Are you threatening me?" I asked.

"No," Sadik replied, "I'm promising you."

Then he backed away towards the door and walked out, leaving me in my room by myself again. A small cocky grin made its way across my lips, "Like to see you try..." I muttered.

KANDAKE'S POV

I stared at myself wearing Queen Beilschmidt's wedding dress including a long veil that reached down my back. Elizabeta and Lili were smoothing down the bottom of the dress carefully before standing up and looking at me with pride and joy in their eyes, "You look gorgeous, Kandake," Lili's eyes sparkled, "I can't wait to see Gilbert's face!"

"Yes, he surely will be taken aback!" Eliza said with joy. Suddenly she turned to Lili, "Oh, Lily! We forgot to get her earrings!"

Lili placed her hand over her mouth in alarm before saying frantically, "We're sorry, Mistress Kandake! We must be excused! We forgot your earrings!"

Me, being a little shocked by their frantic panic attack, replied calmly, "O-Okay." The two girls then ran out the room like two cheetahs, leaving a trail of smoke behind them. I then turned back towards the mirror before hearing a knock on the door, "Come in."

The door opened revealing Ludwig with a bouquet of white roses, "Hallo, Kandake." He says to me, showing off a small smile, "I managed to pick this up for you." The bodyguard shows me the bundle of flowers in his hand and I take them from him with a large grin on my face,

"Thank you." I said before looking back in the mirror, holding the bouquet close to me.

I looked like a real bride. My eyes sparkled as I stared at myself,

"You look beautiful," Ludwig said from behind,

"I feel beautiful..." I paused, "...but not ready."

"What's wrong?"

"Ludwig," I turned towards him and bit my lip, "I'm scared." I whispered.

My bodyguard's eyes softened, "Don't be. It's... gonna be alright, Kandake."

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

He paused for a moment. "That's for you to decide, Kandake. But I believe that Gilbert is... a very lucky man." I smiled and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged back. After a while we let each other go and Ludwig opened the door letting himself out, "Remember, there's nothing for you to be nervous about. Just walk out with a sense of pride and with your head held high, because you're gonna be queen."

BARIKA'S POV

Kandake nodded at her bodyguard with wide grin, "Okay, Ludwig," She said, "Thank you."

The blonde man nodded as well before smiling and walking out the door. I spotted him outside of Kandake's dressing room heaving a small but quiet sigh before vanishing into the hallway.

It was all coming together.

The pieces were falling into place.

I walked back towards my other sisters' dressing room and closed the door. "Barika, hurry and help me tie this ribbon, please!" Alegria said rushing towards me in a panic. I turned her around and began tying the white fabric around her small slender hips,

"Y'know, I just thought of something," Cheylah said, already fully dressed and sitting down in front of the mirror primping herself, "We barely know the groom himself, as well as most of the people living here. I say that during the afterparty we should split up and get to know some of them."

Fatima nods her head excitedly, "That's a great idea, Cheylah! We should!"

"I'm up for that." Eliana mentioned whilst straighing out her curly hair and placing a few lovely flower barettes in it. "I think that it's time we expanded our relations. By the time the party is over, we must all know at least one person, whether they might be somebody from this household or not."

We all nodded. "Agreed," Vanessa stated.

"Speaking on the subject, as in getting to know other people here, what kind of person do you think Ludwig will be like?" Asked Alegria

"I think he's more of the quiet type," Fatima noted, "but defiantly not my type." She added with a small laugh. Alegria then turned to me and asked, "Barika, what do you think of Kandake's bodyguard, Ludwig?"

I looked up at her, "I think he's in love with her." Suddenly the whole room got quiet. Everyone's glances turned towards me.

"What do you mean? Like, how do you know?" Alegria asked.

"When we were telling Kandake about Sade and Jewel, afterwards he hugged her. It was the way he did it, like, how a husband would hug a wife. And then just a few minutes ago when I was outside of her room I saw-."

"Barika, that's enough!" Vanessa interrupted me with anger clearly written across her face. I looked at her and my eyebrows furrowed, "I don't want to hear any more of that, Barika! You've already suspected Gilbert for being sneaky, and now you think that Ludwig's in love with the bride of his brother? You're crazy!"

"Vanessa, I'm just trying to be truthful! I really think that there's more to this place then we thi-."

"Save it!" Vanessa snapped at me, "I don't want to hear any more out of you!"

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to, Vanessa?" I slightly shouted at my younger sibling, "I'm older than you, and since Sade and Jewel are gone I'm the one who's left in charge here, thank you very much. So you shut your damn mouth before I shut it for you! Understand?!" "You're not the oldest! Eliana and Cheylah are the oldest! I listen to them not you!"

"Los dos, stop it!" We turned around and noticed Alegria standing up with a look on her face that I had never seen before. Anger. "KAndake's getting married in less than an hour and you're sitting here arguing?! This isn't a time for foolish selfishness at the moment! Kandake needs us right now and that's the most important thing. We'll worry about odd things later."

I slowly nodded my head but Vanessa rolled her eyes, scoffed, and crossed her arms. We then heard a knock on the door, "Come in." Alegria said. The door then opened and in walked the little blonde-haired chambermaid. WHat was her name again? Oh, Lili! She curtsied and said,

"You all look very lovely, but I came here to lead you all to the altar." We looked at each other and then nodded. My family began following Lily out of the dressing room but I stayed a second longer,

"I have a bad feeling about this..."

KANDAKE'S POV

We were taken to a huge church in the middle of the kingdom and was large enough to fit at least ten families on the outside. Gilbert hadn't arrived yet and I was getting quite antsy. I looked inside of the large church through one of its windows and saw many different people from far and wide entering the church and sitting in the many rows of benches below. "Where is Gilbert? Why isn't he here yet?" My mind wandered and I nervously gripped my bouquet of flowers and began figeting in my dress, "Oh, what if he doesn't show up and leaves me at the altar?" I worried to myself before suddenly I felt a finger tap on my shoulder. I slightly jolted up in shock and turned around.

Behind me stood my husband who was handsomely dressed in a dark blue uniform underneath a royal red cloak. "It's okay, it's me." His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the way I looked. "Kandake..." He said looking at me and I smiled, "...you look beautiful."

A blush coated my cheeks and I looked down at the ground, "Thank you, Gilbert."

My fiancée tilted my chin up and stared into my brown eyes, he then slowly leaned in to kiss my lips before suddenly music began to play. I looked through the door window and noticed my bridesmaids, which were my sisters and Lili and Elizabeta, walking down the aisle alongside our groomsmen. I recognized Eliana walking with Francis, Lili with Vash, Eliza with Roderich, Barika with Arthur, and Alegria with Sadik. Cheylah, Vanessa, and Fatima were with others who's names, nor faces, I did not know. A sudden thought went through my head and it caused my heartbeat to slightly pick up,

"This is just like my dream..."

When they arrived and stood at the altar Gilbert held his arm up to me, "Ready?" He asked me.

I shook the thought off and wrapped my hand around it, nodding in the process, "Ready." In a few seconds the doors in front of us were opened and Gilbert and I began to slowly walk down the aisle as well. The people in the chapel, when they saw me at least, began to mutter lowly and give off quite suspicious looks at me,

"What happened to the bride? Did she get a tan?" One of the people whispered to another guest,

"No, I think that's her actual skin!"

"Who is this girl? I've never seen her kind before."

I began to get a queezy feeling inside at all the people's murmuring,

"Remember, there's nothing for you to be nervous about. Just walk out with a sense of pride and with your head held high, because you're gonna be queen." I remembered.

"He's right." I then held my head up and stared straight at the priest with a sense of pride, "I'm gonna be queen... whether they like it or not."

LUDWIG'S POV

I smiled at Kandake's sudden burst of confidence as she lifted her head up and began walking pridefully alongside Gilbert.

"What the hell is Gilbert doing with that...thing?" One of the guests whispered from behind to another,

"I wish I knew," the other one said, "but I'm just as confused as you are. That crow is not attractive at all, not even close." I cleared my throat and my gaze turned back to the two women, who closed their mouths quickly. I turned back around and began applauding the two, soon the whole church followed suit.

KANDAKE'S POV

When we stood in front of the priest he spoke in a loud voice, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony," He began. "and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined."

We watched as a lady, who was the same one from my dream, walked down the aisle carrying our rings. She was dressed in a long green dress and had a cheerful smile to her face. The woman handed the rings to the priest. I was freaking out inside. Everything that happened in my dream was happening now! What's going on?! Was the dream I had last night not just a simple nightmare but... instead a vision? Was Gilbert gonna force himself on me on our wedding night? Oh please God no...!

"If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."

Nobody said a word.

"I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together other than as God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful."

He turned to Gilbert, "Gilbert Beilschmidt, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"

Gilbert nodded his head and said, "I will."

The priest turned to me, "And Kandake Sitota, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

"I will."

I saw Gilbert smile and the priest asked, "Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?"

Gilbert turned towards me, took my right hand into his and said, "I Gilbert take thee Kandake to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." He placed the wedding band given to him around my ring finger.

Then I took his and said, "I Kandake take thee Gilbert to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."

"I know pronounce you both husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." My new husband smiled and wrapped his strong hands around me. Our lips clashed together as everyone started clapping and applauding out loud, I could even hear the wedding bells sound through the church, just like in the dream.

I looked over to my sisters who were cheering happily for me. As we exited the church there were people all around us throwing white rose petals and cheering for me and Gilbert. Two men walked up to us, one on each of our sides, holding a large golden crown with lovely gems and the other holding a small tiara coated with diamonds. They placed the crown on Gilbert's head and the tiara on mine.

"All hail, the King and Queen of Prussia!"

The crowd cheered us with excitement as we boarded a coach and headed back to Gilbert's castle for the banquet.

ELIANA'S POV

I watched with great eagerness and worry as the guest started eating the food I had helped prepare. There was sudden stillness in my breathing and a great increase of my heart beat. When I saw that more and more people were enjoying my cooking I let go of the breath I didn't even know that I was holding, "Gracias a Dios..." I thought to myself as I clutched my heart, "I'm so glad they like the food."

"Oui, they do seem to be enjoying it." I turned around to see Francis walking towards me, then I got into a defensive pose.

Francis raised up his hands, "Attendez! Attendez! Tenez! Wait! I'm not gonna do anything! I promise." My face still looked suspicious as I lowered my fists to my side. "I came to tell you that you did a good job, Eliana," He said, "Honestly I'm really glad that you helped."

"Uhm...thanks." We both stared at the crowds of people, "So... Francis, is it alright if I ask you a question?"

"Oui belle dame. Ask away."

"Your accent, it's strange. Where does it hail from?"

The man chuckled, "You see, I come from the land of France," He said, "it is a lovely country full of affection, and holds a language of love..." Francis looks at me, "You seem like a woman who I feel holds a lot of passion, Eliana, I bet the man you marry will be very fortunate."

I felt a small smile, "Are you married?"

"No, but I hope to be soon."

"Who's the lucky girl? Is she here?" Francis sighed, "She's... not here at the moment. But if you do get to meet her, she can sing and dance lovelier than anybody I know. But mon amor is quite a sneaky one." His gaze averted to the ground and he frowned, "But I have to see her tomorrow as soon as possible."

"What happened to her?"

"She was shot at," He said, "I don't know how, but I have to find her tomorrow to make sure that she's okay."

"I'm so sorry, Francis," I told him, feeling a sense of empathy wash over me, "where did she get shot?"

"In the arm. It's nothing severe, but I wanna go make sure that she's okay." Suddenly I saw a chef whisper into Francis' ear, "Excusez-moi, Eliana but I have to go take care of some things in the kitchen," The blonde man bowed, "You enjoy yourself at the party, I'll take care of everything else."

I nodded as the man followed the other chef away from me. I stood frozen in place, "Shot in the arm?" I thought,

"Mon amor is quite a sneaky one."

I held my face in my hands, "Sneaky? It couldn't be!"

"She was shot," He said, "I don't know how, but I have to find her tommorrow to make sure that she's okay."

"Shit," I cursed under my breath, remembering what Vanessa had said to Kandake.

"Did they steal anything?" She shook her head, "No, they didn't get a chance to. I shot them before he or she could."

I turned and looked at Francis as he walked away from me, "She's one of them..."

"...and he doesn't even know."

CHEYLAH'S POV

Kandake's wedding banquet was absolutely amazing! It everything that I had dreamed it would be! But there was only one setback...

...the people. And by 'the people' I mainly/only mean the guests.

I was sitting at one of the many tables, sipping a cool, refreshing glass of fruit punch that Lili had given me and reading my book. Suddenly a hand came from out of nowhere and landed on the table in front of me. I looked up and there was a woman standing in front of me with a slightly angered expression. She was accompanied by two other women, "Listen, Schwarze," She began, "you don't belong here."

I raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

"You don't belong here." She said while getting slightly louder, "What you don't hear too well?"

"My hearing is intact, thank you very much," I said bitterly, "What do you want?"

"Go back to wherever the hell your kind came from. There's no one else like you around here anyway. King Gilbert does not need the likes of people like you to corrupt the way things used to be."

"Well the way things used to be are changing right now," I said standing up and getting into her face, "If you have a problem with it, either deal with it like an adult or run your little bratty ass and take it up with King Gilbert and see what he'll say about it. He's the one getting married to the black woman, not me." The woman was suddenly speechless, "Excuse me." I fumed, pushing past the ladies and walking away.

My legs led me on the balcony outside, away from the crowd of people. I cupped my hands around my nose and mouth, holding in tears, "Why would they say something so cruel?" I thought to myself. I suddenly heard rustling coming from a few bushes in front of me. By the time I looked up a ball was hurled up towars me and hit my book, causing it to fall on the ground. "Oh, no!" I said. In a flash I ran across the balcony, down the steps and towards the bushes it fell in. I searched frantically, careful not to rip or ruin my dress.

"Is this yours?"

I looked up and noticed my book being held in the hands of a man with...brown skin?

"Bu-But someone told me that there wasn't anyone else with skin like ours!"

I looked up and standing in front of me was a handsome dark skinned man with glasses, beautiful dark amber eyes, brown hair neatly cut, and a strong sturdy body. A blush came to my cheeks,

"Miss?" Suddenly I snapped out of my trance and said,

"Oh! Right," It took the book from the man, "Y-Yes it's mine."

The man smiled, "You're of African descent as well?" The man asked and I nodded my head, "That's amazing! I-I haven't seen another person from my own homeland in a long time!" He tilted his head to the side, "What are you even doing at such a fancy event? The people here never let our kind near rich places like this."

"My sister, Kandake, is getting married to the king."

The man's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "Your sister is marrying Prince Gilbert? B-But how? Their council never lets biracial marriages happen!"

"He-He just asked her." I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders.

"That king sure is an odd one, isn't he?"

"I suppose so..."

Suddenly I heard footsteps on the balcony and Eliana walked towards the rail, "Cheylah, I've been looking all over for you! What're doing out here?"

"Me?" I asked, before turning my head, "I was just talking to-." But when I looked back in the man's direction, he was gone. Nowhere to be seen. "Wh-Where'd he go?"

"Where'd who go?" Eliana asked me, while looking confused.

"Uhm, n-never mind," I replied, "It's nothing."

"Well, come on back inside. You're missing the party!" I walked back towards Eliana before turning back and looking at the horizon,

"He disappeared like an angel..." My eyes softened as I continued walking, "...and I didn't even get his name."

BARIKA'S POV

I looked at all the guests in the ballroom, trying desperately to find someone to talk to or meet. None of them had sparked my interests.

I heaved a deep sigh and looked down at the ground, smoothing out my dress in the process. Suddenly I noticed two feet step in front of me, "Miss?" A voice said and my gaze averted upwards. Staring at me face to face was a handsome young man with well tanned skin, amber eyes, black hair, and some sort of red dot on his forehead. He wore a classy suit which, I would've guessed, must've cost a lot of money. The man held out a hand towards me, "If it's alright with you, may I have this dance?"

I then quickly shook my head, "I am sorry sir," I admitted, "I've never danced before. I don't know how." My eyes wandered to the floor, embarrassed.

Then I noticed the man sit in the chair beside me, "Well then," He began, "If we cannot dance, we might as well talk." I blushed lightly, "What is your name, first of all?"

"It's Barika, Barika Sitota. Yours?"

The radiant young man pointed to himself, "My name is Abhidi Singh of India, but you may call me Abhi." He then smiles, "So tell me, what buisness do you have here anyway? I've never seen someone of your kind here before."

"I'm related to the queen, her sister to be precise." I mentioned, "You?"

"King Gilbert knows me," Abhi told me, "He was quite fascinated with my culture of precious jewels and other kinds of... treasures."

"Treasures?" I asked, a bit of interest sparking inside of me, "What kind of treasures?"

"Valuables that are beyond your imaginations." The man's eyes sparkled with pride as he stared at me.

"You sound like an exotic man by the way you speak highly of your treasures," I said to him, "tell me, from what nation do you hail from?" Behind him I noticed a soldier with bushy eyebrows and green eyes walking towards Abhi,

"Well I'm Prince of the nation of India, I've been meaning to become King in quite a whi-."

"Excuse me, Prince Abhi," The man said, causing the tanned man to roll his eyes, "I apologize for interrupting but-."

"What is it Arthur?" Abhi asked the man, obviously irritated.

"The council is asking for a message to be heard from me to you," Arthur responded, "They wanted to know whether you, and a few of your most trusted men, could lend a hand against the escorting the war prisoner to your capital tomorrow morning."

"That voice..."

"Can't this wait until later Arthur? As you can see, I'm in the middle of a conversation with an interesting guest here."

I felt a blush rush to my cheeks. "I'm interesting...?"

Abhi turned to me, "I'm sorry but this is Arthur, Barika. He works with both Gilbert and I on terms of fighting and war prisoners."

"Oh yes, we've met."

He turned back to Arthur and asked, "Are you sure that this can't wait another fifteen, twenty minutes tops?"

The blonde man shook his head, "I'm afraid not sir," he said, "they wish to have you speak with them almost immediately."

"That accent..."

Abhi sighed, "Fine," He said with slightly greater crossness, "I'll be right behind you."

Arthur bowed, "Thank you sir," he then turned towards me and said, "See you, love." while walking away.

That was when it hit me...

The exact reason why I knew that voice and I knew that accent...

"Sorry, love. No hard feelings."

He was one of the men who captured Jewel.

"Oh my god," I thought, "Oh my god..." A sick feeling washed over me.

"Are you alright?" I was snapped from my trance by Abhi's voice and nodded quickly,

"Oh yes I'm fine! I was just lost in thought for a while."

Abhi smiled, sat up from his chair, and bowed respectfully at me, "Excuse me, Barika. I apologize for such an unexpected leave," He then walked over to me and took one of my hands into one of his dark gloved ones and gently kissed it, causing me to blush once more,

"Until we meet again, Madame Sitota." In a few seconds he was gone, following the blonde man and leaving me with a new piece of information I thought I would never find...

...the link to finding Jewel.

ALEGRIA'S POV

I walked over to the table of food and the scent of lemons coated my nose, "Eliana really did an amazing job with the desserts!" My mouth watered as I placed a small lemon tart, as well as a few grapes onto my plate. In that moment I suddenly felt somebody softly tap my shoulder.

"Excuse me, miss?"

I turned around and the boy with the puffin stood beside me. His violet eyes sparkled with joy as he faced me, "You're the one who helped catch Mr. Puffin yesterday," He said, "I never had a chance to properly thank you for it." The boy or...Emil, wasn't it, bowed down in front of me respectfully. "My name is Emil, Emil Steilsson and you are...?"

"Alegria," I told him before curtsying, "Alegria Rivas."

I felt a smile come across my face before he extended his hand towards me and a large red blush coated his pale face,

"I'm-I'm fairly new at these kind of things but...would you like to dance?" I blushed deeply and then hesitantly took his hand. Emil then led me to the dance floor and placed one hand on his shoulder. He placed one on my hip and then took a step forward. I took one back and we soon began dancing. "So... I'm guessing that you like birds?"

"Oh yes, I love birds. I've had quite a passion for them for as long as I can remember."

"Ah, I see." The handsome boy responded. THere was a slightly silent moment before he said, "I hope you don't find me rude, or nosy, for asking but... who invited you here?"

"I'm a sister of the queen," I replied, "she had us help her with the wedding beforehand."

"The queen?" Emil looked over at Kandake who was standing next to Gilbert chatting away, "But she's... different looking from you," His eyes slightly narrowed, "in fact... she kind of reminds me of someone who worked at the planta-."

My eyes widened and I quickly stepped on his foot. "Ow!" The young boy yelped,

"Oh, Emil are you alright? I'm so sorry! Here, you should sit down." I walked him off the ballroom floor before pulling his arm and taking him away from the crowd in a rush.

"What are you-?"

"Shh!"

I led him to a quiet hallway and set him down on a crate that stood inside of one of the corners, "Are you alright?" I asked Emil and he began rubbing his foot,

"Kind of," He then turned his attention to me, "What was that for, Alegria?!"

"I can't let anyone else know!"

Emil's face turned confused, "What do you mean? You can't let anyone else know what?!"

My gaze averted to my feet, "You're going to be the first person outside our family that I've ever told, but the queen is my, or our, adoptive sister."

Emil continued looking at me confused before scoffing, "Okay, so what? It's nothing to be ashamed about."

"Emil, you don't understand," I began again,"She's a Sitota."

"A Sitota? Alegria you're crazy."

"Emil, it's the truth," I looked into his purple eyes with great sadness, "She's the last one."

"That's impossible!" Emil retorted, "The Sitota household was a prominent royal kingdom of Africa that disappeared ten years ago!" I looked at him shocked, "Yeah, I know about them! It's a secret I've kept for a long time, thanks to my father."

"H-How did you know?"

"He was their ally in the First War and the reason that he's gone! He fought for the Sitota's independence but was killed in the process."

"I'm sorry..."

"What for? You didn't do anything, it wasn't your fault." His eyes suddenly turned serious, "Hold on," Emil started, "You said the queen was the last one left, but I heard that there were two heirs to the throne. What happened to the other one?"

I felt a great sadness wash over me, "We don't know," I told him, "She disappeared after one of our adopted sisters was kidnapped by the resistance."

"Okay... but that still doesn't explain why you stepped on my foot and dragged me here."

"I'm really sorry about that," I began,"but this is something that only you and noone else should know." Emil stared up at me with a raised eyebrow, "When the Sitota family was taken over by their enemy, they were expatriated out of the county and sent to plantation fields to work for the rest of their lives. Don't you understand, Emil? They came from stricken poverty and lost everything! They were no longer of a royal background or held their high class title!"

"Wait, you're saying "they". Weren't you part of the royal family before the war happened?"

I shook my head, "Unfortunatly no. I wasn't a part of their family until after I met them on the plantations."

"So you mean, the queen and everybody else are, or were... peasents?" I nodded. "But why would King Gilbert ask for her hand in marriage knowing that she's nothing but a field worker?"

"I don't know," I mentioned, "that's always been a mystery to us." I turned back to him, "But you can't tell anybody, Emil, you have to promise me!"

Emil nodded, "I promise Alegria," he said, "I won't tell anybody."

"Please don't! If anybody found out I'd be all over for us."

Emil nodded, "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul."

In a sudden outburst of happiness I sprung up and hugged him, "Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Emil!" All of a sudden I felt him wrap his arms around me as well, inside I could suddenly feel my heart's pace picking up. "What's happening to me?" I thought to myself, "Why am I feeling this way for him? Why did I even tell him?"

"I'll escort you back to the ballroom," Emil said as he let me go, "we have to hurry before people get suspicious." I nodded and we both walked back from the way we came.

"You don't feel that way for Emil, you love Sadik..." I then looked at Emil's face and then back in front of me, "...right?"

FATIMA'S POV

I found myself constantly wandering away from Vanessa, trying desperately to get her to stop following me. She was really going forward with the whole 'watchdog' plan of hers and I just had to find a way to get away from her! I sighed, "I'm never gonna meet someone new if she keeps hovering over me!" I thought to myself whilst taking a sip of my drink, after getting exhausted from my avoid and evading game with Vanessa. When I spotted Vanessa in my sights I placed my cup down on one of the tables and was about to leave before I felt a man say,

"Fatima?"

I turned around and standing in front of me was the tall blonde soldier my sister had told me to stay away from. I stood frozen before finally saying, "Yes?"

"Is now a bad time?" He asked, "You've constantly been wandering around here and I can't seem to catch you."

"Is there something you need?"

"Yes. First, my name is Matthias Kohler. I know I already said this but I deeply apologize for my actions from the other day when we first met." I felt a small smile come across my face before I noticed Vanessa watching me with a sinister look.

"It-It's alright, Matthias, I-I forgive you." My twin began walking towards us both. I had to leave now! Otherwise she'd cause great commotion between Matthias and me. "I have to go."

"Wait, Fatima-."

But I had already disappeared into the crowd, leaving the blonde haired man alone once again.

I found myself inside of a quiet stairway which led to a balcony. I sighed deeply and walked down the stairway thinking, "At least I lost Vanessa." I then furrowed my eyebrows, "Why doesn't she trust me? Why does she always have to act like I can't take care of myself? Why does she treat me like a baby? I'm 15 years old! I can handle anyone who wants to hurt me!" My fists clenched in anger. I looked outside at the starry night and felt a slight sense of nostalgia come over me, "Mom, Dad, I wish that one of you was here to talk to Vanessa and shake her out of it! I know she's trying to protect me and all... but it's getting too overwhelming!"

"Why are you in here?"

I turned around in shock and quickly said, "I'm sorry!" Suddenly I noticed the face of the person who stood at the top of the staircase.

Matthias.

"Fatima, why are you in here?" He asked me once again while walking down the steps.

"I-I just needed a little fresh air. Y'know from all the dancing!"

When Matthias reached me he responded, "You could've asked me to escort you," He began rubbing his head nervously, "I-I wouldn't have minded."

I felt a blush come across my cheeks and then turned towards the balcony again, "It's alright." He faced the balcony as well.

Then there was an awkward silence between us both.

"Oh, I meant to give this to you," He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a diamond bracelet, "You dropped this before you came here. I wanted to make sure that you got it back."

I felt my wrist and he was right! The bracelet was gone! I smiled and took back the wrist accessory, "Oh thank you Matthias, I don't know what I would've done if I had lost it!" I took the diamond bracelet and placed it back on my arm. "Hey Matthias?" I suddenly asked, a question popping through my head.

"Hm?"

"Why did you do that when we first met? Were you actually gonna-?"

"No!" Matthias said suddenly making me jump a bit, he cleared his throat, "I wasn't gonna rape you. I just wanted to scare you a bit because... I don't really know how to interact with people like you..."

I raised one eyebrow up, "And by people like me you mean...?"

He shook his hands and his head, "N-n-no! Not like that! I meant..." He paused, "...I meant people who are as high spirited and hardworking as you."

I blushed at his sweet words. Me? Hardworking? I looked into his clear blue eyes that illuminated off the night sky and stepped closer to him, "Matthias I..." Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I noticed Vanessa walk towards the room searching around for me once again. I couldn't let her see me with Matthias! So I hurled myself towards the blonde man, it was enough to make him fall down but not enough to hurt him, and tried to make sure Vanessa couldn't see or hear us.

"F-Fatima is everything alright?" I looked over and saw Vanessa still searching, "Fatima, what's wrong?"

I had to get him to be quiet! Or she'd see...us. A plan quickly went through my mind, "If she doesn't think I can take care of myself then so be it!" I thought.

"Fatima are you-?"

In a flash I lunged myself forwards and kissed Matthias. Right. On. The lips. His turquoise colored eyes widened in shock before gradually melting into the kiss and enjoying it. He placed one hand on my cheek, caressing it, and the other behind my neck, tilting it upwards since he was so tall even while sitting down. If Vanessa saw us both I wouldn't have cared. All I wanted to do was get her to leave me alone for at least the rest of the party, but I know that I'm gonna be in deep trouble later on...

When I heard Vanessa leave, Matthias and I separated for air then he opened his eyes, "W-Whoa," he breathed and I smiled,

"But what about the messenger boy?"

I felt my heart drop heavily but wouldn't let it show.

"You promised to wait for him when he went to see you again."

Matthias and I both stood up and he bowed respectfully, "Would you like an escort to the ballroom, m'lady?"

My brown eyes sparkled as I curtsied elegantly, "Why yes, my good sir." He offered me his arm and I wrapped my hand around it and leaned on his forearm happily smiling.

I am gonna be buried alive.

SADIK'S POV

I was standing against the wall watching the many guests chattering and having fun. I sighed, "This is pointless," I thought to myself, "These people are so stuck up with themselves that I don't even understand just how Kandake can be able to stand them!"

I then turned around and looked Gilbert's butler, Roderich. He was playing the piano calmly, like nothing important was going on, "And then there's that sneaky bastard and his plans about getting rid of Kandake, no..." I turned towards Gilbert, "Gilbert's plan to get rid of Kandake! There has to be some way that I can warn her about him without Gilbert getting in the way..." I stared at my cup, "But how can I tell her? She'll just think that I'm trying to ruin her marriage! I can't do that to Kandake! I love her too much!"

I sighed again, "I guess there's nothing I can do..."

I suddenly noticed someone standing near me and looked up. Ludwig, Kandake's bodyguard, was standing with his back against the pillar and his arms crossed. "What are you doing here?" I asked him and Ludwig's eyes turned towards me, "Why aren't you out there dancing, talking, or having fun like the rest of these people are?"

He heaved a small sigh, "In a way, it's the same reason that you're over here," He said and I raised an eyebrow, "Mostly everybody here is stuck up and too into themselves to even notice those around them." I nodded, "But on the other hand," He continued, "there was no one in here that I could communicate with."

I chuckled a bit, "You're right about that, I've been there..." Then a thought popped in my head, "Hey, Ludwig?"

"Mm-hmm?"

"You're the brother of the king, right? So why are you working as Kandake's bodyguard? Shouldn't you be treated more like royalty instead of a soldier?"

Ludwig didn't say anything and was quiet before looking down at the floor and saying, "I did some things in the past. Things that I wish to never speak of again."

I could see the coldness in his eyes and refrained from speaking for a moment until I noticed a sterling silver pendant with an opal jewel hanging from a chain on a strap that slinged across his chest, "Hey, where'd you get that pendant?" Ludwig looked at me and then down at the shining object,

"Oh this?"

He began rubbing his finger across the shiny opal, "A friend gave it to me... a long time ago..."

"And what happened to this friend? Where are they?"

Ludwig looked at me, "She...well..."

I cocked an eyebrow, "She?"

Ludwig's face softened before he turned towards the ballroom floor, "We... took different paths," He told me, "Our places in life were different."

"Are you ever gonna go find her?" I asked quite curious about his answer.

Ludwig shook his head, "No," The blonde man replied, "I think it would be best if I just let her find me."

"Well that wasn't the answer I was expecting." I thought to myself, "Don't you think that's a little selfish?" I asked Ludwig.

"I have my reasons." The guard replied blankly.

I saw a sinister look of motivation in his eyes and I felt another chuckle erupt through my throat, "Compared to me, you really are one strange man, Ludwig."

KANDAKE'S POV

Gilbert had his left arm wrapped around my him and held me close while chatting with a few guests. One was a spunky blonde with neck-length hair and green eyes who talked in quite a weird, yet enjoyable, fashion. He used the words "like" and "totally" a lot. But not only was his taking style odd, but the clothes he was wearing were as well. He was wearing pink.

Yes, I said it. Pink.

His partner was very soft spoken as opposed to he. He had sea blue eyes and wavy, shoulder-lengthed, brown hair and often stuttered a lot. But despite that I listened eagerly to their conversation, "So your highness, like what kingdom do you, like, from?"

My eyes slightly gaped, I couldn't possibly tell them that I came from stricken poverty! "W-Well, I'm from-."

"She's from the South Eastern shores of Africa. The Sitota household."

"The Sitota household?" Toris said, "I've never heard of them."

"They keep their information very private and only share with the strongest of bonds," Gilbert asked, "Unfortunately they prefer to keep many their whereabouts secret."

"That's, like, totally different from everyone else."

"Yes, her nation prefers not to be flashy towards just anybody." I noticed the Polish man give a slight sneer. "Kandake, are you thursty?" Gilbert asked me.

"A bit." I replied.

"Come on, let's get you something to drink." He began leading me towards the long table of different beverages. I looked at Elizabeta who was serving a type of fruit punch that had a certain yellow color and large chunks of ice mixed inside of it.

She handed one to me and other to Gilbert, "Enjoy!" She smiled at us both. I placed my lips to the fancy glass and began to take a drink.

"What gives her the privilege to drink from the same place as us?" I hear a woman whisper from afar. My eyes turned to the side as I quietly listened in on what she had to say.

"I agree," Another woman said, "She might be a princess but we don't need the likes of her kind in our country."

"Her skin doesn't even look worthy of royalty, let alone the color. The only thing her kind is probably good for is working on the fields."

I clutched the glass a little tighter in both of my gloved hands.

"I swear, it's bad enough that Gilbert dismissed all the marriages between many other countries, but to be led by a woman whose skin is as ugly as charcoal... our country's going to hell in a handbasket."

"But imagine the wedding night, it'll probably be horrible!"

"How come?"

"Well, I've heard that our king has slept with tons of women, and is ruthless in bed. That one night that's supposed to be filled with pleasure might be home to pain and torture instead!"

I cringed and then looked over at my husband who took a sip of his drink, oblivious to the women's words. "Oh your Highness!" I heard a guest chime, "You and your wife must join the dance! We would just love to see how exquisite your wife's skills are."

I could feel the idea of humiliation dripping from the male guests voice. We both turned around and Gilbert said, "Why of course." He turned to me and asked, "Would you like to dance Kandake?"

I smiled and nodded, "I would love to Gilbert."

My husband took my hand and led me to the center of the ballroom, then we stopped. I remembered to place one of my hands on his right shoulder while he placed another on my right hip, and our left hands both intertwined gracefully. "Roderich, if you would please." Gilbert said and the brunette nodded towards his master, he spoke to the group of musicians and they began playing a soothing music piece.

Gilbert and I soon felt each other dancing gracefully and being swept across the ballroom, lost in the passion of both the music and each other's company. As I looked in to his eyes my lips curled into a lovely smile, "You're dancing beautifully, Kandake." Gilbert said before kissing me softly on my forehead.

As our waltz continued I couldn't help but begin thinking, "They're all watching me; I bet that one guest is eating his words right now."

A small smile curved my lips before I thought, "But these people... they're so prejudice, they hate me when I've done nothing to them!"

Gilbert gracefully dipped me and rolled me back up, "So what if I'm black? Just because I'm like that doesn't mean I'm hurting anyone, I'm just different..."

I heard someone say, "Wow, so I guess it can dance." I overheard one of the guests whisper. Gilbert must've heard them too because he shot a mean glance in their direction. The guest shut his mouth quickly, "But what about what those ladies said about Gilbert? What if he is rough and ruthless in bed? What if... my dream that I had last night comes true?"

I rested my head on Gilbert's chest, "No... I can't think things like that! Gilbert is a kind man. He took me in and helped give me and my sisters a second chance at life! There's nothing about him that's not to like!"

Suddenly the music ended and our audience began applauding loudly. We felt smiles come across our faces and I curtsied gratefully. All of a sudden, I noticed Vash pushing through the crowd and walking up to Gilbert in a slight hurry. He whispered something in his ear and Gilbert's face suddenly turned from happy to serious in a matter of seconds, "Alright, I'll take care of it." He said before looking frantically at the crowd for someone.

"Gilbert is something wrong?" I asked my troubled husband,

"N-No, everything's fine Kandake," He replied flashing a smile again, "I just have to find-."

He spotted Ludwig talking with Sadik, "Come with me."

He placed his left hand around my shoulder and walked me through the crowd to my bodyguard, "Bruder," Gilbert said and Ludwig turned to face his brother, "Ludwig, could you please watch over Kandake for a minute?"

He asked as the blonde nodded silently, "Yes sir." He handed me over to his brother and kissed me on the lips, "I'll be right back. Meet me in my room." THen Gilbert walked away before flashing a... grin? What was that grin I saw? I could've sworn that it was plastered on his face! I swear! I swear!

But then, my thoughts were interrupted when Ludwig asked, "Kandake, are you hungry? Is there anything you need?" I shook my head, "No, I'm fine." I followed with a bright smile.

"Oh look, it's the native and the murderer together." I heard a woman say to her male partner before they both began laughing quietly at me and Ludwig as we walked past. I felt Ludwig's hand slightly squeeze me a little bit tighter and his face get a little more serious.

"Don't let them bother you, do you understand?" He said out of nowhere to me. I looked up at him whilst he kept walking forward and nodded,

"I understand, Ludwig."

"Their words are just ones of jealousy, so don't pay them any heed."

SADIK'S POV

"'Murderer'?" I thought to myself, "So that's what Ludwig didn't want to talk about." My eyes continued to watch the two walk away, "Oh this place is worse then I thought, these people are crazy!"

I heard Elizabeta take Kandake from Ludwig and said, "I'll take it from here." then they both walked away,

"I definately gotta get Kandake out of here..."

(A/N: And there you have it! The second to last chapter to part one! Ooohhh, I bet I raised a lot of suspicion and suspense in this one, both character and events wise! But remember, if you have any don't be afraid to ask them! But they can only be directed towards the events of part one (which the next chapter is the end of by the way). Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for sticking around this long to read my story :). In the next chapter expect some (actual) lemony goodness between our two main characters!

Until then,

Hydrotamer out)

P.S.: After the first part of this story is finished I plan on uploading another one that I placed on DeviantArt to here. The story is titled, "Elemental Wings". If you like this tale, you might like that one as well because it holds more action then this one at the moment. So far only the Prologue's up, but if I get enough follows and reviews I'll upload more. :)

Translations:

Hallo (German)- Hello

Los dos (Spanish)- both of you

Gracias a Dios (Spanish)- thank goodness

Oui (French)- Yes

Attendez! Attendez! Tenez! (French)- Wait! wait! Hold on!

Oui belle dame (French)- Yes beautiful lady

Excusez-moi (French)- Excuse me

Schwarze (German)- black