I just thought i'd put in a little MM interaction before i go on with the story..for all you MM loverz out there! :)

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"Where are we going?" Liz asked as she and Maria made their way to the city.

"We..are going to buy you some clothes!" Maria announced cheerfully. Liz sighed heavily and stopped her. Maria turned around in confusion.

"Maria.....why are you doing this? why are borthering yourself with me?" Liz asked wanting an honest answer. Maria stared at her in disbelief.

"Liz how could you ask me something like that!! you're my bestfriend you should be-"

"Bestfriend? Maria you hardly know me. You saw me for the first time in that alley.." Liz paused and wiped her cheek revealing the healing bruise from under the makeup Maria had given her. " you offered me help and i accepted it, not knowing who you truly are and you nevertheless, not knowing who I am!" Liz let go of her arm and smiled. Maria had just stood there for the past few minutes contemplating what Liz had said. She smiled back.

"Liz, no matter who you are and no matter who I am, i'm still here and you're still here, and that's proof enough of why i bother myself with you" Maria spoke earnestly taking her hand and squeezing it.

"and i always thought princesses were nothing but rich, spoiled women who lived their lives in luxury and never followed a peasant's footsteps" Liz joked and laughed lightly at Maria's defensive shock so quickly added " But i guess i was proven wrong".

By now they were walking and heading into the center of town were all the expensive dress stores laid out their silks for the hungry eye. Liz watched as a little girl appeared infront of an old lady. She couldn't hear what was being said but she could see as the little girl held out her hand with pleading in her eyes, and saw as the woman scorned at her and backed up as if her simple touch could cause her whole elegant dress to blacken. Liz also watched as the little girl's eyes glisten with tears.

"I'll be right back!" Liz informed Maria as she left her side and ran to where the girl had hurried off to cry her tears. Entering a small pathway she saw the small one leaning against a wall sobbing.

"Hey. Are you alright?" Liz asked softly as she approached her and put a gentle hand on her small shoulder. The girl jumped in fright and turned around to face Liz. There were tear stains on her cheeks that were mixing with the dirt that charred her innocent face.

"Oh don't cry sweetie it's alright" Liz soothed as she took a step forward. The little girl stood there watchiing in wonder.

"You're pretty" She said with her small voice. Liz stopped in her track and stared at the girl.

"What's your name?" Liz finally asked.

"Relubi" she answered, making a curtsy and giggling. Liz laughed lightly.

"Relubi...that's a nice name, tell me Relubi where are your parents?" Liz asked with concern when she saw the girl's face go grim. Then Relubi looked up and shrugged.

"At home" she stopped and looked at Liz's dress " You're pretty" she said again. Liz smiled.

"I have to go" Relubi turned and ran off before Liz could stop her. She stood there for a moment remembering how she used ot be just like her. A hand on her shoulder brought her out of memorylane.

"Liz are you alright?" Maria asked worriedly. When Liz just ran off she panicked and spent the last few minutes searching for her.

"Yea.....just fine" Liz replied distantly adn then turned and smiled at Maria " So did you find anything interesting?". Maria immediately brightened as she remembered.

"I found the perfect one!" she cheered and led Liz out of the pathway and to a nearby posh store.

"This is it!" Maria proudly showed off a stunning forestry green dress. It was somewhat like the blue one Liz had worn last night except it was not as revealing. It was long enough to spread around her feet, leaving them hidden. It was short sleeved and the back was not revealing. At the front it was low cut showing a bit of cleavage. The only decoration on it were the golden ribbons that covered both sides. Liz breathed in the sight.

"Oh Maria....it's beautiful" Liz touched the silk fabric between her fingers. She frowned slightly as a thought struck her.

"Maria? This dress looks expensive and fit for a ball....why did it catch your attention?"

"Oh did i forget to tell you? Before i came to get you i had a run on with our mailman. We got an invitation to attend a ball held my prince Michael and princess Tess..and you're invited aswell!" Maria squealed in joy. Liz's jaw dropped.

"Me?! why would i be invited?" Liz asked disbelievingly. When she had met Tess, she immediately knew she had set her sights on Max and was not too fond of her taking his attention away from her.

"Ofcourse they would invite you. They met you last night and it would be rude not to" Maria reasoned and then turned her attention back to the dress.

"Miss?!" Maria called out to the saleslady. She was a middleaged woman who was not paying any attention to them. When she got there she almost fainted in shock.

"Your highness! what a surprise to see you here! how may i serve you?" The lady curtsied and looked flushed in nervousness. Maria turned to Liz and smirked. Liz returned it with an amused grin. ' Being a princess defenitely had it's advantages' Liz thought.
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Maria sat in the castle's orchard admiring the peacefulness. Liz had wanted to go through town on her own. She told Maria that she wanted to see a friend. Maria understood her request and now excitedly waited for her visitor. A servant then came and bowed in respect.

"Your highness prince Michael of France has arrived" he announced, as Michael appeared from behind him along with his guards. Maria smiled and dismissed her servant.

"Princess. It's good to see you" Michael greeted her with a kiss of the hand,and he too dismissed his guards. Now they were alone for the first time and Maria was nervous.

"It's good you could come" Maria's voice almost rose to a shriek when she felt his lips upon her skin. Michael straightened and smiled back. A few minutes of unsteady silence passed through them.

"Shall we take a stroll?" he asked. He was obviously nervous aswell and was trying to think of something to relieve the tension. Maria nodded.

"Ofcourse...so tell me Michael do you miss France?" Maria asked starting a conversation as they made their way down the path.

"Well...i miss the comfort of my own home and i miss the people that i reigned upon, so i suppose i do miss the land itself" Michael mused.

"how come i have never heard of you before?" Maria quiered.

"I don't like to be very public, unlike my dear sister ofcourse. She likes to make herself known" Michael explained. Maria nodded in understanding.

"Yes i noticed during our dinner party"

"Oh that reminds me...um will you be attending the ball?" Michael asked shyly. Maria stopped and looked at him.

"I wouldn't miss it" she replied with a smile.

"Splendid. Will you uh....will you uh be going with..with someone?" Michael stuttered. Maria looked at him with wonder. Sure she had seen men become stuttering fools during her presence but she never expected Michael to be one. She always thought he was a tough man with a courage of steel making him unbreakable. Usually she'd consider those kinds of men fools, but Michael..Michael was a very different case. He was...special.

"No...well not unless someone invites me ofcourse" Maria replied, letting the statement hang in the air. Michael looked relieved that she said no but remained speechless. Maria was alittle worried by his silence but decided to test it.

"and do you have a lucky lady to accompany you by your side?" Maria inquired with a raised eyebrow. Michael shook his head.

"Well...there is this one....."he trailed off. Maria felt sadness wash over her. He had another.

"You see she has beautiful blonde wild hair that shone through the sunlight, and forestry green eyes that i could get lost in and her name was .....well i do believe it was Maria" Michael added and smiled at the surprised princess.

"You meant me?" Maria asked still not believing it. Michael shrugged.

"Well i would've guessed by the way i couldn't keep my eyes off you or go a long time without touching you, you would've caught on" he said casually as if it were an ordinary statement. Maria however took it rather shockingly.

"I-I don't know what i could say to-" Maria tried to think of something to say.

"There's no need" Michael interrupted and brought her in for a sudden kiss. Maria was caught by surprise at first but as soon as she registered what was happening she began to respond. Michael traced her upper lip in silent request and she gladly complied by opening her mouth and allowing his tongue to intrude into her deepest crevices. Michael's hands went around her waist and held her close to his chest and Maria's arms went around his neck bringing him even closer. Their kiss grew passionate but they reluctantly had to let go to catch some lost air.

"You're a..a good..." Maria tried to say.

"Yea you too" Michael had understood what she meant.
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Liz had changed from her expensive attire to her normal peasant gown. If she was going to waslk around the peasant part of town she had to definitely look like she used to. She didn't want to catch attention to herself. After buying the new dress Liz still couldn't get the picture of Relubi out of her mind. She seemed so innocent and fragile, Liz couldn't just let her go like that. She wanted to help, so she took some money from Maria's purse and told her that she was going to see a friend. Maria was abit wary at first but agreed and said she'd fill the time on her own.

Suddenly Liz looked up and saw the little girl sitting at the side of the street apparently waiting for someone to drop a few cents in. Liz quickly walked up ,taking out the gold coins, and threw them infront of her. Relubi was looking at the ground then and when she saw shiny yellow coins she looked up an saw Liz smiling at her. Shock was written all over Relubi's face as she stared at woman who was once dressed in silks, now in cotton.

" You're not pretty anymore!" Relubi exlaimed. Liz understood what she meant so she didn't take it peronally.

"It's ok Relubi. I just wanted to bring you some gifts" Liz pointed to the coins beneath her feet. Relubi followed her gaze.

"Did you steal?" Relubi asked quietly. Liz shook her head.

"No sweetie. Now you take this and give it to your mommy and daddy so you'll get some food and clean clothes" Liz replied and urged the coins into her hand. Relubi took them gratefully. She then jumped up and kissed Liz on the cheek. Liz smiled widely.

"You're a real princess!" Relubi exlaimed and took off running to her home.

"and you're a princess too" Liz called after her.

TBC oh and from what i can tell it's only a couple more chapters till the finale! agains THANK YOUUU FOR THE FEEDBACK!