DG waved the door of the throne room open and took Cain's hand. But as they entered, they realized that someone was already in conference with her parents.

"Jeb?" Cain asked and the boy turned around to see him.

"Father," it took him a moment to register that DG was standing there, let alone that she was holding hands with his father. "Princess… or should I say mom?" He bowed and DG hugged him.

"Nah, DG's fine. And soon, yes." DG smiled as Cain and Jeb exchanged a hug.

"Son, can I speak to you?" Cain motioned out the door and Jeb nodded. DG smiled and greeted her parents.

"DG… we have a few matters to discuss," Ahamo started and DG knew she was in for the talk of the century. "We understand you love Cain but… there's the matter of his marriage before. They were married almost ten annuals when she died and he was in that tin suit for 8. That puts you 18 annuals behind schedule."

"What are you talking about?" DG was furious.

"Jeb Cain is only a few annuals younger than you, making it impossible for you to be a mother figure to him."

"Who's asking her to be?" Jeb and Cain had re-entered the room.

"Young man, this matter does not concern you," Ahamo warned.

"You just said it did. You want to talk about them? Let's talk. My father has been widowed for the past 9 annuals. A part of him died with my mother," Jeb was so passionate, but DG winced. "But I have never seen the look in a man's eye like the one when he looks at her. She makes him so happy. I heard her say once how he saved her life, but the way I see it, it's the other way around. She let him out of the tin suit. She saved him from going nuts. And if you think for one second that the closeness in age between DG and I matters to the two of them, or to me, you are sadly mistaken." DG hugged him, whispering 'thanks' in his ear. But the conversation wasn't over.

"Whatever force compelled you to make such a speech in this court should be silenced immediately," He glanced at Cain, clearly accusing him. "Please leave the throne room."

"Wait in my room," Cain whispered as his son walked past and the boy nodded.

"Now. Mr. Cain, are you aware that your age gap with our daughter is over ten years?" Ahamo accused more than he asked. Cain nodded but he put his hand on DG's shoulder.

"There are plenty of men her age that would far suit her in rank and manner, are you thus aware?" Cain looked at his feet. He never felt worth of DG. "I asked you a question, sir." Ahamo was adamant. Cain raised his head to speak but DG put a finger to his lips. He took her hand and kissed her palm and she nodded. She gestured for him to leave and he squeezed her hand before leaving and closing the doors behind him. As soon as the door latched, he whipped off his hat and put his ear to the door.

"Eavesdropping is not a good habit to get into, you know," Azkadellia smirked.

"Azkadellia. You've sure kept a low profile over the past few days," Cain quickly changed the subject. Azkadellia turned away but Cain saw her cheeks redden. She put her hands to the door and closed her eyes.

"She's telling them how you're the only man she's ever trusted. Out of the 3 men in her rescue party, you were the only one she felt safe with," she paused and Cain sat with his back against the door, eyes closed. "She just said that you're the only man she's ever loved that hasn't tried oop not repeating that." Cain opened his eyes.

"What? What did she say?" He was anxious but Azkadellia put up a hand to silence him. She began to recount more but DG was yelling now and Cain could hear.

"YOU STILL THINK I AM A CHILD! YOU CAN'T BEAR THE THOUGHT OF ME LEAVING! WELL GUESS WHAT? YOU'VE ALREADY TAKEN AWAY ANY CHANCE OF THAT BY FORCING ME TO BECOME QUEEN!" DG paused.

"Good luck," Azkadellia whispered and Cain nodded, standing.

"BUT IF YOU THINK I COULD LOVE ANY PRINCE HALF AS MUCH AS I LOVE WYATT CAIN, THEN YOU ARE BLIND! IF I CAN'T MARRY WYATT, THEN I REFUSE TO BECOME QUEEN!" DG could be heard turning on the heels of her riding boots and stomped out of the room, despite the protests of both parents. Wyatt stepped back from the doors as DG threw them open. She practically jumped Cain, arms going around his neck and he caught her. Through the open door, Cain could see her parents in feverish conference.

"They said that the only reason they seemed okay with you was because they thought I would get over you before becoming Queen." She was fuming and Cain could feel the heat radiating from her face. "How could they be so stupid?" She spat.

"I'm not justifying a word they said," Cain began, setting her down. "But my guess is, they're afraid of you being taken from them like Azkadellia was."

"Little do they know I couldn't leave now, even if I wanted to." Something new occurred to DG. "Wyatt, I am asking you to give up your old life…"

"What life? DG, I was locked in a Tin Suit for 8 annuals. You're my first taste of life since the suit."

"But your life before the suit…"

"Without the suit, I would've lived the rest of my life alone in a run down cabin in the woods. And I certainly would've never met you. I don't care if you want to live in a rowboat the rest of your life. Wherever you go, I go." Cain was completely serious and DG put a hand to his cheek. He smiled and hugged her tightly. She steeped back and smiled mischievously. "I know that look, and it never means anything good." DG winked but the throne room doors opened.

"DG? Mr. Cain? Would you come in here please?" DG took a deep breath and grabbed Cain's hand. He removed his hat and they walked in together.

"Your mother and I have decided…"

"I didn't decided. I don't like it." The Queen huffed. Ahamo cleared his throat.

"We will hold a ball. Mr. Cain will not attend. It will be a masque, at which time; DG will dance with all eligible young Princes across the land. If she finds a Prince she loves, then you, Mr. Cain, will leave forever."

"But if not," the Queen added kindly. "We will condone your marriage." She smiled at DG as if to reassure her. DG began to speak but Ahamo held up his hand.

"The masque will take place tomorrow night. As of this hour, you are not to see each other until a decision has been made." DG put a hand to her head and a tear trickled down her cheek. And although she swore she would never do it, DG fainted.