Hello Readers! I'm glad to see that you are here for the actual 20th chapter of this story. Also, this is a very important chapter to the story. So, we have two guests for the copyright.

Daniel: Guests? You forget that I am part of the cast, and so is my brother.

Seth: (Looks at Daniel warningly) Still, we are HONORED to be part of the story, right Daniel?

Daniel: I guess…

Daniel & Seth: None of us own Pendragon, because that belongs to D.J MacHale, and this story belongs to Blaze808.

Me: Thanks for adding me in.

Daniel: No, that's in the script.

Chapter 20: The Biggest Mistake

What is the biggest mistake you could make? Well, it depends on who you are. It could be one too many drinks, or rushing to get somewhere, to the point where lives are at stake, or even just being lazy. But most will either cost you your life, someone else's life, or your own heart. You see, the biggest mistake for some, particularly, for a certain someone many know…

"Princess Joniphina!" A holler came across the throne room. But Joni didn't respond. She was in a major flashback. One that had haunted her for years. Since she was 18, to be exact, when she realized she had made a mistake.

Flashback

"In my culture, that means goodbye…"

Daniel with false hope waved to her "Okay then, see you tomorrow."

"No, this means goodbye forever."

"Joni, why?" His voice showed the misery in his eyes

"Never come back. Please. This would have never worked out anyway, since I have my duties as a princess, and yours as a traveller. Farewell." Joni called over

"Joni, come back! I love you!" Daniel screamed, trying to get her not to leave.

"I love you too, and that's why we must part." Joni murmured far too quiet for Daniel to hear.

End of Flashback

Why had she done it? A princess in her culture could marry anyone they pleased? So, why did she say that? Had she been so overcome with Saiela's sacrifice that she denied him?

All she knew was that she had to see him again. She had talked to him at Alyssa's funeral, but that was not the place to reunite.

Where would he be now? And why was she so desperate. Maybe she wanted to reverse the biggest mistake of her life. And she loved him.

Daniel was sitting in his house. They were monitoring for activity of the Phantom. But, as far as he was concerned, it was BORING. Seriously, all you did was read the news, watch the news, and talk to people. Sure, the talking to people part wasn't bad, but nothing happened. Then to his surprise, he saw his neighbour talking to this woman, and he pointed to his house. So, he walked out. Was it one of the travelers? Or maybe someone reporting of some action.

"You are Daniel Santia, am I correct?"

"Um, yes I am." Daniel spoke, curiously. Who was this woman?

"I see you don't recognize me. I am Joni Delavores. May I come in? We have much to talk about."

You know when someone says 'their heart skipped a beat?' Well, Daniel's skipped three.

"J-Joni? B-but y-you D-didn't want to S-see me A-again?" Daniel stuttered, not believing anything at the moment.

"I know, that's one of the things I wanted to speak to you about."

"Oh, come on in."

After they were seated in his living room, Joni started to talk, and Daniel listened, still bewildered that he was conversing with the girl that never wanted to see him again.

"I want to say I'm sorry for all of this mess. I don't know what had gotten into me."

"Saiela's death? Or feeling pressured by the duties of being a princess?" Daniel offered

She wrung her hands together.

"Probably."

After a long period of silence, he asked her, feeling slightly embarrassed about the question.

"*ahem*, Joni, did you…like me back then?"

"I guess it doesn't matter now. Yes."

"Do you, um…like me now?"

She smiled for the first time that day. In fact, for the first time since she was 18 genuinely smiled.

"What do you think?"

"I really hope so."

"Yes I do."

Daniel's heart soared. He had never been so happy. She had just told him she loved him. He felt like he was floating, because he was so happy.

"Daniel, you're floating."

And then Daniel panicked, falling to the ground. With Joni giving a slight smile that would have been laughter if her heart did not have a huge weight of misery on it.

"So, Joni? How are you?"

"Feeling slightly better than I have for 12 years…" Her gaze fell to the floor.

"How's your mother, last I heard, she was sick."

"She gained health, but my father…" A small tear trickled down her cheek.

"Did he die?" he asked, feeling very concerned. 14 years hadn't changed his love for her, but maturity had channelled it to a point where he could still be her friend.

"Yes, only 2 years ago." Another tear fell into her lap.

"Joni, are you alright?" He was worried. The tone gave it away.

She looked up to see him giving her a worried look. Thoughts swarmed into her head from the shadows.

Why did you abandon him?

You don't deserve his concern.

So, 'Princess Joniphina', how does it feel to be the loser now?

And they overwhelmed her. And she let all of the anguish she had for 12 years come out.

She cried hard. Daniel looked horrified, and absolutely worried.

He went beside her, and laid a hand on her shoulder, and stroked her back gently.

"It's okay, it's okay, it's okay…" he repeated over and over slowly.

Finally, her loud sobs reduced to softer sniffles and sobs.

"Joni, what happened? Why did you need to do that?" He asked gently

"I'm sorry. It's just that…that…that…" She sniffled, trying to restrain another wave of sorrow.

"What happened?" he asked even more softly

"Why do you care for me after all I have done?"

"I forgave you, and moved on. However, I still waited for your glorious return." He chuckled

"How did you do it?"

"Well, I was upset at first, but then I realized that you might have been under the influence of the grief that you had for Saiela, and that loving each other could hold some consequences for our families. So, really, if I wanted to stay grouchy and miserable about it, I couldn't. You know Joni, maybe it's time you forgave yourself? Perhaps, it's for the best?"

"You are right. I think it's done no damage."

"Only to you, and that's because you bottled it up for too long." Daniel smiled encouragingly

Joni's eyes started to fill with the light that she had had when she was younger.

"So, Joni, want to go out for supper tomorrow?" he winked, hinting the 'date' purpose to his question

"Where are you planning?"

"Not sure, but the Spring Fest dance is coming up on the same day. I can promise you it's the most romantic thing in the world. Apparently, the best thing is when the lights shine out of Lake Fiera."

"Have you been there?"

"Yeah, since my dad was the captain of the guard, we were as liable to attend as Queen Felicera and King Habinard, and their children Prince Felix, Princess Galalina, and Princess Alaysia were.

"But hasn't another kingdom taken over Shokerri?"

"I think to avoid the riot; he allows the festival to continue."

"I'll come. See you tomorrow, Danny." And with that, Joni left, but with a large grin, feeling excited.

Daniel smiled deeply. This was going to be wonderful.

And with that, true love was sparked into Daniel and Joni, as each anticipated the dance with high hopes. But was it all hearts and roses? After all, not much was good for the both of them.

Joni and Daniel? Going out after having a huge reunion? And a major problem with the Phantom. (You should remember Alyssa's death.) Sorry fan girls (to the very few), it looks like Daniel's hers. But still, what will go wrong? After all, he doesn't seem to be turning evil. This is another dance competition, by the way. What will happen at Spring Fest? You'll have to let me know what you think. Your idea could be in the next chapter.