Chap 2!

ENJOY!

...

A couple of days prior…

Anika strode down the hall with a purpose. Her wide skirts swirling like her anger. She was already the laughing stock of all the isles; now this!? She didn't even knock; just threw her Queen's chamber doors wide. "Yvonne, what the hell!" Anika; Beauty of the realm. Princess of all she sees, roared.

"Nika, love, I'm a little busy dear." Queen Yvonne simpered, giving her council a sympathetic look. 'Ahh youth', She mouthed and they all chuckled softly.

"My apologies, my lords. May I have the room for a moment?" The Princess asked; with a polite curtsy and a tight smile. Trying hard to reign in her emotions. For the moment at least. The Queen looked on with an amused grin and Anika grit her teeth to keep her own smile.

The older men tittered. Outbursts from youth's expected and aside. Such a polite beauty. They bowed lower and saw themselves out. Shutting the door behind them as they went.

"I know you had a hand in this! His decision, but hell if it wasn't your idea." Anika hissed; as she started to pace. The invitation she had confiscated, clenched tight in her fist.

Punching that laughing little slut; calling herself Duchess Cooper, for it in the first place, had felt Awesome! Especially after her and Lady Lisa described; in vivid detail. Just who and how many times, they had slept with a 'contender', from Daddies approved list. Why he insisted she had tea with those two pandering twits; every week, she'd never understand.

"Easy child; do you wish to bring on a spell?" Yvonne reprimanded. Her step daughter was prone to cripling anxiety attacks. Sometimes fainting if they were bad enough. She'd have to remember to send Harper along. No need to kill the girl. Marrying her off? Now that had all kinds of possibilities.

The Princess huffed, "Where is Daddy?" She demanded, knowing he was close by. Deciding it best; to have it out with both of them at once.

"Right here poppet." High King Saxon declared; striding to his daughter and kissing her hair. "Now why the fuss my little flower?" He asked; before going immediately to his queen's side.

Anika held up the 'invitation'. More like royal summons; with clear disgust. "Who Wants to Marry a Princess!? Did you know?" She asked incredulously. Hoping he'd deny it; but not holding out much, of that hope, for his answer.

"Of course Poppet!" Harold chirped and his daughter's jaw dropped as the Queen grinned triumphantly. "Brilliant no? And entertaining, I'd watch it." He winked at Yvonne and she smiled back at him.

"This is my life, not a reality show!" The younger woman cried. Almost shaking with the humiliation she felt.

"Yes and its rather pathetic. You're going nowhere poppet." King Saxon quipped. "Who wants to have a boring plain old palace life? We need drama!" He enthused.

"Daddy!" Anika wailed, the barb cutting deep. "I don't want this, they'll hate me." She tried to reason. Trying not to feel as whiney as she sounded.

"Does no one care about what I want?" Harrold whined to the room; adding. "I want a son-in law, grandchildren…before I die…" Another sting. "Come on, it's better than a betrothal right? They woo, there's misunderstanding, scandal… Oooh so fun!" The High king clapped excitedly. "I'll hear no more, you will choose a husband in Two months or I will randomly pick one for you. Be grateful you are getting a choice!" Saxon grumbled.

She knew her fate was sealed when he left, not allowing anymore arguments. The Princess held in her tears; facing Yvonne with all the strength she could muster. "I don't know what you did…"

"Really Anika? Betrothed to the Grand Beauty, Princess of all. They will fall all over themselves for the honor. To have the Isles." The Queen snorted; as she smoothed out her dress.

"I don't want them to only want me for the honor. I want them to want me for me." Anika replied sadly.

"Don't be so naive, we're higher royals. Don't complain, use it." Yvonne retorted, dismissing her step daughter with a wave, before calling in her council.

ACoWACoWACoWACoWACoWACoW

Theta rode in with his usual flair. Dismounting TARDIS and handing the reigns to a servant. Easy as if he were, walking down a hall. He headed right for his cousin's wing. Not expecting the forlorn girl he was presented with. "This is how I am to be greeted?" The Duke of isles and King of the Summer-Lands tutted.

"Sorry cousin, I wish I was in better spirits for you." Anika sighed; not leaving her spot at the window. "I'm to leave in a couple days." She stated, unable to summon the strength needed to really face what was happening.

"Alright, what did that nutter do now?" The Duke growled; sure his quack of an uncle was the cause of his beloved cousin's distress. Sure; her father loved her to a fault, but he was still a crazy idiot when he got an idea. The Duke; was only slightly surprised, when she nearly bowled him over with a bear hug.

"Oh Theta it's awful!" The Princess wailed; finally letting the floodgates free. She drenched his deep blue tunic with her tears, but she didn't care. "Daddy; he's not giving them a choice. I know they'll just be afraid for their Kingdoms. They don't really want me, no one will."

"You hush, little Neek." Theta soothed, rubbing her back as she sniffled. "Let me see what I can do." The Duke promised, kissing the top of her head. He'd always been more like a brother to her than a cousin. She nodded into his tunic as he rested his chin on her head. "No promises, but I will try. Show me what he sent out."

ACoWACoWACoWACoWACoWACoW

He walked into the Throne Room with a purpose. Only to be stopped by a sour bark from his uncle.

"My mind is set, even you cannot change it!" Harold declared with a pout. Raising an eyebrow as his nephew still stood there. Why was everyone out to thwart him today?

"Alright, but I have conditions." Theta replied slowly. Giving a look that told Saxon his nephew could be just as stubborn. The Duke waited for an answer. He had wanted to try and change his uncle's mind. Seeing that was useless, he could still make things at least, better, for his little Neek.

Upon hearing that he wasn't going to be completely overruled. 'Like they could'. Harold perked up. "Ooh negotiating, goody. This'll be fun." He waited at the edge of his throne for Theta to speak.

"First off, you let her do this alone. Meet the parents is the last few episodes." This had been his biggest worry. No way these royals; would see the real Anika, for the amazing beauty she was. If 'Daddy' and Aunt Yvonne were breathing down her neck.

"But the dancing?" Harold whined.

"She expected that… Big events only uncle!" The Duke replied.

Harold giggled and clapped. Then Theta gave him another look and repeated his original request.

The High King thought about it. He did want a proper show. Theta was right; parents didn't interfere till later. So this one he would give on. "Alright I agree, don't mess with the formula. Don't make poppet nervous, good plan."

The Duke sighed, mad as he was, somewhere in there, Saxon cared about his daughter. "Next, those that wish to leave before it even begins, may leave. With no repercussions."

"But, the insult!? To me, to poppet." The High King demanded; stomping his feet.

"No. Repercussions. Uncle!" Theta stressed and added. "Some men are not ready for marriage and to a higher royal, it's a lot of pressure. It's not a slight on her or you. Be thankful they know they can't handle it." His nephew offered and his uncle seemed to chew on that.

"Oh fine, but the Dowry's stay. If they are dismissed by my little flower, then they can decide." Harrold huffed and added. "Anything else?"

"The pardons written and signed before she leaves."

"Fine, fine. Send me my scribe."

~ACoW~

It wasn't easy, but somehow he got his uncle to agree to his addendums. Theta had gone in intending to talk his uncle out of all of it. The stubborn man wouldn't budge. So he had done the best he could. He could only hope his changes, would make things at least, a little better.

She was waiting hopefully out in the marble halls. The sun shining off her blue streaked blonde hair. She paced back and forth, a guard following her path with his eyes. Anika looked up at him hopefully. "Well, how'd it go?"

...

LUV Y'ALLS