Princess Chloe stared at herself in the vanity mirror; her hair bore a striking resemblance to a Robin's nest. She always dreaded her summers in the Lands of Black, and now she remembered why. Prince Brady always had to pull some prank, some joke, anything that would make Chloe miserable.

" Chloe, sweet pea please let me in," Chloe rolled her eyes irritably; this was all her mother's fault. Despite Chloe's desperate plea's for salvation her mother had still dragged her along.

" Chloe, please. Dinner shall be starting soon. The royal family will be expecting you!" Chloe grimaced looking in the mirror. How was she going to face the royal family looking like a banshee?

" I'm not going!" she hollered.

Chloe heard soft clicks. Great, now her mother had resorted to pathetic lock picking. This was low, even for her. She ran quickly to the door and used all her body weight the push against it," I said that I'm not going!"

Queen Nancy pushed hard," Oh yes you are!" she too put all her body weight against the door. The Queen weighing a lot more then the princess eventually pushed the door open, the princess falling on her tush," Now, sweet pea," she said evilly sweet," Go and put that nice blue frock that Queen Marlena gave you,"

Chloe sighed; she had been defeated once again. She should've known that her mother would have gotten her way eventually," Yes mother,"

Nancy kissed her daughter softly," By the way, I told the royal family that you would do them the honor of singing a lovely duet with Prince Brady this evening," she smiled beamingly.

Chloe glared at her mother, blue fire spiting from her eyes," NO WAY! There is no way that I am singing with that-that- that beast!" Chloe screamed breathlessly.

Queen Nancy shook her head, her daughter was intractable, but not nearly as much as she," Oh I'm sorry sweet pea,"

Chloe smiled in relief.

" I'm sorry that you thought I was giving you a choice," Chloe's smile vanished," Now don't frown, you'll get wrinkles," She kissed her daughters frizzled head and walked out the door," You have 15 minutes, before I drag you out here," Mid way to the door a purple vase nearly missed her head, crashing into the wall. She turned to her peevish daughter," A temper is never admired in a princess,"

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Chloe forcefully smiled at all the many Lords and Ladies, she was beginning to think that if she were to smile any longer her face would freeze. Her mother on the other hand was shoveling manure to anyone she came in contact to. Chloe nearly gagged Everytime she was called 'cute' or 'precious'.

" Nancy, its so good to see you again!" Queen Hope rushed up and gave her old friend a huge hug. Chloe was always quite fond of Queen Hope, she was a genuinely kind and gentle person. Chloe curtsied politely as Hope's eyes sparkled staring at the young princess," Princess Chloe, I see that mischievous look in your eyes!" she laughed heartedly giving Chloe a hug as well.

" My dear Hope were is Prince Shawn and Young John Tomas?" Hope's eyes lowered at the mention of her sick infant prince," Oh I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to-"

Hope smiled tearfully," Its quite alright Nancy, John Tomas is rather ill has you know. The doctor said that it wouldn't be wise to take him along,"

Chloe could see that her mother felt horrible, her eyes full of embarrassment and pity," I'll pray for his health," Chloe said sweetly.

Hope hugged the princess tightly," Nothing is more precious then the prayer of a child, you are going to make a grand queen someday princess Chloe," she cried joyously on Chloe's ruffled gown.

Queen Hope composed herself fixing her curled auburn locks," My dear Nancy, lovely Chloe, I hope that I didn't ruin your evening. I must go find my husband and my son Shawn," She hugged them both and graciously left.

Queen Nancy turned to her daughter full of pride," I am so proud of you Chloe, you handled yourself perfectly,"

" Thank you mother," Chloe replied curtly.

" Nancy, you made it I'm so happy. And Chloe, your hair looks as perfect as it did at your arrival," Queen Marlena had approached them baring the most beautiful gown Chloe had ever seen. It was made of gold silk, a fabric only made by the fairies themselves. The neckline was low for Chloe's taste but a diamond pendant drew the attention away from her cleavage.

" Marlena that gown is beautiful!" Nancy said with a bit of envy, she was going to make it a point to visit the fairies one of these days.

Marlena blushed, but excepted the compliment humbly," You are too kind Queen Nancy. You and the Princess look marvelous yourselves. I must say that I am quite looking forward to princess Chloe's performance,"

Queen Nancy smiled," And I prince Brady's. Speaking of the dashing prince where is he. I was thinking that he and Chloe could share a dance, she still has yet to improve her two left feet,"

Chloe chuckled spitefully," I don't think that Prince Brady would like to dance with me after last summer's fiasco,"

Marlena and Nancy laughed at the memory," Don't be silly Chloe," Marlena said reassuringly," Brady would love to dance with you," Why look there he is," Brady! Darling come here!"

Chloe could see Brady's look of disapproval, she hoped that he saw hers as well," Yes mother," he glared at her.

" Why don't you and Chloe partake in a dance?"

Brady took 2 steps backward," No way, she'll kill me. Remember last summer? She nearly took my head off, lead me right into a knights sword she did,"

Chloe was repulsed at his over dramatized summary of the dance," I did not 'lead' you into the armor, you fell,"

" And why did I fall? Because of that gown of yours!"

" No because you're a clumsy ogor,"

Prince Brady growled at her," I am not an ogor,"

Chloe crossed her ars