Sugar Thief ~ yep, finally! And now I'm going to update so that you can see what happens next . . . ;-D

Kassi of Pirate's Swoop ~ oops, yeah, maybe I shouldn't have asked about the long/short thing. Good point. And thank you sooo much for the praise (if u give me any more, my head will inflate to 10x larger than now… although I won't be an ego-maniac ^-^) Yes, and I'm not that sure about the pages/squire/knights thingy. I suppose that pages would be technically correct, except there's no mention at all of pages. Oh, oops, my bad. Never mind. I just went and checked up my story, and I have a mention of pages in one of my first few chapters. Okay, then, just ignore that little mistake… (I'm too lazy to change it ^-^) thnx 4 reviewing again!

Fineflyer ~ thank you! And as for the parents thingy, it was just a twist that I decided I should throw in, since I just love making unpredictable things happen. But yeah. He thought they were his parents but they're not. Oh, I don't make much sense, do I? Ok, here. Everyone at the orphanage told Ted that his parents were thieves/bandits. It turned out that before he was sent to live with those parents though (they weren't his real parents, you see) he was raised by nobles (Lady Julia and Lord Edward, who were prisoners of Lord Donovan). But then he finds out that the nobles aren't his real parents either, so now we're back to square one. Better? Sorry, but I'm not very good at explaining – only writing, hehe.

Babyjayy ~ Thank you! And I'm updating…

Gayle ~ thanks! I'm so happy that you chose to read my story, and I'm really glad that you like it! After all, isn't that what all authors strive for? ^-^ Anyways, I just want to thank you for reading (and reviewing) my story, and for emailing me! I always love to get emails from my readers! Thank you!

TexasKH ~ Wow, really? I never have the patience to check if people update; I'm too lazy ;) Thanks for your review!

Laur1532 ~ Hehe, I'm sorry. I'm used to writing cliffhangers. I think they're perfectly fine (as long as I'm the one writing them). Oh well, I'll try not to. Can't guarantee it, though *grin*

Black eagle ~ Hey again! Thanks for keeping with the story! LoL. And I will write more…I'm just not sure if I'm going to add lots more to this particular story. Maybe on ficpress or something…

Curlgurl612 ~ new reviewer! Hi, and welcome to the "AryaWinds rambling sessions". Hehe. I always reply to my reviewers, and I tend to ramble (but it's not my fault!) But anyways, some things I have to say. One: thank you! I'm glad u like my writing. Really. Two: I'm guessing that you like how I'm setting up half fluff/half substance. Good. I'm glad. Three: I won't leave Ted parent-less. Hehe.

Awaiting impatient person ~ Okay, I get the hint, a.k.a. hurry up and update? I'm trying, really I am. But I'm not prone to writer's block ^-^ and I'm sooo happy u enjoy my story. (I've lost count how many times I've said that, lol)

Angel-kiss7 ~ Ah! Okay, I get it! Geez. You peeps don't like cliffhangers, do you? Just kidding. Anyways, here's an update!

Dragonfirechick ~ Thank you! Thank you, thank you, and thank you! (Whew, lots of thanks!) That was the first review that I got that actually said to write as long as I feel like writing. *tears up* Cuz it's not that I don't want to continue, it's just that I'm running out of things to say in this story! So I'm glad you support me on that. And (another) thanks for reviewing!

Movielvr ~ Wow, that makes it… what, my 10th threat? LoL. Let's see, I've got pplz who are gonna send the mafia after me, people who'll write fanfics for fanfiction w/ my characters chopping me up, chocolate stashes suffering *sob* I fell so unloved now… Ah, never mind. I'm hyper again. Thanks for the review!

Turwen ~ Thanks much! Ecstatic u liked it! (And running out of clever things to say… oh well.)

Lalaith ~ ooh, lent? I didn't know you gave up that. I couldn't do that… I'd die in a few days. And I am grateful for the review (I love all of them) and also, I'm glad that you like my responses so much. I just like to let my reviewers know that they're appreciated, and that their reviews were actually read, u know? So yeah. And you too, like Dragonfirechick, also say that my story could be short. Yay! Two people who agree with me! Thank you! Hmm… what else was I gonna say? Oh yeah, Latin. Latin is a cool language; just the teacher is really a grump. Not to mention, the language gets complicated and frustrating after a while, cuz you have to remember the declensions (feminine, neuter, masculine) and all of the endings on the words (Latin is very precise). So basically, if you can remember –a, -ae, -ae, -am, -a, -ae, -arum, -is, -as, -is… and then remember –us, -i, -o, -um, -o, -i, -orum, -is, -os, -is… and then remember two other groups (just to write one word in the sentence!) then you can handle Latin. Myself? I would rather sleep (or write) in that class, hehe.

SarcasmSage ~ No, no! I understood your review perfectly, and I really enjoyed it. Just, I'm not sure about the jealousy/angst on Ted's part… I don't know, he just doesn't seem that that type. I'll see ^-^

Swishy Willow Wand ~ another new reviewer! Wow, I love you guys! You're all awesome! Hehe, thanks, you think? Well, I agree with the cute couple part definitely… I thought it was sweet *.*

EdhelWen ~ Ooh, I get it! Okay, thanks for clearing up the s/n part. It's always awkward to think pplz are new readers/reviewers when in reality, they've been reviewing the entire story. And again with the cliffy problem. I'll try not to make a cliffy! (I just doubt I'll succeed…) Cheese?!

CrimsonEnchantress ~ what's happening next? You'll see… it is in this chapter! Hehe. Thanks for the review!

Queen of Sheba ~ Hehe. Oops. Not again. Wow. Everyone wants a long story, and complains about my cliffy. Okay, fine, I'll try not to leave a cliffy this chapter. Good? Okay. Good. Thanks for the review!

*****

A/n: First off, MAJOR thanks to all u reviewers. Secondly, since I never gave recognition before now… thanks to all who have me on favorite authors list. (Lazy AryaWinds won't go look up who's who and write it in here… too lazy) But I know who has me on, and I'd just like to say thanks so much, I'm really honored.

And lastly, a HUMONGOUS thanks to Gayle, CrimsonEnchantress, Kassi of Pirates Swoop, Kari Kaiba, Fire of Wolves, and GSD14girl@aol.com (sorry, I'm not sure of your penname) for emailing me about last chapter. All of your emails were very encouraging and supportive, and I can't say thank you enough.

A/n 2: All of you rock the world!!!

*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*

I checked myself in the mirror one last time, making sure I looked all right. After all, I was meeting with royals. My mother and father wanted me to dress up, so I would be presentable to the Ayorthian king and queen, also known as Darren's parents.

I glanced over my dress. It was a dark blue velvet dress, trimmed with lace. The collar was square-necked, and the waistline was slim and narrow. I hated wearing it, but I highly doubted that my parents would be pleased if I had decided to walk into the room in men's clothes.

After making one last cursory check to make sure I looked fine, I left the room. I glided down the stairs gracefully. All right, I'll admit it, I tried to slide down the banister, got caught and scolded, and then walked down as dignified as one can possibly after getting scolded by Nancy, our head maid.

And then, I reached the room I was dreading – the comfortable sitting room reserved only for very important guests. Guests such as the king and queen of Ayortha.

I entered the room; my head held high, looking like a proper princess should. Not that I was a proper princess, that is.

The first people I saw were the Ayorthians. They looked so familiar . . .

My mother spoke. "Lela, this is King Fredrick and Queen Leanne of Ayortha. You've met them before, when you were younger. Do you remember them?"

Oh. So that was why they seemed familiar. Now I knew who they were. The Ayorthian king and queen, of course.

My gaze traveled around the room. Darren was there, looking as handsome as ever with his jet-back hair neatly combed, and his clothes bringing out his bright blue eyes. He was sitting stiffly on a couch, looking bored and disinterested in everything in general. He seemed to have lost his "charm"; opting instead to look glum and dull. As I entered, he didn't even rise, although his parents did, to welcome me. Darren only nodded coldly and ignored me for the rest of the time.

I stuck my nose up in the air, and ignored him as well.

However, King Fredrick and Queen Leanne of Ayortha were the complete opposite of their son. It struck me as odd, in an ironic way. While their son seemed to be charming and evil, the royals were charming, but in a sincere way, as well as kind and compassionate. King Fredrick was a big man; strong and imposing. He had white-blond hair, kind blue eyes, and a deep, mellow voice. Queen Leanne was petite and tanned, with darker blond hair and dark eyes. She was very cheerful and nice, and reminded me very much of my own mother. In fact, the two of them were very happily discussing stuff already.

I perched on the edge of the couch, ready to bolt out of the room at any second. I didn't like formal meetings!

My father and King Fredrick were discussing border patrols. Well, that was nice, but it was just too bad that I wasn't interested! I grinned at the irony of it all. James and Ted were interested in border patrols and ogre raids, and I wasn't. Yet they were outside, practicing magic and weaponry (which I wanted to do), while I was stuck inside, forced to listen to boring reports.

I glanced over at Darren, who was just staring blankly at the wall, and sighed. This was going to be one long day.

"Lela, dear," my mother said suddenly, "Did you remember our little "talk" last night?"

I froze. Yes, I remembered. Right before I left to go meet my friends in the woods, my mother had summoned me to her room. She and father had both been there, and were looking completely serious.

***Flashback***

"Lela, we have something very important that we feel we should discuss with you," my father said seriously.

I sat up straighter in my chair, apprehensive. "What?" I asked nervously.

My parents exchanged a glance, and Queen Ella sighed. "Lela, do you love anyone yet?"

What?!

My mother spoke. "It's about time you chose a king to marry."

Marry?!

"We've decided that in two days, we shall hold a ball in your honor. To announce your engagement."

What? Since when was I engaged?!

"To who?" I managed to ask.

"To Prince Darren, of course," answered my mother. "Don't you like him? He's a really sweet boy."

This was not happening to me. I was engaged to Darren?!

"Would it be alright if I chose someone else to marry?" I asked desperately.

"Who?" my father inquired.

There was a name at the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. After all, he had told me he was in love with someone else.

"No one," I said instead.

"Then I'm afraid you're stuck with the arrangement," said Ella with a smile. "Don't worry, you'll love him."

No I won't! I wanted to shout. But instead, I bit my tongue, not answering.

It wasn't going to be all right.

This was all going wrong.

***End Flashback***

"Yes…" I said cautiously.

My parents nodded, pleased that I remembered.

After all, how could I forget?

*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*

By the time the meeting was over, I was about asleep on my feet. But as soon as I heard everyone getting up to leave, I perked up and was instantly awake.

I said a polite good-bye to the Ayorthian royals, who were to be my in-laws. That is, if I ever carried through with my parents' marriage arrangement.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Darren shoot me a glare. I was pretty sure that it was because of the marriage. Well, I could sympathize.

As soon as I could, I fled the room. I found all three of my best friends straight away. They were in the practice court, practicing their weapons.

I joined them, for lack of anything better to do. James glanced at me. "Anything wrong, Lela?"

I shook my head. "No."

"Liar," whispered Cordelia in my ear after James had walked off to join Ted.

I glared at her. "I'm fine."

She just crossed her arms and stared at me.

"Okay, fine, so I'm depressed because I'm supposed to be engaged in two days," I said.

Her mouth dropped open. "What?"

"And the worst part – I'm engaged to Darren," I spat. "He's still not any better now that he's free of Maydria's spell."

She just shook her head. "You poor thing. It must be horrible to be a princess."

"Oh, you have no idea," I murmured.

*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*

A/n: I am sooo sorry for not updating sooner, and I'm really sorry that this chapter was so short! But I'm not going to make excuses. I couldn't make this any longer without making a real big cliffy. I hope this wasn't classified as a cliffy!

A/n 2: Just a random question. If I had another account, would any of you be interested in checking it out? Thanks! ~ AryaWinds