Disclaimer: Anything you recognise is not mine – it is all Gail Carson Levine's. I just own the plot, some characters and some of the places mentioned. So please do not sue (but you can review).

:)

A/N: Thanks for the wonderful reviews. Any constructive criticism is welcome so if you are reading this, please review and leave me a little message. I even updated quicker this time! Replies and some explanations are at the end so you may want to read those.

Also, just a small note before you start reading: This chapter takes place the same day as the previous one.

Now I will not delay you any further, read and enjoy…

Chapter 3:

The Engagement Ball & Announcements

-

Daria was sitting in her bedroom in front of the mirror whilst Silvana combed her hair in vain. The Princess kept on swatting at the maid, trying to get her to stop. They were preparing for a ball being held that night announcing that Princess Daria and Prince Jerrold were engaged. Unbeknownst to the young couple, the ball had been in preparation for the past few weeks. They had been most unpleasantly surprised to find that they had to attend a ball just a day after they had found out that they were engaged. Most of the nobility of Valrie and Kyrria had already been invited long ago, though they did not know the reason (though many had their suspicions).

"Honestly, Silvana. I do not need you to comb my hair! I can do it myself just fine. And I think that this whole 500-strokes business is just a tad ridiculous. Whoever thought that excessive combing of the hair is necessary for all young ladies was seriously mistaken." Daria rambled. She was shivering slightly as she was scantily clad in an almost see-through slip. She winced as Silvana tugged at a knot deliberately hard. Daria groaned.

The maid just clucked her tongue. "Hold still, Your Highness, only one hundred more strokes to go."

Daria groaned again. Sometimes she really hated being a Princess – especially at this point in time.

Parents. What could they possibly understand about the way their children felt? Daria thought that she had been so clever with her plan and within the space of a few seconds all her hopes had been dashed. An Oculoscope. How could she have possibly forgotten that the King and Queen of Kyrria would have one of those? It was an instrument similar in shape to a small telescope. The viewer could choose whom they wanted to see and it would show them what that person was doing.

Daria could not even change her mind about sending Jerrold on that quest for the Swan Flower, for their parents would know within an instant that it was just an excuse for them to not get married.

And she thought that she had been so clever…

Daria's thoughts were interrupted when somebody flung open the doors to her chambers. In strode Prince Jerrold, with a murderous look on his face. It was clear that it was she who he was mad at.

Daria though, had reasons of her own to be annoyed at the Prince.

"What are you doing here? And in my chambers? You cannot just burst in here without so much as a warning." She fumed. She tried to look as dangerous as possible but it was hard with Silvana pulling at her hair and rebuking her to be still.

Jerrold smirked as if he had just discovered something very funny. "I am so sorry to disturb you but I think that we have some things to discuss."

Daria rolled her eyes; she knew what those things were. They had not had a chance to speak alone together since that morning and Daria thought that it was just as well – she did not plan on dying anytime soon.

"Fine. Let us discuss these things." She conceded and turned her back to the Prince so that she was once again facing the mirror. She could see his face almost turn purple from behind her.

"I would like to discuss these things privately." He subtly hinted.

Daria did not miss the hint. How she enjoyed irking him.

"Really? I had no idea." Daria feigned innocence. Jerrold clenched his right hand.

"Well…?" he waited for Daria to send Silvana away.

"You cannot expect me to send Silvana away when she has not finished brushing my hair. We still have three hundred strokes to go. Don't we Silvana?" Daria caught Silvana's eye in the mirror to make sure that she agreed with her. Silvana shook her head enthusiastically – the more a lady brushed her hair (or had her hair brushed) the better in her opinion.

Daria could almost strangle herself that she would have to sit through another three hundred strokes. But it would be worth it to see the look on Jerrold's face as he waited for her to finish.

Three hundred strokes later, Jerrold practically chased the maid away. He then walked back into the room and sat down in a chair opposite Daria. He pulled her chair closer to his and leant over her so that there was less than an inch between their mouths.

"I want to know what exactly were you thinking this morning when you announced that fool scheme of yours?" his voice was low and quiet yet full of venom – Daria could tell by now that his voice was only like this when he was really enraged.

"I thought that it was a good idea at the time. And it still is not so bad, at least I have bought us some time." Daria insisted.

"That is easy for you to say. You will be in the safe comfort of this palace whilst I will have to struggle on a quest to actually find this damn flower. And all thanks to you. I cannot even pretend to look for it as my parents have an Oculoscope. Now what do you think of your great plan, genius?" Jerrold got up away from Daria and paced the room in a fearful temper. He did not once glance at her, as if the sight of her would make him sick. He muttered something to himself. Words included, "Women" and "git".

Daria rose from her seat. "I do not see you coming up with any great plan! We may not marry in the end anyway. You may not even find the flower."

Daria knew that this was an untrue statement. Jerrold would have to find the flower if he did not want to anger the rulers of Valrie and Kyrria. He had no choice. Besides, he seemed like the kind of man capable of going on such an expedition and returning successfully.

Jerrold snorted in response to Daria's suggestion. He turned to her and quirked one eyebrow. That look told her all she needed to know about his opinion.

Daria decided to continue explaining her thoughts anyway. "While you are gone I can still come up with another idea to get us out of this arranged marriage. You will be gone for a few months at the very least. That should give me enough time."

Jerrold grunted in response.

"Well I certainly hope so, because the last thing I want to do when I return from this idiotic quest is to have to marry you." He jeered and stomped to the bedroom doors. He opened them and began to walk out but then changed his mind.

He sniggered and informed Daria what it was that he found so amusing, "You really should put some clothes on if you do not want people to mistake you at the ball for a whore." He then left the room and slammed the door shut before she could reply.

The Princess flushed in embarrassment and indignation in response.

When Daria finally was ready to emerge from her room, she was dressed in a pink dress that hugged her curvaceous figure. It had a low-cut scooped neckline that showed of her well-endowed bosom. It tied up at the back so that half of her back was on display (A/N: think halter neck). The corset part of her dress emphasized her small waist. A skirt then billowed out from it and her numerous petticoats underneath rustled as she walked. It was a stunning dress that suited Daria perfectly.

Daria, on the other hand, had no idea why her mother insisted that she had to wear such a dress. It was simply too revealing for her taste.

Silvana had just finished arranging the Princess's hair when there was a knock on the door. Daria's abundant hair had been styled back so that it was held back in a knot, with bits loose that trailed down her smooth back. A small tiara with pink diamonds had been set upon her head so that she did indeed look every part the perfect princess.

Perfect Princess – hah! Daria thought.

She called out for whoever knocked on the door to come in – it was her mother, Queen Henrietta.

Daria inwardly groaned, the Queen was here to give her a lecture no doubt. It soon turned out that her prediction was correct.

"Daria darling, I know that you do not want to marry Jerrold. As your mother I could tell that the whole scene at breakfast had been part of some plan you have devised." It was here that Daria's mouth dropped open in shock. "Daria, acting like a fish does not become you, close your mouth. Now as I was saying, even though you detest Jerrold, for the sake of an alliance with Kyrria you must agree to this marriage. For it would be too dangerous now to break it off. The Kyrrians would think that it was because we in Valrie have something against them – a war could even result from it."

Daria sighed, she seriously doubted that there would be a war, the King and Queen of Kyrria hardly seemed like the kind of people who would be offended and act rashly, but she let her mother continue.

"I want you to make a decent attempt to co-operate with Prince Jerrold. Do not think that your bickering has gone unnoticed. You two must put on a show tonight that you two are indeed in love. Promise me at least this." Daria's mother pleaded.

Her daughter nodded her head. "Alright. I will try."

Keyword being try, for Daria had really no intention of showing anything more than absolute hate towards her fiancé but for her mother's peace of mind she told her that she would.

Queen Henrietta seemed satisfied at least with her answer.

"Good. Then lets attend this Engagement Ball. I hear that Prince Jerrold is going to present you with a gift."

"I do not think so, mother." Daria refrained from snorting at the image that suddenly appeared in her mind. She would more likely befriend an ogre before the Prince gave her a present.

"But he will. It is a custom in Kyrria for the groom to present his bride with a gift before the wedding."

Daria could not imagine the Prince upholding such a custom for her. Was she supposed to give him a gift also? Daria was suddenly worried but stopped herself. This is pig-headed Jerrold, not some loving future husband. He could live without a gift from her.

Henrietta led her daughter down to the Royal Waiting Room (the room where the royals waited to be announced as they entered a ball). Already there were Daria's father (King Robert), King George, Queen Eliza, and their son, Prince Jerrold.

Jerrold, though good-looking normally, was absolutely gorgeous now. He had a bright smile on his face and his clothes (a black suit with a white shirt as well as a sword by his side) gave him the impression of being the dashing rogue that, of course, Daria assumed he was.

His future wife ignored Jerrold's looks, though she did notice that he was smiling.

And it was not at her but somebody behind her. Katie.

Katie was smiling back shyly at Jerrold and made a small wave. The gesture seemed innocent yet charming at the same time. Katie looked very pretty in a blue gown, completely the opposite of Daria's. Daria's dress was designed to flaunt the wearer's attributes and attract attention. Katie's dress was simple yet elegant and made her look beautiful. Daria could see Katie blush at the attention she was receiving from Jerrold.

Oh please, I think I am going to be sick. Daria thought to herself but then soon realized what she had just thought. Was she jealous? No, of course not. But then why was she acting like a dragon rather than the usually sweet girl that she had been before Jerrold had entered her life. Daria pushed all these thoughts aside as she greeted everybody in the room apart from Jerrold.

She finally turned to her beloved and said quietly so that nobody else could hear, "I see you managed to arrive on time. What a pity."

"I see that you did not listen to me when I said to put some clothes on." He retorted.

Daria sucked in her breath. She was going to try to behave, for her mother. She willed herself to smile. Daria felt as if she were trying to smile at a hungry carnivorous beast.

"I wonder what everybody will say when they learn that we are to be married?"

Jerrold shrugged off the comment. "I do not see anybody upset about now not being able to possibly marry you."

Daria's fingers itched to wrap around his throat and strangle him. She had at least attempted to be polite.

Suddenly, the doors swung open as the small party was announced. Daria forced herself to take Jerrold's arm as they walked down into the ballroom together and to the Main Table which was at the head of the hall.

The ballroom had been lit up by hundreds of majestic chandeliers. The room had been decorated with gold banners and on the dozens of tables there were gold plates, cutlery, candles and gold-coloured serviettes. The dancefloor itself was coloured gold. Daria could automatically see that a lot of time and thought had been spent in preparation for this ball. She almost felt guilty for her parents that she had destested their decision so forcefully. Almost.

As soon as they reached the table Daria snatched her arm away. She could only act friendly up to a certain point.

The High Chancellor (a young boring-looking man), Nathaniel, announced the party. He then in a monotone voice said, "His majesty King Robert has an important announcement to make to all of you about the reason for this ball."

Daria's father stood up from behind the table.

"Though many of you may have suspected it, it is my pleasure to announce that Princess Daria of Valrie and Prince Jerrold of Kyrria are to be married."

There was a shocked silence after this announcement. They may have suspected it but they were still unprepared. A couple of disappointed ladies fainted and a few frustrated men made to grab the swords that hung by their sides.

But a few people soon started clapping and then soon the whole hall burst into rapturous applause. The initial shock and disappointment had been forgotten.

"So, a great start to our happily married future together." Daria mockingly murmured to the Prince, who was sitting next to her.

Jerrold reacted by accidentally elbowing her in the stomach.

And that is how the Engagement Ball began.

A/N: Okay, there is going to be much more action, movement of the plot, and excitement in the next chapter. (Jealousy, dancing, a lot of disappointed people...more about the quest) I originally had both chapters as the one but I decided to make them separate otherwise it would take forever to read it! Please, please, please review.

The main part of the plot will come soon in the next few following chapters. (Yes, there is a plot – isn't it amazing?) I really can't wait to get to the main part of the story - I think there will be something that you will not expect (though not in a bad way).

As for the relationship between Daria and Jerrold – some of you have asked questions about his attitude towards Daria. Jerrold is not perfect and he is really judgemental. He is one of those people that likes finding somebody to blame. Also, a reason they fight so much is because they are attracted to one another (even though they do not realize it and they would never admit it if they did). You know how people fight just to hide their real feelings? That is pretty much like it.

Jerrold is nice to Katie because, well, Katie is pretty much easy to get along with. She may be boring and not as interesting as Daria, but she is a sweetie. Jerrold recognises that Katie is often looked over and that Daria is paid all the attention instead. That is the reason why Jerrold is actually paying so much attention to her.

Phew! Sounds like I am about to start writing an essay on this fic. Anyway, now onto the replies and thank yous – you were all fantastic.

Replies:

Potterwoman: I cannot believe that I called Jerrold Christian (author hits her head at her stupidity)! Christian is a character from my other Ella Enchanted fic, Sarah Enchanted. Thanks for letting me know and thanks for reviewing!!!!!

awaiting impatient person: I can't believe I called Jerrold Christian – I changed it but I am still so stupid. Oops. I loved your review – I am sure you do not look the type that does not read romance stories (did that make sense?). Anyway, thanks!

-

Thanks also go to:

Lady Emma, Cinderella Atkins, LillianaRose (I explained that whole thing up above about the relationship with Daria and Jerrold), cutie20, JellyBelly391, paisley, Tamaran Girl, Princess of Rivendell, PrettyGal1212 and Baby Blue Gal.

-

Now if you really want me to update quickly...review!