As the stable boy put on the saddle to Florian's stallion Florian stared out across the city and at the place where Priden and Annika stood. His dark eyebrows furrowed he tried to think of some explanation for her lies. Her. Now he could not decided whether it was his place to call her Ella or Annika. Anger coursed through his veins at her deceit. He had spent day in and day out since meeting her thinking about her and when he was finally able to see her again it was under false pretences. He kicked the dirt with his black boot and began to pace until he heard a cough from the stable boy behind him. Florian nodded, dropped two gold coins into the boys hands, and jumped onto the black horses back. He kicked in and the horse began its gallop back to the castle. Yet halfway to the castle gates, Florian turned the horse around and hurried to the town. He galloped through the streets until he reached the blonde haired maiden and the elfin man she was walking with. "Halt." He yelled. The two acquiesced and turned to face the prince, confusion lined on their faces. "Would you care to explain what's going on?"

The blonde woman looked up at him, realization dawning in her eyes. As quickly as it came, she shook it off. "I have no idea what you are speaking of my Prince."

Florian jumped down, "I think you do..." and then he whispered, "Annika."

Annika groaned and walked away but Florian followed her. "You think you are so clever do you not? Lie to the prince not once but twice. Did you think I would not find out? Look at me!" He practically yelled as he grabbed her wrist.

"What do you want me to say Florian? If it is an apology you are seeking, fine. I am sorry that I lied to you. Are we done here, I have much to do."

"Does Lady Gisela know you are back in town."

"Nein…warum?" But Florian's face revealed it all. "You would not!"

"And why should I not Annika? You are her servant." Florian called to her retreating back.

"And her stepdaughter!" She screamed as she turned to face him.

Florian crossed his arms, "And yet another lie."

Annika threw her hands up in the hair. "Believe what you want to believe…" she paused for a moment and then spat, "my Prince." Florian's hand reached her throat in a second.

"I could have you hanged for that in a moment's notice."

Annika called his bluff. "Do it." Florian looked taken aback. "I know you heard correctly Florian, if you so wish to see me hanging in front of the town, a mockery of my family to all. Do so."

Florian groaned and dropped his hands. He turned his back from her and ran his fingers through his hair. "Why do you test me Annika."

She shrugged her shoulders and then answered, "Because no one else will."

Florian was about to answer when he heard the shrill voice of his fiancée. He groaned. "There's Brigitte."

"You are really going to marry her." Annika stated more than asked.

Florian looked down at her turned head and swore to himself he saw tears. "My father has chosen it."

"Ah, and such a wise man he is."

Florian looked at her sharply before responding, "Do not speak ill of your king. He is not as kind as I have proven to be." Brigitte called again. "I better go." He whispered. Annika nodded and Florian grabbed his horses reigns and headed to the sound of Brigitte's voice. Annika stared after him.

The day passed all too slowly for Florian and when dinner came he felt his stomach revolt for two reasons. The food was not edible and his father's news. Sebastian sat at the head of the table as he always did and when Florian walked in, he clapped his hands together in joy. "Florian, so good of you to come."

"It is dinner father."

"Of course, of course. Well," he paused for a moment, "I have wonderful news."

"And that is…"

"You and Lady Brigitte shall marry tomorrow!"

Florian choked on his soup. "I am sorry, I thought you said you had wonderful news."

"Do not contradict me boy."

"Well it is rather hard when you tell me that I am marrying…that, in simpler tones, tomorrow."

"Do you know of any other woman eligible?" The King sneered.

"As a matter of fact, ja. There was a beautiful Lady at the ball who fills your requirements to be the new Princess of Marchendorf."

"And what is her name?"

Florian stopped then as the realizations hit him. The woman from the ball and Annika were one in the same, meaning that she was… He finally answered. "Ella."

The King looked taken aback. "I have not heard of a Lady Ella in Marchendorf."

"There was…confusion when it came to her status."

"Find her and bring her to me before noon tomorrow, otherwise you will marry Brigitte."

Florian bowed, "Yes father." He then ran up to his room and searched his mind as to how to create contact with Annika before noon. Then it hit him. It was an idea that would force all the single young woman in the town into doing his bid, thus legally making Annika his. He quickly wrote out a royal decree and with the thought of Annika soon in his arms, slept well for the first time in days.

The next morn, scrolls were posted all over town, everyone stating the same:

By royal decree, all eligible ladies of nobility are to come to the square with their

credentials by ten o'clock. Prince Florian will decided his bride today due to a

few mishaps at the ball held two nights ago.

Do not be late.

The ladies gathered around the scroll, and Annika was one of the last to see the scroll. It was then that everyone heard two screams and upon hearing them, Annika quickly ducked her head, but not soon enough. Lady Gisela grabbed the young girl's hair and pulled her along.

"So this is where you have been hiding you little tart."

"Let me go?"

"Do you think the prince would chose you, a servant, over my lovely daughter Brigitte, who was merit to see him."

"I do." Annika replied. Lady Gisela then shoved her into the mud.

"You have been nothing but trouble to me since the first day when I agreed to take you in. And then you run away leaving the entire Terrich estate a mockery, who do you think you are?"

Annika then pushed herself from the mud and looked Gisela directly in the eye. "I am Sir Petar Terrich's only daughter you hag."

Lady Gisela laughed. "You have no proof."

It was then that Annika shoved her finger forth. "I do believe this is all the proof I need." Lady Gisela looked at the finger wildly before dragging Annika behind her.

"Where are you taking me?" Annika called.

"Back to the estate, where you will work, as a servant."

"Nein!" Annika screamed.

"Halt den mund Annika, others will not look kindly on you." When the two finally reached the estate, Lady Gisela locked Annika in the basement. "That will teach you to disobey me you little wench."