I'm Back! This shall be the final chapter (well other than an epilogue) I am sorry for my absence, but I do hope you have enjoyed the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Sorry that this wasn't beta'd. As always, please review. Now without further ado…

As You Wish.

Annika had sat on her knees banging on the door and screaming until her throat was raw. Tears burned in her eyes and for the first time in her life she felt helpless. She knew that the ladies were gathering in the town by now with letters and symbols in hand, and yet she, the only one to truly love the prince, sat in the cold basement, a reminder to the nothing she would always be. Still she continued to scream, hoping beyond hope that one of the other servants would hear her, or perhaps even Priden, but nothing happened. Growing weary she sobbed and dropped to the floor, her sobs overtaking her body. The door opened a little and Brigitte smiled wickedly at the young girl before her.

"Tsk Tsk. Annika, you were always so lovely. Now look at you. Dirty, bloodied up and you wreak something awful." She paused and then sighed, "If only you had obeyed Mutti. You were always headstrong, disobedient, and if you don't mind me saying so, a royal pain. Tell me how you did it though Annika. Tell me how you won your way into my prince's heart. Did you seduce him?"

Annika's sobs quieted considerably as she looked up at Brigitte and with venom she spat, "No wench, I loved him. It's a feeling you shall never possess I am sure."

Brigitte's eyes narrowed and she kicked Annika in the face, knocking the girl to the ground. "Don't you dare speak to me in that disrespectful manner you whore." She crouched down and grabbed Annika's chin forcefully. "You still haven't learned your place have you? You are a servant girl and nothing more. You are not worth the dirt under your feet, and frankly you are not worth the time of day. I came here only to tell you that I have won. I will soon be Princess of Marchendorf, and there isn't a thing you can do to stop it."

Annika spat on Brigitte's shoes and Brigitte grinned at the girl. "My point has been proven. Auf Wiedersehn Annika. Enjoy your dismal life with Gisela, she has much in store for you." With that, Brigitte stood up and walked out of the door and slammed it behind her.

Annika crawled to the door screaming. "Please let me go! Please! Please!" She fell to the floor and leaned her head against the door. Her sobs grew louder as she pulled her knees to her face. The carriage had just left the estate.

Prince Florian looked in vain for Annika but she was no where to be found. Perhaps she had lied about her royal status as well. After all she had lied to him at the ball, and in the town but for some unknown reason he believed her. Shaking the curls out of his eyes he continued to look at the growing numbers of women and sighed. Perhaps this had not been the best idea.

Priden looked around the crowed searching for Annika. But she was no where to be seen. "Annika…ANNIKA!" His voice fell on deaf ears. Michael ran up to him by the tavern, his face revealing that he knew nothing of Annika's presence. Time was growing desperate, and they had no idea where to look.

Miriam listened desperately to the sounds of Annika's cries, but she could do nothing as it was her duty to appease Gisela's awful daughter, Hedwig. Cringing at each order, she obeyed, hoping that there would soon be a way to go to Annika's aide, for now however, she appeased the little wretch.

Priden and Michael continued to call for Annika, but to no avail. The clock's hands grew quickly to ten. Suddenly Michael screamed for Priden. He ran to the gnome's side.

"Look." Michael whispered as he pointed his index finger forth. There, a mere three yards away stood Lady Gisela and Brigitte.

"You don't think…" Priden began.

"Ja…I think." Michael replied solemnly.

"Let's go." Priden stated. The two sat up and ran to the Terich carriage. Priden whispered something to the driver whom nodded in return and the carriage left the town quickly.

In a matter of minutes, the carriage was back at the Terich estate. Priden and Michael jumped from the carriage and ran to the doors. Pulling them both open, Michael and Priden walked inside hoping for a sign that would lead them to Annika. It came as they heard her cries. Following the sobs, Michael stopped in front of the basement as Priden searched for Hedwig. Michael whispered through the doors, "Lady Annika."

The sobs stopped, "Michael?"

"We shall get you out of there right away Annika."

"Please hurry." She begged. Michael nodded and quickly began on the lock. True enough it took him a few minutes but once the lock clicked, he grinned and pulled the door open. Annika got up from her knees and hugged Michael tightly. "Danke schorn."

Michael only nodded. "The carriage is waiting for you outside Annika, you must hurry." Annika smiled through tears as she hugged Michael once more. "No time for that Annika, GO!" She nodded and ran outside and into the waiting carriage.

Ten had come and past and Florian knew it was time to make a decision, and he would follow his father's choice. He would choose Brigitte, as much as it disgusted him. He walked to the makeshift stage and sighed before he began his speech. He looked at each of the beautiful ladies that stood before him, hope sparked in each of their eyes. Clearing his throat he began:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, at this point it is time to make a decision of whom to wed. It was a difficult one to say the least. I wish my future wife intelligence, wit, and a beauty that can never be matched by another. I also wish her to be strong. Any woman willing to stand by my side for however long I am to be your King must be strong. I did not expect to find such a…selection of woman whom wanted to become my Queen, nor did I think I would find all of them equally eligible. All of you ladies are beautiful, I do not deny that, but I am looking for something special and that is why…"

Florian paused his speech as a commotion began in the back. However his guards rushed to the scene and Florian continued.

"…that is why I believe that I can chose a wife today. I do hope that each of you fine ladies find a man worth your graces, however I can only choose one wife. I chose…"

"Get your filthy hands off me. Get off! GET OFF!" A woman shouted from the back. She began to push her way to the front.

"I chose a fine woman from Sir Petar Terich's estate."

Suddenly Brigitte squealed and another woman shouted. "NO!" Florian looked down and suddenly saw a glimmer of golden blonde. Before his mind could tell him no, he shouted, "STOP!" Suddenly everything went still.

"You there, bring her to me." He shouted at the guard that was handling the woman. The guard obliged and brought the woman to the front. She continued to kick at the guard. "It's alright Gustav, let her go."

The young woman huffed and straightened her skirts. "Finally." The guard nudged her in the back, "I'm going! Mein Got." She looked up at Florian and smiled. He returned it. She walked up onto the stage and Florian grasped her hands.

"I thought you wouldn't make it." He whispered

"I was…stalled for a while." She replied, motioning to Brigitte and Gisela. It was at that moment that he noticed the bruises on her face. He ran a thumb over them.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concern lining his brow.

"Ja. Just a little cut." Florian narrowed his brow and turned to the crowd, and there stood Brigitte and Gisela in outrage. It was then that Florian decided it was time to make a…a new announcement.

"As I was saying, I choose as my wife, and your future ruler, Annika Terich, from Sir Petar Terich's estate." He then returned his gaze to Annika. "That is…if she'll have me."

Annika smiled softly and giggled, "Ja. I am yours."

"Gut." Florian replied, he then bent down and as sweetly as possible, gave Annika her first kiss. The kiss of true love. The crowd around them burst into an uproar. Some into sighs of joy, and others into grunts of anger. But one could be heard above it all.

"YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS PRINCE FLORIAN!" Brigitte shouted.

"Of course I can."

"But she is a servant, a nothing, she is not worth your time!"

"I disagree Brigitte, you however have been nothing but a thorn in my side. GUSTAV!" Annika put a hand over his and whispered into his ear,

"Let me do the honors. Brigitte come here." Brigitte listened to Annika's calm orders.

"Please Annika, do not let them send me to jail."

"Why should I not?"

"Because I am your sister."

Annika rolled her eyes, "In that case…Gustav, take this woman and Lady Gisela to the Prison. I do not care what happens to either one of them, just get them out of my sight." The guard bowed to Annika and took both ladies away. She then turned to Florian whom held a ring to her.

"I know you wish to hold onto that ring on your finger, but I was hoping that you would wear this one too."

She smiled and nodded. "As you wish my Prince." And he sealed their promise with tenderness.

Finis