Sooo sorry about delays, people! I have had a lot on my mind lately, and plus I have been sick with a spring cold. As to my reviewers, THANKS SO MUCH! I got exactly 4 reviews, and that's a lot for me. Now do the same and more, pleeeeeeease! Each one means so much.

Jo Quin: Thanks! I'm glad my story has all those in them.

Anonymous: Whoever you are, thanks for the encouragement.

Kat: It took a while, but I finally posted!

One reader: You are so wonderful! Yours was by far the longest review I have received, and it came with a lot of interesting pointers. It seems a lot of people thought of a great way this story could continue, and I wish I had thought of that before I wrote this chapter. Thank you for making my dentist visit not sound so horrible! And last, hope you enjoy this chapter.

Tarra

Chapter 10

Ethan's Arrival

"Milady? Are you quite all right?" I frowned. My eyes where still fogged from the fall, andI couldn't see clearly. He looked like Ben—but I couldn't quite tell if his hair was black or not. "Ben?" I asked again. He frowned.

"No Miss, I am not this 'Ben' you speak of. I am Prince Ethan of Doople. I am looking to see her Royal Highness Princess Tarra. Would you be so kind as to show me where I might find her?"

I tried terribly hard not to smirk. Not only because he talked like a buffoon, but also because he could be in much trouble for talking to me like I was a maid. After gathering up all my books and pulling myself up-I was surprised that he didn't try to help me with either- I looked him up and down.

He had sandy blonde hair that shimmered light brown in the light. He had large blue eyes, and his face looked almost cute. His attire was prince-like; he was wearing a red doublet with stiff black trousers that looked incredibly expensive. He definitely wasn't Ben. I wondered how much I could find out about why he was here and what he wanted from me, and still keep my identity secret.

"Well then, what was it you wanted?"

He looked shocked. For some bizarre reason, I was proud of myself. "I asked where I could find her Royal Highness Princess Tarra. Now please do your job and take me to her."

'Your not so cute anymore,' I thought to myself. Using all my self-control to keep from laughing, I plainly stated, "You needn't call her all that, milord. Just plain Princess will do."

He looked like he wanted to slap me. He might have,too,if Millie hadn't run up at that moment.

"Oh, there you are. I have been looking all over for you! What do you think of the stanza we learned today?" It took her a minute to even notice theboy who claimed to be a prince from a country I had never heard of, who was standing in front of me.

"Oh! I beg your pardon. Have you two been introduced yet?" It was getting better and better. I quickly shook my head. "Oh, well then. Prince Ethan of Doople, I'd like you to meet my sister, Princess Tarra."

His face went cold and he looked as if he might throw up on me. I inched a tiny step away in case he tried. Forcing a grin, I said, "Hello, Prince Ethan. I amPrincess Tarra. It is very nice to meet you." I curtsied. It took him a minute, but soon he regained his composure and bowed.

"...Very nice to meet you too, I'm sure..."

I was still grinning at him. "Now, what was is you wanted to talk about, Millie?" I focused all my concentration on her. No need to pay any attention to mister high-and- mighty, anyway.

"Oh, no, that's all right. We'll talk later. Right now you can get acquainted with Prince Ethan here. I already have. Have fun!"

Before I could protest or even ask why he was here, Millie was already down the hall. I felt like running after her. Instead I turned to Prince Ethan.

"You wanted to talk?" I admit I didn't say it as nicely as I could, but hey—this is a guy who looked like he wanted to slap me a minute ago.

He suddenly looked quite unconvertible. "Yes, well... Can we take a walk first?"

I didn't want to, but I nodded. What harm can he be? And I must admit I was quite curious about why he was here.

We walked out of the hall and into the gardens. There was total silence. A bird sang somewhere.

"You said you where looking for me. What was it you wanted to tell me?" I finally asked. He looked a little embarrassed. "Not exactly to tell you something, princess. I just... I wanted to let you know I am... glad that we will be seeing more of each other."

I frowned. It was way to early for suitors to come and 'get acquainted' with me. And there was no reason for them to—I would never be the heir. First came Mark, then Marina, then Millie, and then myself. Even if Marina and Millie went to their husbands' countries or wherever to live there, Mark was the definite heir to the throne. It made no sense. I looked at him. He was quite a bit taller than me—I presumed he was taller than Ben, even. Ben. I'd much rather be on a walk with himthan Ethan.

'I wonder what he's doing now? Probably helping Sirus out on the farm...'

"Princess? Are you even listening?"

I jerked my head up. "What?"

"I was saying how glad I am to finally meet you. It's a great honor."

I almost rolled my eyes. "It is a great honor to meet you too, I'm sure—but I did not know of your coming—I was not told. Would you care to inform me why you are here?" I tried to talk as much as royalty (the way I amreally supposed to talk) as I possibly could. Maybe he'd have more respect for me then.

I admit that I was unconvertible having company here without mother and father here too—I had never done it before. Suddenly I felt a pang of guilt for feeling so carefree while my mother was so ill. I hadn't thought of her since I was in the menagerie feeding Apple. I looked down at my feet in shame. Ethan seemed to be oblivious to my actions.

"I am here because I have gotten the privilege to stay in Frell for the year I am to spend away from home. I'm surprised you did not know."

In my mind, I screamed. A whole year? There had never been a prince from some other country who came to Frell. I mean, never. But I decided to play dumb—at least for a while. "Ah. And where exactly is Doople? I have never heard of that country before..." Maybe not that dumb.

"Its just north of Bast, your highness. I'm surprised that you've never heard of it." A lot of things seemed to surprise him. "Well, I guess I'll have to stop skipping geography and then I mightbecome smarter when it comes to countries and continents."

Ethan looked at me, aghast. "You've skipped geography?"

Had I really let that slip? Oh, well.

"Once in a while, yes. I know I shouldn't, but I do sometimes."

"And what is it you do instead, pray tell?"

I detected a hint of tease in his voice.

"It varies. Most of the times I just go on walks... Things like that."

He grinned. "And do you walk with anyone particular?"

I blushed. Why did I do that? So much for keeping secrets. "That depends on if I have someone to walk with, milord." I used the name I had called him when he thought me to be a maid. Now it was his turn to blush. "Please, call me Ethan. About that incident earlier..."

I grinned. "Just about forgotten."

He grinned back.

"So...what do you do for fun around here?" he asked me a little while later.

I pondered. 'skip geography, maybe? Run away from home? Visit a farmers nephew, or sneak into an outlaws tavern?'

"That depends on what your definition of fun is."

He looked at me. "And I'm guessing your definition is unlike many others?"

I looked at him and nodded. We had stopped walking. I looked down.

"Not everyone agrees with my ways... or my ideas, no less."

He put his hand to my chin and lifted it up. "I'm sure they just don't appreciate you, Princess. I bet if they knew some of your ideas, they'd flock to hear them."

I felt like yelling out, 'How would you know? You know nothing about me.' But I didn't. He was staring into my eyes. I looked at his. They reflected mine, that same bright blue that I had lived with all my life. Something inside me kept screaming to stop falling for his flattery, but I couldn't stop staring into his eyes.

"You can call me... Tarra." I whispered.