A/N - yes i know annoying authors note. first off thanks to aznbeez for reviewing, the only one i recieved i might add looks expectantly at other people. also sorry this story is taking ages to write, i get bursts of creativity and then nothing for ages and also i'm about to finish my second last year of high school (scary) which means that all my teachers keep giving me assignments (like they didn't know this was coming up for the last three terms). so i want to apologise in advance before anyone decides to whinge that i'm taking forever (i've read other authors notes that say something along those lines)... i am trying but life keeps getting in the way. anyway, i'm not sure whether this is any goodbut i thought i might as well post it so try to enjoy...

Chapter 8

The Prince, Princess, Elizabeth and Laurent talked long into the night. After dinner they moved back into the Princess' sitting room where Laurent and the Prince went off on their own to talk about something neither the Princess nor Elizabeth were really fussed about knowing. By the end of the evening, Elizabeth felt quite comfortable talking to her future in-laws, and she was sure she'd made the right decision. Now the only thing left to do was tell her parents.

At about 12 o'clock Elizabeth began to yawn and Laurent realised how much the excitement of the day had tired him out.

"You two look tired," Catherine smiled noting the yawn that Elizabeth had tried to stifle.

"Why don't you go and get some sleep?" Nicholas said, "I believe you have first shift with the children in the morning Elizabeth so you'll need your energy." Elizabeth smiled at the thought of the three children. With their boundless energy they were always a handful but tomorrow she felt she would be able to handle anything. But she did feel rather tired.

"I think I will," she said standing up, "Thankyou very much for dinner, it was lovely."

"That's quite alright dear," Catherine said, also standing, "I certainly enjoyed your company. You're a very interesting young woman." Elizabeth blushed at the compliment.

"Yes we'll have to have dinner again before you and your sister leave us," Nicholas said walking over to Elizabeth, "Well goodnight," he said, kissing her on the cheeks.

"Goodnight Nicholas, goodnight Catherine," Elizabeth said kissing the Princess on the cheeks. Laurent stood up.

"I'll walk you to your room," he said, "I'll come back down to talk to you father." He opened the door for Elizabeth and they made their way up to the servants' quarters.

At Elizabeth's door Laurent turned to his fiancée.

"Well did you really have a good time?" he asked, looking lovingly at her.

"Yes I did," she replied smiling.

"That's good." He pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her head. She tightened her arms around him for a moment then pulled away.

"I need to go to bed. Today has been absolutely exhausting."

"Alright," he said, pushing a strand of her blonde hair back in place behind her ear. He lifted her chin and kissed her softly before whispering, "I will see you in the morning ma cher."

"See you in the morning," she whispered back then turned and walked into her room.