Chapter 16- The Triplets of Laquaria

A knock on my door tore me from my mirror. I am not normally a vain person, but in an attempt not to sound conceited, my maids had done their job well.

My dress was a shimmering gold, and ruby endowed roses with emerald vines shimmered on it in the candlelight. I had decided to be my favorite flower, the rose, for the masquerade, and my mask was green with tiny ruby roses encircling the eyes. The maids had also entwined fresh roses into my hair.

Finally, after examining myself again, I opened the door to reveal a servant, who bowed low and spoke respectfully.

"Your Highness, your sisters are waiting for you in the solar, however I am still unable to locate Lord Varien. The king insists you join him immediately before meeting with your sisters." He bowed once more and left.

I sighed. Where was Varien? I hadn't seen him since the night with the hot chocolate, and I was beginning to think that he was ignoring me. Had he reconsidered? Did he feel I was not someone with whom he was willing to spend the rest of his life with? No, that couldn't be it. I know he has feelings for me…I hope…he still does.

I made my way to father's extensive suite and knocked politely.

"Come in Arya." I heard him say, and I opened the large doors, peeking inside. My father was sitting on his armchair in front of the fire, a strange look in his eyes. It took time for me to realize that he was looking at me.

"Child, you look beautiful. You have finally become a woman. You know, before I was very worried about you marrying Varien, however he has had quite an impact on you."

Suppressing my urge to ask father why he had stressed the word finally, I instead asked:

"Speaking of Varien father, no one seems to know where he is. You haven't any clues to his whereabouts do you?"

"I'm positive he will…ahem…reveal himself in time. Now however, I am afraid the guests are waiting, you'll have to go on without him."

"But father, Della and Narie have escorts, I'll look funny descending without him…"

"Never you mind… Go. I'll be down shortly." I bowed my head and performed a quick curtsy.

"Yes father…" I replied.

My sisters met me in the solar, with their fiancées. They had also decided to go as their favorite flowers, Della as the lily and Narie as the sunflower. They all looked around me expectantly as we made our way to the grand staircase, where we would be announced.

"Where's Varien?" Narie asked.

"I don't know, but father told me to go down without him for now." I said, faking a smile.

The herald noticed us and motioned for the orchestra to stop playing.

"May I announce her royal highness the crown princess Dellaryanna, their royal highnesses Narayatha and Arya, and their escorts."

We made our way down the stairs in couples, well in my case alone, until we reached the bottom of the stairs. The orchestra picked up and began playing a waltz, and my sisters and their partners began to lead the dance. I slowly stepped out of the way, but could hear the members of the court whispering under their breath. I turned red, as always, and searched the crown for any sign of Varien. Normally, a 7-foot tall lizard in a crowd of people would be an easy spot, but I didn't see him anywhere. By this time, I was beginning to feel overwhelmingly upset, and several other couples had begun to dance. Unable to contain my self for much longer, I left the dance floor and made my way to a secluded corner, and much to my dismay, I began to cry. Not an all out sob mind you, but there was defiantly tears. A tap on my shoulder startled me, and in hopes that it was Varien, I turned and smiled.

But as I saw whoever was standing before me, my face fell. It wasn't Varien. It wasn't even a 7-foot tall lizard, which would have lessened my sorrow. It was just a stupid courtier. His mask was a green and royal blue dragon's head, and his blue suit had wing-like limbs extending from them. The costume was very well tailored, so I assumed he was wealthy.

He extended his arm and offered me his handkerchief. I took it gratefully and lowered my gaze, embarrassed.

"Thanks." I mumbled, but before he had time to reply, I blew up in his face. I was just so confused, hurt and angry, I didn't really think about what I was doing.

"You know, I don't need your sympathy! I can hear all of you talking about me, whispering, behind my back!"

By this time I had earned more than a few glances, including those of my sisters. Narie was making a crude cutting gesture, but I paid it little heed.

"You felt sorry for me because I had to marry a seven foot tall lizard, and now you feel even worse because he's the one that left me. But you know what? I'm the one that should feel sorry for you! Because you never had the chance to know him…"

The ballroom fell silent. You could hear a hairpin drop, and, unfortunately for me, my heavy breathing. Della looked as if she was about to cry and Narie had her hand over her mouth, probably restraining herself. Then all of a sudden, I heard great booming laughter. It was my father. I looked at him, and blushed red with more humiliation.

"Well go on boy!" His great voice echoed through the large room. At that moment, I realized what an idiot I was. I took the hand of the man who had offered me the handkerchief, and directed it to the post of the mask. Slowly, I removed it, and almost gasped in fright. Before me, was Zane, but at the same time, it wasn't. Where Zane's face had been sharp and angular, his was kind, and his smile seemed quick to laugh. Zane's steel gray eyes were all but forgotten as I stared into his clear blue ones. I inhaled, and, to my present chagrin, practically jumped on him.

"Varien!" I shouted, now completely clueless to the hordes of people surrounding me.

"Wait a second? THAT'S VARIEN!" Narie exclaimed! "Rhya he's gorgeous!" That did it. I turned into a tomato color and glared at her.

I could feel Varien chuckle quietly under my arms, and began to laugh myself.

"Better?" He asked.

"I don't know." I joked. "I kind of liked the lizard look…"

Well let's just say that life got a lot more interesting after that. We had the wedding shortly after the masquerade, and Varien and I managed to play a duet on the piano for the festivities afterwards. He found it much easier with five fingers. I guess I can say I finally got my happily ever after. Varien and I eventually moved to his manor, and Narie moved to Devon's, which is not 2 days ride from the palace. Father is expected to hand the crown to Della soon, and Nathaniel is nervous about becoming the prince regent.

As for Zane, Varien says he's in an undisclosed location, but I have a feeling he knows where that is, since he gets a strange grin on his face every time he looks at our new pet lizard.

So, with much love and a little faith, I have hope that everything will turn out just fine.

A/N

OMG! It feels so…done! I hope you all enjoyed it, even though we all knew what was going to happen. I actually drew a picture at school about this story that was kindly scanned by Dalikins and is now on my web page (can be accessed from profile)! Hugz! You know this chapter was for you. Also, she's writing an amazing story that I hope she will post soon…(winks) Please Review and tell me what you think. And read my other story! Thx a lot! Hope to see y'all again!

SerayaNeko