Finally, chapter 3! Thanks for your reviews guys! Anyway, here's the latest CHARACTER GUIDE. We don't want anyone getting confuse, now do we?

Cyborg as Sir Cyrus the Swordsman a.k.a King of West Titania, Beast Boy as Sir Benedict the Horseman a.k.a King of North Titania.

Bet you guys saw that coming! Anyway, kindly read the REALLY IMPORTANT note at the end of this chapter, k'?


Tanya was aghast at the state of my dressing. 'Princess, how could you? Here we are, slavering our poor self for this visit alone and what come out of it? Nothing!' I grinned as Tanya went on and on while Bella chuckled occasionally. 'All the dresses that we embroidered are wasted! How could you possibly allow that knight see you in your dish maid dress! And sitting on a tree, no less!'

'Oh, hush Tanya. The lady princess didn't mean to make such a plain appearance. She didn't know of their arrival!' Blessed my friend Bella for defending me! 'Well, she would have if she had stayed in the castle like she was instructed to.' Tanya scoffed. I reached out for her hand while Bella dressed my hair. 'Forgive me, dear Tanya. Like Bella said, I meant no harm. Truly. I was nervous and could not sleep. You know perfectly what I tend to do whenever I am nervous.' Tanya's face was still hard with irritation, but her eyes and voice was soft and soothing. 'How can I not know? You tend to run off into the woods and climb every tree within your power or jump onto your white mare and gallop all the way to god knows where. No matter. You are here now and we must try to make you---'

'Perfect,' I finished for her with a great sigh. 'That is what everyone expects of me. Perfect just like our dear King Richard.'

She nodded. 'I suppose it is too much to ask.' Tanya stood up and fetched me my gold slippers to match my gown. My gown was made of fine silk with costly lace trimmings, courtesy of King Arthur. I was delighted to have received this gift a month ago from him despite the fact that it was he who proposed me to Richard instead of my sister.

'If you asked my opinion, milady. I'd say that I understand perfectly as to why you escape to the forest at the break of dawn. To marry someone you have heard of but not know is frightening.'

I smiled ruefully at Bella's statement. 'Perhaps so, Bella. But then again,' I said; thinking of Stefan as he stood rooted to the spot in the woods. 'At the very least, I shall not be alone.' Tanya, having brought my slippers, started to talk about the arrival of the King's courageous knights. I barely registered her blabbering and found that I was slowly brought back to the morning's scene as though time had rewind itself.

'Bella, dress my hair in yellow roses to match my gown. I wish to look my best tonight.' Bella shot me a questioning look but did not utter a word. I do not know why, but I had the greatest urge to impress the Lord Stefan. Tanya beamed at me. I suppose that she thought I was finally getting to my senses.

I stood in front of the great mirror in my room and inspect every inch of me. Bella seemed confused at my sudden self awareness while Tanya looked extremely satisfied with the results. The door to my room flew open and my sister entered without a single word of apology for the rude intrusion. She waved her hand to indicate dismissal for my ladies in waiting. Tanya and Bella mocked courtesy and walked out with their heads high.

'You look.. lovely, dear little sister. I did not know that you posses such figure.' Flamelle spread out her gown and sat gracefully on my bed. 'The King's knights are sure to give the man a report of how magnificent you are, little sister.' I blushed and smiled sweetly to control my temper. 'Thank you, sister. I am sure they will also tell the King of your beauty as well as mine. Fear not.' My arrow had hit an open wound for she looked as though she might murder right there and then. Her face switched from hatred to a look of pure innocence. I believed I had never met anyone with total control over their expressions. There are things only my sister can do, it seems.

'But dear sister, why would they do that when you are the bride? I am naught but your shadow. A mere brides' maid, but never the bride.' She smiled a smile that I had not seen for a long time. The same smile she fashioned when she learned that Richard was seeking a wife. 'I came to apologize for my horrid behavior towards you, dear little sister. I regret it most dreadfully. I have said many things-you know what things- that I did not mean. I am truly sorry and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.'

I was moved. Her words touched my soul. People who had known my sister well would accuse me of being a fool and I would not object to it. I dropped to my knees and took her hands in mine. 'Oh, dear sister. You do not know glad I am to hear that. I was hoping that you would apologize for I have no friend to bring when the time comes we leave for Gotham!' I paled.

'But, you will come, wont you?' Flamelle's smile widened and she squeezed my hands. 'Of course, dear little sister. I shall stay as long as you wish me to.' I cried despite the fact that she had put me through hell for all the time she ignored me. 'Kori! Do not cry! Oh, now look what happened to your face. It is all blotchy!' I laughed and wiped my eyes dry.


My aunt Morgan led us to the great banquet room where all of my uncle's men are waiting with the Four Kings. The last bit of evening ray shone through our tinted glass, reflecting the sparkle of even the smallest jewel in the room. There was no weapon in the big room for my uncle Edmund followed the Grand King's practice of peace in a household. He presented his wife, my sister, and finally, me. The courtiers bowed low and shot me knowing smiles.

Stefan walked up to me and for the second time that day, sank to one knee and held my hand. He kissed it and said formally, 'The King's compliments, milady. He is sorry that he could not make it in time to witness his bride and that he would rather be here in your company than miles away from his homeland.' I stiffened then moment his lips touched the back of my hand, but I regained my posture quickly enough.

'All is well, my Lord Stefan. I take no offense in the King's absence. He is needed somewhere else, it is his duty.' As I said these words, my eyes flickered around the room, taking in my bearings swiftly. In the far corner of the room, I saw two men, each none older than seventeen and they were beaming. At me. Stefan's face showed pure pleasure as he arose. Why? I had not the faintest idea. 'I see that I have once again neglected my fellow companions.' Laughed Stefan as the two men I saw earlier made their way towards us. It seems that everyone else had gone to their own business of gossiping and joking all round.

'My lady Princess, may I introduce you to my fellow companions, King Cyrus of West Titania and King Benedict of North Titania.' I bowed low and gracefully as we were introduced. King Cyrus, I noticed, was big and muscular for his age. His face was set in a good natured manner and he had his kinsmen's dark complexion. King Benedict, on the other hand, was the opposite of Cyrus. He was a small man, but lean and had the makings of a great horseman. His face was a pleasant face, set to make whomever he pleased to laugh. His hair was.. odd. It was black, yet it held a few streaks of darkish green like those of Northern seaweed.

We became friends almost at once! It was not hard to, as they were quite a pair, always bickering and debating over small things and making jokes regardless their kingship. I soon learned that if they were a rather euphoric pair, it was nothing compared to when Stefan joined in. It seems that Stefan was not all serious like I had thought before. He was, in fact still a boy, and boys will be boys.

Dinner was an extravagant affair. People were pleased with Stefan and his companions and loved their good manners and friendly aura. Much to my excitement, I was seated between my uncle and Stefan. I was entranced by my neighbor's every move. From the smile that adorned the face to the simple gestures such as the raising of a goblet. This was dangerous for I know that I was not supposed to feel this way for the knight. But what power does I posses to fight such strange feelings?

'My good man Edmund, my I ask of you a favor?' My head turned by its own will at the owner of the voice. 'But of course, Stefan my Lord! If it is in my power, it shall be done.' Stefan smiled. 'Please, Edmund. Stefan would be just fine.' He said, waving off his title King. 'If you are willing, I wish to take the Princess and her ladies on an outing with my companions. That is, of course,' Stefan turned to me and smiled sweetly. 'If the Princess agrees to it.'

I knew. I knew that this was no question. For some reason, he knew that I was going to agree, and I was more than happy to do so. 'Nothing could please me more than an outing with you and your lively companions my Lord.' Edmund agreed to Stefan's proposal of a picnic with such enthusiasm that surprised even the cold and hard aunt Morgan. 'I must warn you, Princess,' Cyrus's voice came at me from across the table. 'The young King Benedict isn't as sane as he seems, so I would feel much better if we bring abattalion of soldiers to protect us all!' Every men at the table roared with laughter while the women covered their mouth in a silent fit of giggles. 'Dear God spare me from thine insanity, my friend!' Cyrus put a dramatic face and slapped Benedict on the shoulders.

I, however, was not fooled even if I did laugh along the little joke. What Cyrus really meant was that security should be tightened for my sake. Or rather, for Richard's sake as I was his bride-to-be. Flamelle, I noticed, was not relaxed and enjoying the dinner conversation. On the other hand, she seemed to be lost in thoughts, she did not, however, knitted her eyebrows like everyone else does whenever they are thinking. Her face was set and expressionless, but I recognize every single mask she wears to hide her true self and there is nothing she can do to fool me.

I should have been worried, but I was too absorbed at the latest bickering of Cyrus and Benedict that I shove all other thoughts from my mind. One could never concentrate on things like sisters who were plotting at the dinner table when a king by the name Benedict was standing with one foot on his chair while he challenges Cyrus to a drinking competition. I regret to say that aunt Morgan led us to our quarters before things get rowdy with the state the men were in.


Ok, I know, i know, you wanna know where Robin could possibly be... I said i want him to make a grand entrance, so wait just a little more cause i have a pretty good idea. Ok, now for the IMPORTANT NOTE. Bad news, guys. My mid term exam will be on 15th May and onwards, so i MIGHT not be able to update for awhile,and that means Rob's super entrance will have to wait. I'm really sorry, but you know how it is. Parents and straight As. The usual.

R&R please! Who knows.. maybe your reviews could motivate me to study harder and write another chapter as soon as i have the time

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