Author Note: Okay, so I apologize for my atrocious spanish. I guess you do what you can if you're not fluent. For those wanting to know what Esteban and Anita are saying, I can't guarentee what a translation machine or site will process it to be! But I can say that the truth of the conversation -or atleast what I'm hoping it should be- will be revealed in story 3.

Also, I make a big apology for my overuse of the word "greatness" which of course you'll probably all notice now that I've pointed it out! Let's just say I lost count somewhere after 7 known usages of the word in this chapter. I think I'll invest in a pocket size thesaurus!

So without further adieu, here's the chapter that my friend-who gets to preview everything first- calls the "soap opera" chapter. And my apologies if this chapter is slow paced compared to last chapter's climax.

Chapter 5

She Won't Say A Word

The limo waited outside for Anita. Her plane would be leaving in an hour and consequently so would she.

Maddie kindly gave her farewells. After all, they had gotten along like sisters for the few days they had known each other. Still, she struggled to hide the sorrow she felt knowing that Anita had been the one to capture Esteban's heart. He just isn't my prince, she kept telling herself, wishing that her heart would finally believe it.

She stepped back so that Esteban and Anita could say their good-byes privately. However, she wasn't so far back that she couldn't hear some of what they were saying.

"Felicitaciones en su felicidad. Usted sabe que he deseado siempre esto para usted," Esteban began speaking fluently in his native tongue.

"Pero cuál es él que usted desean para usted? Usted merece felicidad también," Anita replied in the same language.

Maddie wanted to kick herself for not knowing Spanish better than what she did. Still she attempted to grasp for the words she did know.

"La amo. Ahora sé eso. Ella es mi princesa y no puedo perderla," although she couldn't understand him, Maddie could hear the deep emotion in Esteban's voice.

Maddie was only able to translate the familiar words. Unfortunately, they were the words "love" and "princess". She felt her heart breaking more than she ever thought it could. Unable to bear anymore, she finally walked away.

"Then don't leave her," Anita answered him quietly.

Esteban knew what she meant and knew that she was right.

Maddie couldn't believe it. She was literally being summoned by the queen. It was an invitation to brunch in her suite. Maddie dreaded the whole affair, as it would most likely lead to a discussion of Esteban, a point of conversation that still pained Maddie to talk about.

Still, she entered graciously and spoke gracefully, not even realizing that her kind airs were impressing to the queen.

"I hope that I haven't imposed upon you by inviting you here on such short notice, Maddie," the queen spoke to her regally, yet gently. "I just wanted to know you a little better before I leave. I'm afraid there hasn't been much time for friendliness during my stay here."

"I've never thought you to be anything but friendly," Maddie chose her words carefully, showcasing her talent for speaking.

"I hope that I have made my admiration of you obvious," the queen continued.

Maddie was surprised. Admiration was furthest away from what she felt from the queen. Of course, she knew it would be rude to say so. "I'm certain that I lack several of the qualities worthy of your admiration." Maddie paused, debating if she would say what she was wanting to say. She decided to go ahead, "However, I'm honored that what good qualities I do have, have pleased you."

"You speak with humility, yet confidence. And you seem to do so naturally. Unlike many people who attempt to train themselves, but still come across as someone phony and self-absorbed." The queen observed Maddie's unwavering expression, despite the fact she was sizing Maddie's character aloud. "It is a rare gift that usually belongs to those who were born for greatness."

"In the words of Shakespeare, 'Some achieve greatness, some are born with greatness in them, and some have greatness shoved upon them'. But I think greatness is greatness no matter how you look at it," Maddie said, but would soon regret, as her tribute to Shakespeare spawned the very subject she was hoping to avoid.

"Precisely," the queen agreed. "Poor Esteban. He was born into greatness- however deprived it may have been at the time of his birth. And now he has had that same greatness shoved back upon him." She looked at Maddie, obviously expecting some sort of reaction or comment.

Maddie was fighting back a wave of mixed emotions. How was she supposed to respond? She thought hard for a moment. "I think…" Maybe this is where I'm meant to bow out gracefully, she thought silently. She bit her lip to keep it from quivering, inhaled and exhaled deeply and then continued. "I think Esteban has greatness the way you've mentioned. But I also believe that he will achieve a greatness that will barely be describable," Maddie spoke from her heart.

The queen was touched by Maddie's obvious conviction. "You believe in him almost as strongly as I do."

"I'm certain that Anita will achieve greatness too," Maddie didn't even realize that her eyes betrayed her seemingly kind words.

The queen stared at her curiously. "I suppose you're right. However, I think that Anita's greatness has come in a way that none of us really expected it to."

Grief caused Maddie to interpret the words to mean Anita's unexpected engagement to Esteban.

"I only knew her for a short time, but I know that Anita deserves the love and happiness she's found." Maddie couldn't stay. She couldn't go on pretending for Esteban's sake that she was happy for him and Anita. "Your majesty, I don't mean to be rude, but I really do have to leave."

"Of course, my dear. I'm glad we've had this time to talk." She watched Maddie go. Being wise, she knew there were words Maddie had been longing to say, but love had caused her to hold back. "She's the strong one," the queen thought aloud. "But still, her heart must be breaking."