Thanks for all the great reviews so far! I y'all like this chapter as much as the others!

Chapter 6: Twins

April 30, 2358
Province 1, County 1, Iberian Peninsula
Royal Palace—Barcelona

"You look beautiful tonight Your Highness."

Amanda gave the young man a regal smile. She didn't want to show the giddy on her face. I am the queen on the first province, after all. Just because the handsome prince from the 5th province complimented her, doesn't mean she needs to melt down and lose her integrity.

"Why thank you, Prince Will."

"Oh, please," the prince reached over and placed his hand on top of hers. "Call me Will."

Butterflies swarmed in her stomach at his touch. "Of course."

The butler brought in their food and they began their meal in silence. This was the third time she had invited a potential spouse into her castle since her husband had died four years ago. It had been so long since that tragic day. Amanda was beginning to have trouble remembering what he looked like, what he smelled like, his favorite color…all now just memories slowly fading away into the back of her mind's abyss.

Ever since she fell in love with her late husband twelve years ago, Amanda's life had been anything but normal. She had grown up just a mere shopkeeper's daughter in the 8th province, destined to sell jewelry to the rich and famous for the rest of eternity.

But then right after she turned thirteen, the future king of the first province ran away during a tour of the 8th province and found himself in her father's shop. She could still remember that day like it was yesterday.

A young man burst into the shop, immediately diving behind the counter, knocking Amanda over in the process.

He placed a hand on her mouth, so that she could not scream, and whispered. "Just a few seconds longer."

After about five seconds, he got up slowly, checking to see if he had been followed. She shut the door and propped the "closed" sign in the window. She shut the blinds and turned to the intruder.

"What are you doing here?" She scolded him in hushed tones.

The young man turned around, looked her over quickly and a wily grin grew on his face. He had short-trimmed brown hair and sparkling green eyes. At this point in his life, he was two or three inches shorter than her. He walked over to her and extended a hand for her to shake.

"My name's Finnegan, but I prefer to be called Finn."

Amanda hesitated before shaking his hand. "I'm Amanda, aren't you—"

"The prince of the 1st province?" Finn's gaze lingered on the floor. It was almost as if he was ashamed of his title. "Unfortunately, yes."

"Unfortunately?" She laughed. "Do you think your life is hard?"

"No, I love being the prince. It's awesome and all," his eyes met hers. She could see the hurt and loneliness lingering behind those shining green eyes. "But my parents are trying to get me to marry some random princess."

"What's so wrong with that? Isn't that what you're supposed to do?"

"Yes, but all of the princesses I've met are stuck up and annoying. I'd rather marry a girl that I actually care about."

"Oh," Amanda glanced behind her, making sure her father wasn't there. She turned around and looked back at the prince standing in front of her. "So what are you doing here exactly?"

Finn shrugged. "I needed some time away from all that royal stuff."

Amanda gave him a wily grin. "Well then, Finn, you've come to the right place."

Finn had only been with her for five hours, but she was already in love with him. Before he left, he gave her an address, asking her to write to him. Over the next three years, they wrote letters back and forth. When she was sixteen, he invited her to the first province to meet his parents. Despite what her father said, she went anyway.

After meeting his parents, he proposed. Amanda never went back to the eighth province. They had been married for four wonderful years before he had been poisoned.

Amanda wasn't one to assign blames, but she had a strong feeling it was Maleficent that had ordered his death. Finn always tried to find ways to get around her ridiculous rules. Every time she visited, he made sure to make her feel unwelcome. She didn't like the fact that he had married Amanda. Ever since his death four years ago, Maleficent had let Amanda keep her role as queen, but she had made her life miserable.

Will coughed, bringing Amanda out of her thoughts. "You must miss your late husband very much."

He glanced her way and she knew that he was only making small talk. She tried not to let her disappointment show on her face. She knew that in that moment that Will was just another suitor after the power, not after her heart.

Amanda straightened up, so that she would look more regal and distinguished. "I do. We loved each other very much."

"He was a very good king for your province. It is a tragedy that he died so young without an heir."

Amanda knew where this conversation was going. Maybe Will was too nice to say it, but she knew that he was thinking the same thing that her father had been nagging her about for the past eight years. Finn and Amanda had decided not to have children until they were both twenty. At the time of his death, they were trying to have a child, but with no luck so far. Most kings and queens have children within nine months of marriage, but Finn didn't want to rush her into becoming a mother. He believed that she could be a great queen—a leader, someone the people could look up to. That was one of the many things she loved about him.

Now that she was left to rule the kingdom by herself, she wished she had paid more attention to his quick lessons he would try to sneak in every once in a while.

"We married young," Amanda said cautiously. "We were too young to be parents."

Before Will could reply, a messenger walked into the room and handed Amanda a letter.

"For you, Your Majesty. Maleficent has asked for you to read it immediately."

"Oh, alright," Amanda turned the letter over so that she could break the seal.

"NO!" The messenger cried out. "She asked for you to read it in private, Your Majesty."

"Oh," Amanda stood up. "I'm sorry Will, you'll have to excuse me. Maybe we can continue this dinner at another time."

Will stood up and bowed to her. "Of course, Your Highness."

Amanda waited for Will to leave the room before she headed to her bedroom. She walked in and sat down on the edge of her bed. She opened the letter and took a deep breath.

It has been four years since your husband's tragic death. Prince Greg from the 11th province is to come and be your husband. You two shall be married by Christmas.

—Maleficent

Amanda took a deep breath to hold back the tears. Queens don't cry, she scolded herself.

She wasn't sure how long she was staring at the floor, trying not to cry, before someone knocked on the door quietly.

"Come in," Amanda croaked out.

The door opened and a young man who was the striking image of her late husband. He stepped in and closed the door quietly behind him.

Amanda's eyes were wide. She knew her jaw was hanging wide open—very unladylike.

"Y-y-you!" Amanda let the tears fall as she pointed at the man with a shaky finger. "You look just like Finn!"

The young man took a step back in shock, as if he didn't want to be recognized. He composed himself and stepped forward, bowing to her.

"Your Majesty," he straightened up and pulled out a black envelope from his coat. "This is for you."

Amanda took the envelope without breaking eye contact with the young man. "What's your name?"

"Daniel Wesley, Your Majesty." A small smile grew on his face. He looks just like Finn, Amanda thought to herself. That's impossible though, he's been dead for four years.

"Daniel, hmm…" Amanda glanced down at the envelope. She tried her hardest not to burst into tears at the thought of her late husband.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Daniel walked up to her and knelt at her feet. "You seem upset."

Amanda glanced up at Daniel. She wanted to believe he was her late husband. She wanted him to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. But this was Daniel, not Finn. He's just a mere look-a-like.

She looked into his eyes and saw the same caring look that Finn used to give her when she was upset.

A weak smile grew on Amanda's face. "Would you believe me if I said no?"

He placed a hand on her knee. "No, I wouldn't Your Majesty."

Amanda stared down at his hand on her knee. She was shocked that the young man had dared to touch her. Most people won't get within five feet of her—one of the things she hated about being queen.

Daniel followed her gaze and took his hand back. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

Amanda looked back up at his face, his beautiful face. "You look just like my dead husband."

His face twisted with confusion. "I do?"

"Yes," Amanda stood up and grabbed the picture of her and her husband on her bedside table. She walked back over to Daniel, who was now standing, and handed it to him. "His name was Finn. He died four years ago."

Daniel's eyes went wide as he stared down at the picture. "He…I…and…oh…I can see your confusion."

Amanda took back the picture and returned it to the bedside table. She picked up the envelope. "Who sent this?"

She began to open it, but Daniel laid her hand on top of hers, stopping her.

"Not yet, Your Majesty."

"Please, call me Amanda."

He smiled at her and grabbed her hand, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her hand. "As you wish."

Daniel backed out of the room, stealing one last look at her before closing the door all of the way.

Amanda had never felt so strange in her life. Daniel and Finn were like twins, but she knew that was silly. He acted just like him too. Something about him seemed so familiar, but yet she had never met him before.

Amanda had until Christmas to find out who he was—before she got married off to some "Prince Greg." She had seven months. Hopefully that was enough time.

I do apologize if some of the wording is off or if something doesn't make sense. True story, I was finishing up/editing this chapter while watching crazy animated Disney Princess knock-off movies (BTW, they're hilariously bad...which makes them even more funny!).

Alrighty guys! How did you like this one? What do you think about Amanda & her story? Please review! I absolutely LOVE reading them! And just so y'all know the next one is all about Finn! I'll update as soon as I can!