Hi all!

I'd like to thank all the reviewers for giving me such good and encouraging advice. Hope you guys like this next chapter!

idiotmousetrap 

Chapter 2

Dinner was to be a big affair that night. The arrival of the Crown Prince had been sudden and the maids in the kitchen had been busy preparing all afternoon.

In her room, Daria was sitting silent at her dresser while Lara did her hair. Lara was getting annoyed. She had known Daria since they were both twelve and she knew that something was on Daria's mind.

"Alright," Lara finally commanded. "What is it? or Who is it?"

Daria was surprised at her friend's close observation.

"How did you know?"

" You're so silly. You forget I'm your best friend. Dreamy smile, no chatter at all…what else could it be?"

"Well…" Daria was reluctant to say. Lara had disliked Prince Derek of Swarical right from the beginning, at the ball.

"It must be someone very impressive…to past your oh-so-very-high standards."

Lara hurriedly ducked, while a pillow came flying across the room.

"No! I don't even like him-"

"Oh, so there is a he?…No, don't throw another pillow!"

"No, really, Lara, he's different. Yeah, he's really handsome and charming. Like those heros we used to imagine when we were reading stories. You know? Like blond hair, blue eyes, dazzling smile…"

"OK, Ok. I thought we agreed when we were fifteen that those Princes didn't exist…So, who is it? Just say already."

Daria bit her lip. Lara would not like it. But…it didn't really matter, did it? She had only just met him again. How could she admire him in that way already? Of course, he was probably the most handsome prince she had ever seen. Blonde hair and those eyes! They were really expressive.

Daria suddenly gave a snort of laughter. She really was starting to sound like a lovesick girl! She resolved to control herself and judge Derek, yes, he had asked her to call him that, by his intellectual qualities. Wasn't that what father had always told her to do?

But he really was different. He treated her like any other girl, instead of Daria, the Princess that didn't fit in at court.

All this time, Lara was still waiting.

Really, I have to stop this. I have been gazing off to nowhere all day during conversations! thought Daria reprimandingly.

"Dariaaaaaaaa….."

"Alright, alright…his name's Derek."

"Derek? Are you two already on first name basis? How long have you know him? I can't believe I havn't noticed it earlier!"

"I only met him today." At Lara's raised eyebrows, she hurried on. "I mean, I met him again today. It's Prince Derek."

Silence descended in the room. Daria observed Lara.

"You mean, Prince Derek of Swarical from the ball?"

"Yes."

Daria stood and turned towards her wardrobe, trying to pick a dress for dinner.

"Daria, I told you last time. There are those rumours about him. He's a suspicious character!"

"Lara…"

"I'm only warning you…"

"Well, we're only acquaintances anyway."

"So far, you mean. Just be careful, okay? Remember what I told you last time. You don't even know him. Why is he here anyway?"

"He was really vague about it. He just said that it was diplomatic business."

"hmmm…"

"Don't worry. If I do like him, I'll tell you immediately. That's not likely too happen anyway. You know I'm not like the other court girls. Father has warned me of this before. Derek and I only went walking in the palace grounds today. Don't worry, we weren't alone. I made sure there were the courtiers around us. You couldn't keep the flirty ones away if you wanted to anyway." Daria gave a small laugh as she remembered the jealous looks she had received for merely being with Derek. Some people really were silly.

"Anyway, he's different from others, you know. He doesn't treat me like those Dukes and Barons do. When we went walking today, I didn't feel awkward at all. You know how I normally have to try very hard to have a polite conversation with people like Countess Harriet."

Lara was silent as she took a dress out from the wardrobe. Daria could tell her friend was not entirely convinced.

"And we only talked about his family and the palace grounds. So you don't need to worry at all…now don't think about it anymore. Help me choose what dress I should wear tonight?"

Lara gave a small smile as she showed Daria her choice: a simple green dress that went well with Daria's dark locks and dreamy eyes.

"I'm afraid you're going to fall in love with him and not realize. I suppose if he treats you differently…I'm not saying he's not bad though. Make sure you don't get carried away by his looks! Now, put this on, you're going to be late."

Lara finished Daria's hair elegantly and soon, Daria was escorted by a servant to dinner.

Only after Daria left did a worried look appear on Lara's face again.

I'm not sure about this Prince. Rumors most certainly are not completely true, but they always do come from some small semblance of truth. Daria can not have heard those rumors about him. She won't listen to me now. She's still overwhelmed by his charm. Hopefully, she will have calmed down a bit after dinner. With that, Lara sat on the windowsill and waited for her friend to return.

But she knew Daria was on her way to falling under the Prince's spell, sooner or later. She didn't think the rumors could prevent Daria.

Ok, so tell me what you think. Good or bad?