Chapter 34

Author's Note- infinite thanks to Megmae, who wonderfully helped me piece together the rest of the story on MSN.

Eliena sat down at breakfast and smiled at her parents. "Good morning," she greeted. Alanna, never the morning person, grunted. Jonathan smiled back.

"Good morning, Eliena. We have a surprise for you," he said.

"We do?" Alanna asked, blinking at him.

"Yes," Jonathan replied. He held his wife's eyes, clearly reminding her. She nodded, remembering.

"I like surprises," Eliena remarked. "Especially when they involve attractive young men!" Leo glared at her, but her violet eyes assured him she was kidding. He smiled and blew her a kiss. She beamed. "What is this surprise?"

"As part of a treaty with Carthak, we're marrying one of our Tortallan ladies to him. And you know her," Alanna explained.

"I do?" Eliena knew very few ladies, having been at the palace. The doors opened and Eliena screamed.

A girl standing at about 5'8'' stood there, wearing breeches and a white shirt. Her golden hair fell straight down to the middle of her back, and silver-gray eyes sparkled in a sun-kissed face. She curved beautifully in all the right places, and clearly knew that she was drop-dead gorgeous. She just had that air about her.

Eliena leapt to her feet, racing to embrace the girl. "Cress!" The two hugged fiercely. Daine raised a questioning eyebrow at Numair.

"Lady Cressida of Tameran," Numair replied. His eyes revealed nothing. "She, Leo, and Eliena were inseparable until Cressida went to the convent." Daine nodded.

"She's lovely," Daine commented. "A younger daughter?" Numair nodded. Daine looked at him. "Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?"

"I've always thought that its Cressida's fault that Eliena is the way she is," Numair replied calmly. "You know, flirtatious, adventurous, rebellious." Daine frowned.

"You are who you are. No one can really change you," she protested.

"No. I came when Eliena was about four. She was a sweet little girl. A little angel. When she started being around Cressida more, she started being more adventurous. Eliena almost died because of Cressida." Daine gasped.

"What happened?" she wanted to know.

"They were seven. Eliena was already a very accomplished rider, so she, Cressida, and Eliena's 'keeper of the day' went out riding. Cressida and Eliena managed to lose the keeper. Cress dared Eliena to do something and her horse spooked. Eliena fell, hit her head on a rock, and was unconscious. Cressida was scared, so she galloped back. Eliena was alone for several hours before someone finally found her." Daine looked at Eliena and Cressida, who were smiling and talking, seemingly reminiscing from the looks of it. "Alanna was rather displeased. Cressida would've been in a lot of trouble if Jonathan hadn't stopped her. If you look at them, they're putting on happy faces. Its quite obvious, to me at least, that they would've rather had some other lady."

"So why Cressida?" Daine asked. "From what you're saying, she sounds like a terrible choice for empress."

"Because Kaddar was liked Eliena so much, and Cressida and Eliena are basically the same person," Numair replied. Daine frowned.

"No. Eliena's reasonable. This Cressida doesn't sound like she is. Kaddar…" Daine watched as Leo joined Eliena and the new lady. "I don't think Kaddar will like her. Not at all."

Numair shrugged. "Then perhaps you should tell the king and queen that."

"Perhaps."

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Eliena dragged Cressida to the practice courts where the first year pages were. "Lord Wyldon, might I borrow Nealan of Queenscove?" The training master nodded.

"Of course, your highness. You needn't ask," he replied with a bow. Eliena and Cressida went into a hall just off the practice courts to wait for Neal.

"Is he always such a butt-kisser?" Cressida asked, rather loudly.

"Cressida!" Eliena giggled. "He'll hear you!" The blonde shrugged, tossing her silky mane.

"So?" Neal joined them. "Ooh, Eliena, you didn't tell me he was so gorgeous!" That was whispered in the princess's ear.

"Who's this?" Neal asked, raising an eyebrow. Eliena smiled. From the looks of it, Neal like her already, Eliena thought wickedly.

"Cress, this is Page Nealan of Queenscove—he's our age. Neal, this is Lady Cressida of Tameran, soon to be the betrothed of Kaddar," Eliena introduced.

"Maybe," Cressida corrected, eyes never straying from Neal. She offered a hand. Neal kissed it. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Page Nealan." Cressida's eyes danced in a way Eliena recognized.

"Not as pleased as I, Lady Cressida. And, please, it is Neal." Eliena grinned. Oh, yes. He likes her quite a lot.

"Cress is going to Carthak to be betrothed to Kaddar," Eliena said. Neal frowned.

"Your parents are letting such a gem slip away?" he asked. "That's hardly wise."

Cressida giggled. "Page Nealan, you flatter me!" She smiled. "Charming, aren't you?" Neal bowed.

"I try, my lady," he replied. "And please call me Neal."

"Then call me Cressida." Neal grinned. Cressida was almost as beautiful as Eliena—maybe even more!

"Oh, look at the time," Eliena remarked coolly. "I promised Thom that I'd help him out. Excuse me, will you?" She left, congratulating herself on how well she placed Neal and Cressida together. Now if only she could convince her parents what an awful empress Cress would make…

Author's Note- this should get interesting… REVIEW.