Ever After

Disclaimer: I own nothing; otherwise I'd be RICH! However, I am richer than my older brother, who has been borrowing money off me… makes you wonder why, seeing as he earns more than me.

Author's Notes:

FINALLY an update… working on other stories, these holidays have been causing ideas to pop into my head. Oh well, a late Christmas present for those who love this story.

Chapter Two: Attraction

Anthony, Janice and Tristan climbed out of the carriage and looked at the small house the Baroness and her family lived in. The Queen wrinkled her nose slightly. "It's very…quaint," she said, trying not to sound disappointed as she described the run down block of land. The driver of the carriage knocked loudly on the heavy oak door, waiting for someone to open it before he returned to the carriage. The door opened, and the willowy, blue-eyed brunette Tristan had seen at the marketplace earlier that day appeared. She curtsied, a smile plastered on her face.

"Your Majesties. Your Highness," she said, looking directly into his eyes without flinching. The Queen smiled genuinely at her. "My stepmother is in the dining room, waiting for you. Jane will take you there," she added, indicating an old woman with her black hair pulled back into a tight bun. Janice and Anthony went in first, Tristan waiting for them to go in before he followed. As he passed her he whispered in her ear "It's nice to see you again… Mary."

"My name is Lorelei… Rory, Your Highness. Not Mary. Perhaps you confused me with some other peasant you met on your walk through the marketplace," she replied coolly while shutting the door, before heading off down the hallway and disappearing down a set of stairs, to what Tristan assumed to be the kitchen. Tristan watched her walk away shocked at her tone of voice. Realizing that the others were waiting, he shook off his thoughts and continued on to the dining room.

"Tristan, darling, there you are. We were wondering where you had gotten to." Janice smiled as she glared at her only child.

"I was talking to the Baroness' daughter," Tristan explained, not missing the scowl on Elizabeth's face. "We met this morning at the marketplace," he added for her benefit, watching her scowl get heavier. He took his place at the table, noting that it was beside Elizabeth, and wondering whether Sarah was trying to set the two of them up. 'Maybe it's just a coincidence.'

All throughout lunch, Elizabeth stared at Tristan, Tristan stared at Rory, and Rory stared at Elizabeth. Tristan was trying to figure out how to grab Rory's attention while sending her silent messages. He realized his mistake in calling her "Mary" and wanted apologize letting her know he didn't mean to insult her. He was however confused by his thoughts. Why should he care if she was upset with him? He was the Crowned Prince! It wasn't as if he knew her. He should be upset with her for acting so rudely, but still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't want her to be upset with him. Meanwhile, Rory was trying to figure out the best way to hide from Elizabeth, ever since she walked back into the dining room after the prince, she'd been glaring at her. She was confused because she didn't know what she could have done now, to elicit her contempt. While all this was going on, Elizabeth noticed Tristan's attention was on Rory. This did not sit well with her and made her quite jealous. What upset her more was the fact that she was jealous. Why should she be jealous of that little wench. She was definitely more beautiful than she was. Look at her clothes and her hair! She was so plain! Why is he looking at her and not at me! she thought. While all these things went through her head, she tried to figure out how to divert Tristan's attention to herself. "Lorelei, could I have some water please?" Tristan finally asked. Quickly broken from her reverie, Elizabeth went back to her meal, afraid someone would take notice and know what she was thinking. Rory, also shaken from her thoughts walked over with the water jug. As she poured the water, her elbow bumped Tristan's wrist, sending sparks flying up both their arms. Rory hurried back to her spot beside Jane trying to hide her the blush that began to appear on her cheeks and suppress her shock. Once she was back, Elizabeth began to watch Rory wondering what just happened… Rory began to watch Tristan, trying to figure out what those sparks were and Tristan began to watch Elizabeth also thinking about the sparks and wondering if Elizabeth noticed the exchange. The whole time, the adults in the room took no notice of what just occurred.

It seemed like forever that Rory was just standing there looking between Tristan and Elizabeth. Finally, when dinner was over, Rory felt a tiny stab of disappointment amidst all the relief once Anthony, Janice and Tristan had left. She leant against the heavy oak door, running a hand through her hair. 'Don't even think about it, Rory. He's a prince,' she thought to herself sternly, before returning to the dining room to clear the plates.
Tristan watched the house slowly disappear from sight, all his thoughts on Rory and all the confused feelings that had been elicited from that simple touch. He frowned, running a hand through his hair, sighing almost as if in defeat, as he half-listened to his parents drone on about how nice the meal was. 'Don't think about her. She's a peasant. Your parents would never allow it.'