a/n: I know I haven't updated in ages. It's because I'm graduating high school in a week and I'm trying to finish everything up before I'm all done. Life has been busy, basically. I know this is no excuse, but I hope you all forgive me for not updating. I swear I never forgot about you guys! I just haven't had the time to write or update! Hope you still love me! Please review and enjoy the latest chapter in the adventures of Princess Annie!

Chapter Sixteen: She Will Be Loved

Reva set the books down on the coffee table in Princess Annie's chambers. The thump of the heavy books made the Princess and Joan jump up quickly. Annie's tears were gone now, but she still looked rather strained from the day's events.

Reva was beginning to get the distinct impression that love royally sucked, no pun intended.

This conclusion was drawn from both Annie's experiences and her own. Reva knew she had never had a shot at the Prince at all, but one could still dream. Now it seemed he had found his true love. And it obviously wasn't her. Despite her conviction that she could never have him, the fact still stung the maidservant.

Annie saw the troubled look in Reva's eyes, "What happened?" she asked automatically.

"Nothing," Reva assured her calmly. Both Annie and Joan eyed her suspiciously but didn't object to the statement. They figured Reva would tell them when she was ready to.

The rest of the day had passed uneventfully due mainly to the fact that Annie had refused to leave her chambers even for meals, which Reva and Joan fetched for her. Auggie had returned after a few hours of brooding in the garden. But he had not spoken a word as far as the girls were aware of. Auggie had told Arthur about the kiss, but hadn't said anything more. Arthur was still very much in the dark about the whole situation and relied on Joan to fill him in whenever she could.

All through the night, Reva could hear Annie toss and turn fitfully on the four-poster bed. She most likely dreamed of the day's events. Joan's quiet snores had failed to lull Reva to sleep, and she was forced to lie awake with her own troubled thoughts.

Reva wasted no time in the morning. As soon as the first rays of the sun began to creep through her window, she got up and dressed for the day. She then roused both Joan and Annie. The princess looked considerably better rested despite her uneasy night.

Auggie and Arthur were already at their posts. It was a mystery to Reva how they worked out the night shifts, but they were always there when needed so she never found the need to complain.

Scarcely an hour after she woke up, Annie was ready for breakfast. With a deep breath to calm her nerves, the princess opened the door.

"I'm going down to breakfast," she told her guards. She then turned and swept down the hall in a near-run. Auggie's face took on a pained expression, but he remained silent. Arthur noticed this but said nothing. His fellow guard had explained his deed to him, so Arthur understood the gravity of the situation.

-x-

Annie had heard the trumpets from the dining hall. Jai was there also, along with various other nobles. They streamed out to the courtyard to see what was going on.

The English Princess's breath caught in her throat at the sight. A single carriage rode through the castle gates. This would not have been overly remarkable save for the fact that it was nearly identical to the one in which Annie had arrived. And that the face that peered out of its single window at that of Annie's sister.

Annie rushed out of the crowd to greet her sister. One of Danielle's guards opened the door for her. She stepped out in all her pink-dressed glory and beamed brightly at the crowd of people in front of her.

Annie gaped at her, "Danielle...?"

The older girl hugged her shocked sister, "Who else?"

Annie pushed her away but held on to Danielle's shoulders. She gazed at the girl up and down in disbelief, "Why are you here?"

Danielle giggled, "What, no 'Great to see you, sister dear'?" She winked at Annie and continued, "Actually, father sent me to check up on you. But surprising you with my arrival was my idea."

Annie's eyes narrowed, "Father doesn't trust me so he sends you along as his spy," she said with a frown.

The crowd grew restless and Annie realized that her sister had not been introduced and that they had been speaking in English, which most people did not understand. She looked around until she spotted a young page dressed in bright orange. Annie shrugged. He would do. She stalked over to the younger boy and whispered Danielle's title in his ear. He nodded and proclaimed it loudly. The crowd seemed pleased with the news and dispersed.

"Well, that was certainly interesting," Jai commented under his breath in French. He was apparently the only one left. Danielle eyed him with what was obviously disdain.

"And who do you think you are to address us," she snapped in perfect French, "Probably some kitchen boy."

"Actually, Danielle, this is my fiancé, Prince Jai," Annie corrected her. She stifled a laugh as Jai's face grew hot. The older princess's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Oh! My apologies, your Highness," Danielle said. She didn't look particularly sorry about her mistake though.

"Not a problem," Jai told her.

Annie nervously shifted her weight from foot to foot, "I will show you to my chambers," she informed her sister and started out before Danielle could object.

-x-

Annie was grateful to shut her chamber doors behind her. Auggie and Arthur had bowed to Danielle when they spotted her. They were both clearly shocked by her presence. She was clearly the last person they expected. Reva too was surprised, but she hid it well. Joan's face mirrored Reva's.

Annie and Danielle sat across from each other, Annie in the large chair and Danielle on the couch with the table between them. The sisters were engaged in a battle of wills.

"Why did you come," Annie demanded.

"Because father sent me."

"But why did he send you? Certainly not to say hello."

Danielle sighed, "I'm here to make sure you marry kitchen-boy out there.

Reva and Joan, who had busied themselves with making Annie's bed in order to hear the conversation, exchanged raised eyebrows at Jai's newfound nickname.

Annie rolled her eyes, "How did I know?" The question was rhetorical.

"So how have things been for you?" Danielle asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"Interesting," Annie told her. She then proceeded to fill her in on everything up to the kiss the day before.

"He kissed you!" Danielle's voice jumped an octave as she shrieked in surprise.

"Yes. But I kissed him back, technically," Annie defended with a shrug. Danielle grew more agitated.

"Annie! You shouldn't have done that! Father will be in fits when he finds out."

Annie hung her head at Danielle's ignorance, "That's why he's not going to know, at least not until I decide what to do about it," She smoothed an imaginary fold in her dress, afraid to meet her sister's gaze.

"What do you mean, 'until you decide what to do about it?'" Danielle shouted at her sister. Annie could feel the older girl's eyes bore into her even from across the table, "You can't possibly be considering..." Danielle groaned. She threw her hands up into the air with frustration, "But that breaks every rule in the book! Annie, you can't, you just can't!"

"I can do as I please, Danielle," Annie informed her with the normal fire back in her eyes.

"Sister dear," Danielle pleaded, "I only want what's best for you..."

"Are you saying you would rather I marry royalty and live miserably than marry for love and live happily until the day I die?" Annie's eyes held a dangerous glint.

For the second time in two days she missed the door creaking open.

"I'm saying you should consider your actions! Can you possibly be in love with a guard?"

"She should be in love with who makes her the happiest," replied a deep voice.

The girls turned to see that Prince Jai had entered.

He turned to Reva, "I need to speak with you. Privately."

The shocked maidservant nodded and left the remainder of the bed to Joan, hoping that the older woman would fill her in on the rest of the discussion later. Her heart ached to see Jai; no doubt he wanted more advice on how to romance this girl he was in love with.

At least she could be friends with him, right?

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Things are really starting to heat up, can't you tell? I can't wait to hear your reactions to the next few chapters! Please review and tell me what you thought about this chapter! The good, the bad, and the ugly! Thanks! :)