Thank you all for sticking with my crazy schedule! Thankfully, my last day of high school is tomorrow! Then graduation in a couple days! I am so so excited! Anyway, thank you very much for sticking with this story through every long update wait. Please enjoy this new chapter and please please review! Think of it as a grad present for me! :)

Honor

Chapter Eighteen: All or Nothing

Annie and Danielle both jumped as the doors swung open. Jai and Reva walked in, hand-in-hand. Behind them, Auggie and Arthur stood in the open doorway. They both grinned childishly, caught up in the moment and obviously in full knowledge of what was going on.

Annie rose from her chair to greet the Prince. Joan poked her head out of the adjacent room to catch the action in silent amusement. Danielle was also watching with interest, eager to see the scene play itself out. She and Annie had come to terms on the idea of not marrying the Prince, but his response was worth watching.

Eyebrows rose all around at the sight of Reva holding hands with the Prince. The stares caused both of them to blush. Annie put on a bemused smile, but waited for an explanation before concluding anything aloud. If she had learned anything throughout her time in France, it was not to assume things about others, a lesson learned in the village and reinforced in the palace.

"I would like to discuss the terms of our engagement," Jai said to the princess.

"You want to break our engagement," Annie clarified for him with a smirk.

He looked startled at her guess, but nodded, "Indeed. As you can see..." Jai trailed off. His eyes drifted towards his right hand clasped in Reva's left.

Annie smiled brightly, "I'm happy for you two. Have you told your father yet? I'm sure he'll want a say in this."

"Yes, well," Jai looked at Reva for support. She offered none and he hung his head, "We were going to wait a bit to tell him."

The Prince shifted his weight back and forth slightly like a naughty child who knew he was about to be admonished for a wrong deed.

Annie nodded wisely, "I don't blame you. But what about your family's honor?"

The question was greeted with silence for a moment, but Jai eventually responded, "Some things are simply more important."

Annie nodded, "I agree. Some things are."

Danielle broke the ensuing silence with a sharp clap of her hands, "I hate to interrupt, but Annie has some serious thinking to do," She gestured towards the door, "I suggest we all retire to our own chambers for the night."

There was a general mumble of consensus and good-nights were said all around. Annie tried to catch Auggie's eye, but he avoided her skillfully. Reva had left to show Danielle to her own room just down the hall.

Annie flopped down onto the four-poster with a dramatic sigh of exhaustion, "Happy endings all around," she said to her maidservant.

Joan looked at her, confused, "But what about you, Annie?"

"I'll probably be packed back off to England with you and Danielle. I will receive a severe scolding from Father after this little escapade and be locked up in some remote tower until I die."

Joan looked horrified.

"The last part was a joke," Annie assured her with a smirk, though Joan was obviously not amused.

"What about marriage? Ruling your kingdom?" Joan sat down beside her, "Your life isn't over, Annie."

"I never said it was," Annie admitted, "But if I do marry, I want it to be for love."

"And who do you love?" the maidservant pressed.

Annie rolled over onto her stomach, "I'm not sure."

"I'll bet he's closer than you think," she advised, "Just follow your heart."

Annie looked up at her, startled, "That's exactly what Danielle said!"

Joan laughed, "I'm not surprised. She only wants what's best for you, you know that, right?"

"Yes, I do. I just wish it was easier to take that advice."

Annie awoke to a sunny morning and the sound of Reva and Joan shuffling around and preparing for the day. She rose and found her dress laid out for her. Annie dressed wordlessly and informed the girls that she was going down for breakfast. She had come to a decision, but acting on it would be the hard part.

Slipping out the chamber door, Annie found Auggie alone standing at attention. He looked down at her out of the corner of his eye.

Annie crossed her arms over her chest, "I need to talk to you. Where's Arthur?"

He didn't move. He did blink, which she took as a good sign.

"Down getting breakfast."

"Good. This is important," she assured him.

"What about," he asked, still not making eye contact.

"You. Me. Us. Jai. Reva."

"You are an English princess. I am your guard. I am here to protect you, though it's not always an easy job. The prince is your betrothed. Reva is your maidservant who is in love with your betrothed. Does that cover it?"

"No, that doesn't not cover it!" Tears sprang to her eyes and she fought to keep them from falling. Auggie was still not looking at her directly, but Annie could see the concern flash across his face, "What happened between us?"

"I overstepped my boundaries," It was said simply and quickly, as though he had been prepared to say it all along, "I crossed the line."

"There was no line! Now there is a line, because you can't even have a simple conversation with me anymore! You put this wall up, Auggie! This is your chance to tear it back down."

"How do we know the wall isn't a good thing?"

"Do you trust me? I think that if Jai and Reva can do it, so can we. I like you, Auggie. I love you, actually. I realized last night that I don't care what my family thinks."

"Are you sure you're ready to deal with the consequences of that statement?"

The question caught Annie off guard, but she nodded. She had a determined look on her face, "Yes."

Auggie looked straight at her for the first time. He took her soft cheek in one hand, brushing his thumb under her eye to catch the lone tear that was starting to fall from her eyes. He smiled softly and leaded down to kiss her gently.

Annie appeared shocked when they parted, "How are we going to tell my father?" she asked numbly.

"Personally, I say we don't."

"What?" Annie's eyes went wide and she gaped in shock. Not telling her father. That was as dangerous as it was stupid.

"Let's not tell him."

"What?"

"Let's just get married. It's not like anyone can stop us."

"He'll have it annulled faster than we can blink," Annie objected with a sigh.

"And sacrifice the family honor? Never."

Annie gazed at him, "You're really serious about this, aren't you?" It wasn't really a question.

"Of course. We have waited far too long to be happy."

Annie nodded, a grin splitting on her face, "I agree."

"It's all or nothing now," Auggie grabbed Annie's hand and they ran off down the corridor.

Hmmmm, I wonder how this is going to turn out! ;) Wait til next chapter to find out what happens next! Until then, how about reviewing and making your lovely author happy? Thanks!