a/n: Sorry it took so long to post this! Hope you like it! Technically, this is the final chapter, but I am throwing around the idea of writing a short epilogue chapter. More info on that can be found at the bottom of the page. So if you're interested in an epilogue chapter, make sure to read the bottom author's note. Thanks, everyone! Oh, and as of right now, I have 104 reviews! Thanks to everyone who reviewed and pushed me over the 100 mark! I feel so accomplished! Thank you all so so much! Enjoy the story and make sure to read the final author note at the bottom of the page! Thanks!
Chapter Twenty: And They All Lived…
Prince Jai knelt before his father and the English king. A temporary throne had been placed next to his father's to seat the foreign guest.
The English King's dark blue eyes glared down at the people kneeling below him. The French prince willed himself not to flinch under the stern gaze. He could very clearly see where Annie got her temper from, even though she wasn't on the best terms with her father. They had the same withering gaze when they were angry.
A page entered through the main doorway and cleared his throat softly. He then announced in a booming voice that Princess Annie had arrived with her guards and servant staff.
Her guards, Sirs Auggie and Arthur led the way in, followed closely by Annie. Reva and Joan entered moments after. The page spoke again; this time he announced the arrival of Princess Danielle. The older princess quickly swept into the chambers. She was dressed in a dark purple dress. Knowing Annie's preference to darker fabrics, it was clear to everyone that this was Danielle's way of supporting her younger sister.
Auggie, Arthur, Joan, and Reva had knelt their knees as soon as they approached the two kings, but Annie continued to stand at the base of the thrones. Her chocolate brown eyes were wide with a mix of shock and horror at the sight of her father. Her skin visibly paled. Danielle gave an audible gasp that echoed dully through the vast room. It was clear that she too was shocked by their father's sudden arrival to France.
King Henry looked uncharacteristically grim as he surveyed the dumbstruck princesses. The English King looked an odd cross between disappointed and furious.
"F-Father," Annie stuttered. She was clearly at a loss for words, "You're here...In France...Oh, what a surprise..."
"I enjoy surprising others," her father informed his youngest daughter matter-of-factly, "I do not, however, enjoy being surprised myself," If it was possible, Annie turned even more pale, "Tell me, daughter, have you enjoyed your time here in France?"
Annie nodded numbly, "Yes, sire."
"Excellent. Are you and the prince prepared to be married then?" Annie saw King Henry stiffen in his throne. It was then that Annie realized that father knew of the break in the marriage arrangement. This was simply a game, a test to see if she would try to deceive him by lying.
But before Annie could give her answer, Jai rose from his knees to stand slightly in front of her. His face was pale as well. Annie could tell he must be scared out of his mind, but he stood tall before the kings and spoke loudly and clearly, "No, sire, we are not going to marry."
Annie was almost pleased to see her father hesitate. He had not been prepared for Jai to answer.
"And why is that," he asked finally.
"Because we aren't in love," Annie announced. She stepped forward past Arthur and Auggie stand next to Prince Jai. It was now or never, sink or swim, do or die.
The English King stood quickly from his throne, "What on Earth does love have to do with it?" His low voice was booming and it echoed loudly around the marble chamber, "You are a Princess of England and you will do what is right for your country!"
"For my country?" Annie retorted with a bark of laughter, "My country? More like what is right for you!" She put her hands on her hips and glared up at her father, "This wasn't about joining England and France. It wasn't for one second! This whole mess of a marriage arrangement it was simply about getting rid of your 'black sheep' of a daughter to the only ones who would have her! The day you let me take the throne would be the day that the sky fell!"
"You should want to be Queen!" Her father growled, "It should be your most important goal! Don't you want to rule?"
Annie shook her head, "I don't care about being proper or being Queen or any of those things. I just want to be loved for who I am and that's all I ever wanted!"
The English King's face turned red with anger, "You would break a vow of honor between our two nations? For something as silly as love?" He made the word sound like a curse on his lips.
"They already have," King Henry interrupted gently from behind the standing English king. He leaned forward and placed a hand on his companions shoulder to try to ease him back into his throne, "My son has chosen another to be his bride and, if I am not mistaken, your daughter has already been married to the one that she loves."
The enraged king shrugged Henry off and turned back to his daughter, "You're already married?"
Annie nodded, "Just now."
The English king shouted down at his daughter, "Why do you do this? For love?" He nearly spat the word, "Love is nothing compared to honor! Absolutely nothing! I need to have a successor, and so does the French kingdom! You must produce a rightful heir to my throne! You've disgraced our family's honor! I can still have you thrown into prison, Anne! This can and will be ruled as treason in the English kingdom!"
To everyone's surprise, Annie didn't blink an eye. In fact, she stared her father straight in the eye, "I don't care, father. I'm not scared of you or prison. I am not even afraid of death. You would have disgraced yourself only further when the townspeople of England found out that you locked up your own daughter," her daring smirk turned into a soft grin as she continued, "And as long as you throw Auggie in prison with me, I'll be happy for the rest of my days."
The English King looked stunned. He sank backwards onto the throne and spoke in a quieter voice, "Is this true, daughter?"
"Yes," Annie replied, "I have feelings for Auggie, one of my guards."
The English king looked confused, "Sir August?"
At the mention of his name, Auggie looked up at the face of his king.
Annie continued, "Yes, father, Sir August Anderson. He is a war hero and you know personally that he is a good and noble man. He will treat me well. We love each other very much. So much so, that we're already married. So you can either let us be happy, or have the marriage annulled and have the kingdom embarrassed further," The king looked even more outraged, but Annie continued as though she didn't notice, "Let Danielle be your successor. She's eldest and she is very wise. She'd make a much better ruler than me anyway. I'm too headstrong and I am certainly not proper enough to be Queen. Auggie and I are content with being nobles and counselors should Danielle ever need us."
Her father sighed, "And you allowed them to do this?"
This question was directed at the French king, who also sighed.
"I saw no point in forcing them to be unhappy. And they probably would have done what they wanted to anyway. I'm very disappointed in my son. But he was always a difficult child, so I expect these types of things from him. Besides, it was easier to simply give my blessing to them all. I wouldn't want to bring any dishonor or embarrassment to France. And you wouldn't want to do the same to England as well."
The English king considered King Henry's words and then nodded, "You are right, fellow king. Very well. I see no point in fighting this anymore," He turned to look back down at Annie, who continued to stand at his feet alongside Prince Jai, "I am disappointed in you, as I have a right to be. But I will not fight your choices. Be happy, daughter. And Danielle?"
The younger princess stepped forward, "Yes, father?"
The English king turned to face his eldest daughter, "One day, I will pass on. And I will entrust my kingdom into your hands when I do," he gave his eldest daughter a stern look as he continued, "Don't make the same mistakes your younger sister has. You are the heir to my throne, and our kingdom cannot face any dishonor. You must accept this choice. Do you accept this?"
Danielle nodded, "Yes, father. I have always wanted to be Queen. I will do my best to serve our great country."
"Now, I have received a marriage offer from Count Michael regarding you. Do you accept?"
Danielle looked back at her younger sister. Her mouth was open in a wide smile. Annie simply smiled back and waved her hands as if to urge her on. Danielle turned back to her father, "I would be delighted. I accept his proposal," Danielle said with vigor and a grin.
"That's settled then," King Henry said, "Seems as if everything turned out well for both countries."
The room erupted into cheers. Auggie and Annie embraced in passionate kiss.
As Auggie pulled away, he rested his forehead against Annie's.
"So, Princess, do you believe in happily ever after?"
Annie grinned, "Now I do."
And, with that, she pulled him into another kiss.
It's done! I can't believe it's over! If you guys want me to write an epilogue chapter about their futures (about 5 or so years in the future perhaps?) then please please write a quick review and tell me you want the epilogue. The review button is massive now, so it's pretty simple to spot. Just click it, say you want the epilogue chapter, and click send. Takes only a few moments. And, during the review, you can tell me what you liked about this story. All the feedback helps me improve my writing! Thanks, everyone! :)