AN: Thank you for your reviews from the previous chapter. For those of you that are new to this story and to me, welcome! I am glad you found me and this story. I hope you give my other stories a shot, too. I am so happy to hear that you all like this story and how it is being written. I hope you all continue to follow and enjoy this story just as much as I enjoy writing it. Please read the second author's note at the end of this chapter. As always, happy reading! ~Melissa

Chapter 4: Engagement Party

16th Century

The castle was bustling with royals from all over England and other neighboring countries. Amongst the royals are knights from the Von Steele castle and from other castles. Some of the staff was also able to attend as guests, especially those that have served King Von Steele for years, watching his Annabelle grow into the woman she is today.

Annabelle and Cristoff have not made their entrance yet, however, the party has been in full swing for almost two hours now. King Von Steele was making his rounds, welcoming everyone to his home and being the outgoing and kind king that he is, the guests were truly enjoying themselves.

Three knocks on the floor, caused by the speaker of the castle, silenced the room. King Von Steele made his way to the front, wearing a smile of a proud father. Usually the speaker of the castle would announce when royalty was about to make their debut in the room, however, this was a very special occasion, and King Von Steele would be doing the honor tonight.

"Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladies, please allow me to introduce my daughter, Princess Annabelle Von Steele of England. Escorting Princess Annabelle, her fiancée, Noble Knight Cristoff Greyson."

Princess Annabelle and Cristoff made their entrance through the thick, cherry oak double doors and into the parlor where the ball was taking place. A thunderous round of applause erupted throughout the castle walls, so loud that Hyde heard it in the dungeons below. He slammed his fists against the thick concrete walls, causing blood to trickle down from his knuckle, but he didn't care. He screamed out, not in anguish, but in disgust and envy.

Hyde had to listen to the royal guests congratulate and praise the new engaged couple, and he loathed every minute of it. He heard the music, the rumblings of toasts being given, and the fireworks to commemorate the eventful night.

Above the concrete walls of the dungeons, Annabelle and Cristoff made their way around the grand ballroom greeting their guests, thanking them for being part of one of their special nights.

"Annabelle!" A voice from behind the couple called out. Annabelle and Cristoff turned around to find Lady Katherine and Lord Elliot walking towards them. Katherine and Elliot were a married couple, traveling from Italy to congratulate the princess on her future nuptials.

Katherine and Annabelle knew one another from traveling back and forth between their homes as their fathers always did business together since they were toddlers. They didn't see much of one another now that they are older and rarely go with their fathers when they would travel, so the two woman were very excited to see each other.

They quickly embraced and held hands as they looked over one another, making sure they were both all right. "I have missed you Katherine."

"I have missed you too, Annabelle. Here, let me introduce you to Elliot, my beloved. Elliot, this is Princess Annabelle. Annabelle, this is Lord Elliot."

"My pleasure, Princess." Elliot states as he slightly bends his neck down as he kisses Annabelle's hand.

"It's Annabelle, please. Katherine is a dear friend, and we don't do the formalities with one another. It is so nice to meet you too. Please let me introduce you to Cristoff."

Elliot and Cristoff shake hands in greeting and then Cristoff takes Lady Katherine's hand and kisses it just as Elliot did to Annabelle. The four of them chatted amongst themselves and quickly realized that they were the youngest ones at the ball this evening.

"You must sit with us," Annabelle suggested to the couple.

"No, no. We are fine where we were placed. You must sit with your father and the other knights of the castle. It's customary. Don't you worry, we will spend time together. Elliot and I were invited by your father to stay for a few days, here at the castle." Lady Katherine informed Annabelle, with a smile on her face.

"That is wonderful news." Annabelle squealed and hugged her friend again.

During dinner, everyone was served only the best. Each table was adorned with a massive roast, a medley of vegetables, several different types of potatoes, gauntlets filled with various wines, and the most succulent breads. The joyous conversations flowed with ease, just like the wine. There was never a dull moment in the castle tonight. All the guests were upbeat and finding the love between the princess and her knight contagious. Onlookers were catching them feeding one another, giving each other chaste kisses here and there, stealing glances, and constantly smiling and laughing. They were the epitome of true love.

As the servers passed out the decadent desserts to all the tables, Cristoff rose out of his chair and clanked his knife against his goblet of wine. All talking seized as the patrons looked to the main table of the ballroom.

Before he started his speech, he looked down at his princess, the love of his life, and waited for her to look back into his eyes. When she did, he only noticed her, he always only noticed her.

"Annabelle, my love, my life, I know you already said yes, however, I need to give you something to solidify our engagement," with one of his hands in hers, he gently lifts her up out of her chair. "Please accept these rings as sign of my love and devotion to you, and only you, for the rest of our lives."

Cristoff presented Annabelle with two solid gold rings, he carefully slid both of them on her left ring finger, giving each one a kiss once they were perfectly settled.

"They are beautiful, thank you."

"You are most welcome. One of the rings signifies love, devotion, and joy. The other ring represents friendship, protection, and a long-lasting life."

21st Century

As Ana sat in her British Literature class, she couldn't get her mind off of the articles that were sitting in her backpack. As her professor was giving a lecture about Thomas Hardy, which Ana already knew all about, she decided to take the papers out and scan through them once more.

Gail glanced over at her, watching Ana already in her own little world, ignoring the lecture and being deep in thought about something else. She also kept looking around the lecture hall, keeping her eyes on Jack, as he was keeping his beady, dark eyes on Ana. Gail took her cell phone out to text Taylor about Jack's constant stare. He immediately responded letting her know that he and Christian would meet the girls outside of their class, even though that meant that both of them would be leaving class early.

Ana didn't take notice of her fellow classmates and professor, her eyes landed on the dainty wedding rings in the picture, while her fingers caressed the circular rings of her necklace. A necklace that her father, Raymond Steele, gave to her on her sixteenth birthday, stating that it has been in the Steele family for generations.