AN: Sorry I forgot to credit the language "Ayorthian" to Gail Carson Levine who wrote Ella Enchanted. I guess I forgot to change that in the last chapter.

TIME FOR THE THANK YOUs!

Thank you fawltie for favorite-ing and following!

Thank you Alexandra. Xx for following!

Mirror-owl38: Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the story :) As for your guess, sorry but the Chronicles of Narnia is not correct (even though that's one of my favorite series ever!). However, I did get the name Edmund from there so I will PM the answer to your request as a smaller reward. As for your quotes…. I will definitely lick a squirrel at my next opportunity. I kind of adore you now.

I hope everyone else likes the story so far! Enjoy!

Chapter 4: The Start

(Edmund)

I watched her suddenly pale then blush in embarrassment. She didn't think I was joking… Smile you idiot! I smiled widely and gave a light laugh to show that I was merely teasing. Inwardly, I laughed at my own desperation to make her happy. Thankfully, her blush faded and she allowed herself to giggle at the foolishness of it all. What has this girl done to me? But that smile… wow that smile…

Then, it was her eyes dancing in front of me that I couldn't look away from. Normally, I would have only allowed myself a glance, but this time, she was looking right back at me, and there was no way I was going to be the one to break up our contact. It took less than a moment for her to realize what was happening and to quickly look into her lap. I blushed despite myself and took her cue by feigning intense interest in Lydia's drawings on the table.

"Are you two having a good time?" Asked Lydia sweetly, walking in with a tray of tea things that nearly doubled her in size. Anna jumped up to help her before the tea spilled all over. She gently took the tray from my sister and tapped her on the nose causing her to giggle. "Why didn't you call for help, Missy?" Anna had asked as she set the tray on the table.

"I could have done it!" Lydia protested with a pout.

"Haha I'm sure you could have," she replied with a grin, "Let me see your muscles!" Lydia held up her toothpick arms and flexed them with an effort. "I'm impressed! Maybe I was wrong; you might me stronger than me!" Anna laughed, tickling her. My heart began to melt as I subconsciously pictured them as sisters.

To my extreme annoyance, I heard Sir William from outside the door call, "Prince Edmund, it's time to study Ayorthian! I know you're in there!"

"I'll be there in a second!" I called back, "Just meet me in the study!" I allowed myself to glance at Anna and was pleasantly surprised to see a disappointed look on her face. Please tell me she's disappointed because I'm leaving. This slight discovery gave me courage enough to go up to her, kiss her hand, and whisper into her ear, "Meet me outside of the nursery at 9 tonight. I have something I want to show you." I smiled at her, bowed deeply, and left through the door with a little satisfaction from the blush I had created on her cheeks.

All the way down to the study, I thought about what her reaction might be to my second favorite place in the palace. Similarly to the lotus tree courtyard, I went to a clearing in the middle of the vineyards often to clear my thoughts. Anna knew about the courtyard and I was about to show her the only other place (save my private chambers) where I could be alone. Come on Ed, you barely know her, slow down, my rational side said. But quickly, I forced that warning down and realized I didn't care. Besides, with how things have been going with her brother, she probably needed some comforting; and I was very eager to be the one to comfort. Happy with the thoughts of my new friend… or whatever she was to me… I glided down the passageways towards my unfortunate tutor.

Sir William was waiting in a big arm chair, paging through some reference book by the time I entered the study. Unfortunately, he caught my childish smile before I had the chance to remove it. "Finding a particular interest in the new nanny, I see."

"That's none of your concern, Sir," I responded sourly. If anyone noticed my interactions with Anna, I definitely didn't want it to be him. I would never get peace and I was sure that he would tell the queen.

"My apologies, your Highness," he casually replied with victory in his eyes. He had found out what he wanted.

(Annabelle)

As the Official Nanny to Her Royal Highness, I received the best room out of all the maids and servants. It was right next to the nursery so I could be close to Lydia at night if she needed me. And, even though it was a room for the hired help, it was still twice as big as the room that held the girls aged 12 and up in the orphanage—and about 4 times as beautiful, I might add.

It was around 8:30 and I was furiously trying to brush my hair into a somewhat attractive looking plait. After taming the rouge, I looked at myself in the mirror, and a wave of self-doubt washed over me. There is no way, no way that he is really all that attracted to you! Besides that there is no way that the king would allow him to marry you, even if by miracle-of-miracles you managed to get him to fall hopelessly in love with you. Wait a second… did I just say marriage? Oh come on, Anna, he's not your Prince Charming! He's just a really nice prince who happens to be bored enough to spend time with you. Wait… but that's not right either. Edmund wanted to show you something and it sounded like it was special. My thoughts ran through my head at about a mile a minute—or at least if felt that way. In reality about 20 minutes had passed and I needed to get out the door.

Quickly, I pinched my cheeks for color, straightened my frock so it wasn't wrinkly, and made for the door. To my surprise he was already waiting for me; he looked startled by my sudden appearance.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't realize that your bedroom was right there… um…," he sputtered out.

His surprising nerves slightly amused me."You said you wanted to show me something. May I ask where?" I prompted with a smile.

Recovering quickly he responded, "Yes! Yes that's right. But no, you may not ask where," he grinned, "It's a surprise."

"Well alright then, lead the way." I was unable to contain my smile, and felt my playfulness grow at a surprising rate.

Edmund offered me his arm, which made me slightly nervous. If ANYONE saw it, I would be out of here and on the streets. But, after letting my emotions take over a bit, I decided that it was safe enough now that everyone was pretty much in their perspective compartments, and took his arm. Instead of assisting me as the gesture was meant to do, it only made me a couple times dizzier. Watch it, Anna, I warned myself.

As we walked, he guided me round countless turns and took several short cuts that made my head spin with confusion. He quietly led me through the long corridors until we reached a servants' door. "Alright, I don't want you to see anything until you get to the perfect spot, that way it'll hit you all at once. So, would you mind closing your eyes for me?" he asked eagerly.

I looked at him critically, raising my eyebrow.

"Come on, trust me. It'll be worth the confusion later when you see it," he pleaded happily.

"Well, alright. But you'd better not run me into anything or I'll—"

"—Or you'll… what?" He smirked.

I laughed. "Oh shut up and take me to wherever it is we're going!"

"But first, my Lady, you must close your eyes."

"Fine," I giggled, closing my eyes shut, "but just remember my warning!"

"I'll keep that in mind," he laughed with a light jab of his elbow.

He took one of my outstretched, probing hands into his and put his other on my waist to securely guide me. My hand tingled where his skin touched mine and I prayed he wouldn't notice how sweaty my palm had become. I felt a cool rush of wind blow a few strands of my hair out of the braid as we stepped outside onto the grass. The feeling of fresh air in my lungs alone would have made this a worthwhile adventure, but I knew that something much better was yet to come.

"Well, we're outside. Really, Edmund, I think I could have come here on my own," I teased.

"Oh shush and wait for the great reveal," he responded with excitement, giving a pulse to my hand.

We had been going for quite some time and I began to worry that perhaps I shouldn't have come. What if Lydia would need me while I was gone? But before the thought could properly enter into my head, we stopped in what felt like the middle of nowhere.

"Okay, Anna, go ahead and sit down. There is a blanket under you." I obediently did as I was told. "Alright, now lay back and look up."

Above me, was the most beautiful sky of stars that I had ever seen and the most incredible feeling of being understood.

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