Authors Note: This chapter is the weakest, I was a little tired while writing, sleep deprivation is a bitch.

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"Kori, darling, would you come and judge this for me? Pretty please?" A disembodied overly-feminine voice called, snapping me out of my trance-like state.

"Um, yeah, one sec!" I stood up, unaware of the dreamy smile plastered to me face.

I swear, I nearly floated into the living room, greeting Donna with a playful wet smooch on the cheek then plopped myself down next to her on the couch.

"As much as I appreciated that, I refuse to give in to your 'Dick Grayson induced' spell.", Donna flicked he hair over her shoulder and stuck her nose into the air just as playful.

"I apologize, he is just so-"

"Amazing, I get it. Look at you!" She laughed, slinging her arm over my shoulder and squeezing lightly, "It makes me wanna barf, what's this guy is doing to you?! I haven't seen you like this in a long time! I'm not sure what to think of it actually.", she snorted.

I shrunk a bit, was that bad?

"Again, I apologize. Now please, what is it you require assistance with?" I asked, tilting my head to take a look at her computer screen.

"Uh, your accent is shining through, hun." Donna mused before pushing the screen over so I could see it better. "Could you help me decide on a good filter for these photos, they need to be published by tomorrow evening."

I cleared my throat, shaking off her last statement, "Okay, I can do that."

I smiled a bit, reaching over her lap to scroll through the wide variety of colors and art schemes.

"What kind of photos are you looking for exactly, I mean, where is this going to?"

"Prada." She replied absently, stifling a small yawn.

"Nice." I chuckled,eventually narrowing down to my closest pickings.

I hummed softly as I finally reached my last two filters.

"Hey, which do you think is better?" I asked, waiting for a reply.

Silence.

"Donna?" I turned back to her and smiled upon seeing her slipping down into the couch cushions, slowly falling asleep.

I sighed softly and edged off the couch so not to disturb her, she really needs to stop overworking herself like this, its terrible for her health. I would hate to see Donna wind up sick.

I made my way back to my room, pouring myself a glass of spudling juice along the way.

I enjoy having nice laid back days, a lot actually. Basically, all I do on days like this is binge on junk food and watch television all day with Donna ..

Oh! Donna!

I jumped out of my bed and grabbed a spare blanket, then I made my way back to the living room to Donna. Sometimes, I can't really decifer the temperature too well, so I end up having either the heat too high or the air too low. In this case, Donna kept complaining about it feeling like 'a polar bears fur' in here.

"Honey, I got you a nice warm blanket!" I sang, hoping to wake her momentarily, it would be too risky to lay it over her, she has, as she calls it, 'panther reflexes'.

I lowered my voice a notch, "Donna-"

Once I reached the living room I stopped dead in my tracks and brought the blanket in my hands up to my chin as if it were to hide me. An embarrassed blush crept across my cheeks, "Greetings, Karras."

He knelt from the front of my doorway, "Greetings, Princess Koriand'r."

"W-what are you doing here?" I stammered idiotically. He took a few steps towards me, holding up a house key I forgot I gave him, "I came to apologize, in person, about our ..." I saw the search for words cross his face, "let us say, our misunderstanding."

"I wish not to discuss this right now, I am indecent and I have company." I gestured towards Donna's sleeping figure, "Perhaps the appropriate time for this particular discussion is when my kenorfka, Grand Ruler Galfore, is present, yes?"

His face paled in an instant, I swore I could see him shake, "No. We should speak over lunch."

"Then I shall be doing the recording of our conversation?" I arched an eyebrow, I could watch him squirm all day long.

"Please, no, princess, let me treat you to lunch."

"Only if I may bring Donna with me." I smiled.

"Very well." He straighten out is posture, "And I suppose you would like your keys back?"

"You read my mind."

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"Uhg, Kori, what is it with you and these stupid boys lately." Donna whined, flailing her arms in exasperation.

I stopped brushing my hair and narrowed my eyes at her, "Stupid boys?"

"Yes! Stupid boys! Dick Grayson turned out to be stupid, your new fiancé is stupid! The only guy in your life that isn't stupid is that one guy, uh, what's his name again?"

I turned back to the mirror and continued to brush my hair, "I have no idea who you're talking about."

"Kennedy! Whatta hunk! And you're not interested." She sighed heavily and flopped back onto the bed dramatically.

I rolled my eyes dramatically, "And I suppose Terry is the pedestal of perfection?"

"No, he has his stupid moments too." She rolled around like a small child on the bed, "Boys are just stupid, lets run away Kori."

"As much as I absolutely love the sound of that, the entire world go looking for us."

She sighed again, this time exaggerated, "Golly, I hate being famous."

"No one ever said it would be easy", I giggled.

Silky hopped up on the bed and tried his best to snuggle into Donna's side, "Kori, we need to move in together, like, asap." She laughed, patting Silky's head.

I set my brush down and spun around in my chair, "That can be arranged. I always wondered how you stayed living in the city, I grow quite lonely out here as well-"

Her hands flew up into the air, "I was joking," she sat up, propping herself up with her forearms, "but now that I think of it, it's not such a bad idea."

I put my brush away and crawled into bed, laying myself down next to her and squishing poor Silky between us.

With a yawn, I checked my bedside clock. Rachel and I dropped Dick off this morning at nearly eight o' clock it was inching near nine thirty now.

I snuggled back into Donna's side, vaguely noting that Silky had moved before slowly falling asleep.

Several hours later I awoke to several missed calls from Karras.

Does this guy know when to stop? Seriously, it's only eleven o' seven.

I sat up in my bed and stretched, reaching down to my side to find Donna still sleeping like a rock. I silently giggled to myself and nudged her a bit, she still didn't move a muscle.

Well, I suppose she doesn't have to go with me to lunch, it was just a suggestion.

Plus, I really don't need Donna loosing anymore sleep, she's really been skipping out on her minimal six hours lately.

I eased myself off of the bed as settled as possible so not to disturb her. She stirred in her slumber, but only for a moment before she became motionless again.

I stealthily took a quick shower and braided my hair down my back, save my bangs of course, then I dressed myself in a long flowing purple skirt, complete with swirls in green stitching sprawled out against the fabric, I threw on a plain white off the shoulder gypsy styled shirt.

Something's I hate about being a model is that you always have to make a fashion statement.

I finished off the look with white sandals, hm, not much of a statement but at least it's simple.

With one last glance at my sleeping Donna I exited the room and texted Karras, who asked me to meet him at a 'Rhinos Coffee Shop', which I replied with a simple and bland 'Okay'.

It only took about ten minutes to find where the little coffee joint was, surprisingly and eerily close to my own home.

I made a mental note of it location for ..personal reasons.

I spotted Karras sitting alone at a two seater table near one of the windows, he looked completely engrossed in the newspaper her was reading. His tousled dark brown hair, thick and lustrous, was disheveled and messy, his chocolate eyes scanned the paper in an almost robotic motion. His expression was strong and defined, his features molded from granite aside from his eyebrows, which sloped downwards, all serious. His usual playful smile had drawn into a hard line. He didn't even notice when I walked in.

I watched him intently as I ordered myself a small vanilla bean and a cinnamon roll, I wasn't sure if I should've ordered him another coffee, I didn't want him to be offended by a woman buying him something.

I seated myself directly across from him with a polite smile when I got my bean and sighed softly.

He peeked over his paper, his eyes lighting up in an instant as he set the paper down next to his cup, "Hello, Koriand'r." he smiled.

"Greetings, Karras."

"May I ask what held you so long?"

"I fell asleep and lost track of time, I apologize " I really was sincere, even if I was supposed to be angry with him, I wouldn't like it if someone made me because if something so silly.

"It is fine, I was simply curious. I trust you slept well?" He took a sip of his coffee.

"Yes, I did, thank you." I glanced out the window for a few moments and sighed again, "You do realize that I must inform Galfore of this 'misunderstanding', right? It us not my decision to make."

Karras swallowed hard and reach over for me, "Princess, please. There is no need to bring the law into this, if you tell him I will-"

"Most likely be dead by tomorrow, I know." I turned my head towards him slightly, the color had drained from his face again.

I could see the pure fear in his eyes.

X'hal, I cannot do this.

"I will not be informing him in a legal manner, I will be informing him as my father. However, I will not tolerate such insolence." I turned my head to him completely, a frown curved on my lips, "With my word he will deem you troq. I would not wish that on the the most evil of souls. Karras, we are to be wed soon. Though it is an arranged marriage, no one can force you to marry me, you may denounce anytime you want and marry who you choose here in America. Truly, I do not wish to marry anyone, I feel that I am too young, we both are, but I must do what is right for the good of Tamaran. So please, do not take your freedom for granite, I would give anything to be in your place." I dropped my head, ashamed of my own words, my own thoughts.

"Oh, Kori." He breathed, my truth must have saddened him, "I am so sorry for what I did to you, I can honestly swear that it will not happen again. I will not denounce, I wish to be good for Tamaran too, I wish to help you learn to love me. I want you to be happy with me, and me only." He leaned forward, "Koriand'r, let's be honest with each other, no more secrets. If we want to make this work we must be true to each other."

I broke down my abrasive barrier, he is right. It would be better if I at least tried to love him as more than a friend, it would be a shame for him to denounce only for me to meet another stranger who I am to be courted by.

Besides, I've known Karras the longest of any other prince.

"Alright Karras, we can try." I smiled halfheartedly, resting my hands in my lap.

"Okay, I shall start." He delivered the same smile as mine, "While I have been away for so many months at a time, I met a woman by the name of Diam'iron and I was weak, rutha, if you will ..I am ashamed to admit that I did spend a few nights in her embrace, and I did, in the heat I the moment, say that I loved her. My intentions were cruel, but not evil. I told her an empty lie. I did not expect her to admit that she loved me back. I am truly sorry for her absurd call, I have no idea how she got into my phone-"

"How old is she?" I interrupted, feeling the need to ask, there was no way a 'woman' would confess to such things after one fling, at least I hope not.

"She is ..she -she is to turn eighteen in two months .."

I nodded, "That makes more sense, what does she do?"

"She is the barmaid in the Royal Palace."

"Hmm, perhaps we can think of something to aid your situation, she is certain the child is yours?"

He hung his head, "She claims I deflowered her .."

I smiled sympathetically, "There is no need to be ashamed of your actions, it is okay to make mistakes sometimes, how else would we learn? Besides, it is not like anything you've done is illegal on Tamaran." He glanced up at me for only a moment, confused, my smile only brightened, "Karras, I am not angry with you anymore. You should know I cannot hold a grudge. Listen, we will figure something out, don't worry. Thank you for sharing with me, it feels better doesn't it?"

He straightened up and cleared his throat, "No, thank you for being so understanding, Kori." He gave me a wavering smile, "I believe it is your turn to do the sharing?"

I laughed softly, blowing my bangs out of my face, "Oh, I did not realize how embarrassing this could be ..", my cheeks were fuming with color, "Well, while you were away, I fell in love all over again." I hid my face behind my hands.

I felt him nudge me playfully, his soft chuckle following, "Oh? Princess Koriand'r loving? No such thing." I hinted the sarcastic tone is his voice.

"Oh, shut it!" I laughed, sighing away the small blush left on my cheeks.

"Are you going to tell me who you have fallen so hard for?" He arched an eyebrow.

"His name is Dick Grayson, I'm sure you've met before, he's been all through Tamaran! We dated in high school-"

"Dick Grayson." He spat out, his tone now disgusted, he took a sip of his coffee with a disappointed grunt, as if to wash the name out of his mouth.

My smile disappeared, along with the playful atmosphere, "What's wrong with Dick Grayson?" I asked.

"That boy is truly the 'piece of work'." He muttered.

I was surprised at his reaction, usually when someone meets Dick they seem to be entranced and taken by him, why was Karras acting this way? "Whatever did he do to you?" I tilted my head to the side in a confused manner, when honestly, I'm just curious. This is definitely peculiar.

"That is for another day, I suppose." He changed the subject with a heavy sigh, "Anyways, is that all you have to confess?"

I nodded meekly, I wasn't going to pressure him into telling me something that he's presumably uncomfortable with.

He smiled a bit and nodded back in response, then stood up, straightened out his jacket and headed for the door.

I followed him, trashing my untouched treat and barley sipped coffee.

Hmp, if I remember correctly he was supposed to be paying for the waste.

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"That's all?" Donna cocked her hip and gave me a weary expression, her eyebrows raised in annoyance.

"Yes, hey I don't know what you're cross about, it was actually a good meeting. I feel like I got at least a little of the weight off of my shoulders." I chuckled, taking another bite of tortilla chips I opened upon getting home. X'hal, I am famished.

Donna made her way towards the kitchen, muttering, "Well, I'm glad I didn't go.", with a huff of breath.

"Oh yeah, he said he wants to make things work with us, I don't know how that's gonna play out." I laughed, flicking on the television and taking another handful of chips.

"You're really gonna go through with it, huh? You actually trust him now?" Donna called from the three wall confinement, astonished.

"Yes, no harm in a second chance." I giggled, surfing through the channels.

"You are a mess!" She laughed, popping her head around the corner with a broad smile, "What do you want for dinner?"

I swiveled my head around to her, eventually rolling over on my belly, "You're gonna cook?!" I ended up rolling off of the bed and bumping my head against the coffee table, I grimaced and rubbed my head to soothe the pain, "I wanna help!"

She shot me a glance and arched and eyebrow, "Oh no, no, no, you will not ruin this meal!"

I frowned, and got up only to sit on the kitchen counter across from Donna, holding my head in one hand, "My cooking is fine."

She shook her head and rummaged through the refrigerator, "Unless you're gonna prepare a Tamaranian dish, it's best you stay out of the kitchen, dear."

Before I could begin to inform Donna on how good my cooking skills were I heard the faint sound of my cell ringing back in the living room.

"Don't start without me, sweetheart, I'll be right back!" I laughed, hopping off of the countertop and quite literally sliding in my socks across the sleek wooden floors, skidding to a stop at the couch.

"Hello!" I answered, still giggling from Donna's infectious laughter reverberating from the kitchen.

"Kori, I have some bad news." Karen's voice, panicked and frenzied, practically breathed out into the phone.

My smile melted off of my face, she sounded like she'd been crying for some time now, "Bee, what's wrong? What happe-"

"Barbra is in the hospital."

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Authors Note: Hello. I am a huge jerk, sorry for the month late update. I need a bit more feedback from my readers if you all want the next chapter, tootles!