So. . .the 4th of July has come and gone, and what did I do?! I finished writing three NEW chapters to my New Year's story! They've been sitting on my computer for months!

It's New Year's Day, the morning after the masquerade ball. ENJOY!

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CHAPTER THREE

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"Annabelle?!"

"Hmmmmm. . .?!"

Chuckling, Boris shook his head. Annabelle had burrowed under the covers; all that he could see was a fluff of red hair. "Annabelle! It is 2011! Are you going to sleep away the new year?!"

"Hmmmmm. . .hmpf?!"

"I had a light breakfast sent up. Would you care for some tea, Prinzessen?"

Annoyed, Annabelle peeked out from under the covers. "Bloody hell, Boris! What time is it?!"

"It is almost nine o'clock!"

"Bloody hell. . .it's still the middle of the night!" Grumbling, Annabelle burrowed back under the covers. "Bloody hell!"

Boris was enjoying himself. "Annabelle, you are not greeting the new year with much enthusiasm. Did you, perhaps, have too much champagne last night?!"

"Hmmmmm. . .hmpf?!"

"ANNABELLE!"

"Bloody hell, Boris!" Exasperated, Annabelle sat up, the covers falling away. Glancing down, she muttered another "Bloody hell!", and quickly pulled the covers back up, securing them under her arms as she sat back against the headboard of the bed. Looking around the room, she focused on Boris with a quizzical look. "Boris. . .what happened to my gown, and my shoes. . .and my knickers?!"

Boris was working very hard not to laugh. "Your things are on your bed, Prinzessin."

"Hmpf?!" Annabelle cleared her throat, and ran her hand through her hair, trying to get her bearings. "Tea! You said there was tea. Where is my tea, Boris?!"

Boris busied himself at the breakfast cart, then carried a tray table with a croissant and a cup of tea to Annabelle. He settled the tray table across her lap, then he sat down on the edge of the bed, facing her.

Annabelle took a sip of her tea, and, savoring it, closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the headboard of the bed. "Ahhh. . .tea is a cup of life!"

"Such a profundity!"

Annabelle opened her eyes, and shot Boris a baleful look. "Why are you still here?! Why aren't you out conquering the world?!"

"Well. . .it IS a holiday, Prinzessin! And. . .this IS my bedroom!"

"Hmpf?!"

"And there is the matter of my cell phone. . .?!"

Annabelle tossed a bit of croissant at Boris. "Boris, you are such a bloody wanker! Your cell phone is in the top drawer of my dresser, underneath the pink La Perla panties you bought me! If you want it, go and get it. But, you'll be breaking your promise to me!"

Boris studied Annabelle for a moment. "This is really important to you, ja?"

"Yes, Boris, it is! I want to know that I'm important to you! I want to know that I am, at the very least, more important than a bloody cell phone! And if I'm not? Then, your grandmother really was right?!"

Sighing, Boris stood up, and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "There are some matters that I must take care of downstairs. I will leave you to eat your breakfast in peace." Boris turned and headed for the door.

"Boris?"

Boris stopped, and turned around. "Ja?"

"Aren't you going to take your cell phone?"

Annabelle could see his mouth quirk into a little half-smile. "No, Prinzessin, I am not!" With that, Boris clicked his heels together, gave her a slight bow, and departed, leaving Annabelle alone with her croissant and cup of tea.

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Feedback would REALLY be appreciated! PLEASE – Let me know if you have any comments, criticisms, questions, or suggestions!

Thank you!