Chapter 1:

Chapter 1:

"Peyton, Peyton!" Haley called as she was running across the halls of the castle, to her room. Peyton was staring blankly at the mirror as she put some little trinkets in her hair. She was in some kind of trance. Haley opened the door and saw Peyton. "Cousin, I have news!."

Peyton was taken back a bit by Haley's enthusiasm.

"Oh heavens, did I frighten you?"

"No… I was just…Fixing my hair. I'm sorry. I heard you but I don' think I was actually listening." Peyton smiled softly at her cousin. "So what's the news?"

Haley had such a big smile on her face. She sat down on Peyton's bed and began talking as Peyton continued fixing herself. "I just heard that Nathan Donne has come back from the battle in Pregan, and your father has planned a celebration for his return tomorrow."

Peyton instantly dropped her brush once Haley said 'tomorrow'. Her eyes widened because she hasn't seen Nathan in 13 years, and with all the wedding fuss, she knows it will be awkward because she knows him as a friend. "Are you completely sure? My father hasn't told me anything." Peyton said nervously.

"That's why I'm here. He sent me." Haley said laughing. Sensing Peyton's anxiety, she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Don't you want him to come back? I thought you two were such great friends."

Peyton tried to set aside that feeling and smiled, "What are you talking about? Of course I want him to come back. He's my best friend."

Haley nodded in belief and got out of the room after she hugged her cousin.

"Mother, who is this Nathan Donne everybody's talking about?" Lucas asked his 'mom' once he got home. Everyone in the market kept on talking about Nathan's return and of course, being new in the land, Lucas didn't know Nathan or Peyton.

"Why do you ask?" His mother curiously asked as she set table.

"Because everyone in town couldn't stop talking about this person. Now I feel like an idiot for being so clueless." He joked. His mother laughed at his opinion.

"Well…" She began as they both sat down. "Nathan Donne is the son of Sir Jacques, who our King Peter assigned to be head of Armedes' army. They are both skilled in battle. Everyone says this Nathan is like a god. Handsome, brave, intelligent and pleasant all at once."

Lucas had this 'I have an idea' look. "So…" He started, "I'm like a god too?" His mother laughed at his sense of humor. Lucas tried to contain his laughter as he continued, "Come on mother, I'm handsome, brave, smart. Other than that, I'm extremely funny. Do you see how red your cheeks are from laughing?" They had a good bond, and same with the father. Lucas and his 'mother' laughed and laughed until the joke got old.

AN: Please R&R.  Let me know what you think.