A couple of days passed by and Dick and Kori's relationship was blossoming nicely. The two of them would take strolls together in the evening and they would watch the swarms of fenorbla flies twirl through the night sky. They talked about Kori's life on Tamaran and also of Dick's life on Earth. Kori had expressed to Dick about how she really felt about being a Princess. She told him how she felt isolated a lot even with Ryan there with her. She also explained how she was glad that he had come to Tamaran to help them with the war at hand.

As the days went by, Dick found himself missing Kori immensely when he wasn't with her. She was his first thought when he woke up and his last thought before he went to sleep at night. When they were able to, they would sneak into each other's rooms and talk into the early hours of the following day and enjoy their close moments together.

Kori found it incredible how close they had become in the few weeks after meeting each other and how comfortable she felt when she was around him.

She thought of the blissful days as she watched Dick and Ryan practicing their combat skills with one another. Kori took comfort in knowing that she was allowed to call Dick by his name when they were together even when he was wearing his signature domino mask. In some way, Kori felt closer to him when she called him by his name. She smiled as she noticed he had gained the upper hand on Ryan in battle techniques.

Dick felt slightly under pressure whilst he practiced with Ryan. He felt the need to win not only because he had previously lost against the King and Kori, but because Kori was watching and the stereotypical male part of him wanted to show her that he was capable of victory.

He couldn't help but stare at her out of the corner of his eye whenever he had the chance. She was so captivatingly beautiful; it was hard not to look at her. Over the past couple of days, he had never been so thankful for having the permission to kiss her whenever he wanted. Dick focused his attention on Ryan who was currently blocking his jabs with ease. The masked hero sucked in a breath and spun around, bringing his wooden sword around with him so that it knocked Ryan's out of his hand. The wooden sword clattered on the ground and left Ryan defenceless. Dick decided to test his luck and swiftly jumped forward, aiming his own sword at Ryan. The Prince wobbled and fell on his behind with a thud.

Ryan smirked up at Dick and chuckled, "Very good, my friend. You learn quickly."

Dick extended a hand down towards him, "You aren't hurt, are you?"

"Of course not... It takes a lot to break me, Nightwing." Ryan laughed. Dick noticed the use of name depending on whether or not he was wearing the mask. He was glad that he also had Ryan as a friend here. It was nice to be able to trust both him and Kori.

Ryan grabbed Dick's outstretched hand and was hauled up onto his feet. Both of the boys turned their head as they heard girlish giggling accompanied with light clapping. Kori sauntered over to them with a bright smile across her face.

"Very good, Richard!" Kori praised, hugging him closely as she reached him. He instantly returned the affectionate embrace and kissed the top of her head.

Kori rested her hands on his chest and floated a few inches off of the ground so that she was eye level with him. She touched his nose with her own, signalling to him that she wanted a kiss. Dick chuckled and gladly obliged her, attaching his lips to hers. Kori ran her fingers through his mess of ebony hair and felt Dick's hands upon her waist.

A sudden and forced cough caused the two to separate. Ryan made an expression with his tongue poking out as if he were disgusted with them. Kori laughed as she perched back upon the ground. Dick just smirked and kept his arm around Kori's waist.

"Bleugh! I approve more than anyone about your relationship but please! I believe the Earth expression is to get a room!" Ryan complained, earning small sounds of laughter from both Dick and Kori.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of the heavy doors opening. Kori gently pushed away from Dick and straightened her clothes out, putting enough space between them so that nothing could so much as be suggested. For a moment, Dick felt a pang of sadness at the sudden disconnection but he knew that it was necessary in front of other people.

Ryan shifted his expression into a serious one and he stared at the guard as he marched into the room.

"Is everything alright?" Ryan asked, in an authoritive voice,

The guard bowed slightly before the two royal members within the room. He swallowed an apparent lump in his throat and stood up straight. He stared back at Ryan, "My Prince... Your father asks for you, Princess Koriand'r and Ser Nightwing to go to the throne room." The guard explained,

Kori slowly stepped forward and appeared before the guard, "Is something wrong?" She interrogated, quietly,

"No, Princess. We have a guest in the palace today." He returned, giving her the briefest of smiles,

Kori suddenly felt wary of going to the throne room. For some reason, she had a gut feeling that was urging her not to follow the guard. Ryan must have had the same thoughts as her as they both exchanged worried glances simultaneously.

Dick on the other hand was completely clueless as to why they were being hesitant. He made a mental note to ask Kori about it later.

"We should leave, your highnesses" The guard suggested, turning to the side as he prepared to lead the way.

Kori fought hard not to turn and look at Dick. She had an uneasy feeling that she and/or Ryan were solely involved in whatever this guest was here for. The atmosphere in the air around them seemed negative and full of doubt for a positive outcome with the apparently welcomed stranger.

The guard dutifully accompanied the three of them as they silently wandered through the long corridors. No one really had anything to say. Ryan and Kori didn't dare mention any possible reasons for why their guest was here in fear of their theories becoming reality. Nightwing on the other hand was confused on why they seemed so worried.

After what seemed like an eternity, the small group arrived before the large double doors that led into the throne room. As the guard pushed them open, Kori stepped in behind Ryan with Nightwing following closely behind her. She watched him as he joined Batman and Superman who were idly standing to the right hand side of the room. For some reason, Kori felt sudden discomfort in him not being at her side.

The Princess sighed and continued walking until she and Ryan reached their mother and father at the opposite end of the room. They waited patiently for their children but stood up from their red velvet thrones as Ryan and Kori stepped up onto the stage like area.

Nightwing cleared his throat and put his hands behind his back as he made himself look more serious. Batman glanced at his original protégé with his lips set in a thin line.

"I hope you weren't doing anything that you're not supposed to." He stated flatly.

Dick rolled his eyes behind his mask, "I'm not a kid, Bruce." He whispered, "But no, I was practicing with Ryand'r. Koriand'r was just there to pass the time."

Batman seemed satisfied with the explanation and dropped the subject.

Kori felt her heart beat faster. She swallowed a lump in her throat and subtly wiped her sweaty hands on her fabricated skirt. Kori stood up straight and clasped her hands in front of her.

The King inhaled deeply before speaking and Kori noticed that his expression was somewhat grave. She even tried to communicate with him through changing her own facial expression. He gave nothing away.

"Ah... My children... You are here." Myand'r acknowledged.

"Please father... Who is our guest?" Ryan queried, tired of the suspense.

Kori turned her head to look at her mother who had an expression of utter sadness on her face. She gently touched her mother's hand, "Mother... Are you alright?" She asked, softly.

Luand'r glanced up at her daughter briefly but looked away just as quickly.

Kori felt her heart drop. Both of her parents were acting strange and she knew that something was clearly wrong. Fear coursed through her.

"Ryand'r... Koriand'r..." Myand'r sighed, "This is Prince Da'akaar from the planet Solutri."

A tall figure emerged from the shadows behind the King and Queen. He had light coloured skin and dark blue hair that was shaggy and somewhat messy. He wore a sophisticated outfit that practically screamed his royal status. The huge grin on his face made Kori gulp and it put her on edge.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both. Prince Ryand'r. Princess Koriand'r..." He breathed stepping closer to Kori.

His eyes lingered on her and she fought not recoil in uneasiness.

It was Nightwing's turn to feel edgy about the guest. Of course, Dick couldn't react how he wanted to. He wanted to throw the guy through the nearest window for even staring at her like that but he couldn't which perplexed him immensely.

Prince Da'akaar invaded Kori's personal space once more and reached down to take one of her hands in his. She gasped at the sudden contact and was almost angry that the people around her were not stopping the stranger from touching her.

"My, my Princess... I have heard much about your beauty but you are truly even more breathtaking in the flesh." He complimented,

Kori felt a twitch in her left hand as her fingers brushed against her covered sword. She momentarily wanted to kill the man in front of her purely based on his creepy nature.

Dick gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He knew that they had only been together for a couple of days but he had felt protective of Kori since the day they had met and this Prince was beginning to irritate him.

The King cleared his throat and Prince Da'akaar released Kori's hand but the strange grin remained upon his face,

"Prince Da'akaar has access to an army of roughly 20,000 men..." Myand'r continued,

Ryan smiled at his father, "That would help us immensely father, would it not?"

"Yes, Ry... It would... He has agreed to an alliance with Tamaran... Under one condition..." He quietly replied.

Myand'r's eyes fell upon Kori who felt her eyes sting as tears threatened to fall. She stared past her father's head and felt lost.

"What is the condition, father?" She croaked,

"He wishes to take your hand in marriage, Koriand'r..." Myand'r said just above a whisper,

Kori blinked and felt a tear roll down her cheek, "Wh-What?" Kori stuttered, not wanting to believe it.

She could hear her heart beating in her ears and she felt the blood drain from her face. She felt sick and suddenly lightheaded and dizzy. Kori almost didn't hear the prince speak.

"You would be treated well, Princess..." Prince Da'akaar tried to persuade her.

Kori could feel herself breathing unevenly. Her eyes darted around the room at her family who all held distraught expressions. Then, Kori glanced at Dick and could feel the hostility rolling off of him. She was well aware that he was angry with the situation that had just presented itself.

She had never felt more isolated.

She stammered a couple of words but she felt her eyes flickering and the sight before her washed away. Her world was shattering before her very eyes and before she could even try to do anything about it; she blacked out.

Kori was acutely aware of faint voices from the people around her. She knew it was Ryan sitting behind her, supporting her head to make sure there were no injuries. She decided that sooner or later, she would have to open her eyes and give Prince Da'akaar an answer to his proposal. So, with a heavy heart, Kori slowly opened her eyes to glance at those around her. Her father, mother and brother were around her with Prince Da'akaar not too far away.

"Are you alright, sister?" Ryan asked, softly.

Kori groaned as she started to sit up. She gave Ryan the smallest of nods and scanned the room. She felt her heart drop as Dick was nowhere to be seen although Superman and Batman remained within the room.

She assumed that their blossoming relationship was completely over now. She understood if Dick didn't want to speak to her or be with her anymore; he was hesitant about them being together in the first place. She had got his hopes up for a future with her but now, that had been snatched away from both of them.

Prince Da'akaar conveniently appeared beside Kori and gently stroked her cheek. She literally felt repulsed each time that he touched her; even briefly. She stared at him with the dullest eyes,

"My Princess... Are you alright? You gave me quite a scare," Prince Da'akaar told her, holding out a hand to her.

Kori gently took the Prince's hand but was propped up by Ryan who pushed her firmly onto her feet. She didn't want to be in that room. She didn't want to marry the creepy Prince; she wanted to run and jump off of the nearest cliff at that moment.

The Princess was acutely aware that she still had to give the Prince an answer to his earlier proposal.

She inhaled deeply, "I am... Apologies, Prince Da'akaar. I was merely shocked by your... kind... proposal..." She practically whispered,

The Prince offered her the familiar grin and cocked his head to the side, "So... May I ask for your answer, Princess?" He repeated his earlier question,

Kori slowly closed her eyes as she considered her life in a matter of seconds. She didn't even need to look at Ryan; she knew that he was completely against arranged marriages. She thought about her mother and father; she knew they didn't want this to happen but their hands were tied. Kori also thought of her planet; as a princess, it was her duty to do everything to protect her planet and ensuring the help of the army of Solutri would help them to even maybe win the entire war.

Lastly, Kori thought of Dick. She had allowed herself to fall for him and her heart was slowly but surely becoming his and she was powerless to stop it. Kori knew that Dick had left the room due to being unable to handle the situation but she doubted that he would initially understand anyway. She was distraught. The Princess wanted to be with the masked hero from Earth but she knew her place and her duty.

Kori opened her eyes and they glistened with unshed tears, "Yes..." She paused and inhaled a deep breath, "I will marry you... My Prince,"

Prince Da'akaar grinned like the Cheshire cat and nodded. He gently grasped her hand and pressed his lips against it, softly.

"I promise to make you very happy indeed, Princess..." He vowed, bowing his head out of respect.

Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched his sister promise her life away to the stranger. He noticed as she bowed her head that a small tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek...