AnneliseXJulian

ErikaXDominic

Life after the movie. Set 1 month after.

Annelise's Prov


I walked into the castle. "Julian? Darling are you here?" One of Serafina and Wolfie's kittens ran over barking. Julian and I kept 6 of the 12 kittens with us, and the others stayed with Erika. "Your Highness!" one of the servants said, upon seeing me. "Have you seen Julian?" "I'm sorry, I haven't. But your mother needs you." I said "Alright, thank you… If you see him, tell him to come to me, in mother's room." I went right to the room and said "Mother." I immediately took her hand as I sat with her. "Anneliese, my darling." "I'm right here." I whispered. "I… feel… so… cold…" "What's wrong mother?" I asked. It had been about a month since our wedding, and Erika's coronation. "I… I'm dying…" I heard the door open, and shut before I felt a pair of strong hands on my shoulders.


"Julian, is that you, my son?" Mother said weakly. "I'm here." He whispered. We spent the day with mother, even as night came, I hadn't left the room. Julian briefly left to fetch the doc. "We're here." Julian said, as he entered with the doc. I stepped back to give the doctor room, but Julian's arms wrapped around my waist. "Well, I'm sorry, to say, There's not anything I can do to help… Anything we do will prevent the inevitable…" "So you're saying there's nothing you can do?" I asked the doctor. "Unfortunately no. I'm so sorry." The doctor apologized. "We'll just make her comfortable. But prepare, she'll most likely not make it through the night." Julian's arms tightened around my waist. "Thank you…" The doctor said "Anything for you guys. Now, Anneliese remember, keep your stress levels in check… You don't want any complications." I nodded and said "I know… Thank you." I sat back with my mother, while Julian escorted the doctor out. When he returned, he sat beside me. "Promise. Me. You'll. Take. care. Of. the. Kingdom." Mother whispered. "We will. I promise." I whispered. "Don't go… I still need you… How am I supposed to know what to do?" I asked. "You'll have all you need… I promise…." "Even with a baby on the way?" I whispered. "Yes, my darling. My grandchild, will have the best mother and father in the world." Julian's eyes met mine, as he squeezed my hand, I knew he was happy, but the situation made it hard to rejoice. We stayed with my mother all night, not sleeping much.


"What time is it?" I said, hiding a yawn. Julian glanced at his pocket watch before saying "2 am." My head was on his chest, before I noticed my mother's limp body. I went to feel for a pulse, but found none. "She's gone…" I whispered, Julian frowned. "I'm so sorry love." I felt his arms tighten around me, as I felt tears threatening to fall. "Come here…" He lifted me up, effortlessly, and carried me to our room. I clung to him, letting the few tears flow. "Try and sleep." He said sitting next to me on our bed. "I doubt I'll be able to, but I'll try." I curled up on my side, but couldn't fall asleep. Julian laid close to me, wrapping me back up in his arms, as I broke down sobbing against his shirt. He gently rocked me, against him. I knew he was fighting his own emotions. Finally, my sobs came as little hiccups, and slowly stopping all together. "Shh, it's all alright. I'm right here." Julian soothed, even though I could tell he was staying strong for me. "Julian?" I whispered. "Hmm?" He asked, moving gently, so I could see his face. I noticed the tears in his eyes. We curled up under the sheets before, I fell asleep.

In the morning, I woke nestled into his arms. "Julian?" I whispered. I felt his body shift. "MMM Morning. Are you alright?" I sat up and said "I'm not feeling so well… Just morning sickness…" "What can I do to help?" He asked, causing me to smile. "I'm Okay… We got to get the arrangements made…" "Oh sweetie. I'll get the arrangements started." Julian said getting out of bed, dressing. I got out of bed and quickly dressed. "Thank you, You are an angel." Julian kissed me deeply, before he said "Take as long as you need." I smiled, as he stepped out. I went to the desk and wrote a note.


'Erika and Dominick.

I hate to ask… but can one or both of you come to our kingdom? My mother passed last night… and… I… I just feel so overwhelmed. Julian and I are planning arrangements for the funeral, and for mine and Julian's coronation. I need my sister and brother. Please. I wouldn't ask if it was important.

Anneliese.'


I folded the letter and went to the halls. "Hey, can you send this to Delicenea as quickly as possible?" The servant nodded and went off. I went to where Julian was. "Julian?" I said leaning against the door frame, causing him to look up, as he came over. "Hey. I already got the funeral set for the day after tomorrow, and as far as our coronation, I did it for the day after. Till then, we both have the approval to rule and make decisions regarding the kingdom. I hope that's alright?" I said "You truly are the perfect. Thank you." I wrapped my arms around his neck, as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "I love you." He whispered against my head, before I said "I wouldn't be able to do this without you. You are truly my rock." I saw a smile form on his lips. "Darling, I promise, right here and now, that as your husband, and best friend, that I'm always going to be there for you the moment you need me. Especially when you feel like you're going to break down. I know it's hard right now, not just for you, but for me and the whole kingdom, I will lift you up and give you strength, any amount you need." I smiled, and said "Thank you. Seriously." He sat us on the couch as he held me against his chest.

Over the next few days, we buried my mother, and got through our coronation, with the help of Dominick and Erika. I walked into the living room the day after the coronation, to see Erika and Dominick getting ready to get back to Dulcinea. "Hey guys. Thank you so much for moving everything around just to come be with us! I couldn't have done it without you!" I said, as Julian came over. "That makes two of us. Your carriage is ready to go." Dominick smiled great fully to us. Erika gave both me and Julian a hug. Once they left I turned to my husband. "What's first?" I asked as Julian's arms wrapped around me. "I don't know to be honest… What do you think we should do first?" I took a deep breath and said "I have no idea… But I think we should start with the stack of papers on the desk in the throne room…" I started leaning against Julian, as we walked to the throne room, where we sat at the desk. "You're Majesties? Lunch is ready." One of the servants stated. Julian said "Thank you. We'll take it in the dining room." We went to the dining room, Julian pulled out my chair, and pushed it in once I was sitting, before he took his seat in the spot next to me. "I hope I don't disappoint you…" Julian said, as we started eating. "You could never disappoint me Darling." I replied, as we ate. "It's just… I've never been royal… I don't know the protocols… I honestly was faking it the past month, while I tried to learn… Now that we're King and Queen… I just feel like I'm going to mess up now that there's more attention on us."


I immediately gripped his hand, as I said "Oh, honey… We are going to figure this out. You're already wonderful as the prince. Even now as King, you've proven yourself capable of taking care of all of us, the people, the staff, even me. You've gone above and beyond, ever since we met, but even more so these last few days. Being King means taking care of our people, even when it seems difficult. I don't even know what else a king or queen is supposed to do, I was honestly hoping for more time to learn from my mom… But we'll figure this out together, I promise." Julian said "I know the first thing I want to do." I looked curiously, as one of the servants entered. "Your Majesties, King Dominic and Queen Erika have returned." I looked to Julian who said "We'll finish this conversation later." I nodded, before going out to the entryway. "Dominic, Erika. What's wrong?" Erika said "We need your help." I didn't even have to look at Julian, before I said "What do you guys need?"


Annelise's Prov


Dominick said "Preminger, escaped… He's trying to take over Dulcinea… Saying I'm unfit to be king, because I married a former pauper, who isn't fit to be queen…. I need help taking him down… But while I do… I want Erika safe… I know it's a lot to ask…" I said "Stop. You know you and Erika are always welcome here, You guys are family, Ever since we met, Erika especially, has been my sister, even if not legally. I know that I love you guys." Dominick sighed with relief. "Thank you." he stated, before I said "We'll send our best soldiers along with you." Julian said "I'm going to join him." I looked at him as Dominick said "Thank you. I appreciate it, more than you know." I smiled and said "Nothing to thank." "Tonight, I want you both to stay here till the soldiers are ready." Julian stated.

"Much appreciated." Dominick stated. I grabbed my cloak, before Julian said "Where are you going?" I said "I'll be right back. I'm going to see if anyone in the kingdom can be of assistance." Erika put her hood up, and said "I'm going with her. It's our kingdom in jeopardy, I want to help." Together, Erika and I went to the center of the town, everyone gathered. "People of my fair kingdom. I come to humbly ask you for your help, not for myself, but for our neighbor, the Kingdom of Dulcinea. They've been struck with the wretched man, who almost destroyed our kingdom, Preminger." I started. Erika said "I know most of you from my time here… I'm not good with asking for help, but I come before you, asking for it. Preminger has taken over my kingdom by force. King Dominick, and I need as many of you as we can get, if you can fight the better. I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does." It didn't take long before all the men stepped forward, ready to help, even the ones with families. "Come to the castle first thing tomorrow, men, and we'll head out." I instructed. One of the men who looked like Julian, except he was older, the best guess would be late 50s.


"Your Majesty… A moment." I said "I'll be right back." Erika nodded, as I stepped aside. "What's wrong, Father?" I asked, a few weeks ago Julian took me out in disguise just so I could officially meet his father, 3 sisters, and Mother. "And please, no formality with just us." His dad smiled, as he said "Is Julian planning on going?" I nodded, and said "He is…" His dad frowned, looking nervously over his shoulder before, back to me. "I'll keep him safe." I smiled, and said "Thank you. Is something else wrong?" He sighed and said "Unfortunately, yes… His mother, his sisters and I are about to be homeless. His mother and I haven't been able to work, and his sisters are only 8…" I frowned as I said "I know you denied any help before. But would you accept it now?" His father said "Yes." "Then I want all 5 of you to come to the palace tonight with all your things. You will stay there with us." He nodded and said "We'll be there in an hour. Thank you darling." I nodded, as Erika and I returned to the castle. "Excuse me?" I asked one of the servants. "Yes, Your majesty?" I smiled and said "Go prepare 3 extra guest rooms, and please don't let King Julian know." She nodded, before leaving. Serafina and Wolfie ran over to us, Julian and Dominick running after them. I hid a giggle with Erika. "You're back!" They said, as they embrace us.


"All the men are going to help." Dominick smiled and thanked us before he and Erika went to their room, they were probably exhausted. "Your Majesties, You have visitors." One of the servants said as the came over, being followed by Julian's family, each of them carrying a suitcase. "Father. Mother. Jenni, Kathi, Laci, what are you guys doing here?" Julian said before giving his family a hug. "Well, we were about to lose our home… When I told Anneliese, she said that we could stay here, with family." Julian smiled, and said "I'm glad, you finally accepted the help. We're happy to have you here with us." I smiled, leaning against his shoulder. "Our servants are preparing the rooms now."

"Thank you." They whispered. We all stayed close, till the rooms all set. Once they got settled, Julian and I went to our room. "I want to give the people a break, from taxes, just for a short while. I know we created a new industry with the geodes, but there are still some people who need the extra money to get back on their feet…" I smiled, as I laid beside him, after we changed. "I love that idea. I'll make the announcement public tomorrow." I said before we drifted asleep.