Author's Note:

The following song is meant to overlap with the segments to come after what is about to begin this chapter.


"I appreciate your understanding, Your Majesty." King Dominick said to the Queen, who said back. "Likewise, King Dominick. I apologize for my daughter's little delay in the wedding plans. But, thankfully, it should be sorted out now."

As she spoke, Preminger stepped into the assembly room, announcing. "May I present Princess Anneliese."

"Ah, darling! We were just talking about you." said the Queen.

Erika smiled nervously ignoring the cold scowl on Preminger's face. "Really?"

"I was hoping you and King Dominick would get acquainted with each other and..."

As the Queen walked Dominick to her daughter, she noticed that something was missing inside her. "Oh. Has anyone seen my spectacles?"

Dominick approached Erika, bowing before her while saying. "I'm honored."

Erika just stood there, infatuated by how handsome he is.

"Uhh…uhh...the honor's mine, King Dominick." she said while curtsying before the young king, who said. "Please, just call me Dominick."

"Oh." Erika sighed with relief. "Call me Eri...I mean…Anneliese! Princess Anneliese. That's my name."

As she gazed at Dominick, feeling a little embarrassed for almost blowing her own cover, she heard Wolfie bark…and meow for the first time, much to her surprise, before noticing some of a strand of her brown hair sticking out of her wig, on which she tucked it away.

"I hope his bark is bigger than his bite." Dominick said as he gently stroked Wolfie's fur.

"He likes you." Erika assumed to Dominick, who said. "I'm sure you're wondering why I disguised myself as a page. I wanted to meet you without all this…this ceremony…to get to know the real you."

Erika chuckled nervously. "Uh, the real me..."

"King Dominick," called the Queen. "Since Ambassador Bismarck told me you're quite the music lover, would you do us the honor of playing the piano?"

"Of course," responded Dominick. "If your daughter would like to sing with me."

Erika couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Sing with you. Uh, no. No, I couldn't."

Dominick raised one of his eyebrows while taking her hand, saying. "Something tells me you have a lovely voice."

The Queen, Ambassador Bismarck, Preminger and Wolfie watched as Dominck led Erika to the piano, which he started to play as she started to sing.

Erika:
Once a lass met a lad
You're a gentle one, said she
In my heart, I'd be glad
If you loved me for me

You say your love is true
And I hope that it will be

Dominick:
I'd be sure if I knew
That you loved me for me.

Erika:
Could I be the one you're seeking
Will I be the one you choose
Can you tell my heart is speaking
My eyes will give you clues

Dominick:
What you see may be deceiving
Truth lies underneath the skin

Erika:
Hope will blossom by believing

Erika and Dominick:
The heart that lies within

Dominick:
I'll be yours!
Together we shall always be as one,
If you love me for me

Erika (Dominick):
Who can say where we'll go,
(I'll be yours!)
Who can promise that we'll be
(
Together we shall always be as one)
But I'll stay by your side

If you love me for me.(2x)


Once I had gotten home from school, I looked through my math homework while staring at the walkie-talkie, hoping to hear back from Erika. But so far, nothing came out of it.

Upon entering the kitchen, Anneliese looked at the walkie-talkie, then asked. "Anything?"

"No." I replied. "I'm guessing King Dominick's keeping her busy or something."

Anneliese walked over to the table, where she looked at the papers, then asked. "Need some help?"

I scooted over to let her sit down.

"All right, let's see what we have to work with."

From outside, Buck smiled to himself as he watched Anneliese helped me with my homework.


The following day, Erika rode the elevator down to the library, where she found Dominick in the corner reading to a group of kindergartners while flashing a smile at her.

Erika smiled back, for not only does Dominick love music and animals, but he also loves kids.


At the same time, Buck and I had walked up the ramp to Bowditch, shaking our heads at Maggie, Mrs. Caloway and Grace, meaning that Erika hasn't called through the walkie-talkie since we last talked.

The cows looked at each other, confused and worried.


During recess at Audubon, Erika watched as Dominick played with Wolfie, who got every kid's attention when they saw him fetch the stick, unaware that Preminger was watching them in secret.


Once school was set free for Labor Day weekend, Dominick, wearing his page hat, took Erika for a walk to Gull Park, where, as they stood by the beach, he kissed her.


By Sunday evening, Erika and Dominick were still at Gull Park, sitting at one of the playground structures as they watched the sun set.

"Breathtaking." said Dominick.

Erika sighed with agreement. "The prettiest sunset I've ever seen."

Dominick gazed at her with loving eyes, saying. "There's something about you. You're honest, no pretenses. I like that."

Erika smiled sheepishly, but at the same time, she felt nervous on the inside.


It was dark by the time my family and I got home from visiting one of my dad's friends.

Just as I turned on my bedroom light, I heard a voice calling from the walkie-talkie.

"Nathan? Nathan, are you there?"

Sure enough, it was Erika.

I picked the walkie-talkie, calling into it. "Erika? What kept you? You were supposed to keep us informed."

"I know I was." replied Erika. "But I've been spending so much time with the King, I..."

"Yeah, I figured that was the case." I said.

"Which is why I need you to bring Anneliese back to Audubon now." said Erika.

"What? Now?! But I just got..." I said, but Erika cut me off, begging. "Nathan, please. I need you there to make the switch."

Hearing that she was desperate, I talked through the walkie-talkie. "All right. We'll be there as soon as we can. Over and out."

"Oh, thank you." Erika said before turning off her own.

I started to run out of my room to tell Anneliese when I saw SpongeBob and Patrick standing in my way.

"How much did you guys hear?" I asked.

"Enough to know that you can't go out without supervision." replied SpongeBob.

"That's why two of Foster City School's bravest hall monitors are here to accompany you on your journey." added Patrick.


Once outside, however, Patrick turned cowardly, whining. "I don't wanna be outside in the dark! It's scary."

"Just put on your siren. We'll be there soon." SpongeBob assured as he and Patrick led me, Anneliese, Buck and Serafina through the bike path.

"Wee-woo. Wee-woo. Wee-woo. Wee-woo." Patrick called softly.

"Brave, huh?" Buck said to me, not knowing that Nick and Nack spotted us from inside their van.


"This better be important!" Preminger demanded as soon as he answered his phone.

"Oh, it is, guv'nor." replied Nack. "We just spotted the Princess taking an evening stroll to the park."

"What? Impossible!" said Preminger. "Why would she be…unless…"

Suddenly, he found himself recalling Anneliese tripping upon entering the meeting room and not telling the Queen she's been kidnapped.

With the pieces coming together, Preminger realized that the Princess who was in Audubon now was not Anneliese.

"Capture her again and meet us outside Maximilian Enterprises!" he ordered his men, hung up and made the next call to Mr. Maximilian.