---

Anna

It was late. Late by my standards anyway. About mid-morning. Chastity was to have been bustling about in my room hours ago, before the first sun rays touched the stones of my wall. At first I thought she was just running a little late so I stayed in bed, although I was ready to get up. But now I knew something was wrong. Sighing, I slowly climbed out of bed, pulled my robe tight around me, and slid on my slippers. Then, grumbling as I went along, I flounced down the chilly corridors to the servants quarters.

"Silly, girl." I muttered. As everyone knew, I hardly thought Chastity was a silly girl at all. I considered her my equal. It was not for me to say I was better than anyone else; that was all my father's laws. I was just mad at being delayed from getting outside the castle walls. When I was there, I heard movement coming from behind the door.

Without knocking, I opened it. Chastity was up and about. "And excuse me my dear friend, what exactly are you doing besides the obvious, which is your job?" She didn't answer and I noticed she was packing her ranged possessions into a bag. I blinked and my mouth fell open. "What...what's going on Chastity?" She turned to me, a happy grin on her face.

"Oh, you'll never guess what I found out yesterday!" She squealed. My heart was beating fast in my chest. I didn't want to show my anxious disposition so I put on my stuffy air and said roughly, "If you'd tell me I wouldn't have to guess." Her smile broadened.

"I found out that King Burnard is my father! I'm a princess Anna! Someone is coming to fetch me today and I'll never have to be anyone's server or servant or anything else ever again!" My heart dropped all the way to my feet. Chastity was leaving me. My best friend was going to live the kind of life no one ever dreamed she could. And yet I was not happy for her. I didn't want her to leave me. I wanted to shout at her to stop being stupid, that she could not possibly be a princess because she had to stay with me. But I couldn't. I didn't want to bring her spirits down when she was so happy. I smiled. I would pretend for her sake.

"Oh, that's wonderful news Chastity!" I said, hugging her. "But you can't possibly wear those old rags as your first day as princess." She looked down at her clothes.

"But this is my best dress." I tutted at her.

"Not for a princess, it isn't." I grabbed her arm and started pulling her to my room. When we were there and standing in front of my closet, I threw it's doors wide open, revealing my many dresses. "You will wear one of my gowns." Chastity shook her head.

"Anna-" I stomped my foot on the floor. I knew that Chastity was determined to have her way when she could but so was I. We were alike in that way.

"Don't you 'Anna' me." I yelled. "You will wear one of my dresses and like it." She hugged me.

"I'll miss you always." She whispered.

"And I you." I pushed her away from me, not wanting to display my feelings any longer. "Now let's get dressed."

(later)

Chastity was wearing a light green, silk dress that framed her figure perfectly. It never had been one of my favorites, a dress my father had made me wear to show me off to the princes, lords, and dukes that came to court, so I was only too pleased to let her have it. I was dressed in a dark blue dress that was perfect for frolicking in the meadows where I would be spending my day. Chastity had also braided ribbons in my hair. At last we were ready to go down to breakfast.

Chastity admired herself in the mirror.

"I look like a real princess." She mused.

"One that deserves any prince she sets her eyes on." She nodded.

"I'm hoping on one, in particular." We giggled and set off to breakfast.

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 02:38:40 (EET DST)

---

Chastity

Today Anna picked put a dress for me. I beautiful green dress that looked great on me. I had a french braided headband and my long brown hair flowing. I walked out into the dining place with Anna and Christian was sitting there grinning. He heard the news. I ran to him with a hug and he picked me up spinning. I followed him into his room and winked at Anna. She giggled.

"I love you.” I said

"I love you too. Now we can get married.” he said at me

"I know. I am so happy right now."

"I bet I can make you happier.” he said as he bent

"No your not! I mean are you?"

"Marry me princess Chastity?"

"Yes, yes I will I do I love you!” I said and I heard a knock. “Chastity, my father needs to see you."

"Ok."

I walked down the corridor into the den.

"Yes?” I asked bowing

"I hear you are a princess now."

"Yes."

"You must leave then."

"Yes."

"I'll miss you Chastity. You have been like a daughter."

"Thank you sir."

"You may leave." I heard the door open.

"Father, I request my bride stays."

"Your bride, Christian what's this?"

"Yes, I must marry someone before my 17th birthday, so I asked my one love and she said yes.” I looked up at the king and he said...

"Very well then, but she must meet her father and ask."

"Yes."

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 at 03:21:53 (EET DST)

---

Anna

I couldn't believe my ears. If Chastity was going to marry my brother, which meant...that she would be queen and not me! I jumped out of sheer joy and lout out a whoop. Elliot, my other brother, stared at me.

"What's your problem?" I rushed to him and gripped his hands.

"Oh Elliot! Don't you see? Chastity's marrying Christian and that means I don't have to be Queen! This is great! I don't have to be forced to wed some stuffy, spoiled prince."

"Watch it Anna. I'm a prince you know." Elliot growled. I giggled.

"Of course you are. Exactly my point!" Elliot sighed and rolled his eyes.

"You're impossible." Suddenly, a guard came clamoring into the room. We turned to watch him. He rushed right past him where my mother and father were. The throne room. Elliott exchanged quizzical looks and ran to follow him. Father would be so displeased if he saw me because 'Princesses don't run.' I giggled at the thought of his fury. One of my many pleasures was infuriating him. The guard was bowing to my father as we entered. I tip-toed over to Chastity.

"What's going on?" I whispered. She shrugged.

"I don't know." I turned my attention back to the guard.

"A King Tarramont and his son, Prince William are awaiting entrance in the court yard.

"What's his errand?" Father grunted. The guard bowed again.

"King Tarramont has heard of Princess Annabel’s beauty far and wide. He wishes her to wed Prince William." My throat tightened.

"Not without the proper courting ceremony."

"Of course King Haroldine. He wishes to leave the young prince here for three months to court Princess Annabel." My father said nothing. Then...

"Tell him, I grant my permission." The guard bowed himself from our presence and I let out a heart breaking sob. Elliot had to run and catch me before I hit the cold, stone floor.

My mother, Queen Hannah, never bothered to anger herself. Anger causes wrinkles, she always said. But now, she jumped up, her face tinged with pink.

"Annabel you behave yourself this instant!" She screeched. "You will let this young man court you and not shame our good name! Or I'll...I'll give away all of your horses!" Besides playing in the meadows, riding and breeding horses was my next favorite thing. I stood up instantly and composed myself like she asked. She sat back down, her breathing returning to normal. "That's better. Now go and meet your guest." I sighed and walked out, Chastity followed me.

"I'm so sorry Anna." She murmured. I shook my head.

"I knew this was all too good to be true." She clutched my hand for a moment and then left me. I waited for a few moments and the wide, grand doors opened. In walked, the most handsome boy I had ever seen. Blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. He looked about as excited as I was about this.

He walked stiffly toward me and kissed my hand.

"Pleased to meet you, Princess. I am Prince William." I pulled my hand away as soon as his lips touched my hand.

"Yes." I wiped my hand on my robe. No matter how handsome he was, I was not going to marry him. "I suppose you want to hold court in the study?" I asked.

"Not really. I was hoping that we could go out in the meadows. I saw them while we were riding over. They're beautiful." I gasped. Maybe he was like me after all.

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 02:26:20 (EET DST)