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Chapter Text

Long ago, in a kingdom high upon a mountain top, a baby princess was born. But this princess had no doppelganger. She was simply a princess and the first born of her parents. As such, she would become an ambassador of the kingdom, but the one who would take the throne would be the last born. Of course it would be that if the princess remained an only child, she would become queen one day after her parents were long gone, but as it were, a sister was born when the princess was six years old.

Princess Anneliese we know of, for on the same day she was born, an identical girl was born in the village below, whose parents named her Erika.

But Princess Katrina? The ambassador? What of her?

She had her classes of social graces and etiquette. She was prepared to become a great lady of another kingdom. She had not throne at stake, but the throne of her reputation. And as such, she, like her sister, lived with the crushing sensation of wealth and privilege, of beauty and honor, bestowed upon them at the price of their freedom.

Chapter Text

A butterfly with pink tinged wings flew through the purple toned sunset, barely flapping her wings, floating on the sweet breeze blowing in from the kingdom of Dulcinea.

Princess Katrina sat on her stiff marble chair by her dark wood desk in her bedroom, and tapped a pen to her bottom lip as she stared out the large window over the expanse of mountains. She scribbled on a piece of parchment, then stared out the window again, muttering to herself.

"Annelise is turning twenty and I will be missing the celebration. What sort of welcoming to adulthood should I be giving her if I am to be away?"

"My lady thinks too much," her maid said as she set the lady's ebony hair into rag curls. "Your royal sister knows it well that you will be on the the trip to visit Prince Randolph at his castle. I believe the best gift you could give to her, is the happy news that you and he are to form a union."

"Well, I'm sure a royal wedding would be an event to liven up our lives," Katrina said and tossed her pen on the table. "I just detest traveling."

"But just last week you told me how relaxing the carriage is!"

"I'm not largely fond of sleeping with my hair in rags. I never can find comfort. And while the carriage is relaxing, I will have to get up before the sun if I'm to be at his castle by nightfall. It will be an awfully stiff venture and I will need a hot soak before being able to coherently communicate with the prince."

Katrina cocked her head toward her maid. "At least I'll have you for company."

The maid frowned, small lines etching her soft face. "Oh, no, my lady. I'm afraid I am needed here."

"I will need to travel with some entourage." Katrina stood and brushed her hands over her skirts. "Did my royal mother say anything to this?"

"Not to me, my lady."

"Then I shall speak with her."

Katrina nodded for her maid to leave, then breezed out of her room, and down the hallway, bringing the scent of her lilac hair oil with her. She pushed the heavy throne-room doors, and they opened with a whoosh for her as she strode in.

Queen Genevieve stood beside a podium with her royal advisor by her side, as they poured over a document.

"Mother—am I interrupting something terribly important?"

The queen looked up and smiled, then shook her head and motioned for her to come close.

Katrina sucked in a breath, bringing her hand to her raggedy, tied-up hair. At least she had her gown on. She wouldn't be totally out of countenance. But the pang of foolish embarrassment filled her chest as she stepped up next to her mother, and bobbed a curtsey to her mother and the advisor. At twenty-six, she should have known not to leave her bedroom without putting some scarf or covering over her setting hair, lest anyone see her unmade.

Ah, well, at least it was only Preminger in the room.

"I was just discussing your departure in the morning," the queen said and squeezed Katrina's arm gently. "I do think this trip will be a great venture for you and the kingdom. How lucky we are that Prince Randolph extended this invitation for you."

"I was just finishing my planning." Katrina clasped her hands together. "And I came to the unfortunate conclusion that I will be missing an entourage."

"Oh, no, my dear, there will be an entourage," the queen said. "I would never send you on a trip so far unaccompanied."

Katrina's shoulders sagged as relief flooded her body.

"Oh thank goodness." She laughed as all tension in her face dissipated. "For a second, I thought you were going to keep everybody at the castle to celebrate Anneliese's birthday and leave me to my own defenses."

Queen Genevieve laughed with her daughter. "Of course not! You are our beloved ambassador, but first and foremost my daughter! I would never leave you alone. You will have a footman, a driver, and Preminger, and as such, will be very well looked after."

All the happy feelings left Katrina.

They were gone.

If she had relief, it was fleeting. Momentary. Finite.

Katrina blinked rapidly. "Ah! I see." She forced a smile onto her face. "Hello, Preminger."

The man brushed his long white hair over his shoulder and nodded toward her.

"Well, I guess my fears of traveling alone were all a silly misunderstanding." She bobbed another curtsey toward her mother and Preminger. "I should probably try to get as much rest as I can for the trip. You will see me off in the morning?"

"Of course!"

Katrina nodded, then waved a stiff goodbye and hurried out of the throne room. As soon as the doors closed behind her, she tore off, running down the hallway back toward her room.

"Is-is everything okay?" Anneliese poked her head from her bedroom, and a tiny white kitten rolled out the door with her tail in her mouth.

Katrina let out an exasperated sort of sound. The sort of sound one makes when they are... exasperated. "Aragah! BLAH! RWARGH! ALAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"That bad?"

Katrina whined.

"I see."

Katrina let out another string of nonsense syllables.

"Continue, please."

Katrina groaned, then pulled her sister and the kitten into her bedroom.

"Are you upset I will be missing your birthday party?" Katrina asked.

"Is that what all the fuss is about?" Annaliese laughed. "No! You're going to visit Prince Randolph! I hear they love dancing in his kingdom and goodness knows you're skilled with pointe shoes. You'll have a grand time there and I'll have a grand time here."

"And I suppose the best present I could give you is the news of my betrothal to Prince Randolph."

Anneliese wrinkled her delicate nose, then sat on Katrina's bed, next to a sleeping white poodle.

"Ah, no. I suppose the best present you could give me is that you've had a marvelous time."

Katrina crumbled dramatically to the floor with another whine.

"I have failed the one present I can give you." She reached out toward her sister, imploring her to join her on the floor. "I will have a miserable time. I am forced to take Preminger with me."

Anneliese slipped from the bed with a cry and joined her sister on the ground.

"Oh, Katy, no wonder you are in such an anguished and lowly state."

The two princesses wailed in tandem, dramatically, as one does when one finds out that they are to go on a trip with the royal advisor, who has a habit of looking longingly into a mirror, smells too strongly of pine, and laughs under his breath in the most unnervingly obnoxious way possible.

"What possessed mother to send him with you?" Anneliese asked.

"I suppose he was expendable for the week I'll be there." Katrina pulled herself by her blankets to the side of her bed. "I really don't know. I don't know what possessed mother to bring him on as the advisor in the first place."

"I suppose the advisory business was needed right as... well..." Anneliese's voice broke off. "But why him?"

"Well, I suppose grinning and bearing it will have to do. Once with Randolph, I'll probably see very little of Preminger."

Annelise reached over and grabbed her fluffy kitten. "Will you at least have Seraphimo with you?"

"I suppose I will. I hardly travel anywhere without him. Goodness knows if I collapsed I'd have no one to rely on." Katrina knelt up and rested her arms on the side of her bed, sinking into the plushness. She wiggled her fingers at her sleeping poodle.

Anneliese slowly rose to her feet as Katrina crawled up onto her bed. "Should I let you get rest before you set off?"

"Probably would be for the best. I'll have to be up well before the sun and I'll need every ounce of strength to get through a day's worth of travel with Preminger."

Anneliese held out the kitten toward her Katrina. "Serafina would like to give you good luck and happiness."

The kitten mewed and purred, thus bestowing the good luck and happiness upon its recipient, the unfortunate Katrina.

"I will take all the good luck and happiness Serafina wishes to give me." Katrina reached out and ran her pointer finger down the bridge of Serafina's tiny nose. "A good girl."

Anneliese waved a salute of farewell to Katrina and then left her alone. Alone with the sleeping Seraphimo and her thoughts.

And then. Inspiration. Like a match striking inside her brain.

She could create a plan, a diversion even. She quickly disrobed and threw on her nightgown before sitting at her desk again.

"This way, I'll have all my options organized in how to avoid conversations with, talking to in general with, and all things to do with Preminger."

She dipped her pen into the inkwell and scratched furiously at a piece of paper, giggling in exhausted madness. There would be no miserable times with a plan in lilac scented ink. Oho, there could never be anything wrong.

See, when one plans for possible outcomes of negative situations, one doesn't need to worry about improvisation. And improvisation, as one knows, is very hard to do if one gets frustrated due to the negativity of the situation.

She presumed she'd give her moaning mind something to do and this was the glory of her plan.

Which could never fail her.

Because she wrote it down.

On paper.

In lilac scented ink.

She hummed to herself and wiggled into her seat, happy with her work, then glanced to the clock as it tinkled a chime.

"No!" she gasped and tore from her desk, diving into her bed. "Stupid stupid. Stupid stupid stupid."

The plan didn't account for only three hours of sleep. But that was the least of her worries.

Chapter Text

The kingdom was silent in the wee hours of the morning, and the air was sweet, crisp, and cool.  Katrina saw her breath unfurl from her lips as she waited on the castle's pink marble steps with her shivering sister, and pacing poodle

Anneliese wrapped her blue wool cloak around her shoulders tighter.

"It's—not—terribly—cold," Katrina stuttered as her teeth chattered.

"You sit on a throne of lies," Anneliese gasped in barely a whisper.  "It's freezing."

Katrina clasped a purple tumbler in her hands and drank deeply from it, and the immediate area began to smell of rich hot cocoa and something a little warmer, with a certain spice to it.  

"For goodness sake, Katy."  Anneliese pointed a delicate finger at Katrina.  "Did you really add the pumpkin liqueur?"

"It adds a nice kick, non?" Katrina said, cocking her head.

"It's only about four in the morning!"

"Are you about to go on a long journey with his royal pompousness?" 

Anneliese stuck her tongue against her check and exhaled slowly.  "You do have a point."  She nodded.  "Continue."

Katrina lifted her tumbler in a salute to her sister, then sat upon her luggage and drank another mouthful of the delicious creamy cocoa.

And with that, the doors to the castle swung open, with little fanfare so not to wake the kingdom.

Queen Genevieve stretched her arms in front of her then paced down the stairs in her slippers to her daughters.

"You are bright and ready," she said and gave Katrina a kiss upon her cheek.

"I am ready, but not so bright," Katrina said with a yawn.  "Is everything set?"

"We are only waiting on the carriage to pull up and the advisor to arrive."

"If the carriage pulls up before Preminger arrives," Anneliese said, "She could go by herself."

Katrina laughed.

Annelise laughed.

Their mother did not laugh.

"What is the laughter for at this hour in the morning?"

Preminger came from the castle to the carriage loop, and glanced around, then waved into the lamplight, the lace on his sleeve waving in tandem.

"A punchline," Katrina said.  "Punchlines often do make people laugh."

"Bah, it is too early for nonsense."

Katrina drank faster.

 But with that, the carriage turned 'round the corner and stopped in front of the castle steps.  The horses huffed, stamping their feet.  The footman hopped down from his position and opened the door, then bowed low.  Seraphimo looked to Katrina who motioned for him to hop in.  

"You'll be quite safe," Queen Genevieve said as she hugged Katrina.   "Go on now.  Have a grand time.  Tell us how the prince is and if you think he'll be a decent match!"

"One can only hope!" Katrina said with a large and toothy grin that was not at all forced and powered by pumpkin liqueur.

The queen slipped her spectacles onto her nose and Anneliese clasped at Katrina's hands. 

"You will be safe," Anneliese said.  "But you will also stay sane.  Please."

"One can only hope," Katrina said, more darkly, the power of the pumpkin fading from her blood.

She turned to the carriage, and she was fairly sure her right eye twitched slightly.  With a twist of her lips, she huffed, and picked up her skirts in one hand and started to brace herself on the handle.  Preminger held his hand out for her, and instead of the hard golden handle, Katrina found she was pressing her cold fingers into the warm leather of Preminger's glove.  She glanced toward him and nodded a thanks, then climbed into the carriage.

Preminger followed after and Katrina reappeared at the window to wave out to her mother and sister as the carriage lurched, taking off around the loop.

And then. 

Silence.

She sat back in her seat and closed the window to the cold air, but the carriage was no castle with large fireplaces.

At least she had her special hot cocoa and a long book stashed in her cloak pocket.  Dear Seraphimo rested his sleepy head on Katrina's lap, and she scratched at his head and ears as she settled into the seat.

And if need be, she could chuck the thick book at Preminger's head.

She flicked her eyes over to the advisor, then clicked her tongue and took the book from her pocket.

"You have a curler in your hair," she murmured.

"Ach!"

"Here we go."

 The man let out a shriek as he took a pocket mirror from a hidden pocket in his coat.  He mumbled to himself as he searched, then plucked the errant pink curler from his hair, and breathed a loud sigh of relief as he tucked the lock of hair into place.

"Perhaps you are unaware of the—how do you say—disturbance of noise you create doing the most menial of tasks."

Preminger sniffed judiciously, then crossed his arms.  "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I wouldn't think so."

Katrina drank down the rest of her cocoa, then leaned back to read.  Seraphimo rested his head on her lap.

"Are we potentially close to being there yet?" she murmured, and flipped a page in her book.  Preminger twisted his mouth. 

"We only just started."

Katrina, without looking up from her book, motioned for him to continue. 

"We have thirteen more hours."

"Perhaps I can finish this in that time."  She hummed.  "Yes, I think so."

"Contrary to a popular strain of belief, conversation would not be a bad thing."

Katrina glanced up over her book.

"What popular strain?"

"Goodness knows you and your sister are cold as ice."

Katrina snapped the book shut and placed it gingerly on her lap, smiling blandly at the advisor.

"It's late October, Preminger, and I'm chronically cold.  I could sit under a thousand blankets in the dead of summer."

Preminger paused and tapped his fingers together, knitting his eyebrows together.

Either Katrina hadn't understood his words or brushed them off.

In all honesty, Katrina probably couldn't catch a metaphor if it flew in front of her face. "Fair enough," he conceded.  But where she lacked mental acuteness and clarity, she made up for in gentility and a decently pretty face, though not as fair as her sister Anneliese.  Anneliese received the best genes.  Long, thick, blonde hair, clear blushed skin, crystal blue eyes.  Beautiful facial structure with soft cheeks soft but defined jaw.

And then Katrina, who had skin as pale as ivory, hair as dark as ebony, and she could not for the life of her grow her hair long and thick simultaneously.  Her cheeks may have been soft, perhaps too supple, and were positioned higher and stronger. And her jaw was defined, but also fairly soft. Yet, she had clear honey-colored eyes.

Katrina glanced down, as she weighed the differences between her sister and herself in her mind.  She once heard a courtier mention that he'd never seen two pretty sisters—just one, while the other always paled in comparison.  She pressed her lips together as the memory flooded her mind and brought a tightness of betrayal to her chest.  Preminger had asked the courtier for examples, and the man simply motioned between two paintings on the wall.  One of Anneliese, at eighteen, and the other of Katrina at the same age.

She often thought about the courtier, his words and actions, and of Preminger's silence, but kept them guarded in her heart.

"The lady has grown silent.  Has her special drink taken its toll on her?"

Katrina shot Preminger a glance and he snickered under his breath.

"You warm up without it on a morning like this."

"You assume I haven't."

"I assume—you have?"

"I prefer cherry."

Katrina nodded.  "A very good choice."

Dogs, unlike cats, do not have precious toe beans.  They do, however, have lovely pawsies that love to be massaged.  

Seraphimo lay on his back as Katrina took each of his paws and massaged them one at a time.  And after she finished massaging them, he'd woof under his breath and the process would begin again.  Meanwhile the advisor had stolen her book, and idly flipped through the pages.

If anything, it was a win-win situation for Katrina.  It kept obsessive fingers occupied with constructive behaviors, while his highness, Seraphimo, relaxed during a long trip.

"How long do you suppose we've been traveling?" Katrina asked.

The wheels turned on the dirt road, the horses neighed, and occasionally, the reins flicked.

Katrina cleared her throat.  Preminger glanced up at her. 

"Hm?"

"How long have we been on the road?" Katrina repeated.  "I need to stretch my legs."

"Would you like me to ask or is your voice to delicate?" Preminger asked.

Katrina pressed her lips together in a tight line of indignation.  She drew in a deep breath.  "My voice is delicate and you are far more piercing."

Preminger groaned, but opened his window and stuck his head out.

"You there!"

Katrina winced and Seraphimo exhaled a disgruntled sort of huff.

  "How much longer?" Preminger asked.

"A good two hours, Sir.  Is the lady well?" The driver's voice bounced along with the bumps in the road.  Katrina opened her mouth to answer, but Preminger pulled himself back into the carriage.  "Is the lady well?" he asked.

"I could do with a walk."

Preminger heaved a sigh and stuck himself back out the window and called to the driver.

The carriage slowed before coming to a halt.  Within a moment, the door swung open, and the footman bowed to Katrina.

"I wasn't expecting us to actually stop," Katrina said as she stepped from the carriage.  The footman helped her down, then waited for Seraphimo and Preminger to alight the step.

"You said you could do with a walk," Preminger crossed his arms.  "Did you not expect a princess to get what she wishes?"

Katrina stared blankly at Preminger, before smoothing out her lipstick with a smack of her lips.

"I do expect certain boons, but not everything.  Do you take me for a brat?"

Preminger kept his mouth closed and glanced aside, opting not to answer.

"I never flatter myself with the presumption that I'm owed anything because of who my parents are.  If I did, I'm sure certain comments would never be made within earshot, and I'd live a far cushier lifestyle than one would need." Katrina said, then motioned for Seraphimo to join her in a heel.  "Seraphimo, let us away.  I'm sure you need to use the forest."

"Where are you going?" Preminger asked as Katrina started for a tight forest path.  "It'll be getting dark soon."

"I am walking my dog," Katrina tossed him an unamused regard over her shoulder.  "If you fear for my safety, you may come with us.  However, as Seraphimo is trained well to respond to my needs, you may do as you please."

"If you get yourself hurt, your royal mother will have my head.  I can't let your mother have my head.  I like my head.  It's a nice head with a nice face." He pulled out his mirror and inspected himself. "A very nice face."

"Then are you coming along with me?" Katrina asked, turning around to face him.

Preminger hesitated.

"You really don't have to if you're against mud and dirt.  I'm serious." Katrina stated.  "But do make up your mind, Preminger."

Preminger groaned.  "I'd rather stay here."

"Then do so.  I'll be back soon enough."

Katrina strolled down the tight path, squishing her skirts in at the sides, keeping the brambles away from the delicate layers of chiffon.

"Try to be quick about it," Preminger called.  "We only have two hours left before we arrive and if we go sooner, we'll get there sooner."

"I'll be as quick as I can."  Katrina's voice faded with her silhouette as she walked further down the path.

Katrina shivered as she walked alongside Seraphimo, relishing in the cold autumn air, breathing in the scent of decaying leaves and silver fir.  She tilted her face to the sky, noting the branches that bowed over her in a canopy.  Where once they were lush and full of life, they were spindly and straggly, casting eerie shadows in the waning light.  A large grin crept onto her face as she drew in the late autumn ambience.

"I do want to get back before it becomes too dark," she muttered, glancing down to Seraphimo.  "Stop.  Good boy."

Seraphimo stopped at Katrina's side, and looked up at her, patience in his blue eyes.

"Go do your thing.  I won't look.  I promise."

Seraphimo woofed, then trotted off the path into the forest, staying within Katrina's field of vision, while he scoped out the best spot to do his royal business. 

"I'll massage your paws again when we get back to the carriage," Katrina said, stretching her jaw.  "You almost ready?  I am."

Seraphimo returned to his lady's side, and she patted his soft head before they started back down the path to the carriage.

Thump

Thump.  Twitter-thump.

Katrina brought her hand to her chest.

Thump.  Ba-thump.  Twitter-thump.

Katrina huffed out a breath and stretched her jaw again, blinking her eyes as her vision faded in and out. "It's the autumn.  I should be fine."

Skippidy-thump.

"Alright, that's not so good."  Katrina slowed, furrowing her brows.  Slowly, she bent to her knees and fell to her side, then rolled to her back.  Decorum be defenestrated.  She had to do what she must.

"Help," she said and Seraphimo immediately crawled atop her chest with a whine.  "It'll only be a moment.  I'm fine."

Katrina waited for her heart to stop racing and skipping as she lay on the ground, face up, with her poodle on her chest.  A minute.  Five minutes.  Ten minutes.  A half hour.  Sky growing darker.  Head pounding.

"This one's worse than I thought..."

An owl screeched in the distance, and somewhere in the forest, a twig snapped.  She let out a small cry.

"Alright, Phimo.  You know what to do?" she said, taking her dog's face in her hands, squishing his cheeks.

The dog gave her a knowing look, his eyes soft and understanding.  He stuck his tongue out just enough to touch her nose.

"Get fancy pants."

Now, Seraphimo paused.  "Get Anneliese," or "Get Mama," were phrases he'd heard and acted on.

But "fancy pants," though in theory rehearsed, was still a new one.

Seraphimo whimpered as he stood, then trotted down the path before breaking off into a full run.

Katrina waited.

She waited in the ever darkening evening, in the cold, as her heart pounded and head ached.  She clasped her hands over her chest, twiddling her thumbs.

The ground shuddered underneath her as heavy panting filled her ears.

"What did I say?" Preminger cried.  "You'll get me killed.  You'll get you killed."

"Oh hi there," Katrina said, grinning up at Preminger.  She reached her hands into the air, wiggling her fingers. "You came!"

"We were about to come in after you as your dog ran out and grabbed my coat."

"So the command worked!  Where is he?"

"Waiting in the carriage," Preminger said.  "Come on now."

"... I can't."

"what do you mean."

"I mean, it's a bad episode and I must lie here or I will probably make it worse."

She blinked up at Preminger as he stared over her.

"You're funny looking from this angle," she said.  "But I can tell you're frowning since you're upside and that looks like a smile from the way I am."  She paused.  "It's a very nice smile though."

Preminger let out a slow sigh. "What do you propose we do then?" he asked, keeping his voice low.  He crouched beside her and picked the leaves from her hair.

"You mean, concerning my heart?"

He nodded.

"In all honesty?"

"What is best for your health, my lady?"

"Probably should find an inn nearby."  She tapped her fingers together.  "We'll need to send word to the prince, of course, that we'll be delayed."

Preminger groaned.

Katrina lolled her head to the side, averting her gaze.

"Ah, I'm really sorry," she murmured.  "If I had known I was going to have a bad episode... I probably should have known with how clingy Seraphimo has been... but ah... I'm sorry this ruins plans."

Preminger opened his mouth to speak, but only a confused sort of sound escaped his throat.  "I do appreciate your apology, but I feel like it's more of an inconvenience to you than it is to me."

"Depends on how you look at things."

They both shrugged.

"Can you help me up?" Katrina asked.  "I don't have the strength."

Preminger knelt beside the fallen princess, then slowly sat her up.  From there, Katrina turned to kneel.  She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Are you well?" Preminger asked as he rose to his feet.  Katrina nodded and he held his arms out for her. She braced herself on him as she rose to her feet.

"I'll need to lean on you," Katrina said.

"I figured as much.  Dirty my coat if you must."

Katrina leaned heavily against the advisor's side, clinging to his arm as they traversed silently back to the carriage.  Every so often, she stumbled as her legs wobbled, but he kept a strong grip on her, steadying her.

"Of all the days to have an attack," Katrina murmured.  "I was going through such a upwards curve."

"Ups and downs, my lady," Preminger said.  He wrapped an arm around her back for extra support. She reached around his back, pressing closer to his chest.

He was quite warm and it comforted her immensely.  Her eyes fluttered closed as she let out an exhausted sigh, her legs giving out.

"No, no you don't.  I'm not carrying you," Preminger huffed and kept her upright as he all but dragged her to the clearing.  "The only time you'd be carried is over a threshold and I won't be doing that."

"My lady" the footman cried as they reached the clearing.  "When your dog—are you well?"

"I am... not so well, no," Katrina said.  "We'll need to stop for the night at an inn."

"There's one not one mile away," the drivers said and pointed to his map.

"Good.  Thank you." Katrina pinched the bridge of her nose.  "We'll need to send word somehow to Prince Randolph we won't be there till the morning."

The footman opened the door and Preminger helped Katrina into the carriage, but kept the door open as she settled into the seat.  Seraphimo draped himself across her lap.

"Well, what would be the quickest way of getting them word?" the footman asked.

"Ah!" Preminger lifted a hand, pointing to the sky.  "You will take us to the inn, where I will procure the princess a room.  I'll stay at the inn with her, and you will continue the two hours till we reach the kingdom of Poldinia.  

"And where will you stay?" Katrina asked.

"At the inn.  Inns are known to have more than one room," Preminger said.  "If your mother knew you were staying by yourself, in some in, hours and hours and hours away from home, she'd—"

"Have you head and it's a nice head and you like your head with its very nice face attached," Katrina finished for him.  She crossed her arms.  "I suppose it'll have to be done this way.  It's nearly four now?  Mm.  Have the carriage come 'round four in the mourning so we may be at the castle at six."

"Will do, my lady," the driver said and the footman bowed curtly.

"Another early morning?" Preminger gasped and Katrina quirked her brow at him.   He cleared his throat.  "A most wise decision."

"Thank you, I do endeavor to make good choices."

"Despite going into the woods—"

"I asked if you wanted to come."

Preminger grumbled as he hopped into the carriage.  The door closed behind him and the carriage lurched as it took off on the detour.

Chapter Text

The sun had no time to dip further when the entourage had reached the inn.  It was a lovely large cottage, with two levels, shrouded by trees.

"Do keep all fanfare to a minimum," Katrina said as the footman helped her alight the step.  "I'd rather not a whole to-do about royals in the area."

"As you wish, my lady," he said with a nod of his head.

Katrina motioned to Seraphimo and he hopped out, then sat patiently next to her.  Preminger emerged next.

"Wait here while I write a letter," Katrina said.  "If you please.  I'll only be a moment."

"Of course," the driver said as the footman took a small box from their luggage.  He handed it to Katrina and she curtseyed.

"Come on then, before they run out of rooms," Preminger said as he held the front door open for Katrina.  She slowly rolled her head toward him.

"Do you see the line before us?  Unless they are perhaps Dufflepuds, or some other invisible creature, we won't have to worry about securing rooms for the night." 

Preminger groaned and started to follow her in before Seraphimo cut him off, tail in the air.  

The inn-keep glanced up from behind a bar and scurried up to Katrina.  His rotund body slogged with him as he rushed, but he made it in one doughy piece.

"What is a glorious lady such as yourself doing at my humble inn?" he asked with a low bow.  He took her hand and kissed it.

Katrina stammered, losing every ounce of grace training she might have had.  She hated the tightness in her chest.  Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and the delicate skin on the back of her hand tingled as the keep's lips touched it.  She closed her eyes, turning her face to the side.

"If you please," Preminger cut in.  "The lady is unwell.  She needs lodgings for the night."

"Oh, lady," the keep said, keeping his bow.  "You are too fair to be so unwell."

"Aha... well, that's the... curse of it all..." Katrina stumbled over her words. 

"Well, lucky for you, I have my finest suite left.  It's a busy traveling season, you know."

"Oh, don't we know," Preminger mumbled.  "We could be at the castle now."

"I asked if you wanted to come with me.  Maybe, if you had come with me, I wouldn't have had such a bad spell!"

The keep smiled, his round face creasing in fond delight.  "It's best to stay overnight when on the road for so long even for the hale and heartiest of us.  I'll grab the key.  Where are your bags?"

"I'll have the footman bring in some of the luggage, then send him ahead," Katrina said as she sat at a table and opened her box.  As she pulled out paper and ink from the package, the overwhelming scent of lilac filled the air.  Katrina plucked a quill from the box, then began scrawling on the paper.  She blew on the ink, then rolled it up and tied it with a purple ribbon. "Dear Preminger, hand this to the footman please and have him bring in some luggage for our stay."

Preminger rolled his eyes, but took the note with an exasperated "bah" and marched out the door.  He soon came back with the footman, who had a suitcase under each arm.

The keep showed the three and Seraphimo the side stairwell to the upper level, and brought them to the end of the hallway, then unlocked the door and showed them into the room.

Katrina stepped in first, glancing about.  It was a spacious room with a large fireplace in the wall across from the bed, providing comforting light and warmth.  There was a balcony across from the door and she could just see the glimmer of stars on the lake behind the cottage inn.  There was one armchair by the fireplace.  The only other furniture was a writing desk near the balcony window.

"I do hope you enjoy your stay here," he said as the footman set their luggage in the door and nodded toward Katrina.  "What time will you be leaving?"

"Quite early in the morning," Katrina said, looking around for the second bed, or the second room.  She found a door to the right of the front door and opened it, but it only lead to a bathroom with a soaking tub and vanity. "This is a suite?" she asked. 

The keep nodded as he lit the candles in the sconces on the wall.  "We just added the bathroom last month.  Lovely, no?  Takes our honeymoon room up a notch."

Preminger let out a screech and Katrina swiveled toward him.  "Try to keep the outbursts to a minimum, please?" she begged, keeping her voice hushed.

Preminger clamped his mouth shut, humming under his breath.

"Of course," he murmured.

"Now, ah, with all due respect, is there a second room available?" she asked.  She motioned broadly to the advisor.  "You see, he is only to ensure the safety of our ah... roy—person.  Me.  He's here to chaperone."

The keep frowned and shook his head.  "'Fraid this is all that is left.  I can see about extra pillows?"

Katrina's face softened and she offered him a forced smile.

"We'll make due.  Thank you.  It is an absolutely lovely room."

The keep's smile returned and he nodded, then left Katrina, Seraphimo, and Preminger to their own devices.

Katrina scrunched her face in a sorry sort of look, facing Preminger.

"I am so sorry," she said.  "Maybe we could have kept going?"

"Well, it's too late for that now, isn't it?" Preminger said, then strode to their luggage.  He held up the floral purple suitcase and handed it to Katrina.

She glanced at it then at him and took it with both hands.

"I suppose I'll be taking the bed then," she said, moving close to the bed.  She set her suitcase on the comforter and unlocked her luggage to rummage through it.

"I suppose so.  I highly doubt you'd want to sleep on the floor, considering we came here for you."

"Tis unfortunately true," Katrina said, pulling out her nightgown and robe.  She padded over to the armchair by the fireplace.  She pulled on the back of it, digging her fingers into the cushion.  

It clicked and released, lying flat.  She gasped happily and smiled.  "Look, you're saved!"

"Huzzah," Preminger said, most apathetically.

"Oh, it isn't so bad now," she said with a happy hum.  "And with that, I am taking a bath in that soaker.  Don't miss me."  She started toward the bathroom.

"I can assure you I won't," Preminger said with a heavy sigh as he sat on the armchair, setting it back upright.

Katrina tripped over her feet, then glanced over to Preminger, who seemed quite aloof and unaware that she was staring at him.

But there was something in the way the words were said.  "I can assure you, I won't."  The lilt.  The low register.  Something.

She shuddered and cleared her throat and head.  "Come Seraphimo," she said, tapping at her skirt.  "Come with me."

Seraphimo jolted to his feet and trotted after Katrina.

Ah, a bath.  A bath is what would do her good.  Soothe her muscles and mind.  Not that she needed to sooth her mind.  She hadn't done terribly much thinking prior to the moment before.

Katrina sat bundled on her bed, wrapped up in her thick nightgown and robe, brushing through her hair, humming lightly to herself as she waited for Preminger to finish up and blow out the candles.

Absolute dark when sleeping was a must.

She set the brush aside, then scrunched down into the bed, and turned to her side, wrapping an arm around Seraphimo.

She heard the floor creak, and one by one, the candles around her went out, but instead of hearing footsteps and the creaking of the armchair, the footsteps walked away from her.  The balcony door opened and a rush of cold air burst into the room.

In theory, Katrina was very comfortable, with the cold air on her face, and the warmth of the covers up to her neck.  She closed her eyes and started to drift off.

But no sooner had she drifted, her nose soon began to throb.  How long was the door open?  She couldn't have fallen asleep with it open.

Katrina grumbled and slid from the bed, shuffling to the balcony.

Preminger stood outside, staring out over the lake, holding his arms close to himself.

"My goodness, Preminger.  It's freezing.  What are you doing out here?"

He glanced over his shoulder.  "I like to take late night moments to wonder about whatever."

"About what?" Katrina asked.  "Certainly you can do it inside where it's warm."

"I like nature's inspiration," Preminger murmured.

"I can understand that," Katrina said and moved up next to him.  "That lake is divine, with the way the stars reflect in it.  Its such a deep blue with white sparkled specks."

"That's exactly it," Preminger said with a clap of his hands, then winced as Katrina pulled back.  "Too loud?"

"A tad."

"Sorry."

"It's fine.  Go on.  What's making you wonder tonight?"

"Why the sudden need for conversation with me?" Preminger asked.  "You scarcely give me two words at the castle."

"I had no need?  Not that I should need to need to talk to you, I suppose.  But I guess it's just—well I'm talking now.  Are you avoiding the question?"

"Not at all, your highness.  I just don't wish to bore you."

Katrina stepped back a pace, and eyed the advisor.

His hair was down?  He didn't always sleep with curlers in?  That was news to her.  Man-alive, his hair was long indeed, and she thought his hair had gone white, but he did powder it.  There was ginger streaking through from where he'd brushed the powder out.

As much as she never was out of countenance about the castle, so never was he.  Seeing him in his nightclothes with his hair down showed a much different sort of Preminger than the put-together fop she was had been accustomed to.

"I don't think you'd bore me," she said, her voice soft.  "Try me."

This time Preminger stepped back a pace.  He furrowed his brows, but not enough to crease his forehead.  His lips parted slightly, but he snapped his mouth shut and exhaled through his nose.

"Ah, well then, if your highness must know, I'm thinking of anything and nothing at all.  Why each star is positioned just so.  Why they shine they way they do.  Why they're placed where they are.  If each night, it's the same star, or if we are seeing new ones." He glanced down at her, and paused for a moment, brow quirked and lips in a pursed frown.  "Why they sparkle delicately in brown eyes—forgive me, your highness."

"Go on." Katrina motioned for him to proceed.

"What will happen in the next five years for the kingdom.  If there'll ever be..." he motioned with his hand in circles, "ach, ugh, oh, I don't know.  Contentment is the closest word I can come up with at this time."

"What do you think will happen in five years?" Katrina said and leaned against the wooden railing.  It creaked under her and a splintering snap echoed in the air.

Preminger lunged forward with a small yelp and grabbed Katrina before she would wobble over the edge, or the railing gave way. Whichever came first.

Katrina gasped as she stumbled forward against his chest.

They both stood silently in the night, arms wrapped about each other, staring in bewilderment into the other's eyes.  Her scent of lilac mixed with his of fresh silver fir.  Something might have snapped on the balcony, but it definitely snapped somewhere in Katrina.  She stared blankly forward, not able to focus on anything, as a tightness grew in her stomach.  If she wasn't overthinking when she bathed, she certainly overthought at the moment.

Was somebody watching?

Was there a strain of music in the distance?  Or was it only her mind.

Was he staring at her?  Goodness his eyes are gold.  Look away from his face.

Oh dear heavens above and earth below, she was braced against him without her stays on.

Oh no no no no no. 

Were they still pressed up against each other.

How long were they standing?

What's his nightshirt made of?  It's awfully soft.

For a small guy, he is surprisingly strong.

Gentle, but strong.  He was quite the anchor in the woods.

Why are you thinking this?  Stop it.

Maybe you should do something.

Slowly, her vision focused on his face.  He seemed frozen, but whatever fear he had when lunging to grab her had been replaced with a pensive gaze, as if he were studying her, analyzing her.  Neither let go of the other.

Say something

"Maybe we should go inside?" Katrina whispered.

"That might be for the best," Preminger whispered back.

He goaded her into the room, then closed the doors, shutting out the cold.

"Considering how dark it's gotten, I think sleep is the best option at this point," Katrina said, and immediately took cover under the comforters of the bed before Preminger could respond.

"A wise decision, your highness," Preminger said with a sweeping bow, before retiring to the arm chair.  He swept a throw blanket over himself.

"Do you need a pillow or something?" Katrina asked.

"I'm quite fine."

"Extra blanket?"

"Very comfortable thank you."

"Goodnight, I guess?"

"I guess so."

And with that, nearly everybody fell asleep.

Katrina stared at the ceiling, eyes wide open, hoping eventually her mind would turn off and sleep overtake her.

Chapter Text

Katrina was the first to freshen and dress that morning, though her eyes were bleary and ached.  

For alas.

As she struggled to pin herself into her dress.

She realized she hadn't actually slept.  Seraphimo, on the other hand, slept very well.  And it appeared that Preminger had as well, as neither one of them made a noise the rest of the night.

She sighed heavily, then swiveled on her heels, her skirts and petticoats swishing about her legs.  As she spun, she caught the glimpse of the advisor on the armchair, sprawled out and breathing deeply, with the blanket half-on, half-off.  Her breath caught in her throat, and she immediately turned herself away.

As she dragged herself to the vanity, she attempted with every ounce of great effort to conjure a bouncy, jaunty tune to her mind.

"Something's gotta wake me up," she murmured.  "Lawd, I hope they have coffee downstairs.  Or very strong tea.  Earl grey.  Hot."

She bobbed her head to the imaginary music as she brushed and clipped back her hair, securing the curls or the day, then moved onto setting and rouging her face and adding kohl about her eyes.

Then, she sat back, admiring her handiwork.

"Goodness, it's a miracle every time," she said, poking at her cheeks.  "How is it possible I go from a sack of potatoes to whatever I am now?"

A loud sigh interrupted her disparaging pep-talk.  She rose from the vanity to face the armchair, eyes growing wide.

"... hey..." she said, slowly, cautiously.

A very groggy Preminger murmured from his armchair. "Hey yourself and let me have at least another half-hour."

"... I can't?  the carriage will be here any moment."  She checked the small clock on the vanity. "It's ten minutes till four, actually."

Preminger sat bolt upright with a gasp.  "Why didn't you say anything?"

Katrina shrugged.  "I thought it was best?"

"You thought it was best, bah!"  Preminger dashed from the chair and grabbed his suitcase on his rush to the bathroom.  The door slammed behind him.

"Well you were so quiet, I didn't think you would want to be woken."

"Were you planning on leaving me here?" His voice rose an octave in pitch.  "Ach!"

"No!" Katrina held her hands in front of her.  "I mean, no.  I just... didn't plan on taking so long myself and here we are, at least you're up now."

He emerged from the bathroom, dressed, pressed, and somehow ready for the day in all his foppish glory.

Katrina blinked.

"Okay... ah... well..." she stammered. Preminger motioned for her to go on.  "I... suppose..."

"This is the part where we go down and wait for the carriage," he said.  

"Let me wake Seraphimo.  Can... you... ... um... carry..." 

"You want me to carry the luggage down?" Preminger asked, with an astonished gasp.  

"Gee, you don't need to be so aghast," Katrina murmured as she leaned across the bed to stroke Seraphimo's nose.  "I don't think I'm quite well enough to carry it myself."

"Of course her highness isn't," Preminger said.  "For her highness is a hot house orchid."

"I beg your pardon," Katrina crossed her arms.  She wrinkled her nose and drew in a dignified sniff.  "I am a carefully cultivated lilac."

"Begging her highness's pardon," Preminger said with a low bow.  "How could I forget." 

And with that, he picked up the luggage and started for the main hall on the lower level.

Katrina waited for the door to close behind him, then till she couldn't hear his heels clicking on the floor.  She grabbed up a pillow, pressed it to her face, then screamed gently into the down.

Not gently enough to not wake up Seraphimo unceremoniously, but gently enough so that nobody would question the strangled sounds erupting from her room at four in the morning.

Seraphimo yawned and stretched his legs, then hopped down and sat beside his lady, waiting for her command.

"Come, my dear.  Let us away and forget last night," Katrina said, tossing the pillow back to the bed.  

She held her shoulders back, kept her core tight, held her hands delicately before her, and lifted her head high as she strode out of the room and down the stairwell.

The main tavern was darkened, all the candles out, but one on Preminger's table, where the advisor sat illuminated by the single flickering flame.

"Did your return the key?" Katrina called in a whisper.

Preminger pointed to the bar, where the glint from the metal key sparkled.

"Good good.  Any word on the carriage?"

"Not here yet."  Preminger rose with a small whine, then started for the door.  "I'll check again."

Katrina paced to the bar, then rang the bell.  She winced at the noise, hoping not to wake anybody upstairs.  

A door creaked open from the side of the bar and a young lady in a simple peasant skirt and fichu over stays stepped out.  She fixed her mobcap on her hair as she came up to Katrina.

"Is everything okay, my lady?" she asked, keeping her voice hushed, and curtsied.

"Most fine.  The room was exquisite.  But ah, the carriage will be here any time for us, so I best pay now."

"Of course," the young woman said with another curtsey.

Katrina reached into her pockets and pulled out a handful of gold doubloons.

"Will this suffice?" she asked as the lady stared at her palm.

"More than suffice.  Thank you my lady."

"If I were you, I'd have the balcony checked," Preminger said, sticking his head back into the inn.  "Carriage is here, my lady."

Don't speak of the balcony don't think of the balcony.  The balcony is forbidden.

Katrina's poor head was spinning.

"What was wrong with the balcony?" the woman asked.

"Oh, I just leaned on the railing wrong," Katrina said, quickly, then motioned for Seraphimo to follow her.  "I'm sure it's fine.  Let's go now.  Thank you."

Katrina burst out the inn door with Seraphimo at her heel, nearly running, and threw open the carriage door before the footman could hop down his seat.  

She scrambled up into the carriage and sat with a most ungracious fwump. 

Preminger stepped in a moment after Seraphimo settled on Katrina's lap, then motioned for the driver to move on.

Unfortunately, the carriage lurched before he could sit, and thus, threw him onto the seat beside Katrina, unceremoniously landing net to her. His hand bumped against hers.  

Katrina pinched the bridge of her nose.

"At least it's only two hours on the road.  We'll be there hopefully for breakfast," she said through a sigh.

"I'm not paid enough for this," Preminger muttered as Katrina audibly counted the trees on their journey.

"You're paid well enough," she said.  "Oh, I've lost count."

"Four-hundred and thirty-seven," Preminger said through a sigh.

"Aw thanks for remembering!" Katrina threw him an impish grin.  Before she could count anymore, the driver called out.

"We're arriving at the castle, Princess."

"Finally, hallelujah, praise be, we've made it in one piece," Katrina flopped back in the seat.

"Almost one piece.  Try not to get yourself in another medical episode.  I don't want to have to report to your royal mother that you nearly died more than once."

"For the record, I didn't nearly die in the woods.  I just needed to rest."

"I wasn't referring to the woods when I spoke of near-death," Preminger said, coolly, through his teeth.

Katrina paused, then pressed her lips together.

"I—"

The carriage came to a stop and the door swung open.  The footman held out his hand for Katrina.  She glanced over to Preminger, then took the footman's hand and descended the step.

Seraphimo wriggled out of the carriage before Preminger and joined his mistress as she walked into the castle with her head held high.

We do not speak of the balcony.  The balcony is fine.  It was an overreaction.

She picked up her skirts and trotted up the steps to the castle door, where upon an elder guard opened the door with a bow.

"Thank you," she said, her voice trembling.

"Your highness walks fast when she so desires," Preminger called as he struggled to catch up to her.  "Will you wait a moment to let me catch up.  Who else will introduce you?"

"Fair point," Katrina murmured and slowed her pace.

She glanced around the foyer and hall as she and the advisor made their way down the corridor to the throne room.

Paintings of the royal family for generations lined the walls, while golden sconces with silver candles illuminated the way for them.

Where her home was bright, crystalline, and airy, this castle was richer.  One could compare the castles to silk chiffon and velvet.  Both beautiful and lovely, even complimentary.  But very different in aesthetic.  One provided warmth while the other blew in the breeze.  One was Spring and Summer, while the other was Winter and Fall.

They both were meant for fine beautiful people, who could compliment the fabric as much as vice versa.  

It was therefore, evident to the princess, that she was far out of her element.

Preminger strode ahead of Katrina, and bowed low before the steward standing at the throne-room doors.  The steward tapped his staff against the floor, then bent curtly at the waist, before entering the throne room.

"Step up."  Preminger nodded toward Katrina.

She bowed her head and scurried forward. 

"May I announce Her Royal Highness, Princess Katrina of Musicienne, first Duchess of Claramont, Chatelaine of Chateau Delilah," the steward called, and struck his staff upon the ground. 

She supposed this was when she would walk into the throne room, and the room would gasp upon seeing her.

She supposed as she stood in the doorway, unable to move.  She was unable to take her gaze off the young man on the throne ahead of her.  Prince Randolph. He had soft young features, long blond hair pulled back into a queue, and she could tell that in the future, with age, he could be a very angular and stately.

He was very much a handsome prince.

She didn't know what to do.  She was but a potat, a spud with curves.  

"And the Trusted Royal Advisor, Edouard Preminger."

Preminger wormed his way around the frozen Katrina, and bowed before the prince.

"Aaaaaaaaaah, your highness, achgh, it is an honor to be in Poldinia.  Your castle is... darkly decadent."

"Thank you," Randolph said and nodded.  "A silly question, but as the princess was introduced first, but you have answered first, should I take you for Katrina fair and she for Edouard Preminger?"

Preminger exhaled a micro groan and lolled his head to look over his shoulder before the rest of his body turned round to Katrina.

"Your highness, are you to come in?"

She couldn't move.  Feet were nailed to the floor with iron stakes.  Heart throbbed in her throat.

Seraphimo stayed dutiful, sitting at Katrina's side, swiping his tail back and forth on the marble floor.

"Is her highness so terrified or is it the early hour that freezes you?" Randolph asked.

"Her highness has a weak heart," Preminger said.  "She is prone to freezing."

He stepped back, heels clicking to Katrina and took her hands, then walked her into the throne room.

"Perhaps her highness would like to see her quarters for her visit?" Randolph asked, then stood from his throne.  He hopped off the dais as Preminger stepped to Katrina's side.

Randolph bowed before Katrina.

Katrina mouthed bow to herself and curtseyed low.

"Ah, she moves of her own accord," Randolph said with a laugh.  "But does she have a voice?"

"That's yet to be seen," Preminger muttered.  "Once she starts, it's hard to get her to stop."

"Oh, that's not fair," Katrina snapped back to reality and shook her head.  She blinked and looked to Randolph.

"Your highness it is my honor to meet you."  She curtseyed low again.  

"The honor is mine, and please, Randolph will suffice."

Katrina smiled, keeping her lips shut.  Fully out of her reverie, she could register Randolph's words.  His voice... in that instant, upon hearing and registering his voice in her mind, she knew they were destined not to marry.  In all honesty, she didn't want to cancel out any cause to marry the man.  In fact, as ease washed over her and her shoulders sagged as she relaxed, she realized she could take each moment without being so high strung.  It worked in her favor, really.  There would be no need to worry.

They stared at each other for a moment in silence before Katrina gasped. "Katrina's my name.  That works."

Randolph laughed.  "I hope it works as your name."

And in the background, Preminger groaned, covered his face in one hand.  

It would still be a long visit.

Chapter Text

Katrina stood on the balcony of her bedchamber. There was no need to worry about it crumbling beneath her, and so, she leaned freely on the railing, staring out at the vast expanse of mountains before her.

It would be the first dinner at this castle that could be her future home, and she stared out over the landscape, wondering about goodness knows whatever else she could think of.

Mainly, she wondered if the advisor was wondering about anything at the moment.

She closed her eyes and tilted her head to the sky.

"Come on, this is nonsense," she murmured to herself. "How could you think like this, at a time like this."

"Aah, your most beautiful highness," Preminger's voice pulled her from her thoughts with such a ferocity, she screamed.

Both parties were equally started, so it seemed, as the one reeled back, nearly sitting on the balcony railing, clasping her hand to her chest, while the other stumbled backwards, wincing.

"We've talked about sneaking up on me!" Katrina cried. "My delicate heart! I can only take so much! Don't do that! Oh for goodness sake I was just wondering about things. Everything's fine." She bounced. "Balcony's safe." She pulled and pushed on the railing. "Everything's safe and I'm fine. Why are you here? In my chamber?"

Preminger blinked at her, then opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. He brought a jeweled hand up to illustrate his speech, but closed it into a light fist and brought it to his lips, furrowing his brows.

"Are you well?"

Katrina gasped. "I'm fine."

Preminger clasped his hands behind his back, then rocked on his feet. "I was calling on you to escort you to dinner, but I don't want to disturb..."

"Escort. I'm a grown woman why do I need an escort?" Katrina started. "I don't understand any of this why is this happening I could be tucked away in a hole reading a book but I'm here with feelings and I don't understand any of them and I could honestly—"

"Your highness, you don't have to go to dinner."

"Like hades I'm not going to dinner." Katrina stepped back, astonishment on her face.

"Then shall I escort you? Not to watch over you like some overbearing nitwit, but as in guide you to the dining hall," Preminger said, slowly, making sure to enunciate each word. Katrina paused.

This time she opened her mouth to speak but closed it again.

"Yeah we can do that," she said.

Preminger held out his arm, and Katrina took his sleeve, as he led her and Seraphimo out of her chamber.

They wound through the halls silently, with just the clicking of shoes and paws echoing down the hall. As they neared the dining room, wafting strains of music filled the air. A steward opened two grand wooden doors for them, and announced their names as they strode into the hall.

Preminger pulled a seat out for Katrina, and she lowered herself into the chair while Seraphimo crawled under the table and lay at her feet.

"We were beginning to wonder when you would show up," Randolph said with a gentle smile. "Has everything been to your liking so far?"

"More than so," Katrina said, smiling graciously back. "Your highness has a lovely home and I'm enjoying myself immensely."

"I'm glad to hear it," Randolph said.

The conversation dragged, staying mostly political and familial, through the courses, through the poultry with baked potatoes, fish with scallops, salads with autumnal vegetables, and pastries for dessert.

How is your royal family? I hear your sister is turning eighteen.

Yes, she's grown into quite a beautiful young woman. I'm very proud of her. And what of your family? How are you managing?

"Mother's passing last year has been hard, but Father and I are making due.

I heard you had a blockade of oranges last month.

Yes... was a nasty business. Thought a war might break out.

Katrina struggled immensely to stay focused. Her mind kept wandering, mainly to balconies and night air, of astonished faces and strong arms.

"Do you like to dance?"

"Hmm?" Katrina looked over to Randolph.

"Dancing," Randolph motioned to Katrina. "Do you care to dance?"

Katrina smiled softly, hiding her face behind her napkin.

"I'm never without my shoes," she said. "Do you dance?"

"I was hoping to after dinner in the courtyard, if that is alright with you, of course."

Katrina beamed. "More than alright."

The royals adjourned from the dining hall to the courtyard, and the entourage of nobles followed them. The quartet set up on the green, then began to play.

A maid brought Katrina her dancing slippers, and she sat at the fountain, slipped her heels off, and tied the slippers on, then flexed and stretched her feet.

"Her highness dances ballet," Randolph said, his voice low.

Katrina looked up at him and nodded.

"So do I," he said and held his hand for Katrina. "Shall the first dance be ours then?"

"I think that would be very nice," Katrina whispered, and unpinned her overskirt, revealing a shorter skirt of sparkling taffeta that reached her calves.

She took Randolph's hand, as a harp began to play in the distance. They stepped to the center of the courtyard.

Slowly, she rose up en pointe, bringing her arms above her head. She began to bourree back and forth, gracefully gliding with tiny steps, as the strings came in to play. Slowly, she began to lift her leg in attitude, and Randolph supported her, helping her balance.

Katrina, though her body danced on earth, was sure her spirit flew high above the heavens. She soared over the clouds as she rose and danced on the tips of her toes, knowing her body was supported by one of the smallest parts of her body.

Randolph's hands supported her, guided her, and she glanced at his face. Such caring blue eyes. Such soft gentle features.

But seeing him caused her body to sink back to the ground, made her realize her toes were crushed on the ground in her shoes, and her taffeta skirts were stiffly starched and scratched her legs. How her arms glistened with perspiration of dancing such a demanding sport, how her chest tightened, jaw ached, and head began to pound.

She focused again on the sky, on the cold night air rushing against her face as Randolph lifted her onto his shoulder, then dipped her low into a fish dive. With the elegance of a swan, she stretched out one arm before her pointed low to the ground, while the other aimed behind her, reaching for the sky. She kept her core stiff on Randolph's knee, as they paused in position. She could feel the muscles in his back with her leg bent across his shoulders.

Randolph set her back right on her toes, and she searched imploringly with her arms as she lowered herself from pointe, only to rise again in a pirouette.

Once again, she was flying, soaring on clouds, dancing on air. The pain left her body. The only thing allowed was the strange longing the music stirred within her. Ever fiber of her being tingled. She shivered in delight as the music carried her over the mountains.

Katrina might have been vaguely aware she was seated on Randolph's shoulder, and she might have known that she was spinning 'round. Her gaze flitted out toward the courtiers and nobles in the entourage. And then.

Her eyes locked with gold ones.

A sincere smile?

Hands raised and clasped together before him.

A sincere smile.

He was smiling, so softly, so sincerely. Pride seemed to radiate from his features, but she couldn't be sure. All she saw was that soft smile and gaze.

Her stomach twisted on itself, coiling like a snake, till it snapped with a cymbal crash to the zenith of the music, exploding into a kaleidoscope of butterflies, all swarming within her.

She drew in a gasp, tilted her head back, averting her eyes back to the heavens.

Slowly, her feet touched the earth again, and she found herself face to face with Randolph, with their arms arched above their heads.

The entourage erupted into an applause, a deafening loudness.

Katrina broke away from Randolph, and curtseyed low. He bowed.

But the dance was not over. Far from it. A duke and duchess began to dance on the outskirts of the courtyard. Then, a baron and baroness.

"The first dance was ours, and so will the last dance," Randolph said and kissed her hand. "You look tired. Will you sit this one out?"

"I think... I don't know," Katrina said, glancing around.

The advisor remained partner-less.

"Randolph... would you mind if I danced with another for this one?"

Randolph laughed and bowed again. "I am not selfish. Choose your partner."

Katrina started to smile broadly, and curtseyed, then glided over toward Preminger. Wordlessly, she held her hand out toward him.

"Moi?" he asked, pulling back, furrowing his brows.

"Toi," she said, extending her hand further toward him.

Preminger glanced down toward her open palm, then slid his hand over hers, and led her to the courtyard. Slowly, Katrina stepped into him, and draped her arms over his shoulders.

Katrina had to try it.

She had to know what it felt like.

If dancing with Randolph brought her to the earth when she focused on him... what would happen... oh... she changed her mind. She didn't want to know.

She turned her face to the side as she swayed back and forth with him.

She wondered if he was disgusted with the sheen on her arms and décolleté. She wondered if he could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

This dance was far simpler, less demanding the the pas de deux en pointe. Then why did her heart still pound furiously?

She was nearly eye level with the man where Randolph was a good head and shoulders and chest above her.

Slowly, her curiosity overcame her better sense. Tentatively, she turned her face toward Preminger, and gazed into his face. The kaleidoscope of butterflies swarmed and she gasped, stumbling forward.

But Preminger kept a strong grip on her waist. She didn't fall. She wouldn't fall. But she did. She still fell and the landing hurt her, twisting her up inside, till her soul cried out for help. The stumble created an ache in her soul, and it grew louder and powerful as the music swelled in the background.

Each swaying step they took brought them higher and higher into the air, till they both were dancing on stardust. He twirled her and she pirouetted. He twirled her twice and once again, she spun en point.

A soft giggle bubbled from her lips. He started to grin, beaming, showing all of his gleaming teeth.

"I've always liked lilac."

His voice jolted her back to reality, but she didn't feel the crushing weight of her body on her toes, or the stiff taffeta on her legs.

"I'm... sorry?" she murmured.

"Lilacs. They're my favorite flower." The song ended and Preminger stepped back from Katrina, bowing before her. "Your Highness."

A jaunty song picked up as she wobbled a curtseyed. She straightened and he walked off, back toward the castle doors.

The music bounced over Katrina as she stared after Preminger.

"Oh no," she murmured.

Something tapped her shoulder and she spun around. Randolph held his hand out for her. She forced a wavering smile on her lips, and took his hands.

"You are a chameleon of dancing," Randolph said as they sashayed to the music.

"Ah, yes. I like to dabble. Ballet's my favorite."

They stepped in time to the music.

"This one's quite my favorite song," Randolph said. "Something about being in love again and wanting to shout it from the rooftops."

"Oh goodness..." Katrina swallowed hard. "I think I'd rather keep it tamped down."

Randolph laughed. "No singing it from balconies?"

Katrina shuddered. The image of the other night flitted through her mind.

"Not at all," she said. "More like oh dear heaven, I can't be in love. Conceal it. Don't show how you're feeling."

Randolph pulled a face, then broke into a goofy smile. "You and I have very different thoughts on how to express feelings."

"Well, I guess I was taught that being a princess meant disguising how I feel." She wrinkled her nose delicately. "But no matter. Love is love is love is love is a rose is a rose is a rose is a lilac is a lilac is a lilac." She paused, then cleared her throat. "No matter how we express it."

"Too true," Randolph said, and bowed low. "When the dancing is over, will you need an escort back to your rooms?"

Katrina nodded. "Do you think I could go now? My tender heart is pounding."

Randolph bowed. "Of course."

Chapter Text

The day had finally come.  Katrina had her bags packed, hair styled, and was waiting in the parlor with Randolph for her carriage to arrive.

"I've had a wonderful week," Randolph said, taking Katrina's cold hand.  He closed his hands over hers.  "I'll miss you."

Katrina looked to him, cocking her head and eyebrows.  She parted her lips.  "You'll miss me?"

"Of course," Randolph said, a gentle sad smile on his lips.  "You are pleasant company.  And you light up the room."

Katrina faltered between a smile and nothing at all as she tried to come up with what to say.  In her mind, she knew it.  She had to say she felt the same.  And she did.

"You are pleasant company as well.  I told my sister that the best birthday gift I could give her was that I had a wonderful time here, and I did.  I had an excellent week, Randolph.  Thank you for hosting me."

"It is no problem."  He turned his body toward her, his knees bumping against the side of her skirt.  "Perhaps you will come again?"

If coming again meant another thirteen and some hour trip with Preminger, then she really would rather not.  She would rather come with anybody else.  Everybody else.  He'd only ruin the trip again in the best way.

"I'm... we'd have to plan it, wouldn't we?" Katrina said.  Randolph kissed her hands.  "You could come to Musicienne."

"We could keep up a correspondence?" he asked.  "I wouldn't want to tax your delicate sensibilities."

She smiled softly, hiding her face.  "If you wish to write me, I'll return letters to you."

"Then we'll keep in contact till we can meet again."

"Your most royal highness."  Preminger's voice cut into their thoughts.  Katrina looked to the doorway.  "The carriage is here.  Are you nearly finished with goodbyes?"

"I don't think I can be finished," she murmured.  She tilted her head toward Randolph.  "I'll write you as soon as I get home."

He nodded, then rose and helped her to her feet and walked with her to Preminger, who extended his arm.

"You make sure she gets home safely," Randolph said, and curled a finger in Katrina's hair.  "I'd be very obliged if she made it home happily."

"I shall do my best," Preminger said with a low flourishing bow.  "But if she wanders into the woods or leans on creaky balconies, it will not be my fault."

Katrina groaned internally, but as it was an internal groan, it could be as loud as she wished for it to be.

"Come, princess, Seraphimo is waiting for you," Preminger said.

Katrina let go of Randolph's hand and took Preminger's arm.

And soon, she was bundled back into the carriage, and on the way back home, silent as a dormouse, stroking Seraphimo's ears.  

"Well, my lady, I have one thing I've learned this weekend," Preminger said.

"What's that?" Katrina murmured, keeping her gaze on her dog.

"Your coldness is not extended just toward courtiers at your own castle."

"I've told you a thousand times, Preminger.  I'm chronically cold."

"Yes, you could sit bundled in blankets on the equator in the middle of summer.  I know." He hummed under his breath.  "Still, I thought it was reserved..."

Katrina heaved a sigh and closed her eyes, then leaned up against the side of the carriage, nestling into the seat.  "Will you wake me if we stop to rest?"

"I suppose so..."

Katrina motioned for Seraphimo to crawl onto her lap, and he did, resting his head on her chest.  "Oh, I'm exhausted."

"As you would be, after a week of dancing and socializing with all your conditions."

"Mother warned you, didn't she?"

"She told me you might crash at some point.  I'm quite surprised you made it this far."

"Adrenaline, Preminger.  Adrenaline and will power."

"Bah!  But my guess is that you'll be able to sleep through the ride home."

"Mmhmmm."

The gentle jostling of the carriage along the bumps in the road mixed with the springing undercarriage and repetitive clip-clopping of hooves lulled Katrina into quite the peaceful slumber for being curled tightly on a carriage seat.  Besides, if she slept through the ride, she wouldn't have to think of anything, or see anything that would cause her to overthink!  For once, her burn-out was a boon.

"Princess.  Princess wake up."

Katrina swatted the air.

Katrina creaked her eyes open, and pulled her cloak tighter around her.  She blinked her bleary eyes.  It was dark.  That was about it.

"What?" she murmured, her voice cracking.

"Home?" Preminger said, and flourished his hand.  Katrina sat up stiffly, and stretched her arms behind her.  

"What time is it?" she asked.

Preminger hummed and took a pocket watch.  "Two in the morning."

"I hate traveling," Katrina said as the door swung open.  She slid down from the carriage with the grace of a drunken monkey.

Seraphimo hopped out next to her, and she leaned on his lead as they hobbled up the stairs to the castle doors.

The guard bowed curtly, then opened the door for her.

As Katrina stepped into the great hall, a clicking sound reverberated on the floor.

Katrina froze, holding her breath.  The ominous sound of organs played in her mind as  a candle came into view, its flame flickering, dimly outlining the figure of a person.

"It is time," the person said as they neared Katrina.

"Anneliese, go to bed," Katrina murmured.  "It's too early for this."

"Not for sibling sleepovers.  I've prepared for you a relaxation kit."

"Ach, she's been sleeping the whole ride here." Preminger breezed by the royal sisters and flourished his hand.  "What more relaxation could she need? Tchh."

Anneliese gasped reaching around Katrina, who grabbed the candle from her.  "How could you say such a thing?" She squished Katrina in a tight hug, pressing her cheek to cheek.  "She's been traveling for so long."

"Ah... goodnight then, I guess?" Katrina called, her voice smooshed.

"I do believe you mean morning..."

And with that, the footmen brought their luggage in and Anneliese was in the process of whisking Katrina up the stairs and to her bedroom.

Immediately, shoes were flung off, dress unpinned, and stays untied.  Anneliese sat behind Katrina and combed through her dark curly hair.

"So tell me," Anneliese said.  "How is everything?"

"I like the face mask," Katrina said, swirling her finger in the bowl.  "It's tasty."

"Put it on your face!  Honey is good for the face!  It's full of all sorts of antioxidants and kills bad bacteria.  Anti-inflammatory.  Smooths the skin."

"Honey is good for the Katrina."  She lowered her voice, reverting to a gremlin-state.

"At least put some on your face?"

"I have.  Thank you.  It's refreshing and sticky." She took some cucumber slices from a plate beside her and set them on her eyes.

"So, what was the castle like?" Anneliese asked.

"A much warmer castle in aesthetic for sure," Katrina said.  "I had a wonderful time."

"And the question I am waiting for?" Anneliese leaned in close.  "How was the prince?"

"Oh, Randolph?  A lovely fellow.  Wonderful dancer.  Strong dancer.  I have to write to him in the morning.  Or rather, the more sane hours of the morning."

Anneliese clicked her tongue, then leaned over and grabbed up a damp rag.  She handed it to Katrina who wiped her face of the sticky sweet mask.  Both sisters were quiet.

"What do you want to know, Anneliese," Katrina asked, flopping back on her bed.

"You're wondering about something," Anneliese whispered.  "Did... you fall in love so fast?"

Katrina's face wobbled a mix of emotions.  Tears started to well up in her eyes and she used her chemise sleeve to brush them away.

Anneliese took her sister's face in in her delicate hands, lips parted in a surprised frown.

"Don't you want to be in love?" she asked.  "I'm confused.  I thought you would like to be married."

"If it's love, why does it hurt me so?" Katrina drew in a gasp and looked to the ceiling, staving off her tears.

"How so?"

Katrina shrugged.  "Every time I think of his face, his gentle smile... I think of him holding me on the balcony, telling me of his thoughts, what he wonders... and I wonder if he wonders about me like I do of him." She gritted her teeth.  "When I danced with him, I fell.  I fell and broke some part of myself in the process.  It felt like we stepped on clouds, swayed among the stars..."

"This might be a bad time to question the part when you said he held you on the balcony...  Sounds scandalous." Katrina let out a wail. Anneliese winced, but pulled Katrina into her arms. "I'm sure it wasn't and was very much noble."

"I have to tell Randolph... I just have to," Katrina said, then gazed imploringly at her sister.  "What am I going to do?"

"You'll be fine, Katy.  Everything is going to be fine and if he feels the same way, he'll let you know."

"It actually hurts.  Why does real love actually hurt?"

"I don't think hurt is the right word."  Anneliese tapped her head as she thought.  "Julien would probably say forlorn, lovelorn, pining... I think you may be trapped in your mind, and making it seem a lot worse than it is.  What you told me about seems in your favor anyway."

"How can I be sure he feels the same?" she begged.

"Tell him?"

"But what if he doesn't?"

"Then he doesn't and he's missing out on one of the best things to be in this world."  Anneliese flipped back her covers, and patted at her pillows.  "It's late, and I'm sure things will seem better in the daylight."

Katrina shuddered, then crawled over to the blankets and burrowed under them.

"You better be right."  She sighed and curled up into herself. "You're lucky you know.  Not to be in love..."

"You make it seem like such a curse."  Anneliese laughed under her breath, but her face showed no mirth.

"More or less," Katrina mumbled.  "When you're taught to never show a thing you feel inside, every aching love pang is a curse."

Annelise lolled her head to look at her sister.  "Hey, Katy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think, that we'll do this forever?  The sister sleepovers?  Even when we're married and older?"

"I'm sure we could carve out time for it," Katrina said with a tired wavering smile.

Chapter Text

Anneliese and Katrina sat in the library, each silently reading like the good little princesses they were.  Now of course, this patronizing understatement was necessary.  For that was exactly what they wanted everyone to think.  

No.

Anneliese, in her twenty-two years of age, had finally come to realize that the advice she had given her sister two years prior was absolute, total, and utter garbage.

Should she be engrossed in her geology studies?  Perhaps, as she had a test the next day.  But what was she doing, science-book in hand, nose stuck to the page?  Lost in a daydream.  She and Katrina had perfected, over the years of boring political dinners, how to zone out and daydream, while looking completely engrossed.  They'd used it on Preminger multiple times over the ten years he'd been working as royal advisor, Anneliese for the full ten years and Katrina for eight of them.

It was simple really.  Just stay focused on one main thing, so in the case of a political dinner, the centerpiece of the table, or the person speaking.  From time to time, glance about, but not enough to make yourself realize your eyes are moving, but enough to look alive.  Blink for heaven's sake.  Blink.  Normal people blink.  Mind is now free to wander to where ever and whenever it pleases.

And Anneliese's brain was currently situating her and her tutor in the rose garden, while she read him Shakespeare, and he rested his head upon her lap. 

Which brings up the last point of daydreaming in important situations, for the love of all things holy, do NOT start to smile a smile so soft, so somnolent, that one can only assume the smiler was in love.  There is a book, in fact, that details this smile very well.  Katrina read of it in a midnight escapade to meet with books in the library, when she was eighteen.  For she had no life.  She still had no life, but that was beside the point.

It was a book where a man from the future, travels through hypnosis back in time to meet with a woman he saw in a painting at an inn while traveling, as her smile ensnared his heart.  It was this smile, recorded in the portrait, that is the EXACT moment she realizes that she's in love with the time traveler, and that is what's captured in oil paint for the rest of time.  (Katrina would now like to inform the reader that this book had a very sad ending, and she chucked across the room with a fierce scream.)

Digression aside, and very much back to the point, Anneliese had the same pain in her heart, that Katrina had told her of, once two years prior, about loving Prince Randolph, and of how he held her on the balcony, and how dancing with him made her heart soar to new heights.  For Anneliese loved Julien.  There was no denying it.  Katrina could attest to that.  Oh, Anneliese knew she made no attempt to hide her fondness for her tutor.  After all, why shouldn't she?  She was princess.  She could have anyone she wanted.  In theory.  The good of the country must come first, after all as well as reciprocated thoughts of love.  But peace reigned abundantly and Julien was as gentle and soft to her as she was to him.  Therefore, she was quite content to daydream about him till she was sure he loved her back.  And that, is where the pain comes in.  The pain of not knowing if love is requited.

As for Katrina, she was writing a letter.  A letter of resignation, rejection, denial, and betrayal.  Her stomach tightened, her throat constricting, as she scrawled in the book.  Which, despite the cover being of Newton, was indeed a blank book.

Randolph, I am writing this to inform you that as of today, April 12, 1769, that I am in love.  I am in love and have been for two years.  This may come as quite a shock, as I have never let you know of this in our two years of correspondence.  You are probably wondering why I am letting you know in this day that I am writing this letter.  You see, it took me the two years to come to terms with the love I have burning so fiercely inside me.  I can no longer deny it and you must know, for I think you feel something along those lines towards me.  My feelings, however, are not aimed at you, dear Randolph, and this is the only way I can figure to tell you.   Sometimes I close my eyes, and pray, and I think that I'll tell the man whom I love that I care for him.  But that day has yet to happen.  I have been trying for two years, to muster courage to break my feelings in twain, and come to marry you, but as it were, my feelings have grown immensely, over even the monotonous of things my beloved does.  So as not to interfere with your life anymore, I must write you this.  But I must write you all of this to confess my feelings toward someone, anyone, as nobody truly knows any of this.  I trust you, Randolph, and the bond we have created over the two years has felt more brotherly than romantic.  And it is for that reason I confess my love for this suitor.  Nay, he's nary a suitor.  He's simply a man with whom I'm in love.  Please, my dear Randolph, understand I mean you know harm, and wish not to hurt you in any way.  But I can't go on trying to make us both think we'll end up together.  I can't go on like that.  I won't go on.  So I will leave and if you wish, we may still keep correspondence, as I do care about everything you have told me in the past two years of our friendship.  

With all my love,

Katrina.

"I hear you sniffling," Anneliese murmured.  "Are you crying?"

Katrina tore the page from the book and waved it in the air, spreading the scent of lilac throughout the library.

"I am not sniffling or crying.  If anything, it's allergies." Katrina huffed, then folding the letter and rose before pacing to a writing desk.  She wiped her eyes, then set the paper on the desk and leaned over it as she prepared wax and sealed it. "I have an important letter to mail," she said, lifting her chin high.

"To whom?" Annelise asked, leaning over the back of her chair.

"Prince Randolph."

"Are you finally telling him your feelings?" Anneliese jumped from her seat and and raced toward Katrina, who held the letter away from her sister.

"Yes," she said.

"It's only been two years!  Finally!  Will you be getting married soon then?  Can I be in the wedding?"

"When I get married, of course you'll be in the wedding," Katrina said, and swatted Annelise away.  "But I don't know how soon I'll be getting married."

"Well I guess it depends on when the mail is delivered and how long it takes him to write you back."

"Something like that," Katrina said.  She pulled on a cord hanging from a sconce on the wall, thereupon ringing a tinkling silver bell far down the hall in the servants' wing.  The jingle echoed down the hallways, but didn't reach back to the library.

"At least these past two years of dramatic silence and moping will drift away now, hmm?" Anneliese leaned in close.  "All your thoughts are bared?"

"Naked as a newborn," Katrina said and looked at the letter.

She started to ring the bell again, but the library doors burst open.  An irate Preminger stood in the threshold.

"Don't ring it again.  If you ring it again, I will cut the cord where it is," he said.

Katrina froze.

"Why you?" she asked.  "You never answer for bell calls.  Last checked, you were too far above bell calls."

"I do when the ringing interferes with—why does it matter?"  Preminger stepped into the room and crossed his arms. "Your highnesses, I assume you have a need if you rang a bell.  What is the need and surely even I could obtain it."

Anneliese and Katrina shared a look, before Katrina heaved a rolling sigh and stepped toward the advisor.

"I have a letter that must be sent to Prince Randolph of Poldinia," she said, lowering her voice, and held out the paper toward Preminger.  "It's paramount he gets it as quickly as possible..."

"I'll be passing through Poldinia on my trip," he said.  "I'll have it delivered tomorrow."

Katrina pressed the letter into Preminger's open palm.  Neither he took the parchment, nor she pulled her hand away.  Anneliese watched both of them do absolutely nothing but stare at the other's hand.

Katrina blinked, and in the moment her eyes closed, though it was only for a fraction of a second, delicious strains of music played soared through the air.  Her breath caught in her throat, and a painful longing crept over her body.  

Does he wonder about me as I wonder about him?

What if we are looking at the same stars as we wonder?

His hand is so soft.

Anneliese, however, not caught up in thoughts, quirked a brow, then clapped her hands together. "Oh yes!  A week away?  What are you planning on during the week of silence?"

"A venture, if her highness must know," Preminger said.  He took the letter from Katrina and shoved it in his breast pocket.  "A great opportunity."

"You don't say.  Well please enjoy your trip, have a nice life, bring me back a souvenir, just make sure it's not a paperweight," Katrina said, then curtseyed low.  "I have... ah.  I have my... Seraphimo?  Is that you?  I'm coming baby boy."

Katrina ran from the library, leaving Preminger and Anneliese in the library.

"Your most beautiful highness... ach...  is your sister going through a phase?" Preminger asked, watching as Katrina dashed down the hall one way, only to skid to a stop and run the other way.

"What sort of a phase?" Anneliese followed Katrina with her finger, pointing at her sister ping-ponged her way down the hall. 

"Weird."

"She told me she was born that way and she saved all the best genes for me."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head, then patted at the letter in his pocket.

"This kingdom would fall apart if not for me," Preminger said.  "You should thank me, you know."

"Oh, really?" Anneliese asked.

Preminger nodded.  "I sometimes fear I am the only sane one here next to your royal mother."

"Have a nice trip, Preminger," Anneliese said, void of emotion, and bobbed a curtsey before leaving the room, with Serafina chasing after her.

Something warm and wet touched Preminger's hand.  He shuddered and glanced down, watching as Seraphimo licked his palm.

"What are you doing— I thought Kat—I don't even know if I'm so sane anymore," Preminger murmured.

Chapter Text

Katrina stood on her balcony, gazing over the mountains, watching as pink and blue butterflies met in the sky, and drifted onwards over the valleys.  She leaned on the marble railing, glancing out, letting the cool air flush her face. 

I'm free

Free from her caged feelings.  Randolph had to have known by now of her letter.  She was quite surprised she hadn't received a reply, but thought nothing more of that.  She was finally able to relegate herself to wiling away duties, monotonously, till Anneliese took the throne.

The door opened and closed and the frantic clicking of heels ran up to Katrina.

"Katy, please," Anneliese begged, as tears streamed down her face.

Katrina spun around.  "What, darling?"

"I can't... it hurts."  Anneliese sucked in a breath.  "I'm so sorry.  I'm so sorry for not understanding you till now."

"Tell me," Katrina grabbed her sister's hands and pulled her into he room, sitting her upon a settee at the base of her bed.  She swiped at Anneliese's face with her handkerchief, wiping away the tears.  "What has you showing these feelings?"

"Oh let me show them," Anneliese cried.  "I can't hold them in any more."

"I know it, I know.  It's no easy fantasy to be a princess.  Come on.  Tell me what's the matter."

Anneliese let out a sob and hid her face in her hands.  Katrina ran her hand over her back, hushing her tenderly.

"I'm getting married," Anneliese stammered through staggered breaths.  Katrina pulled back, her mouth dropping open.

"You're... to whom?"

"King Dominic.  Of Dulcinea."  Anneliese drew in a shaking breath and lifted her head up, but her mouth still wobbled as fresh tears filled her eyes.  "Just when I thought everything was going wonderful.  Katy, we're bankrupt."

Katrina rose from her seat.  "You're getting married and the kingdom is bankrupt?  Are you well enough to talk or shall I ask mother while you curl up in here?"

"I can speak," Anneliese murmured.  

A trumpet blew outside, and the crier called out clearly and brightly.

"Master Preminger has returned."

Katrina's stomach tightened.

Anneliese crawled from the settee to Katrina's bed, flopping face first into the comforter.  

Katrina sat beside her, combing her fingers through her golden hair, untangling her curls.  

"Wait here, Liesey.  I'll be right back.  You're safe in my room.  Cry all your tears you have."

Anneliese slumped and broke down, sobbing incoherently into the blankets.  She drew in ragged breaths, prompting Seraphimo to jump up and lay over her back.

Katrina kissed the top of Anneliese's head, then picked up her skirts and hurried down the hall, down the great stairs, and to the throne room, where Preminger was in the process of presenting his findings to the queen.

In her haste, as she ran, as her mind swarmed, she skidded into the throne room, as if the floor were made of ice.  She slid on her heels, arms spread wide, a frantic look of panic and "oh why me" on her face.

Preminger, upon standing, saw the flying princess, and immediately braced himself for impact.  He caught Katrina with one arm about her waist, spun her around as an object in motion stays in motion, then brought her to a stop once the motion had worn off.

Katrina stood there, wide mouthed and eyed, as Preminger resumed his monologue of his findings.

"And as such, that leaves this letter for the Princess Katrina, from the now King Randolph of Poldinia."

"And what fortune that she should slide in when you have the letter for her."

Preminger bowed, low, holding the letter out for Katrina, who still stood there, aghast at how swiftly she was stopped.

"From King Randolph!  Oh!  How wonderful!  What does he say?" Genieve asked.

Katrina wordlessly took the letter from Preminger, and opened it.

Your forthrightness is immaculate, if not late.  As I am now king, it is paramount I be married sooner than later, and I ... it doesn't matter how I feel toward you at this point.  I had been enamored when we met, but as letters have been holding your place, I found I grew restless.  All this to say, while I hoped you returned my feelings, a political agreement has been reached that I will now go through with.  I will be married to Princess Isabella of Catrella to annex Catrella into Poldinia.  I wish you all the happiness, my dearest Katrina.

Katrina looked up from the parchment, opting not to read the rest of the words.  She cleared her throat.  

"Thank you, Preminger," she said and nodded toward him.  "He has given me an update on his life.  We will talk more about it later.  It's not as important as Anneliese."

"Ah yes, the bride-to-be," Preminger said.  He stepped away from Katrina and positioned himself on the stairs to the dais, resting a hand in his vest.

"Just that," Katrina said.  "Why is she getting married?  So suddenly?  And why am I just finding out about... the..."

Genevieve nodded and held her hand up.  "Katrina, please, my darling.  All in time.  I've only recently found out myself.  It's just been decided as of this morning.  I had hoped not to worry your delicate heart, my love.  That is all."  Genevieve rose from the throne and glided down toward Katrina, holding her arms out.  She grasped a hold of Katrina's shoulders.  

"There is no need to worry for our financial situation.  We shall manage with Dulcinea helping us."

"I see.  I see.  Well, if there is no need to worry, I should be off.  I have a needlepoint that needs to be finished." Katrina curtseyed to her mother, then inclined her head toward Preminger.  "I'm glad you've arrived safely."

He bowed his head toward her, but she ran off, back up the stairs and hall to her room. 

Anneliese sat upon the bed, staring forward, her pretty cheeks stained with tear streaks.  She sniffed, but there was no more crying.  There was only silence.

"So you're being married for the security," Katrina said.

"It's for the kingdom," Anneliese murmured.  She looked down at her lap.  "The people must come first."

"Anneliese... you are in love..."

Anneliese nodded, then crawled over to Katrina and curled up on her lap.

"I love him, Katy.  I love him so much.  And I thought just yesterday... in the garden... I thought he was going to tell me that he loves me too."

"He has told you as much," Katrina said gently. She ran her fingers through her sister's hair and down her shoulder and back.  "The way he looks at you.  The way he smiles when you walk in the room.  When he gives you the most perfect rose from the garden.  Julien loves you too, Anneliese."

"It doesn't matter now, does it?" Annelise's words came strangled from her throat.  "Oh, I wish I were born first.  I wouldn't have to deal with this."

"I'd gladly bear it for you," Katrina said.  "Goodness known my beloved doesn't reciprocate my feelings."

"Oh... oh, Katy.  You mean Randolph?"

Katrina's smile grew tired, and she held up the note.  "Preminger came back with word today.  Randolph is to be married to Princess Isabella of Cantrella."

"How horrible," Anneliese choked out.  She started to breathe in wracking sobs, but Katrina shook her head with a tender laugh.  "No?"

"Randolph telling me of his marriage doesn't hurt me in the slightest.  It was never he who had my heart in his hands."

"For two years, you've burned for a silent suitor?" Anneliese's eyes grew wide, but she knitted her brows together.  

Katrina nodded.  "But it is no matter.  Now that I know that Randolph is to be married, and even if my suitor did reciprocate feelings, I know I would never marry him."

"Why not.  You're still a princess."

Katrina shrugged.  "No... he's not... we would never work," she said.  She held her chin high.  "Besides, he thinks of me as your lesser."

"Oh, what a cow," Anneliese grumbled.  "Has he said that?"

"Through his silence he has said many things.  A lot of people know you to be the fairer of us.  You have heard what courtiers have said."

"I don't.  You look like father where I look like mother.  We are different.  Not better or worse.  No disparaging words in my house."

"It's my room, Anneliese."

"It'll be my kingdom."

"Ah, touché."  Katrina steeled her jaw then took Anneliese by the shoulders.  "Do you want to marry Julien?"

Anneliese nodded.

"Then I have a plan.  It is still formulating, but here it is."

Anneliese sat in rapt attention, staring up at her sister.

"I'll marry Dominick."

"Certainly not!" Anneliese cried.  "How?"

"Easy, we'll hide you away in town.  Julien is to take you there tomorrow, is he not?"

"He has been hinting on an excursion."

"Wonderful.  Be on the lookout for places to hide and to meet.  Tomorrow night, we will leave in the darkness, and meet each other at the spot agreed upon."  Katrina counted on her fingers.  "I surmise we won't have to wait long before its decided that I should take your place instead.  That way, we won't need to merge kingdoms, but we'll have financial support once again."

"But the deal is to merge Musicienne and Dulcinea."

"Well at this point, we'll take the financial stability and work on a merge later."  Katrina huffed and wiped at her burning eyes.  "It's my gift to you.  Remember?  From when I missed your twentieth birthday?  This is my very belated gift.  Your happiness."

Anneliese threw herself onto Katrina, engulfing her in a giant hug.  "I love you so much... thank you.  Thank you, Katy.  Thank you."

Katrina wrapped herself around Anneliese, much like a boa constrictor.  

"Everything will be right and happy," she whispered.

"What ever happened to duty means doing the things your heart will regret?" Anneliese asked.

"My heart will do the regretting," Katrina said with a small smile.  "Your heart is free." 

"Bless your heart."

"Bless yours!  Just let me be in the wedding when you marry Julien."

Finally, the sisters laughed.  There was some hope.  Some sense of freedom.  They would take their destinies into their own hands.

Katrina paced about the ballroom, rubbing her face in her hands.  Her shoes clicked on the marble floors.  Her chest pounded, a tightness balling up in her sternum.  Candles lit the darkened room, and stars shined outside the window.  She clicked back and forth, pressing her fingers to her temples. 

It was her duty, as an older sister, to do what she had to.  She knew her flight of fancy was simply that, but still.  She craved soaring, flying on stardust.  It seemed to her that her love was forbidden.  At least, it seemed so cursed in her mind.

After all.  After the two years.

She loved Edouard Preminger, the most self-centered man in the universe.

The most self-centered man with a sincere smile, soft golden eyes, and a hidden wondering mind.

A tune flitted through her mind. 

She murmured under her breath as she paced, trying to recall the melody.

"You called, your highness?" Preminger asked, coming into the ballroom.

Katrina glanced over her shoulder then turned to face him.  She held out a hand for him.

"I need your advice." She stepped toward him.  "You are the royal advisor after all."

"True."

Katrina pressed her lips together, trying to smooth out her lipstick. "I don't know how to begin."  She broke into a nervous giggle.  "It's so silly really."

"I'm sure I've dealt with sillier questions in my time here."  Preminger took one step onto the dais and rested his elbow upon his knee.  "What has her royal beauty's knickers in a knot?"

Katrina started to speak, but stopped.  She coughed and blinked, then shook herself.  "I can't remember a song."

"Is that—that's all?"  Preminger stepped off the dais with  click of his tongue.  "Bah, it's nearly midnight and you call me for advice about music?"

"Well, you sing, don't you?"

"Here and there, I suppose."

Katrina reached out, but curled her hand into a fist.  She began to pace again. "It was... it was from the dance at Randolph's castle.  I believe we might have danced to it."

"Oh yes.  Wanting to Dream.  What of it?" Preminger asked, pacing along with Katrina, mimicking her movements.  "What advice could be gleaned from that song?"

"Well, it's more of something to do with the song," Katrina said, stepping to the music in her mind.  "I... I will confess to you that I am in love."

Preminger bowed low.  "Well now, Princess."  He laughed.  "I can see why you need advice.  I have been known to be proficient in romance."  He leaned in with a haughty smirk on his face. "For Randolph?  You wish to send him the broadsheet? I would say only to do so if he can read music."

"No, that's not it at all," Katrina said with an exasperated sigh, which only caused Preminger to laugh more.  "Oh, listen. I am in dire straits."

"Of the burning love sort?" Preminger asked, his laugh fading.

"Something of that.  Preminger, you are the only one I can trust with this knowledge."

He smirked again.

"Don't look at me like that.  You better not spill a word of this to anybody."

"Mums the word, my lady."

He grinned and brought his hands up to rest his face against his knuckles.

"I need.  Help.  A lot of help.  And you.  You're the only one who can help me." Katrina ground out.  "I need you to dance with me to that song as it's not a dance I know well.  But I know that song means something very much and I must get practice in while I can before... well that doesn't matter, but you must practice with me."

"If that is the advice you need, I'm sure I could give it," Preminger said, but his voice was hushed and low.  He clapped his hands.  "What is the event for?"

"Closure," Katrina said and bowed her head.  "It's for closure."

Preminger stamped his foot and clapped his hands again, and a strain of strings came drifting on the air.  He held a hand out for Katrina, who took it and joined him up close.

"I don't recall you being terrible when last you danced to this song," Preminger said, resting a hand on her waist as she brought her hand up to his shoulder.  He held her free hand in his, then began to sway her back and forth.

"I was in such a dizzy haze that night.  I don't remember much of it after the pas de deux." 

Oh what a lie, what a glorious lie.  Her brain replayed that dance over and over, of how he he swayed her in a simple two-step, careful not to dance her too hard after the demanding pas de deux.  She closed her eyes, breathing in the fragrance of silver fir.  

"Then just follow me, your highness."

He led her in a sweeping waltz around the ballroom, taking the time to twirl her about.  She'd rise en pointe, spinning as he held her hand.  She stepped back into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Your highness dances well," Preminger whispered.  "Why must you practice with me of all people?"

"You are the only one who can dance well too," Katrina murmured, gripping his shoulder tighter.  "I trust you."

"Thank you, your highness.  I suppose an advisor is to be trusted."  He started to smirk again, but Katrina turned her face up to look at him.  He looked down at her, cross-eyed, over his nose.

Add like that, she was dancing on stars, the twinkling lights carrying her above the castle and mountains.  She shook her head and closed her eyes, drifting back down to earth.

She stepped away from him with a curtsey.  He bowed.

"I hope this brings you the closure you desire," Preminger said.

"It'll have to."  Katrina's words came rushed and breathless.  She curtseyed again, and left the ballroom.

Duty meant doing things she'd have to regret.  And while her sister's duty involved the throne, her duty involved her sister's happiness, no matter the cost.

Besides.  Her love was cursed, while Anneliese's love was pure.

Chapter Text

Anneliese crept from the castle after setting out books, iron pyrite, and her stationary at her desk.  Katrina, however, sat at her desk, writing.

I am sorry, Mother.  I am scared.  I don't know what to do.  I have to get away.  I can't marry King Dominic.  You must understand.

Katrina slunk her way down the halls, placing the letter on Anneliese's desk.  Then, she slipped on her cloak and crept down the stairs.  

She paused.

A frantic mewing echoed down the corridors, growing more distressed which each second.

"Serafina?  What are you doing?" she called, picking up her pace, gathering her skirts in her hands.  She followed the sounds of scared meowing till she came upon the carriage loop.  Serafina pawed at the ground from under a crate.

"You silly kitty, how did you get out here?" Katrina rushed over to the crate and lifted it.  Serafina cowered, shaking, but let out a tiny hiss.

Katrina stood straight, crossing her arms.

"There's something off—"

Darkness.  Darkness and scratchy burlap.

"Sorry, your highness."

"Shut up!"

Katrina tried to scream, but made no sound.  It was like a nightmare, where her vocal chords had forgotten to vibrate, though she called and screamed till her throat turned raw.  Her heart raced through her chest.

"Please!  What is this?  Let me go!" she squeaked out.

"Yes, your highness..." a deep drawl of a British voice responded.

"Shut up!  We can't do that!  You actual fool!" a similar, less drawl-like accent clapped back.

"What's going on?" Katrina demand as the voices, which presumably had bodies lifted her from her feet and set above the ground on some sort of a box.

"Princess-napping!" the drawled voice said.  There was a smacking sound, a cry of pain, and then nothing.

"I gathered that," Katrina murmured.  Something inside her quieted down as the fear left her body.  Perhaps these... princess-nappers weren't... as harmful or smart as they could be.

"What is the reason?" she questioned and there was a quick smacking sound before the one voice could answer.

Katrina squirmed in her seat, trying to free herself from her burlap prison, but to no avail.  She had been tied up like an ugly Christmas present.

Her jaw began to ache, sending pains down her neck and to her chest and arms. 

"Seraphimo?" she called as the box she sat in jolted and bumped.  "Seraphimo help!"

A soft "brr" of a mew rumbled beside her and Serafina wiggled onto her lap.

Not quite the amount of weight she needed for a good help, but hey, it was the thought that counted.

Katrina bumped along, trying to keep her mind as silent as she could be.  The bumping, after what seemed like a half-hour, ceased, and the two voices picked her up from her box, and lowered her.

"Careful, Your Highness, don't trip.  There's a lip here."

Katrina grasped blindly before her, noting how the floor under her feet changed from dirt to some sort of wooden board, at least by the sound her shoes made.

The mysterious voices goaded her through the new location, opened the door, then shoved her in and removed the burlap bag from her head and body.

Katrina blinked as she spun about the room.  It was a meager lodging, only a rundown room with a simple bed.  No mirror, no vanity, no closet or wardrobe.  Just a room with a boarded up window and and, oh, a fireplace.  That's nice for heat.  She hated the cold.

She banged on the door.  "Let me out!  Please?"

"Ain't no way, Princess," the smarter of the voices said.  "Shh!  Boss's here."

The front door opened, and a murmuring of voices flitted down the hall.

"Let me out!" Katrina called again.

A pause in the murmuring.

"Please!  I'll have an attack and goodness knows if I die while here, you'll probably go to the dungeon.  Or prison.  Or worse." She frowned, pursing her lips, then nodded.  "Definitely worse."

"Are you sure that is the princess?" were the only words Katrina could make out.

"Of course!  Who else would we steal?"

"... there are two princesses..."

"There are two princesses?"

The voice lowered a moment and Katrina pressed closer to the door.

"Because she went after the cat!"

"Ach, I've never liked cats... why she chose a cat instead of a dog like her sister is beyond me."

The door closed.

"You good in there, Princess?" the kinder voice asked.

"Not really."

"... you wanna cider or something?"

Katrina tapped her foot to the floor.  At least her captors were accommodating.  

"Yes... with extra cinnamons?" 

"Can we get extra cinnamon?" the kind voice asked.

"I think so..."

So it turns out that sleeping on a creaky unstable bed with only a thin cotton rag masquerading as a blanket is not good for a princess with heart issues.

Or issues of the heart.

Both unto thereof, really.

Katrina lay on her bed in a cortisol coma, body aching, unable to move.

Serafina was nowhere around.

Seraphimo was home.

She was alone in the cold, with two morons.  They were.  She heard them playing cards and played solitaire better than they played.

She lay silently, watching the sun shift positions throughout the day.

"There's just no winning, is there?" she asked.

Oh, what happened to Anneliese?  Was she safe?  She had to be.  If she was to have happiness in her life, she prayed that Anneliese got to the safety spot in good health.

However, her health, was not so good.

Finally, as dark crept over the forest, she started to fall back asleep for the umpteenth time that day.

"Let me in... you idiots!" Preminger's voice came loud and clear from the front door.

However, Katrina was too weak to move or call from last night's adrenaline filled adventure.  She was dead asleep.

"What do you mean?" the smarter of the voices asked.  "We have the princess here?"

"How did she escape?" Preminger asked.

"I swear on my brother's life—"

"Hey!"

"That she didn't escape!"

"Then how is she at the castle?  And why didn't she say she was captured?"

"Look, if you wanna see, I'll show you."

Footsteps grew closer to the dingy bedroom door.  The handled fiddled a moment, before Preminger bust in.

"See?  Princess," the smart voice, a young man with brown hair and too large a chin said.

Katrina was on her side, the blanket up to her chin.

The other voice joined the smart one, the twin to the first with but with blond hair.

"And I'm here too.  So if she's in bed.  And we're all here, then obviously, we have the princess."

"I'll see about that.  Princess, are you asleep?"

No response.

Seeing as a woman was indeed in the bed, Preminger sat on the edge, opting not to pull the blanket away.  "Princess, that is you, isn't it?"

He peeled back the blanket, catching a glimpse of Katrina's dark curly hair, and exhaled loudly.

"I have here, my answer," Preminger said and looked back at the two men.

"See?  Told you, boss!"

"You stole Katrina, you absolute morons!  You fools! UGH!"

Katrina moaned in her sleep, shifting onto her back.

"Then... she's not the princess?" the blond asked.

"To be sure she is a princess," Preminger said.  "But the wrong one.  I told you there was a sister.  I said don't take the one with the dark curls.  I said don't take the beautiful one.  And what happened?"

"Boss, they're both pretty. We took the one that owns the cat," the blond said.  "Or at least, she rescued the cat."

"So... she's... not... in our defense, it was pretty dark out at the time," the brunet said, slowly.  Both men started backing out of the room carefully.  

Preminger held a hand out behind, him, but kept his focus on Katrina.

"Katrina?" he whispered.  He adjusted her, so he supported her back and head with one arm as he patted at her cheek with his free hand. "My lady, wake up.  Did you kill her?"

"No!  She's just been sleeping.  All day!"

"She's dELICATE!" Preminger cried out, and the two men ran yelped and hid on the other side of the door frame.  Katrina flickered her eyes open with a gasp.

Preminger focused in her vision, his hand on her face, his arm about her back.

"Edouard?" she murmured.  She shifted again and brought her hand up to his.  "What are you doing here?"

Preminger paused, his face a mix of tender surprise, presumably at the sound of hearing his first name. "You were missing," he said.  "Still are technically speaking.  I'm coming to take you back to the castle."

"What's happened?" she asked, blinking her heavy eyes.  "Am I safe?"

"You are more than safe, my lady," Preminger said and a soft smile came to his lips.  "Are you well?"

She shook her head.  "I'm very tired."

"I'll take you home.  Your mother is worried and she'd have my head if anything happened to you or your sister."  Preminger paused.  "Where is your sister?"

Katrina struggled to sit up, and Preminger placed her against the pillows, taking her hands in his.  "I—I don't know," she said, her voice still thick with sleep.  "Is she not at the castle?  Is she in town?"

"She's been missing same as you."

"I'm sure I don't know," Katrina said and yawned.  "Oh, please take me home."

"I can do that at least," Preminger said and sat Katrina upright on the side of the bed.  "Can you walk?"

"I'll try, but I may need to hold you," she said.

"No matter.  At least you aren't covered in dirt and leaves this time."

Preminger stood Katrina and she wrapped her arms about him, leaning into his side, gently grasping his vest for support.

"There there, my princess, I'll get you home safe and sound," Preminger murmured as he walked her out the room.  He threw a glare toward the two men.  "Far away from these morons."

Katrina heaved a sigh as Preminger ushered her from the house.

"Never in my life did I think I'd be a damsel in distress."

"Not terrible distress.  You were quite asleep when I found you," Preminger said, then helped her up into a cart. 

"Well, mentally I wasn't.  But physical distress.  My body will kill me."

He hopped up next to her and shook the reins.  "Go on!"

The cart jolted and lurched forward.  Katrina's head bobbed, her eyes flickering closed.

"Rest your head on my shoulder if you must, my lady," Preminger said.  "Tis not the best of pillows, but will do."

Katrina glanced over at him, her stomach tightening.  "Are you sure?"

"Be my guest, my lady."

Katrina leaned over, pressing her cheek to his shoulder.

Slowly, her eyes flickered closed, but not before she let her mouth open before her brain could stop her.

"What are you wondering of tonight?" she muttered against his sleeve.

"Hmm?  Why do you care to know?"

Katrina realized what words left her mouth and sat up straight, wide awake.

"I mean... the star thing.  Or... rather.  Just conversation."

"Your highness as a strong and fond memory if she reminds my penchant for wondering late at night."

"Strong memory is my blessing and curse."

Preminger laughed under his breath.  "Well, my lady, what I wonder about doesn't concern you."

"It won't bore me..."

"Not that.  It just is for my mind only." He patted the top of her head.  "Nothing to worry yourself over."

Katrina nodded, then leaned forward, pressing her elbows to her skirts, resting her face in her hands.  It was all the closure she needed, that was for sure.

Chapter Text

As Katrina blinked open her eyes, the surroundings came in fuzzily at first.  A heavy dread settled into her chest, turning into tight panic.  She sat up with a start, gasping, looking around.  

Only a moment ago, she was resting her head in her hands in the cart, and now she was back in her plush bed, warm, snuggled under at least ten comforters, with her mother sitting at her side.

"Mom?" Katrina whispered, her voice groggy and broken.  "What... what happened?"

"Oh, my darling," her mother pressed a kiss to her forehead, then laid her back against the pillows..  "You had gone missing.  Kidnapped."

"I-I know that.  How am I here?"

"Preminger found you and thank goodness he did.  Dr. Phillipe said your heart was beating as fast as a hummingbird."  Her mother smoothed her wrinkled hands over her hair, then cupped her face.  "It's been a confusing few days.  But your sister has been found and is with King Dominic, and now you're back.  Everything is whole and well again."

"Anneliese?" Katrina started upright again, but her mother shooshed her and pulled the blankets back up.  "Is she well?  Happy?"

"She's as happy as she can be.  I think she and King Dominic are getting along quite well!"

Katrina's face contorted in confused thought.  She brought her hand to her head and huffed.  "If she's happy then everything is right."

"Good  Are you hungry, darling?  Shall I send Marie up with breakfast?"

Katrina shook her head.  "No... I think I just want to rest."

"How about a bath then?"

Katrina nodded.  

An hour soak later, and an hour of resting and freshening up and Katrina was pacing about the garden.

"I don't understand how she is so happy," Katrina murmured, letting her fingers graze over the roses.  "She sobbed to me the other night.  But now she's off with Dominic?  Something isn't right.  Something is wrong and Anneliese is—"

She spun around, her skirts flying out in a swooping mass around her, her hair bouncing with her steps.  She leaned into a rose bush, inspecting a rose, separating the petals.

"Careful, Highness, or you'll prick a finger."

Katrina glanced around, looking for the voice that sent butterflies flying in swarming kaleidoscopes in her.  She looked up, at a balcony, seeing Preminger leaning on the railing, simpering down at her.

"The petals never hurt.  It's only the thorn that pricks."  she carefully plucked a flower from a stem.

"Shouldn't her highness be resting lest her heart jump from her chest?" Preminger loomed over the railing, thrumming his fingers on the ledge.  "You were in quite the state this morning."

Katrina tucked the flower into her hair behind her ear and looked away from him.  His thoughts were far elsewhere, and all those years of burning and yearning, wondering if he wondered about her at nights as she wondered about him... well, she shouldn't hold it against him. 

He was free to think how he pleased.

The glory of the human brain was to think.

But still.  Unreciprocated love drove through her chest like a freshly sharpened knife to butter.  

"Her highness's head is pretty as well as full of thoughts," Preminger said.  "You wonder too it seems?"

She shuddered, closing her eyes, staving off tears that cropped up.  Stop calling her pretty.  Stop lying. 

"I care for my sister," Katrina said, tossing him a glossy glare.  She shook her head, softening her gaze, and wiped at her eyes with a knuckle.  "I worry."

Preminger paused, crossing his arms, then motioned toward himself.

Katrina's brows furrowed.  She shrugged, then brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, then continued on her path through the garden.

"Or shall I come to you?"

She spun to look up at the balcony, but Preminger was gone.  The clicking of his heels on the marble staircase to the garden echoed then dampened as he stepped from the patio to the garden.  Katrina held her breath as Preminger came to her, holding out a hand.

Her toasted heart was no longer crisp, but straight up burnt.

"What is it, Preminger?  I'm an anxious mess and don't have—"

"Walk and talk, my lady," Preminger said.  "At your own pace, of course."

Preminger stuck out his hand toward Katrina.  She held up her hand, wavering her fingers in the air before tentatively placing it on his open palm.  He closed his hand around hers and together, they started on the tour of the garden, through the roses.

"Not to make you worry anymore," Preminger said, keeping his voice hushed, "But I do not think the lady who is with the Dulcinean King is your sister."

Katrina stumbled over her feet as she came to a stop.  "What?" She let out a cry, more of shock than of distress.

"Shush, my lady."  Preminger held a finger to her lips.  She paused, her breath catching in her throat as she held her breath.  He quirked a smile. "I fear something has happened to your sister.  I must confess to you, I was not expecting you to be missing as much as I was she."

"I know," Katrina said, lowering her voice.  "Was not the plan at all.  If those two buffoons hadn't taken me... this all would be so much better."

"Oh, I know it, my lady," Preminger said, then broke into a low humming laugh.  He cleared his throat.  "But now that your sister says she's here, and is in love with the king, I wonder about the safety of the kingdom.  I'm sure she's not Princess Anneliese.  But I can't prove it."

"Well, Anneliese has the birthmark," Katrina said, then lowered her left sleeve, showing Preminger a spot on her shoulder.  There was a brown marking, an orb with a tear-drop atop it, and a cross connected to the tear-drop.

"Hers looks like a crown." Katrina said as Preminger's eyes flicked over her shoulder, then to her face.  She raised her sleeve, then left him behind in the roses as she browsed among the lilacs.  She picked a sprig then twirled it in her fingers. 

"Even if the lady is identical to your sister, would she not have the mark?"

"I highly doubt it," Katrina said, turning toward him.  "Father had a mark on his shoulder, and his father before that and so on."

"Hereditary.  Hmm.  how can we find out if she has the mark?"

"I can find out before dinner," Katrina said.  "One of the old 'hey sis, how's it going?' routines."

Preminger shook his head.

"No?"

"I'm afraid not," Preminger said.  "She's dining with King Dominic tonight."

Katrina gave a disgusted click of her tongue.

"I know she seems to be happy.  But I just don't understand it.  I wrote that le—Preminger, do you prefer being called Preminger, or Edouard?" She pulled a face and he lit up.

"Oh, now, Princess," Preminger said smoothly.  He stepped up to her, tapping his jeweled fingers together.  He grinned slyly, leaning toward her, nearly pressing his nose to hers.  "You wrote what?"

"Preminger or Edouard" Katrina stammered, staggering backwards.

"I think there are more important matters at hand."

"You have a little something on your coat," Katrina said, brushing at the detailing about the buttons on his coat.  "Don't want to be messy."

He waited, arms crossed, arching a brow.  "Katrina."

"Got it.  Now how about your name?"

"I'll tell you if you finish the sentence," Preminger said, leaning on one leg.

Katrina glanced away from him.

"I only tell you this as the trusted advisor for the sake of my sister and her happiness and the good of the kingdom.  A depressed queen means a depressed kingdom, after all."

"Too true."

"So you must promise to never speak a word of this."

"Never never," Preminger repeated, stepping closer. 

Katrina's breath caught in her throat.  She kept stepping backwards till she was back against a trellis.

"I wrote the letter.  She didn't run away as much as escape.  I don't know where she went.  I was kidnapped before I could meet her." Katrina groaned and grasped Preminger's arms.  "You mustn't let anyone know."

Preminger wriggled from her grasp, a frown of confusion etched on his features. "But why would you do that?  You're the one in love, not she.  A marriage to Dominic would be advantageous."

"She is in love!" Katrina said through an exasperated breath.  "Oh, anybody can tell she loves her tutor and he loves her." She pressed her fingers to her temples.  "But my love is unrequited and if I can take her unhappiness, I will."

Preminger paused, motioning in the air with his finger, before pointing to the sky.  "Ah!  That explains the lilac scented stationary.  I should have known you were behind this. So.. you were  going to take her place for the financial security."

She nodded.

"Therefore, the kingdoms wouldn't merge as well.  But you'd be in a loveless marriage."

Katrina nodded again, but bowed her head and whispered, "I'm sure I could foster fondness..."

"Wait, so Randolph turned you away?" Preminger asked, his voice softening.

Katrina looked up to the sky, watching birds fly overhead toward the south.  "I don't want to talk about it," she said.  "As I finally sorted everything for myself, it fell apart.  But I can save Anneliese's heart, and that'll be enough for me."

"You are a selfless sister," Preminger said.

"I've just suffered a cursed love for it to be unrequited."

"Cursed or star-crossed?"

"Both."

"Ah, for I found myself in a star-crossed romance too," Preminger said.  "Something about being a peasant's son causes stars to cross. It does wicked thing to the heart."

Katrina nodded.  She turned her face away from Preminger.  Her voice wavered, and she cleared her throat, but drew in a ragged breath. "I never even told him I loved him before I realized he didn't love me back.  It wouldn't have worked regardless, but the feeling still hurts me."

"Oh, Princess."  Preminger bowed.  "I only asked for you to finish your sentence.  Now you have gone and spilled your heart to me."  He started to grin at her, glancing up while staying low in his bow, but his grin turned to a twisted pout.

"Well, I guess you got the full reason then, Preminger." She reached out and pushed against his shoulder, standing him straight, then studied his features.  Her eyes focused on his face, drinking him in.  It was the most genuine she had seen him, save for when she danced at Randolph's castle. His eyes were gentle, but this time he had no smile.  No frown either.  Just tender nothingness.  She bit at the skin of her lower lip till a sore formed.  She was the princess and he the advisor.  As much as she wondered how her lips would fit against his, she held onto the training on which she grew up.  Stiff upper lip.  Head high.  Never show a thing she felt inside.

Preminger took one of her hands, bringing it close to his lips.

"You may call me as you please," he murmured.  "Edouard or Preminger, it is all the same to me." 

He pressed a kiss to her knuckles.  A warm kiss.  A soft kiss.  His lips barely grazed her skin before he had dropped her hand and was retreated back through the garden to the balcony.

Slowly, Katrina sank to the ground, sitting in the lilac.  

The sooner she found Anneliese, the better.

Chapter Text

The day seemed to drag ever onwards, hours ticking by like years.  Katrina sat on her seat by the throne, Seraphimo draped halfway across her lap as she rubbed at his ears.  She tilted her head back against the back, breathing deeply.

A barking growl startled her, but Seraphimo pressed his face against her chest, keeping her secure on the chair.

"The missing feline..." Preminger's voice echoed from the carriage loop.  

Katrina slid Seraphimo off her chest and lap, then motioned for him to walk beside her as she ambled down the hall and stairs to the carriage loop.

"What now?" she asked, then spotted Preminger crouching in front of Midas, the two-year old black poodle with a gold tooth.  But more than the gold tooth in his mouth, he had Serafina by her scruff.  

"You know, if you need a proper dog trainer, I could get you mine," Katrina said.  "Midas, drop it."

"Hold on, she has something on her neck," Preminger said, then untied the ribbon from Serafina's neck.  He pulled a little bit of fabric from a ring, and stood straight, inspecting it.

"Madam Carp's."

"Dresses?" Katrina asked, stepping close to him to see the tag he held.  "Serafina, what were you doing all the way in town?"

"Ah, this could be our answer."  He snapped his fingers, and Midas dropped Serafina, who hissed at Preminger.  "No need for an attitude," he murmured, wrinkling his nose.

Katrina picked up Serafina cradling her in her arms.

"Were you with Anneliese?" she asked, then winced.  "Oh, you can't talk.  You're a cat."

Serafina meowed.

"Anneliese?" Katrina said again.

Serafina meowed again and pawed gently at Katrina's chin, keeping her claws retracted.

"Anneliese is at Madam Carp's Dress Shop?" Preminger asked.  "This whole time she'd been shopping?"

"I think she's stuck," Katrina said.  "She wouldn't have sent Serafina here with a tag and her ring had she been simply shopping this entire time."  She let Serafina hop from her arms.  The poor cat huddled underneath Seraphimo's legs.

Katrina tapped at her temple with her forefinger, then swiveled toward Preminger. "We have to do something."

'What can we do?  Bring her back?"

"Well, goodness knows we can't bring her back to marry the king... but with the lady here... I'm not sure it would be safe to bring her back."

Katrina tapped her foot and Preminger brought a hand up to his chin as they stood silently.

"Okay, here's a tentative plan," Preminger said.  "We make sure Anneliese is at the shop, and that way we can expose the fraud."

"Good.  That way we'll be able to keep whoever is masquerading as her away from the king and our kingdom..."

She stepped toward Preminger, pressing her hands to his sides as she gazed into his face.  So intent.  So shocked. "Edouard, listen.  I'll go to town and see if Anneliese is alright.  I'll bring Julien with me.  Where is he?"  

"At the mine," Preminger said, hesitating, stammering.  He brought his hands to her forearms.  "Don't ask why."

"It's not the matter at hand," Katrina shook her head, and her curls flew about her face.  "Then I'll take Anneliese to the mines to wait with Julien till my wedding to..."

She closed her eyes, realizing how close she stood to Preminger, how she held him so tenderly.  Her eyes flickered down to their hands, then back to his face.

"to King Dominic," Preminger finished for her.  "Then it'll be safe for Anneliese to return with Julien, right?"

Katrina nodded. "With the wedding preparations for Anneliese and Dominic already set, I'm sure it wouldn't be so hard to slide in instead of her."

She started to remove her hands, but he kept her standing close.

"It'll work out," Preminger said.  "You go find Anneliese.  I'll work up a way to out the fraud.  Let me get you a horse.  I have... arrangements to make."

Preminger broke away from her with a low humming laugh, then jogged down the road to the stables.  

Katrina let out a breath, then covered her face in her hands.

So close, yet so far.

Katrina bobbed as she rode sidesaddle down the cobbled road of town.  A depressed looking horse in front of a cart stood by the front of Madam Carp's store, and slowed her mare to a stop, then slid off.  She dropped Serafina gracefully to the ground, then peered into the shop windows.  Serafina mewed, then trotted down a back alley.

Katrina followed her, coming upon a back door.  "Good girl, Serafina," she whispered as she jiggled the handle.

After a moment of struggling, the door swung open and she stumbled in.

"Katrina?"  Anneliese asked, standing up from behind a pile of fabric on a table.  "What are you doing here?  You found my note?"

Serafina mewed and hopped upon the table next to her mistress.  

"Yes, what are you doing here?  I thought we were to meet at the well," Katrina said, glancing around.  "Where are we?"

"Carp's workshop.  A ghastly woman behind a façade of fair dresses."  Annelise glanced around.  "What took you so long?  You never came to the fountain."

"I got...ah... waylaid," Katrina murmured.  "No matter.  You've been away and that's what matters.  We need to move from here to a better place for you, though."

"I must say goodbye to my friend," Anneliese said.

"Quickly," Katrina motioned for her to move along.  "We don't have much time."

Anneliese nodded, then disappeared behind a staircase, only to emerge a few moments later. 

"Let's go," she said.

The two sisters ran from the shop and closed the door behind them, then hopped into the cart with the sad looking horse.

"Move!" Katrina called, and the horse started off down the road at a trot, then a canter, then a gallop as they took off out of town.

"Where are we going?" Anneliese asked.  "And oh, Katy, you look so awful."

Now, Katrina could say she cried during the ride to town, thinking of her hands at Preminger's sides, remembering how tightly he held her on the balcony, only for her to be married to Dominic.  Or, she could blame her heart, the thing that pumped the blood in her body.

"Heart's racing and fall allergies are setting in," Katrina said as she led the horse up a rugged trail.

"Where are we heading?" Anneliese asked.

"We're going to find Julien," Katrina said.  "You're to wait with him at the mines till everything is settled at court.  Can you manage a day or so?  I'll have Preminger get somebody to send you some necessaries."

"If you must." Anneliese looked over at the mines as they pulled up.  "I'd rather not go in there."

"It's only for a little while.  You'll be safe with Julien," Katrina said, stopping the horse.  She started to inch her way out of the cart, but strong hands grasped at her waist and lifted her from the cart.  She froze, but as her feet touched the dirt, the hands let go of her and she spun to see who owned them.

"Preminger, what are you doing here?" she asked.  Preminger held a finger to his lips, then helped Anneliese down from the cart.  

"Setting up what's already in order," he said.  "A checkmate."

He took both of their hands and rushed them into the mine and to a side room, where Julien stood waiting.  Anneliese flew to his open arms, grasping a hold of him.

"Preminger, what is your game?" Julien asked, his fond gaze turning to an icy glare.  "First you—"

Preminger cut him off with a disgusted loud exhale.  "I have my ways and you know nothing for being a tutor.  Princess, tell him the plan."

"Which one?" Katrina asked.

"You."  He took her by her waist and pulled her to his side.

She gasped.  "Oh.  Yes.  You're to wait here with Anneliese until we send word that everything is clear at the castle."

"When my two men tell you to leave the mines, you run as fast as you can outside, is that understood?" Preminger said.

"I think, but why?" Anneliese.  "What have you planned."

"Financial security for the kingdom, of course," Preminger said.  "But not in the way probably either you or your fair sister are thinking.  Like I said.  Checkmate."

He laughed, something like a cackle, then grabbed Katrina by the hand, all but dragging her from the mines.

"Slow!  Preminger!  I can't keep up!" Katrina panted as he rushed her from the mines and to the waiting cart.  

He lifted her with ease and set her in the cart.  She plopped onto the seat with in a dizzy crash, bringing a hand to her head.  Preminger hopped in, then shook the reigns.  "Move it!" he called.

"What are you doing?" Katrina asked as they rode from the mines.  "What don't I know about the plan?"

"I know something you don't," he said with a grin.  "Something about King Dominic."

"What?  Tell me?"

Preminger laughed.

"You'll find out tonight." 

Chapter Text

Preminger stopped the cart in the carriage loop, then hopped down. He held his arms out for Katrina, who leaned down into his waiting grasp. He set her on the ground, then ran ahead into the castle.

"Wait! I'll never keep up!" Katrina called after him, jogging into the castle.

She was a good ten feet behind Preminger by the time he made it to the throne room. He threw open the doors, where upon he and Katrina saw Dominic presenting the Anneliese with a ring.

"Imposter!" he called. "She's not Anneliese!"

Katrina skidded to a stop next to him, gasping for breath. He glanced over at her, winced, then led her to a chair along the wall.

"Are you saying I don't know my own daughter?" Queen Genevieve asked, incredulous, rising from the throne. Two guards came up to the woman who stood as Anneliese and took her arms.

"This isn't true," Dominic said. "This can't be true."

"I'm afraid it is. She's a commoner. A pauper. Check her shoulder," Preminger said. "No royal birthmark."

The Queen stepped up to the woman and lowered her right sleeve, exposing her bare shoulder.

No birthmark.

"What is the meaning of this?" Genevieve asked. "Who are you and where is my daughter?"

"I can explain, I can," the lady said, holding her hands up. Midas snuck up behind her and grabbed her blonde hair, exposing it as a wig. The lady's brown hair tumbled from the wig-cap.

"So can I," Preminger said. "You and your cohorts kidnapped the princess for your own gain. You made sure to have her sister out of the way the night she went missing as well so as not to have anyone know you took Anneliese's place."

"That's not true!" the lady cried.

Katrina felt for the lady, but could do nothing. After all, she was impersonating a royal.

"You put the princess in the mines and caused a cave-in."

"I would never!"

"She would never. It must be false," Dominic interjected.

"Oh, but it is," Preminger said and held out his palm toward the queen. "My men found this in the rubble. I tried to get there before this all happened, but it was too late."

Queen Genevieve looked at Preminger's open hand, and plucked a shining object from it.

"Her ring! No! My daughter!"

Katrina rushed to her mother's side, taking the ring in her own hands.

"Preminger, what is the meaning of this?" she asked.

Preminger waved her off.

"Take her to the dungeon," he said. "She'll await trial there."

"Let me explain," the lady said, and broke free of the guards. She rushed up to King Dominic. "I'm not the princess. But I'd never harm her. It was a plan. A plan to protect her! From him!" she pointed to Preminger. "Can't you see he's behind her being missing?"

"The dungeon," Preminger called again.

Katrina's head swarmed. She knew Preminger couldn't have been behind the initial cause for Anneliese's disappearance. She knew that well-enough. But why would the false Anneliese suspect him? What was this fake news of Annelies's—and by proxy Julien's—death?

Surely he said he had a plan that she didn't know of, but this was far out of her welkin.

The guards took hold of the lady again as Dominic shook his head. They led her from the throne room as Dominic stood there, silently.

Katrina led her mother back to the throne, sitting her down. "Mother, it's going to be well. I promise," Katrina said. "Believe me. Everything will be well."

"The queen turned to stare at Katrina."

"How can you say that with your sister now... gone?"

"I know it will be," Katrina begged. "You must believe me."

She broke from her mother's side, stepping to Dominic. "Um," she bowed before him. "I'm very sorry to bother you. And I'm sorry all this happened. How could we know a coup would take place?"

He glanced at her, his blue eyes full of worry. "What can be done?" he asked.

"I know I am not Anneliese, and I know I am not in line for the throne, but will you—" she drew in a shaking breath. "I offer you my hand. For the kingdom. Will you take me in Anneliese's stead?" She curtseyed low, looking toward the floor.

Dominic looked to the ceiling and sighed heavily.

"I can't," he said. "I just can't believe any of this and I can't take you for my wife, even for the kingdom."

And with that Dominic and his advisor left the throne room.

Katrina stayed in her low curtsey, staring at the floor.

That didn't go as expected.

She gasped in a sob, sinking from her curtsey to the floor.

"And now what will we do?" Genevieve asked. "With Dominic gone, and you turning down Randolph—"

"How?" Katrina looked up at Genevieve through tear stained eyes. "How did you know I turned him down?"

"I saw it in your room, Katrina. A draft of your letter to him," Genevieve said. She pressed her lips together tightly, her shoulders shaking. "You know for the good of the kingdom you should have married him."

"But mother—"

"No! You knew you could have married him. And if you had... if you hadn't waited these long two years, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

"How was I to know that Anneliese would go missing and I wouldn't be able to marry Dominic in her stead?" Katrina asked.

"How could you let your feelings come before the kingdom?" Genevieve stood. "I could have you in the stocks for what you did."

"What did I do?" Katrina cried. "I didn't do anything!"

"You told Randolph you couldn't be trapped in a marriage when you were in love."

Katrina glanced around the room, eyes falling on a silent Preminger who stood in the threshold, watching the entire event unfold.

"I thought I could afford the luxury better than Anneliese," Katrina said, not withholding her tears. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I tried to work up the marriage to Randolph. I tried to forget the man I love. But now Randolph is married to Isabella and we're sunk!" Katrina sobbed, crumbling to the ground. "All for love! Why is it so difficult!"

"Because we're royals," the queen said, then cleared her throat. "And our duty is to our people first."

A resounding silence echoed through the throne room. Katrina drew in trembling breaths as she tried to calm herself, stop herself from sobbing.

"If I may," Preminger cut in, stepping further into the throne room. "I think I have a solution to your troubles."

"What can you do Preminger?" Genevieve asked. "You can't bring my daughter back and you can't divorce Randolph from Isabella, nor change Dominic's mind."

"That is unfortunately true," he said, then stepped beside the crumpled Katrina. "And what terrible timing for this news. But I must inform you of something that happened on my recent trip. I'm afraid with the news of the wedding... ah... well... it got overshadowed."

"What is it?" Genevieve asked, wearily.

"One could say I struck gold," Preminger said, standing tall, puffing out his chest. "I am as wealthy as King Dominic."

Katrina glanced up at Preminger.

"You? You could save the kingdom?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Quite easily, twice over." He circled around Katrina, then faced the queen again. "I want to help. I'm willing to help. I can share my fortune with the kingdom."

The queen's shoulders sagged, her features softened, and though sadness gleamed in her eyes, there was a momentary peace about her.

"You'd save us all," she said.

"Yes. I just require a certain incentive," he said, flexing his fingers. "Nothing much. But something I rather desire."

"Anything, Preminger," the queen said. "I can give you nearly anything but the throne itself."

Preminger motioned to the crumbled form of Katrina.

"You want... what with her?" Genevieve asked.

Katrina glanced up, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Well naturally, if I'm to share in the financial responsibility of the kingdom, I will need to be a bigger part of it."

"Go on," Genevieve said.

"I've had a ring mark in my hand for some time, you see," Preminger said, smoothly, and stuck his hand into his coat pocket, pulling out a box. "I knew of the fiscal downslide and had this prepared for some time now."

"Be clear with your intentions, Preminger," the queen said. "What is it you want?"

Preminger nodded, then knelt to one knee beside Katrina, who gawked in awe.

"What?" she asked, the tears still in her eyes and voice.

"Marry me," he said and held her the ring box, showing her an ornate ring of gold, diamonds, and garnets. "How could you refuse?"

Katrina's breath caught in her throat, and she choked, sitting back on her haunches.

Genevieve looked expectantly at her daughter, mouthing "Say yes" at her.

Katrina's chest tightened, and her heart pounded, staring like a freshly caught fish at the ring in his hand.

Something he rather desired. Her. A ring. Some time.

He had been wondering in some way?

Not in any good way, apparently...

This wasn't the man who danced with her in Randolph's courtyard, who held her carefully like a fragile baby bird when he sat by her bedside in that rundown cabin.

Katrina held her left hand out to him and he wordlessly slid the ring onto her ring-finger with a laugh.

"Then it is set," the queen said. "Instead of Dominic and Anneliese tomorrow, it will be Katrina and Preminger."

Preminger grinned, and Katrina gaped down at the ring on her finger.

How did they both get to this space in time?

Chapter Text

A rushed job usually meant a botched job. But Katrina stood on a small podium as the royal tailor hemmed the last bit of train on the white dress she wore.

A white dress with golden shimmering accents. A golden tiara and silken veil covering her face and traveling down her exposed back.

She wished Anneliese was beside her. She needed her sister. She promised her years ago that she'd be there at the wedding.

But now, this rushed event. No showers. No gifts. No blush. Just a white dress and pale bride.

Her mother came into Katrina's bedroom, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief.

"If only Anneliese were here," she whispered. "Then it would be a magical day."

Katrina offered her mother a wavering smile.

"I messed up, but now I'll make sure I do right," she said.

"I said words in the heat of an upsetting moment," Genevieve said. "I wish we had a right to love first. But fondness can and will grow. I assure you. Your father and I... we had a luxury few can afford. Oh, we wish we could have given that luxury to you and to Ann...Anne...Annel... well... I am sorry you must be married so quickly."

"It's for the kingdom," Katrina said, tilting her chin upwards. "Is it time?"

The queen nodded.

Katrina stepped down from the podium, and a maid handed her a bouquet of lilacs, roses, and eucalyptus. A few fabric butterflies were clipped onto the sprigs for added dimension.

Then. She walked out of her bedroom with Seraphimo trailing behind her. Her mother and she walked silently through the halls down the stairs, and to the courtyard. Most of the village below the castle had arrived for the occasion, the other villages in the kingdom unable to come due to the short notice. At the end of the long aise, a gazebo overlooked the mountain range. And there the priest, the alter, and Preminger, with Midas by his side, waited.

The stretch of cobblestones to the gazebo seemed to grow ever longer the more Katrina walked it. But there he waited, a look of awe on his face. Genevieve lifted Katrina's veil, flipping it backwards over the tiara she wore. With a shaking hand, she placed Katrina's hand in Preminger's, then took a seat in the front of the attendees.

"Let us begin," the priest said.

Katrina stood facing Preminger, holding his hands, as the priest recited the rites from his thick Bible.

"Do you, Edouard Preminger, take this woman, Princess Katrina, First Duchess of Claramont, Chatelaine of Chateau Delilah, as your wife? To have and to hold, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health? Till death do you part?"

"I do... how could I refuse," Preminger said, nearly with a laugh.

"And do you, My Princess, take this man, Edouard Preminger, to be your husband? To have and to hold, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health? Till death do you part?"

Katrina drew in a deep breath and nodded.

"I do. I couldn't refuse."

Preminger started to smile, though it was not a grin, but a beam.

"Then, it is my pleasure and privilege to pronounce you as man and wife. You may kiss your princess bride."

Carefully, Preminger reached forward, taking Katrina by her waist. He pulled her close, breaking the distance between both of them.

He smelled of white fir and musk.

Slowly, she fitted her hands at his waist. They stared into the other's eyes for a moment, and before she realized it, her lips were pressed against his.

She closed her eyes. If dancing with him brought her on stars, kissing him took her to the moon. Her arms snaked around his back, and she pressed close to him, deepening the kiss.

He stepped back with a gasp, shock on his face. Katrina panted, her face turning bright red.

There was no turning back. There was nothing to do. She was bonded to him.

Chapter Text

Katrina sat at the head of the banquet table outside in the courtyard, glassy-eyed, staring forward at the attendees enjoying their time at the reception.  Anneliese should have been there to see her get married.  Maybe not to Preminger.  Only in a wild dream would she have married him. But now she was linked to him, and there were matching rings on their fingers.  

As far as she knew, he thought her to be in love with somebody else, and it was Randolph till the last night.  How could he do this, when he knew her secrets?  How could he turn on her so suddenly?  How could he marry her without her sister being there?

How could she let her husband know she was deeply and madly in love with him, when he had married her for a political and financial maneuver?

"You seem out of sorts, my dear," Preminger sat beside her.  "It should be a happy day."

"It should, shouldn't it," Katrina murmured.  "But I find myself without my sister and married suddenly."

Preminger paused, tapping his pointer finger to the table.  "Are you... upset that Randolph—"

"You heard last night," Katrina said, inclining her head toward him.  "You know I told him I loved another."

"Mmhmmhmmm."  Preminger flexed his fingers.  He took her chin in his fingers, tilting her face toward his.  "What can I do to make you happy on this our wedding day?" he murmured.  "I'd hate to have my bride so distraught."

"Your bride," she repeated and shook her head.  "Oh, what has happened so suddenly?  I thought we had a plan.  It didn't include sabotaging my sister."

"We haven't."  Preminger leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.  "She will make a miraculous recovery along with Julien.  I haven't actually said to anyone that she's died."

"You've implied it well enough."

"Yes, a bit of trickery on my part."  Preminger offered her a smile.  "Come, come, my lady.  Smile a moment. You are a blushing bride after all."

Katrina offered him a half-smile.

"Would a dance make you happy?" he asked.

"It wouldn't hurt to try," she said.  "After all, I don't think we've had a first dance yet."

"True," he said and stood, then held a hand out for her.  "Dance with me."

"I can't refuse," she said and took his hand.  He led her to the center of the courtyard and clapped his hands.

The sound of string instruments wafted through the air.

Katrina felt tears prick her eyes.

It was that song.

Why would he choose that song?

"We have a history with this one," he said with a light smile.  "It seemed only fitting we danced to it."

Katrina nodded as she wrapped her arms over his shoulders.  She swayed back and forth with him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"It had a sweet ring to it," Katrina said.  "It... used to be something so special to me..."

He twirled her, then brought her back in close. "It's not anymore?"

"It sounds different."  She stepped back and brought her arms above her head, arching them, delicately touching her hands together, then rose up en pointe, tossing her head backwards.  Preminger brought his hands to her waist, spinning her around, till she lifted a leg to the side and rolled down from her toes.

"I still do love the scent of lilac," he whispered as they resumed a simple two-step.  "It is one of my favorites."

"I wish you preferred roses," Katrina mumbled into his sleeve.

The crowd cheered as they waved the newlyweds off.  Katrina tossed her bouquet from the window in the back of the carriage where, it landed at her lady's maid's feet.  She picked it up and waved it awkwardly toward the carriage as it rode out of site.

"Where are we headed?" Katrina asked as Preminger slouched beside her, resting his feet on the seats across from them.  He lolled his head toward her.

"You'll see," he said.

"I don't think I could take many more of your sudden plans," Katrina said, intertwining her fingers with the lacey brocade on her bodice.  "I can't take surprises.  My heart... so delicate..."

"Oh, you're a hot house orchid. It's not a surprise," Preminger said.  "We'll be there in a few hours."

Katrina nodded, sitting stiffly against the cushions.  She stifled a yawn, then pinched the bridge of her nose and stretched her jaw. 

"Are you unwell?" he asked, taking her hand, pressing it.  "If you're to have an episode—"

"I am tired.  It's been an eventful day."

"Then sleep till we arrive at our destination," Preminger said.  "I'll wake you when we get there."

Katrina's eyes fluttered closed as she leaned against the corner of the carriage.

It seemed only a moment later that Preminger tapped her shoulder, rousing her.  She blinked open her eyes, adjusting them to the darkness about them.

"We've made it," he said.

The carriage door swung open, and the footman helped Katrina down from the carriage.  Preminger jumped from the carriage and held his arm out for her. 

Katrina looked up, noticing an inn, a lovely little inn with a thatched roof surrounded in a grove of trees.  She looked over at Preminger, who threw her smile, before they continued into the tavern.

The inn-keep looked up from the bar, then rushed toward them.  He seemed to have lost some weight since last they met, but still had a pleasant rotundness about him. 

"You two look familiar.  Have you been here before?" he asked, bowing low.

"Once, two years ago, when my lady fell ill," Preminger said.  "That was of course, before she became my lady—ha-ha!"

Katrina stood silently as Preminger pulled her against his side.

"And now you have come back?  Oh, we rarely see a familiar face twice.  She is your lady?"

"I am his lady," Katrina whispered, keeping her head bowed.

"Then will the room you had last time suffice?"

"Only if you had the balcony checked," Preminger said with a cackling laugh.

"We did and we'll have you know it's been reinforced."

"Excellent," he said.

The inn-keep showed the two up the stairwell, then to the last room.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy it," he said.  "I hope you will."

"I'm sure we will," Preminger said.

And with that, the keep left them alone.  The footman set their suitcases in the room, bowed, then took his leave, all while Katrina and Preminger silently stood, studying each other.  Preminger motioned for Katrina to come close.  Reluctantly, she did so.  With one swift move, Preminger bent at the knees, hooked one arm under Katrina's bustle and one at her shoulders and stood.  Katrina had scarcely time to react, flinging her arms about his neck for balance, as he took her over the threshold into the suite.  

He kicked the door closed behind him, keeping her in his arms.

The only time you'd be carried is over a threshold and I won't be doing that.

But he did it.  Carefully, he placed her back on the floor and stepped back with a huff.

"Oh, I can't do this," Katrina cried and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door on the train of her dress.  She tried to wriggle it free, but it was stuck.

Preminger opened the bathroom door, shoved the dress inside the bathroom, then closed it again.

"Listen, I know you don't love me.  I know you think I married you politically," Preminger said.  "But running away from me?  Your coldness knows no boundaries."

Katrina only let out a frustrated cry. "You don't understand."

"I'm sure I don't, Preminger said.  "You're sobbing on your wedding night."

"My wedding!  That my sister should have been at.  That I should have felt beautiful at, that I should have—"

"You are beautiful!"

"I am not and you know it," Katrina choked out.  "Everybody knows it.  Yet some reason, I'm the thing you wanted so you could save the kingdom?  I don't get it!"

"You probably never will!" Preminger said.  "It hurt me to see you staring loveless at me as we stood at the altar.  Because I come from nothing?  Ach.  You say it's not fair for you to not be able to love.  But for me it's a different pang."

"Loveless?  You think I didn't care?"  Katrina opened the door a crack, peering out at him.  She drew in a breath, her lips trembling. "You're not the man I fell in love with."  He opened the door, and leaned on on hip, crossing his arms.  He curled his lip, quirking a brow.  She pointed at him, steeling her jaw, narrowing her eyes. "Where's the Edouard who saved me from the woods and who held me on the balcony?  Where's the Edouard who cared for me when I was kidnapped?  Where's the Edouard with the wondering mind, thinking of stars and of the future?  That's the man I love."

Preminger's stare softened into a shocked gaze, but Katrina barely registered the change in his visage.  She let him have it, explaining just when her love started, and how she never was cold to him, and how she had to hide every feeling she felt for him for two years.  And even before that two years of lovelorn pain, she hadn't hated him.  She just thought him pompous.  But that changed as soon as she saw the true him.  Finally, she let out a sound of pining vexed malcontent, and slammed the door shut and slid down against it, covering her face in her hands.

She heard his shoes step away from the door. 

Echoing silence.

"Princess?" he asked after a moment.

Oh, good g-d... she said it.

She spoke what she kept inside for two years. 

He knew.

Katrina rose and pressed against the door.

"Princess...?" he asked again.

Katrina slowly opened the bathroom door, glancing wearily up at Preminger with her head bowed.  

"Now you know," she said.

Preminger silently took her hand, then led her to the fireplace and sat her on the armchair.  He sat beside her on the footstool.

"You love me..." he said.

Katrina nodded.

"You love me, and have for two years?"

She nodded again.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"Because I had fallen in love on a trip to set me up with another kingdom," Katrina said.  "How could I say I was in love with somebody other than who I was supposed to be matched with?  But I know you don't feel the same.  I know I'm a political scheme.  What can I bring you?  The title of Prince?  I have no throne.  Unless you plan to really do away with Anneliese."

"No, I don't plan for that," he said.  "I don't know much of what I planned anymore."

"My only plan was for her happiness.  So she'd be happy and the kingdom would be saved."

"She is happy now.  She has her school boy."

"And is the kingdom truly saved?"

He nodded.

"But Katrina..." He took her face in his hands.  "I do feel the same."

She frowned, furrowing her brows.

"I—you feel the same?" she asked, her voice cracking.  He nodded again.  "But why would you chose me?  I'm not the fairer sister.  You could have had Anneliese."

"I don't love Anneliese," Preminger said, leaning in.  "I have always preferred you.  Your sister is wonderful, but not you.  You don't compare a rose and a lilac.  You know them both to be wonderful.  But I told you before.  I have always loved lilacs."  He let go of her face and intertwined his hands with hers.

"But your silence," Katrina said.  "I don't understand.  You agreed with the courtier."

"What are you talking about?"

"Years ago.  There was a courtier who said there were never two beautiful sisters.  Only one.  And he pointed to Anneliese when you questioned him.  You said nothing.  You, a man of so many words and more sounds said nothing."

"And let the servants know of my feelings toward a royal?" he asked.  "Katrina, did you see that courtier afterwards?"

"I hadn't... I didn't search for him."

Preminger grasped her hands tightly.  "Who do you think fired him?" he said.  "Who do you think told the queen?"

"I—"

Preminger rose from the footstool and paced to the center of the room, turning his back to her.

"And now it's known.  I do love you.  Not only for how you look, but for your gentle kindness and fiery spirit. But there was no other way to marry you unless I could somehow—"

Katrina stood and rushed to him, spinning him around to face her.

"So then you do wonder about me, when you wonder at night?"

He scuffed his heel on the floor, a faint blush growing over his face. "Ah, well, you know, it's, ah, yeah."

Katrina ran to the balcony doors and threw them open, then grabbed Preminger and dragged him outside.

"Say it again, then," she said.

"It again, then," Preminger said.

"Edouard!" She tugged him close to her. "Tell me what you told me earlier today when the priest asked you if you'd have me."

Preminger began to smile.

"I do," he said, and took her hands.  "How could I refuse?"

"I do too.  I can't refuse."

They kissed, grasping a hold of each other, closing every distance between them.  No more hiding feelings.  No more forbidden thoughts.  His scent of silver fir mingled with her fresh lilac.  

The balcony didn't creak at all, but later, the bed sure did.

Chapter Text

"We left Julien and Anneliese in the mines!"  Katrina shot up that next morning, blankets falling about her waist.

A disgruntled tired high-pitched moan emanated beside her.  

"Edouard, wake up," she rasped, pushing at his shoulder.  "We need to get back and send word to Julien and Anneliese."

Preminger propped himself up on his forearms, then sat upright.  "What time is it?"

Katrina glanced to the clock on the writing desk.  "Ah... about seven."

"And what are you up for?"

"Because we LEFT JULIEN AND ANNELIESE IN THE MINES."

"You know, I thought we forgot something yesterday," Preminger said.  "I guess we should send word to them that it's safe to return."

"I think that might be for the best,"  Katrina said, reaching for her robe.

"Oh, don't be so impatient," Preminger said as Katrina looked out the window, as they neared the castle.  "They're still alive.  There'll be a grand reveal and it'll all be well, happy, and the end credits will play a romantic pop version of our wedding song with Barry Manilow singing it."

"Did you have your men at least bring them something of comfort?"

"I think I had them bring some cake," Preminger said, tapping his chin.  "But I can't remember."

"You know, I would have liked a wedding tour, but really, Edouard?  The beginning of our marriage starts like this?"

"Could be worse," Preminger said as the carriage came to a stop.

Katrina bolted from the carriage before the footman could open the door, and ran off toward the doors.  The guards barely had time to open them before she burst in, and clambered up the stairs and through the hallways, till she came upon the throne room.

"Mah—ther" she panted, bending over, bracing her hands on her knees.  "I have—something—"

"Katrina?  What are you doing home so soon?" Genevieve stood from the throne.

Katrina held a hand up as she tried to regain her breath and composure.  "Mother.  Anneliese.  I have to talk about Anneliese," she gasped.  

"Is right here," Anneliese ran into the throne room with Julien behind her.  Following them was a harried Preminger, hair awry, and cravat untied, and jacket undone.

"What in heaven's sake was that for?  I did NOTHING to deserve that," he mumbled, stumbling in behind them.

Katrina pulled a face, stepping back beside Preminger, and brought a hand up, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Anneliese?" Genevieve sat abruptly on the throne.  "What... you're dead?"

"Not in the slightest," Anneliese said.  "Somebody was supposed to come get us, but never sent word!"

"What is going on?" Genevieve said, and glanced over to Preminger and Katrina, a mix of confused fear mixed in her eyes.  "You said she was dead."

"Which was a blatant lie," King Dominick burst into the room, slamming the door onto Preminger.  Katrina let out a cry of shock for him, but he was quite proficient in crying out on his own.  He slid down the wall with a whimpering moan, leaning forward, resting his head in an open palm.  Katrina knelt beside him.

"He took Anneliese to begin with," the lady who looked very like Anneliese said.  "I was only trying to give Julien the time to look for her so the wedding could stay on!"

"Preminger never kidnapped me," Anneliese said, turning to the woman.  "Erika, were you here the entire time?"

"I was to save you from Preminger.  Or stall to save you from him."

"He never kidnapped anyone," Katrina said.

"That's not entirely true," Julien said, glaring at Preminger.  "He took me to the mines after I found him at an old cabin in the forest."

"Just to keep you from ruining the plan," Preminger said, regaining his senses as his dizziness left.  "I hadn't kidnapped Anneliese like you said.  I technically kidnapped Katrina."

"You kidnapped me?" Katrina asked with a gasp.

"I didn't mean to, I was trying to capture Anneliese."

"So you were trying to hurt her," Dominick said.  "And you framed Erika!"

"No!  I wasn't trying to hurt her.  Only stop her from marrying you," Preminger said, still from his crumbled spot on the ground.  "How was I to know she left of her own accord.  Katrina wrote the letter on her desk."

"Katrina!  Why would you do such a thing?" Genevieve asked.

"I was going to take Anneliese's place," Katrina said, sitting next to Preminger from her kneeling position.  "Anyone can tell she's in love with Julien.  I was only trying to keep her happy while putting the kingdom before my own happiness.  I was fully content to be in a loveless marriage."  She offered Dominick an embarrassed smile.  "Not that I don't like you..."

"No, I understand what you mean... but why blame Erika?"

"I brought her in to stall," Julien said.

Queen Genevieve sat on her throne, hands covering her face, listening to the six people in her court fight.

"I thought Preminger kidnapped Anneliese to keep her from Dominick, so he could bring her back himself."  Julien motioned broadly at Preminger.  "He has lilac scented stationary too."

"You do?" Katrina whispered and Preminger nodded.

"I figured he would bring Anneliese back to marry her and take the throne."

"Not in the slightest," Preminger said.  "My goal was to hide her away till the wedding was cancelled, offer my wealth for Katrina's hand, save the kingdom, marry Katrina.  Only way I could."

"Then why imprison me?" Erika asked.  

"We had to figure out a way to get the real Anneliese back.  I was sure we'd never let you hang over this." Katrina held out her hand.  "I'm terribly sorry.  If there's anyway I can repay you for your distress..."

"No, I—I guess I get it..." Erika said.  "It's not very well-thought, but I get it."

“Just to clarify,” Genevieve said slowly, rubbing her temples, “Katrina and Anneliese connived for Anneliese to wait in town so Katrina could take her place?”

“Yes,” Katrina said.  “Then she could be happy with Julien and the kingdom would be saved.”

    “However, Preminger, you thought you could kidnap Anneliese to get her out of the way, to offer your wealth for the kingdom by marrying Katrina, and then, oh, bring Anneliese back sometime later?”

“Yes, but my cohorts took the wrong sister,” Preminger said.

Genevieve leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.  “This made Julien believe that Preminger kidnapped Anneliese to stop the wedding, marry her, and take the throne?”

“Because of the lilac stationary,” Julien said.  “How was I to know that Katrina wrote the letter?”

“With both of my daughters missing, Julien, you found a pauper who looks like Anneliese to masquerade as her while you searched for her.”

“Yes,” Erika said.  “I’m Erika.  I was to keep things normal.”

“But you fell in love with Erika,” Genevieve pointed her scepter at Dominick.

“I did, yes,” Dominick stammered, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck.  Erika smiled broadly up at him. 

“Julien, where were you this whole time?”

“Preminger locked me in the mines to keep me quiet.” Julien threw Preminger a dirty glare.

“Because you were going to ruin the plan!” Preminger said with a disgusted sigh.  "What was I supposed to do?  Let you find the real Anneliese?"

Genevieve waved the scepter wearily in the air.  “This is all so confusing.”

"We then needed to bring Anneliese and Julien back together, and stop the wedding,” Katrina said.  “So… the only plan that worked was Preminger’s?”

“Well, uh, yes, I suppose so,” Preminger said.

"Nobody needs to marry anybody," Anneliese said.  "I found something in the mines that will help."

She stepped up to her mother and showed her a large round rock in her hands.

"Well, it isn't gold," Preminger said.  "That's all gone."

"No, it's a geode," Anneliese said, and opened the rock, revealing purple crystals.  "The mine has a surplus.  We'll be able to cultivate a new currency and financial structure."

"We already have had a marriage," Genevieve said, glancing wearily up at her daughter.  "Katrina married Preminger to save the kingdom with his wealth.  Everything was settled yesterday concerning the kingdom's welfare."

Anneliese pulled a face, then turned to Katrina. 

"You married Preminger?" she asked, her voice tiny, and ever so slightly disgusted.

Katrina and Preminger nodded.

"The kingdom is already at peace," Genevieve said, but took the geode in her hands, inspecting it.  "But this?  This might cause a boom."

"I would think so," Julien said.  "Goodness knows how many geodes are in those mines.  We could easily triple what we would have had in gold."

Preminger let out a shocked cry.  "Triple?" he gasped.  Everyone looked at him, bemused.  He cleared his throat.  "That's... amazing... ah... what with my fortune... added... to the mix..."

"Oh, Katrina, then you could have had the luxury of love," Genevieve said.  "I'm so sorry, my darling."

"I think I'll manage," Katrina said, smiling gently at Preminger.  He offered her a tired, sore, half-smile in return. Slowly, she closed the distance between them and kissed him, chastely and tenderly, then broke away and sidled up next to him.  Anneliese grimaced and shuddered.  

"Then what's there left to do?" Genevieve asked.  "You're back to us, the kingdom is saved, and now... King Dominick, we've wasted your precious time!"

"Not terribly so," Dominick said, grinning at Erika.

"Nobody needs to get married," Julien added, then took Anneliese's hand.  "But I think maybe those of us who want to, should."

"Then let's start the whole thing over again," Genevieve said, rising from the throne.  "We'll start the preparations for a wedding.  Again."

Chapter Text

Anneliese couldn't be at Katrina's wedding, but Katrina made sure she'd be there for Anneliese. 

Besides, as Matron of Honor, she had to do whatever and anything to make sure Anneliese would be at ease and over the course of the next six months of planning and prepping, Katrina had made definitely sure that Anneliese was the happiest bride in the kingdom.  Of course Erika was not left out of happiness.  Katrina made sure to make up for any heartache and inconvenience she had inadvertently caused the poor girl with all the help she could give.

So, a double wedding took place, between Dominick and Erika, and Julien and Anneliese.

The lower village arrived at the castle once again for the royal weddings, and most of Dominick's main village.

"I really was never one for happy endings," Preminger muttered to Katrina as the couples said their vows.  She elbowed him in his side.

"It's not an ending.  It's a beginning," she murmured, taking his hand.  She rested her head on his shoulder.  "Besides, I have some news for you after the reception."

"You've gotten me my own crown?"

"Shh!  You'll have to wait to find out."

The reception was quick and mainly an excuse to feed the village good food they'd probably never have elsewhere, and then, like that, the married couples were off on their wedding tour.

Katrina guided Preminger back to the castle, telling him to keep his eyes shut.  

"Can't I open them now?" he asked, tripping over a step.  Katrina steadied him, but shook her head.

"Nope.  Gotta be a surprise."

"I thought you hated surprises.  Oh, your delicate heart and all that."

"I'm the one with the surprise," she said.  "I like them when I'm giving them."

They wound through the hallway, till they Katrina stopped suddenly, then turned him to face a wall.

"Okay, look," she said.

Preminger took his hand from his eyes and looked up.  His mouth fell open slightly, seeing the painting on the wall.

"Finally to commemorate the three of us," Katrina said.  "We needed a royal family picture."

Preminger flicked his eyes over to Katrina, then at the painting, which showed her sitting on a chair, while he stood proudly behind her, in all their regalia.

"A new portrait?  When did you even think to have this created?"

"A week or so ago.  Had the sketch artist come in and give his ideas to the painter."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek.  "Your first portrait as Prince of Musicienne, Duke of Claramont, and—"

"Did you say the three of us?" Preminger cut her off.  He laughed.  "I know you excel in dancing rather than mathematics, but surely you can count to two."

"I can count to ten and back again all I like," Katrina said.  "But there's three in that portrait."

Preminger scoffed, then motioned with his hand.  "One, two," he said, pointing to himself and Katrina.

Katrina scoffed right back at him.  "One, two," she pointed to herself and Preminger, "three."  She motioned back at herself.

"One, two," Preminger pointed to himself, then at her, poking her in the chest.

"One," she pointed to herself.  "Two."  She pointed to him, poking him in the chest.  "Three."  She took his hand and pressed it against her bodice.

Preminger paused a moment, then as if a candle lit inside his brain, he understood.

"Aah!"

Katrina broke into a large beaming grin.

He scooped her up in his arms, and spun her around.

As it turned out, despite all the rules and regulations they lived with, Katrina and Anneliese were afforded the luxuries of love and happiness.  It just took a little scheming, and a lot to do about nothing.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Wondrous Things
Art (c) JessMckArt- https://artistree.io/request/jessmckart
Coloring by me