Later in the evening, when the rest of the castle is settling for the night, Annaliese walks back up the stone steps. It had taken much of the afternoon to calm herself enough to return.

At the door she pauses and takes a breath, closing her eyes. She knocks with confidence and forces a "Mr. Zorander?" from her lips. It sounds a little shaky so she tries again with more strength, "Mr. Zorander, it's Annaliese. Can I come in?"

The door opens and he looks down at her, "A little late for apprenticeship, Princess. I'm about to retire for the evening myself."

Her face falls more than she meant it to and she looks down a little, "Oh, I - I just wanted to say Father was hoping he could meet with you tomorrow just after breakfast to hear your announcement." She forces the sunny smile back to her face. "I told him it's really great news and he is excited to hear it!"

"Oh well... yes that would be fine. I will join him in his study then. Thank you, uh, Princess Annaliese."

"You're welcome!" She pauses and without knowing what else to do states, "Do you mind if I come in instead of standing here in the doorway?"

"I - well... I suppose not." He moves to one side and she bounds in immediately, barely letting him finish the sentence.

"Great because I wanted to ask you about your trip. When will you be leaving?" She tries to sound nonchalant. Like she is interested but not really that concerned. She isn't sure she pulled that off but hoped.

"If your Father gives his leave, I will depart in 6 weeks' time."

"Oh so we have a little time!" He looks at her puzzled. "Before you leave I mean. We have some time we can spend together-".

His expression deepens a touch.

"I mean if it's ok I just was hoping since I won't see you for a while we could maybe spend some extra time, you know... doing magic... and.." She looks at him hopefully. Please understand what I'm saying without REALLY understanding, she thinks. She isn't sure she really understood her full meaning herself.

His face takes on his typical brooding scowl, "Well I will have a lot of preparations to make so I will be really busy for the next few weeks..."

Her heart breaks a little and her smile fades. He notices. He notices and he can't help but finish the thought in a way to bring that smile back to her face.

"... so I could probably use an apprentice I suppose." He waves his hand like it really isn't such a big deal but her face lights the dark room.

"Oh Mr. Zorander, thank you! I will be so much help and I won't get in the way."

"Yes yes well off with you now we can speak more tomorrow. It's very late for Princesses. Even apprentice ones."

Her eyes glimmer and she straightens "Yes Master Sorcerer, I will go straight away and be here first thing tomorrow!"

She turns and starts out of the room and then stops suddenly. Returning to him, she glides across the room and tips onto her toes in front of him. He steps back a step and finds he is against a table and has no where to go.

Her lips press his cheek lightly and linger, just a moment too long to be a peck. She steps back with a delicate lilt to her head and smiles up at him. Her mouth opens like she would speak but she seems to think better of it and decides simply to turn and go. At the door she turns back a moment and waves, "See you tomorrow, Mr. Zorander."

...the death of me He thinks again and begins the walk down the stone steps to retire to restless sleep.

Princess Annaliese sleeps a shallow, dream heavy sleep. She wakes often, glancing to her window each time to gaze at the tower across the castle's courtyard. The tower of the Royal Sorcerer.

When morning finally comes, it finds her exhausted. But she refuses to waste any more time in her room. The sun has barely risen over the horizon and she is dressing, choosing a gown with more care than usual. She wants to look, and feel, more mature today.

Six weeks to spend with her sorcerer and she does not want him to see her as a pestering child. She also intends to accompany him to meet with her Father today. Though she sincerely sees the value of his continued study with the council, she is not sure the King will immediately agree. She wants to feel she can speak with her Father on Zorander's behalf if he needs a little nudge. No, today there will be no childish dress. She chooses a simple yellow gown with no pearls or frills. Fitted to the waist with a square neck, it had been a gift from her Father's sister on her 15th Birthday. Everyone thought it seemed a little old for her. Today, that seems perfect.

Annaliese walks the cold halls to the dining room. King Randolph and Queen Aramina are already seated at the table. The princess walks into the room casually, as if her dress were nothing of note. "Good morning, Mom and Dad!"

Her mother starts a little, "Annaliese you look lovely. What's the special occasion?"

"Oh, not really special. I just think it's time I started to explore my wardrobe. You have always given me such beautiful things and I hardly wear anything except the same old gowns."

Her mother gives her a smile and, Annaliese thinks but wonders if she imagines it, there seems to be a little "knowing" in her eyes.

Prince Daniel and Princess Ashlyn both enter a few minutes later. "Good morning, everyone," she announces in her golden voice.

"Good morning, Ashlyn. Daniel. What are your plans today?" Randolph nods to late comers.

As everyone eats, Annaliese is in her own head, thinking about the conversation to come and hoping there would be no issues for her friend.

Zorander stalks the halls in his long robes and approaches the King's study with much trepidation. Randolph had once shown very little fondness for the sorcerer. Partially, he knows, due to Zorander's many failures at various spells early in his career. But that is in the past. The king had been far more respectful over the past few years, mostly due to Zorander's increased talent but in no small part also because of the awe with which Annaliese viewed him. She had encouraged her Father on many occasions to give Zorander opportunities to prove himself and was always vocal in her praise.

Ready, Zorander glides through the heavy double doors and finds not only King Randolph, but Princess Annaliese seated in the room.

"Ah, Zorander, just in time!" The King stands with powerful body frame but open arms.

"Your Majesty, thank you for seeing me so quickly."

"Why of course, Zorander. Especially when Annaliese insisted it absolutely could not wait." He smiles and winks over at the girl, causing Zorander to glance her direction as well.

She looks lovely.

Her typical child-like gowns is much more subdued today. The soft yellow gown hugging her to a dropped-waist, giving an indication of the fullness of her hip. The square neck is much more daring for the girl as well.

Zorander looks away quickly, fighting what almost became a blush and looks intently, with purpose, at no one but the King.

"I have received an invitation of sorts. A summons if you read through the lines, by the Council of Magi." He presents the scroll to the King so he could see the seal for confirmation.

"They have a position open for 10 Royal Sorcerers to study under the great masters for 2 years. It will strengthen my knowledge and my ability to do work for you and the kingdom."

He waits. He thought he sounded confident enough but truthfully he is terrified. He notices the King glance over at Annaliese, her face beaming with... pride? She always seems so proud of anything he accomplishes. As if she has anything to do with it.

King Randolph hesitates a moment. "I don't know, this is a lot to consider. Having my one and only sorcerer away for such a long time would place the Kingdom in a weak position."

"Yes, Sire, I considered that. If you know the council as I know you do, they must feel what they can teach me is worth the time spent. Perhaps making you, in 2 years, one of the most powerful Kingdoms in exchange."

"I suppose, yes." He thinks for a moment and looks back at Annaliese.

"Can you believe it, Dad?!" Only 10 sorcerers from 100 Kingdoms and they chose Mr. Zorander! Isn't that amazing?" She has stars in her eyes but her father, deep in thought, does not seem to notice. Zorander, staring intently AWAY from her, does not either.

Randolph seems to make, as he often does, a snap decision, "Very well. I will not let King Kieran tell me how his sorcerer has more knowledge than mine. If I'm lucky, his sorcerer wasn't even invited..." That puts the smile back on his face and he offers Zorander his hand to shake. "Zorander, you have my leave to accept."

The sorcerer grasps his hand, lightly at first, then with strength and allows his own smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He takes a step back and bows slightly. "If you will excuse me I have many things to prepare."

"Yes, yes, of course."

He flees the room with one last quick glance at Annaliese. Her smile is... genuine? But frozen on her face.