In the ballroom, Annaliese finds herself center stage. Ashlyn has dressed her for the evening. "Annaliese, I'm so pleased to see you have been branching out from those fluffy little girl gowns but tonight is special. I have invited the young princes from every kingdom! You could be positioned to be courted by the end of the night!" She had squealed at that, clasping her hands.

Ashlyn had chosen a deep green gown for Annaliese. Embellished with trims of gold and more than a little revealing at the bust, Annaliese did not feel as comfortable as she would have liked. The body fit was similar to the yellow gown she had worn for Zorander's announcement to her Father, except the waist corseted tighter and the neckline scooped deeper. Where a simple bird necklace laid, a symbol of her childhood leaving. Ashlyn insisted she pull her hair off her neck to show off her mostly bare shoulders, but went with loose curls weighing down her back.

Now she stands greeting visitors to her own party and she does not even know their names.

The music has started, people are beginning to dance. She has more than a few offers. Many she accepts politely. Some of the princes are old friends. She dances with some, but her eyes never stray far from the ballroom door. If he doesn't come, she will know she has been right all this time: He can't possibly see her as anything more than the child that hangs around his tower. She is smiling at this random prince whom she has just met but there is no smile in her eyes.

As the evening wears on, some of the guests begin to take their leave. Those closest to her can see Sofia is not having the best evening but no one else could ever tell. Her Mother assumes it is due to the grand affair being so large and over-bearing. Her kind-hearted daughter always preferred intimate gatherings over the pomp and circumstance expected of the royal family. Her Father believes she is nervous over the possibility of a prince asking his blessing to court the girl. Ashlyn would know her well enough to tell but she is otherwise engaged, swirling across the dance floor in Dominick's arms, waiting for the official proposal she expects any day...

As Annaliese curtsies her farewell to guests, she notices a flicker of movement down the hall and turns to find Zorander approaching slowly. Annaliese's heart flutters but she is also hurt and a little angry. The party is nearing its end. She bows her head towards her friend but does not walk to meet him, making him come to her for once.

When Zorander sees her, he stops. She is laughing with one of those insufferable little princess who are her so called friends. However, he is enraptured. His feet stop moving for a moment as he takes her in. He slowly begins his approach once more just as she turns and sees him. The smile fades from her lips a little. When she turns to face him her body is rigid and tall. A lady proper in emeraldgreen When he finally reaches her he stops and... should he bow? He does. It seems appropriate for the event, for his tardiness, and for her stunning presence.

"Good evening, Princess Annaliese, and Happy Birthday." He smiles a little. A nervous, boyish smile. "Thank you, Mr. Zorander." A pause. "I'm glad you could make it."

She sounds more cold than he has ever heard and he knows good and well why. But his pride fights his heart, as pride typically will.

"Yes well I had a lot of work to do. I leave for the council soon and can't seem to get any work done during the day what with all the potion ingredient excursions." He regrets it immediately as her smile finishes its slow departure from her face.

"I'm sorry I took you away from your work for a silly birthday party then."

"No, I - I apologize, Princess Annaliese." He hangs his head a moment, closes his eyes and takes in a breath. "I really was working on something however and.. it doesn't matter. Shall we, Your Highness?" He offers his arm to escort her back to the room. She seems to hesitate before taking it and following him back into the ballroom.

"I want you to meet someone." She looks up at him and some of the warmth has returned to her face.

For Annaliese, the remainder of the evening passes much more quickly than the beginning. She introduces Zorander to sorcerers from other Kingdoms, many of whom have been drug to this event by their Kings and Queens as little more than a trophy. She continues to politely accept dance offers from her guests but quickly returns to Zorander once the music stops. She doesn't ask him to dance nor does he offer. It would most likely not be well received by the various royals and she is fairly certain he would decline anyway.

As the last guests say their goodbyes, Annaliese's family has already retired for the evening as well. Except Ashlyn, snuggled in the corner of the room, eyes on Dominick and lost in his gaze.

"So what were you working on?"

Looking at her, Zorander rubs the back of his neck with his hand. A nervous tick he has had since she has known him and Annaliese finds it adorable.

"Well actually, Princess, it was... it was your Birthday gift."

Her smile broadens and her eyes gleam. She hugs him quickly then steps back, noticing a member of the staff watching from the corner of her eye. "Why didn't you tell me that? That's a much more acceptable reason to be late to someone's Birthday you know."

"It didn't really seem acceptable either way so I thought I'd not spoil the gift as well as the evening." He smirks down at her. "Would you like to see it?"

"Yes! Did you bring it with you? Is it in your tower?"

"I'll show you." He gestures to the door.

Zorander shows the princess to the door then leads her down the hall.

Once outside the castle, the chilly early-spring air sends a shiver down Annaliese's back and she wraps her arms around herself.

"I'm sorry, Princess I should have mentioned to bring a wrap." Before she can speak, he has removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Oh, no really, now you'll be cold."

"I'm perfectly comfortable." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny box and opens it, presenting it to her. Inside is a small cluster of irregular blue crystals.

She looks at him, the question in her eyes before it leaves her lips, "what are they?"

"Watch."

Zorander turns the box back to himself and gingerly picks up one small crystal. "You have to be careful when you pick them up. They are extremely delicate."

He holds the stone between his thumb and forefinger and squeezes and the crystal disintegrates. A swirl of soft wind and snow envelopes them both, quickly gathering white powder on the ground around them and falling from the air in beautiful soft snowflakes.

"I won't be here for Christmas this year, Princess. I can't cast a spell for snow if it doesn't come and I know you like the holiday much more this way."

Annaliese lifts her face into the falling snow and closes her eyes. She breathes in the air and then looks back at him, in wonder. "Thank you, Zorander." The loss of a respectful title before his name is not lost on the sorcerer. This is a private moment just for them and he gives her a genuine smile.

"You're welcome... Annaliese. Happy Birthday."

They stand that way for some time, watching the snow fall on the stone until the spell fades and the snow begins to melt.

The days pass quickly and the spring brings obligations to Annaliese in various forms. Princess classes begin again, various spring festivals and balls pull her from Dulcinea to neighboring kingdoms, and the world awakes to warm days.

Zorander noticed her absence more than he ever had. He busies himself with various projects but one in particular takes more time than he probably should have even allowed, often neglecting duties for the kingdom.

On the day of his departure, he gathers his necessary books, wands, and personal effects and makes his way to the awaiting coach that will take him to harbor. He would cross the seas on one of Dulcinea's royal ships, King Randolph making a large show of what he referred to as the "honor" the council had shown him. Zorander is pleased the King is proud.

Annaliese had come to his tower for the last time the night before to say a private goodbye, knowing his send off today would be a public affair. She had hugged him. Nothing unheard of between the pair except this time, he didn't stiffen or push her away. He wrapped his arms around her and lowered his head, placing his cheek against her light brown hair. It was a brief appropriate moment, but it was more affection than he had shown anyone in a long time.

Annaliese would miss him she says but he fears of her forgetting him for another. His return will most likely greet him with the sight of her, arm in arm with a suitor. The thought makes him a little angry, but mostly fills him with sorrow and dread. She could never be his... his what?

His lover?

His wife?

But she had assuredly been his friend and even that will most likely be gone.

Zorander walks through the massive palace doors to find the royal family waiting to send him off. Princess Ashlyn holds her head high but gives him a nod, pretty high regard for the Princess who only curtsies to royalty. King Randolph shakes his hand and Queen Aramina bows slightly, wishing him well on his journey and success in his craft. Prince Daniel give him a vigorous handshake, more attentive than usual, "I hope you learn some really cool magic!" He claps him on the back nearly sending Zorander off balance.

At the end he sees Annaliese. She has on a brave face but he knows her enough to see the sadness in her eyes. She flashes him a bright smile, "Good luck, Mr. Zorander! I'll make sure your tower is kept nice while you're away!"

He smiles and bows to her. "Thank you, Princess Annaliese. It has certainly been more organized since you started visiting for magic lessons." Annaliese uses her 'magic lessons' as an excuse for spending so much time with the sorcerer and he thinks this comment will make their exchange appropriately innocent.

The truth is he wants to grab her waist and pull her close, devouring her mouth in a kiss befitting the loss he feels at this farewell.

Outwardly he is rigid and unmoved. He rises from the bow and walks away with barely another glance at her face. There. He had done it.

He climbs into the carriage and closes the door behind him, slumping into the seat out of view to take a deep breath.

The family turns and walks back to their castle and their lives. The youngest princess stays until the carriage is out of view and then even after it is gone. Slowly she turns back and walks to her room. She does not come out until dinner when she feels more collected, and the light in her eyes is a little dimmer in the days to come.