As afternoon gives away to evening, Ashlyn is a vision in gold and while, her hair draped with jewels. A crown sits her head, hand crafted for this occasion. 

Ashlyn and Dominick stand, hands held together between them. The Arch-Bishop presides over the event, as is traditional for all royal weddings in Bulovia.

"May this union last, long live the future King and Queen of Bulovia." As everyone eurpts with joy of the union. Dominick steps forward and holds Ashlyn tightly. Before stepping back, he kisses the top of her head; scandalous indeed! But no one seems to mind. The kingdom rejoices and Prince Dominick and Princess Ashlyn of Bulovia bow toward their guests, hands held in unison.

Entering the grand ballroom that will house the reception of the event, Annaliese is stunned by the transformation. Ashlyn told her that "Oasis" was the theme, ("Always have a theme, Annaliese. Then make it bigger!") but this is beyond what she thought possible. An enchanted waterfall flows from nothing to a pool that never seems to fill in the middle. The huge room is full of exotic plants, putting even the palace gardens to deep shame. The room is open to the sky above, a billion stars shining down on the low lit oasis. A servant bows to Annaliese, holding up a tray, offering her a glass of rich wine. She takes it and carries it with her as she advances further into the space.

The night carries on, King Randolph stands to say a few words. Annaliese would swear he has been crying. Dominick's father speaks next. When he is finished, he calls for the music to play and begs that everyone welcome the united families with drink, food, and song. The guests are happy to oblige.

By this point, Annaliese is on glass of wine number two and is feeling warm and giddy. She is slow to react when Prince Nicholas asks her for a dance.

"Hmm?.. Oh, uhm sure, I mean yes, Prince Nicholas, thank you for asking." Her manners return to her at the end.

He leads her by the arm to the dance floor and leads her into a waltz. He dances very well. As is to be expected from a Prince of his pedigree. Annaliese closes her eyes as they spin and loses herself in the song for a short time. When the music stops, Nicholas releases her slowly and bows to her. "Thank you, Princess Annaliese. You're as graceful as you are kind and beautiful. Perhaps I could beg another waltz this evening?"

She smiles at him. This is a Nicholas she's not used to seeing. He always knew how to play polite but he seems sincere. Maybe it's the wine. She curtsies back. "Yes of course, I will be here all evening. Come find me later. I should spend some time with my family."

Zorander enters the hall just as Randolph begins to speak. "Just in time," he thinks. "It wouldn't do to miss my own King's speech."

Once Dominick's father finished his speech. A dark-haired woman dressed all in white approaches him. She hesitantly walks into his line of sight and speaks. "Excuse me but are you Zorander of Dulcinea?"

He looks at her a moment and nods, not used to being approached... by a beautiful woman.

"She smiles, I'm Luciana, Royal Sorceress to the crown of Roetzel."

Zorander is a little taken back and bows quickly, lest he seem rude. "Madame Sorceress, it's an honor."

"Oh no no no. No "Madame", Luciana will do, and the honor is absolutely mine. I was wondering, would you be able to share with me anything about your time with the council?"

His old friend, pride, joins the party and nothing could stop him now. He puffs his chest and drawls in his familiar smarmy tone, "Of course, Mylady - Luciana. It would be my pleasure." He leads her to an empty table and motions for her to sit.

As he begins to take his seat however, his eyes stray and he finds her. Annaliese. She is gliding across the dance floor in the arms of that insufferable prat, Nicholas. Her eyes are closed and she smiles in sheer delight as he leads her in a perfect dance. Zorander is wounded by the sting and swallows thickly before returning to Luciana as she eagerly awaits him.

After she leaves Nicholas, Annaliese approaches her sister, seated elegantly at the head table. When Ashlyn sees her she stands and opens her arms for an embrace. "Wasn't it just beautiful, Annaliese?"

"Everything is perfect, Ashlyn." Her grin is a little silly. A tray passes and she accepts glass number 3.

Ashlyn nudges her. "I saw you, you know." She gives her a sly smile.

For a moment, Annaliese sobers up with panic. "What does she mean," she wonders. 

"Dancing I mean, with Prince Nicholas.... hmmmm?. It looked like you were having a VERY nice time." She winks.

Annaliese relaxes and waves it off. "Oh that. Yes, well he is a very nice dancer-"

"And handsome", Ashlyn interrupts.

"And handsome, yes. But he's not the man for me."

"Oh, Annaliese, how can you be sure? Don't let what you know of him define the man he is now." It sounds very wise for Ashlyn. She thinks she read it in a book.

"No it's just there's someone else I-" Annaliese snaps her mouth shut and her eyes are wide. Ashlyn gasps dramatically. "Annaliese! Do you have a secret lover?!" She smiles and moves closer, like they are sharing the most delicious gossip. "Who is it?" She gasps again and starts naming random princes. 

Annaliese shakes her head. "No, it's... Look forget it ok. Today is about you not me and I don't think you'd like who I say."

Ashlyn puts her hand on Annaliese's shoulder and locks her gaze onto her sister, "If you love him, I'm sure he's wonderful."

"Keep that in mind when I tell you he's not a prince." She regrets saying it immediately.

Ashlyn grabs her arm and leads her away from potentially perked up ears and prying eyes. She nearly yells, as much as anyone can, in a hushed tone. "What do you mean not a prince?!" 

"I really don't want to talk about this ok? I love you Ashlyn, but this is my problem to deal with and nothing you say will make me love him less." She is surprised at herself that she said that out loud. Not "I have a crush" or "there's this man I like". She loves him. And she said it.

Ashlyn shakes her head sadly. She starts to speak and then stops and looks around the room. "Look, we'll talk later ok? Just us sisters. But I really should mingle for awhile."

Annaliese nods, "Of course, it's your wedding day!" She tries to give her a reassuring smile like everything is grand in the world. Ashlyn turns and crosses the floor to Dominick. She cozies next to him and kisses his cheek, turning to talk with her guests

Annaliese takes another sip (drink) of wine and scans the room. Speaking of her favorite sorcerer... And there he is, seated at a cozy table..... With a woman.

And a not unattractive woman at that. A truly beautiful woman. Raven black hair, set against the stark white of her gown, she is stunning. The wine fueling her, Annaliese decides to introduce herself to his new "friend". Swallowing her wine, she grabs for another. She tries to hold her head high and glide across the floor like a lady, but she fears it is not as elegant as she imagined.

"...And that's when Carmody, you know from Corona, added HIS potion!"

Luciana laughs heartily. "Oh no and you know what that does..."

Zorander is laughing with her, "yes.. kaboom! I was just glad it wasn't me that time!"

From the corner of his eye, Zorander sees Annaliese approach. She is moving slowly; slightly intoxicated.

When she reaches the table he stands to greet her and bows. "Princess Annaliese." He smiles at her. "Can I introduce you to Sorceress Luciana of Roetzel?"

Annaliese stares at him a moment too long. He sees the flush in her cheek. Finally she glances over and smiles a tight smile. "Pleased to meet you."

Luciana doesn't seem to notice, but then Luciana doesn't know Annaliese like he does.

Annaliese turns back to him and through virtually gritted teeth, "Can I steal you away a moment?"

He looks at Luciana then back to Annaliese. "Yes of course. Luciana if you'll excuse me?"

She waves it away and gives him a charming smile. "Of course! I can't expect to keep you all night I suppose." Was there something significant in her tone?

He bows and offers Annaliese his arm. She takes it but only touches him gingerly, barely her fingertips resting on his sleeve.