Annaliese wants more than anything to run to Zorander's tower and jump through the mirror to his waiting arms.

The numbness she felt earlier in the day is becoming a frenzy of sadness and fear. And, yes, even anger. Anger at Daniel but that seems unfair and misplaced. This was not something he had done to her. At least, not knowingly. Anger at her father? That doesn't seem right either. He has no idea the situation she faces. And besides, he is simply doing his job as King, looking after the Kingdom first. Her Mother? Yes, a little. After Annaliese confessed her secret love, back in the gardens of Bulovia, Aramina has made no attempt to speak with her on the subject. With this development, it seems to Annaliese this would have been a good time to... Mother a little.

She reserves a measure of anger for herself. For her cowardice or stupidity or whatever other harsh labels she can name for not being able to find her way through this to the conclusion she desires.

In her chambers that evening, she paces the floor like a caged animal, mind racing.

Perhaps she could just refuse all suitors? When she is queen, no one will be able to tell her who to marry. If she can just refuse long enough, Zorander will be right here with her...

It doesn't sound to be a likely scenario. She is relatively certain her father will not hand her the crown before his own death, and especially if she has no heirs. How long does she imagine she could keep this affair a secret?

If she were another Princess, another person, she could simply enter a marriage of convenience with an ambitious Prince that would happily take her crown but stay away from her bed. But she isn't that Princess or that person. She wants Zorander and only Zorander. Which seems to leave her at an impasse.

"Good evening." She has the scroll ready as he walks in and she sees his immediate broad grin.

"Good evening, my Princess. I made some snow crystals today. I thought for Christmas we could enjoy some snow together. You know, through a mirror." She sees him laugh lightly at the absurdity but she can't hear it.

She smiles back but knows he can see the worry on her face. "What is it, Annaliese?"

She sighs and begins to speak. No reason to drag it out. "Daniel is engaged to Princess Evangeline."

He blinks a little, waiting for her to continue, obviously not sure why she is upset.

"Evangeline will be the reigning queen of Corinthia." The recognition hits his face at the name of the kingdom and he mouths a silent "oh".

Annaliese continues, "Daniel will leave Dulcinea to be King.... It's all up to me now, my Dad says." She looks afraid. He assumes she is afraid of the responsibility. She's only afraid what Zorander's reaction will be.

"Annaliese, I think you would be an amazing queen. I've never known anyone more kind or giving. The people will love you. Surely you must know that? False modesty doesn't become you."

Instead, she grows quickly frustrated. "I don't really care one way or the other if I'm queen..." She doesn't know how to say the rest. She tries a simple, vague, "I just want you."

Finally realization hits. Zorander continues with a question she doesn't expect. "Has your father found your future King then?"

"No, no, not that. Not yet at least. But what will he say now? I thought maybe, since I was only a Princess..."

She doesn't finish the thought but says the words that write the spell, an incomplete thought crosses her scroll. He'll know what she means.

Looking at each other's eyes across the mirror, the sorrow takes them both and they stand against their respective sides, hands touching over the miles.

She looks up at him. "I've been trying to think of something I just... I don't know what to do. It's too much."

She falls to her knees on the floor and weeps. Zornader kneels down as well but he can't comfort her and they both feel the ache of it.

Christmas comes and goes. Daniel has seen his sister differently, sometimes not at all.

It is a chilly evening when his concern grows to worry, nearly fear, for her well-being. He searches the courtyard, the stables, even her secret garden, and of course her private quarters. He is about to retire for the night when he remembers she has been caring for the sorcerer's tower.

At the top of the steps he starts to knock on the door and then realizes its inhabitant is gone, seeing no need to announce himself. He tries the door and it gives.

Inside he finds an empty room. A remarkably clean and organized empty room but empty.

He almost turns to leave when he notices that a door is opened with light.

Softly he calls down, "Annaliese?"

With no answer he thinks he should leave but his instincts tell him to move forward.

At the bottom of the steps he peers around the low lit room and finds her. His sister is curled up on the modest bed of their sorcerer, one of his robes draped over her for warmth. Confusion strikes. What an odd place for her to find comfort.

He continues to look around the room and see's the mirror.

He peers cautiously at the strange mirror. It seems ordinary enough. Except he doesn't see himself. It's like a window to another place. He then assumes that it is magic in some way.

When he sees movement on the other side, he jumps a little. His eyes focus on the swish of a heavy robe and then a familiar face, frozen in silent shock. Daniel takes a step back and begins a barrage of questions. "Zorander? How the hell-?... Are you here? What's going on?"

Annaliese sits up at the sound of her brother's voice and scrambles from the bed to stand in front of the mirror. She sees Zorander and gives him a pained look of apology. "Daniel, what are you doing here? The tower wasn't locked?"

"I came looking for you. I was worried. You didn't come down for a meal all day. Have you been here the whole time?"

She looks down. "Mostly. I took lunch in my room earlier. What time is it?"

"Annaliese it's nearly midnight." He glances over her shoulder and gestures. "And what is this? Is this a magic mirror?" He doesn't sound angry exactly. Anxious, yes.

"Yes. Zorander left me a potion to work on while he was away to see if I could do it. It took a year to prepare."

"That's pretty amazing. I knew you liked magic but, you're actually kind of good at it, huh?"

"I had a good teacher in the last years."

A realization hits Daniel and everything falls away. "Annaliese is he?..."

She blushes deep and looks away, studying first her feet then the ceiling above the bed. She closes her eyes a moment before a soft but sure, "Yes."

They both turn to look at the sorcerer. Zorander is still staring at them, unable to hear the exchange.

A smile starts to form across his face and Daniel looks between the lovers. "That's brilliant, Annaliese! I mean I thought he'd just be some random prince. Zorander's awesome."

The relief at his acceptance makes her breathe easily, "I don't know what I'm going to do. Please don't tell anyone ok?"

He nods. "Of course not." The two siblings then share a smile of trust.

Annaliese crosses the room and lifts the scroll from the desk.

"What are you doing?"

"I need to tell Zorander everything is ok. He can't hear us. It's only a sight spell."

Delivering the message to Zorander that everything is okay and that Daniel is accepting of their relationship. Zorander relaxes a bit visibly.

"You should talk to Dad. I mean, at least talk right? It could be worse. He's kind of like a noble. Sort of. There's only one Royal Sorcerer in a generation after all."

"He's kind of like a maid too. Or a steward. Or a chef. In the circles that concern father, he's the staff." She spits out the last word with venom.

"You can't hide here forever."

She looks down and wraps her arms around herself, seeking comfort. "I know," she replies softly. "I'll think about it ok." She looks up and forces a smile to assure him.

"I'd go with you, if you want. To talk to Dad I mean."

"Thanks, Daniel, but maybe I should do this on my own."

"Annaliese... You're always there for me. Let me be here for you for once, ok?"

Annaliese throws her arms around her brother and thanks him for the support. "You're a really good brother, Daniel."

Daniel heads back to the steps and looks back at his sorrowful sister, her shocked lover in a mirror a world away. "If I could make this right for you I would." Then he slowly climbs the stairs and leaves her, wishing he could bring back the sunshine in her infectious smile.

"Dad?"

In the end, Annaliese decided to approach her Father alone. Though Daniel, for his part, is waiting in the hall ready to step in when needed.

"Oh, Annaliese. Come in! I was just finishing a few items on today's scroll. You know being Queen you will have a lot to do each day. But I know you can handle it! And of course you won't be alone. Your Mother helps me more than she probably realizes. We just need to find you a strong King." He winks.

Inwardly, Annaliese groans. Outwardly, a fake laugh. "Um, Dad, can I talk to you about something important?"

"Of course, Annaliese. What's on your mind?"

"It's about, well, I guess it's kind of all the potential suitors," taking a deep breath she continues, "I don't want to marry any of the suitors who have asked to court me."

"I see. However, you know once we decree that you will be the reigning Queen of Dulcinea there may not be as many suitors as before."

"Dad, I-" Her face reddens, her hands are shaking. She tries to look commanding. Like a leader. A queen. She takes a deep breath, "I'm already in love with someone but he's not a Prince."

The two stand staring at each other, stunned to say the least.

Finally, Randolph asks quietly, "Who is he?"

She shakes her head. "I'd rather not say until I know if I would have your blessing."

"Has this young man proposed? No one came to me for permission to ask who was not of a royal line."

"No. He is scared to death of what you'll say. He tried to keep his distance for a long time but I...I love him. I would propose to him if you would agree to it."

"Annaliese, I love you but how could you be so foolish?!" His voice is harsh, angrier than she's ever heard.

"How could I-? I didn't know I was to be queen when I fell in love! I was supposed to have the freedom to choose who I wanted. I was promised not to marry to help the kingdom like Ashlyn."

"Well you are not my first choice as heir Annaliese, but plans change." He says it in anger but regrets it immediately.

Taking a step back, "I see. Perhaps Your Highness hasn't fully accepted the thought of a female heir." The tears stung in the corners of her eyes. Her heart breaks a little.

Randolph, as he always does for the ladies in his life, falters and softens. "Annaliese, it's not- It's not what I think. It's our allies, the nobles and courts, and worse, kingdoms with which we are not so friendly with. They see female rulers as a sign of weakness..."

Having heard enough, Annaliese interrupts her father. "So your answer is...?"

Randolph looks away from her. "I'm sorry but it's "no". I can't give my blessing, Annaliese."

She leaves without a word. He doesn't watch her go.

Outside the room, Daniel is standing, fists balled in frustration. He tries to comfort her but she breezes past, running to her tower.