Zorander paces his tower, dressed in his finest clothes for the evening.

He did as she asked. He had a bag packed and had stashed it in the stables. Her plan was to teleport there to collect their things and make their escape.

He's not sure he can allow her to go through with it. How can he watch her throw her life away for some romantic notion of him?

Still here he is, dressed up for his own execution and thoughts returning to Annaliese's smile, the light in her blue eyes.

With a sigh he gives up all thought of vanishing from the kingdom without her and accepts his fate. He's too selfish a man to do anything else. And too hopelessly in love.

Annaliese slips into the deep blue silk gown she has chosen for tonight and appraises her image in the mirror. She thinks she looks regal enough if she is to be queen, yet cloaked in darkness if her fate leads her elsewhere. She would do her best to rule fairly and well, but the responsibility she knows would be demanding, maybe more than her soft heart can bear. Yet, the thought of leaving her family forever is certainly not what she would choose.

She straightens and practices a smile. If she can fool herself, she can fool anyone. She thinks she looks confident and happy. Not even Zorander will know her heart is breaking within her, unsure if this will be her last night as Princess Annaliese.

She turns on her heel and walks swiftly away, not turning to look at her room for maybe the last time.

The ballroom is already filling with guests when Annaliese enters. Her parents had insisted on a larger affair this year compared to last. At the time of the planning, she had been too listless to argue.

As she enters, she is greeted by everyone she passes. "Happy Birthday" and "It's great to see you" and "Lovely party, Annaliese" rings in her ears but she hardly notices. She offers polite and vague "Thank yous" at the proper pauses and continues deeper into the room.

King Randolph is standing with King Kieran, no doubt bragging with stories of Dulcinea'sever so talented sorcerer, effectively taking credit for him.

Annaliese shakes her head in anger, at how her father can be so proud. Turning she finds her lover entering. They find each other's eyes. Annaliese smiles and starts to approach.

From her side view, she sees black hair attached to a smug smile and nearly stops dead.

She wills her feet to keep moving and reaches Zorander at almost the same moment as the other sorceress.

"Zorander, it's lovely to see you again," she purrs, offering her hand angering Annaliese, knowing the flirtatious gesture.

Zorander shakes the hand and offers a greeting. "Yes you as well, Lady Luciana of Roetzel."

"Oh I told you none of that. No titles. We are equals you and I. As such, would you care to join me in my first dance this evening?"

Annaliese watches the exchange but has no words to speak. Will he accept to keep up their secret? The mention of their position being "equal" disturbs Annaliese greatly.

Instead he looks to Annaliese as he says, "Actually, I think I should offer my first dance to the lady of honor, if she would accept?" He is holding his hand to her and she takes it without hesitation.

"Of course! Thank you for the offer."

"Happy Birthday, Princess Annaliese. If you will excuse us?"

Annaliese watches the woman's face twitch a bit as Zorander leads her away.

"That was very bold, Sorcerer," she breathes into his neck.

"Well if my time is to be short on this earth, I may as well enjoy it, hmm?"

Annaliese smacks his arm playfully as he offers his hand for hers and slides his other around her waist. They dance. The room disappears into the music and they see only each other.

Across the room, Ashlyn is watching with interest. She's never seen Annaliese look so... Then it dawns on her. Love-struck. Her sister's secret lover is the sorcerer. Her eyes widen with realization and she looks to find her Father. He is laughing with King Kieran, unaware of the secret his youngest daughter has been keeping.

She approaches her father quickly, "Daddy can I steal you away for a moment?" She smiles sweetly at King Kieran. "If you don't mind, Your Majesty?"

He yells a friendly, "Of course not! Randolph I'll catch up with you later. Those pastries are calling my name!"

Ashlyn watches him walk away and takes her father by the arm.

"Daddy, it's about Annaliese."

"What about her?"

"She doesn't want to marry a prince."

Randolph's face darkens a little and he scowls down at her. "Did Annaliese put you up to this?"

"What, no I- You already know don't you?"

"Yes and my answer is the same as it was when she came to me. She must choose a suitable man. Especially with Daniel-"

He stops, realizing from her daughter's face that she does not know all the details. "It's just important she secures her future, Ashlyn."

"Daddy, I don't think you understand. She really loves him."

His eyes narrow. "Did she tell you who it is?"

Ashlyn shakes her head, "no, she won't tell me. But I can tell, ok? She's absolutely lovesick. How can you not see it?"

He looks sad for a moment. "I can see it. I'm very sorry she's so unhappy. She'll come around."

With that he simply walks away. Ashlyn stares after him stunned, hardly recognizing her usually understanding, loving Father.

Dominick approaches from behind her, sliding his hands around her waist. "Everything ok?"

"Hmmm? Uh, yes? I don't know." She sounds distracted. "Would you get me something to drink?"

"Of course, my dear." He smiles and walks away, leaving her with her troubled thoughts.

The evening wears on with little incident. Annaliese and Zorander dance many times, hardly parting from each other. Their fear of being discovered is no longer of great concern. Annaliese looks around and decides that now would be a good time to make her announcement. She makes her way to the center, tapping her glass gently with a fork.

Everyone looks in her direction. Suddenly she is much more nervous than she expected to be. She clears her throat.

"Umm... I just want to thank everyone for coming. It's really great to see all of you here." She smiles and looks over the room. She finds her parents, staring at her with pride, Zorander visibly sweating. Then she sees her sister walking swiftly toward her. "I, uh, just want to announce-"

Ashlyn reaches her and throws her arm over her shoulder, interrupting her.

"My sister has never really enjoyed speaking in large groups. What she wants to say is that the night is young and please enjoy the music and dancing as long as you like. Let's raise a glass to my beautiful sister, Princess Annaliese. Happy Birthday!" The room repeats back a loud "Happy Birthday" and the band starts back to their set.

Annaliese looks at Ashlyn in surprise and annoyance, "I was going to announce-"

"I know what you were going to announce and you can thank me later. This is not the way to do it. You need to talk to Daddy."

"I already have, Ash. He doesn't listen."

"Maybe you should try again. Tell him who it is. But this public display will only cause a scandal!"

Annaliese's eyes flash with anger. "Oh I see. Queen Ashlyn of Bulovia always worried about image."

"No, Annaliese, that's not what I-"

"Excuse me if you please, Your Highness." The tears threaten to spill and Annaliese turns away before they fall.

She runs back to Zorander and leads him to a table to sit and collect herself.

"What was that about?"

"Ash doesn't think I should make the announcement tonight."

"Well to be fair, Annaliese, neither did I." He chuckles lightly but the look on her face tells him he should stop.

"My dear, she's just trying to help."

"I don't need her help. If there's anything I'm sure I can do, it's tell the truth. I can't live like this anymore."

Zorander considers a moment. "Maybe just wait a little while. Maybe until some of the people leave?"

She stands back up. "Ok then, let's dance."

"Again?!" He groans a little. "You're exhausting, Princess."

She smirks a little. "You should get used to it." He takes her hand and follows her back to the dance floor

By midnight, some of the guests have started to leave. Annaliese can't hold it anymore and decides to try her announcement again, "Excuse me again please, everyone! Umm I had something else I wanted to say earlier and it's very important. I am happy to announce that as soon as arrangements can be made that..."

"Annaliese wait!" Daniel and Evangeline are rushing toward her. Daniel rushes to his sister and gives her a big hug and warm smile.

Turning to the room, Daniel puts his arm around Princess Evangeline and speaks loudly to the crowd. "We wanted to make this announcement and I think Annaliese gave up on us. We apologize for being so late." He gives a signature grin.

"I have asked for the hand of Princess Evangeline and she has accepted."

Annaliese whispers, "Daniel, what are you doing?"

"We will be married before the year's end and we are so pleased to share this news with you. Please join me in a toast to my beautiful fiancée!"

The guests smile and raise their glasses. "To Princess Evangeline!"

"Daniel, I-"

"It's ok. I understand you couldn't wait forever right!"

Confused Annaliese yells, "I thought you understood. I thought you were supporting me."

Dropping his voice lower, "Annaliese, I am I promise-"

She's gone before he can finish and bolts from the room, running past a stunned and silent sorcerer who makes no move to stop her, unsure what he could even say.

Ashlyn approaches Daniel and hustles him to a corner. "You know don't you? And you're going to rule Corinthia... that's why Dad is being so impossible!"

"I need to talk to Dad."

"I'll go with you."

Daniel hugs his sister and agrees, "We need to get Annaliese though. We have to talk, as a family. All of us, including Zorander"