Alone, in the garden, Annaliese is twiddling with her thumbs. A hand rests on her shoulder and she knows who it is without looking.

"I don't know why everyone is so against us." She closes her eyes, tears continue to run down her cheeks.

"Annaliese, we knew this was going to be hard. They all think they're trying to help. Everyone loves you."

Zorander leans down and places a light kiss at the base of her neck. "Especially me."

She smiles and opens her eyes, looking out over the garden, shinning with the moonlight. "We could just leave now. Save everyone the heartache and stress. They'll be ok..."

"We can't do that to your family, My darling. You know that."

She scoffs lightly, "Since when are you the voice of reason and I'm the one scheming?" She turns to face him and parts her legs, allowing him to move forward, pulling him closer into her embrace.

His arms wrap around her and he smells the scent of her hair before lowering his head to her waiting kiss.

A throat clearing interrupts them and Zorander jumps away from his Princess.

Daniel and Ashlyn both stand, arms folded, staring at the two. Princess Evangeline is just behind Daniel, looking nervous and blushing slightly.

"We need to talk to Dad, Annaliese. As a family. It's going to be ok."

Annaliese smiles and looks between them. "You mean you're with me on this?"

"Oh Annaliese, of course we are." Ashlyn glides over to her and takes her hands. "Just because I thought backing Daddy in a corner with a public announcement was a bad idea doesn't mean I won't support you."

"Come on, Annaliese. You too Zorander. Dad went to his study to find a bottle of Brandy to celebrate my engagement. Most of the guests have left and I told him I'd join him there."

Annaliese looks to Zorander and stands up, "Well, I guess this is as good a time as any. What about Mom? Shouldn't she be there?"

Daniel nods. "I'll find her. Just wait for me before you say anything ok?"

Daniel walks away with his fiance at his heels.

Ashlyn leads the way with Annaliese following. Zorander follows behind, nervous for what may come.

When they reach the study, King Randolph is just removing the stopper from his beloved bottle of Brandy, already looking a little flushed.

"Ashlyn, Annaliese, I was going to have a toast with your brother!"

"Daddy can we talk to you first please?"

Randolph looks between them and nods, noticing Zorander for the first time. He takes this as a good sign that it can't possibly be regarding Annaliese choice of marriage.

"Of course! Come in and sit down. Will you join me and your brother in a toast? Are you joining us as well, Zorander? Brandy?"

The sorcerer looks between the sisters and swallows hard. "Y-yes, Sire. I mean I'll be joining you but no Brandy."

King Randolph sits in the massive chair behind his desk. The two princesses sit politely next to each other. Zorander hovers closer to the door.

"Daddy, Annaliese really wants to talk to you about her suitors and you need to listen."

Randolph is visibly surprised. "Ashlyn, this is not your concern. Your sister and I have already discussed this."

Annaliese has her head low but raises it to look in his eyes. "Dad, please, I don't want to live without him. I can't..."

"I have tried to be patient because I love you, but let me be clear: This kingdom needs a strong leader when I'm gone. You must have a noble king to prevent challengers to your position. I can't let you marry anyone unfit. And now, what, you've pulled our sorcerer into this? I know he's your friend but this is a family matter." He gestures to the young man as if in apology for the trouble his daughter is causing.

Zorander backs away a little closer to the door and smiles a scared, fake smile. "Oh it's not any trouble at all I umm it's just I..."

Queen Aramina enters, startling Zorander who jumps out of her way to enter. Daniel and Evangeline are right behind.

"Dad I have to talk to you." Daniel then faces Ashlyn, "I told you to wait for me."

The king throws up his hands. "Now what? Daniel if this is about Annaliese-"

"It is but something else. I need you to know why I was so late today."

Annaliese's ears perk up, curious to know this as well, why her brother would nearly miss her own birthday, especially knowing what she had planned to do.

Daniel squeezes Evangeline's hand. "We were in Corinthia today speaking with Evangeline's Mother." He looks at her and she nods for him to continue.

"My future wife has given up her claim to the throne. Her sister will be the new heir. When Evangeline and I marry, we will stay here and I will take my birthright to your crown."

Silence falls over the room.

King Randolph shakes his head a little. "Why that's... that's wonderful, Daniel! But-are you certain? This is unprecedented. And, Evangeline, your Mother is alright with this? Are you?"

Princess Evangeline looks at Daniel and smiles. "I just want him. Also, my sister will be a very capable ruler. Mother wasn't exactly pleased but we spent the day convincing her. Again why we are so late. Sorry, Annaliese. Ultimately I think my sister will be a great Queen and we still gain exactly what my Mother wanted: A great relationship with Dulcinea... just going about it a different way."

"Dad, I think Annaliese would be a wonderful queen. She's the kindest person I've ever known. And she's smart and thoughtful and strong, But she's not going to be happy. Not without him. If I'm lucky, she'll stay here with me in an advisory role." Daniel looks at his little sister and smiles.

"Annaliese you always do what you think you're supposed to do. And you always put other people first. You're there for everyone around you. Today, Evangeline and I agreed we want to be here for you for once." Annaliese's eyes tear and she runs to throw her arms around her brother.

Ashlyn is stunned by all of the new information but recovers and looks to her Father. "Daddy, Daniel is right. Annaliese has never asked for anything from anyone. All she does is give. You can't take this away from her."

King Randolph looks from his children to his wife, Queen Aramina's hands covering her mouth in shock.

Daniel continues, standing tall and sure, more regal than he has ever looked. "If I do this, the deal is my sister marries who she wants. You don't have to like it, but you need to allow it. Or," he takes in a breath, "I will retract this and rule Corinthia with Evangeline as originally planned. Annaliese and Zorander will be given sanctuary there."

Randolph, catching what his son said, says, "Why Zorander?"

The family stares at him then looks back at Zorander still standing at the corner.

Annaliese walks back to him and takes his arm, leading him forward in the room. "Dad, I love him. Only him..." She stops, unsure how to finish the thought. That's all there really is to it. She loves him.

Randolph looks between them and his head spins a little. He flops down in his chair taking a long pull of Brandy, staring ahead at nothing in particular.

"I-" He shakes his head and looks intently at the sorcerer. "Zorander do you know what a King is in his rights to do with a sorcerer who corrupts one of their children?"

Zorander swallows. "Yes, Your Majestry. I didn't intend for this," he gestures between them. "But now... I don't think I could ever let her go. I'll go to the gallows for her if you order it."

Daniel chimes in, "You'll do no such thing! We'll leave for Corinthia tonight. Come Annaliese-"

Randolph holds up a hand. "Not so fast, I'm not finished. The truth is..." a small smile starts on his face, "the truth is, I don't always agree with other Kings. When I said that you needed a king to secure the throne, was not because I don't believe in you. But because politics is an ugly business. This world still underestimates the power of women. I am fortunate to be surrounded by them. However, politics aside... I can think of no better suitor than the most powerful sorcerer in the world."

"Your Majesty?..." Zorander's eyes are wide.

"I think 'Randolph' will do fine from here on, don't you?"

Ashlyn squeals in delight, releasing the room from it's paralyzed state. Randolph shakes Zorander's trembling hand. Annaliese hugs her Mother in relief.

"Don't you think he should call you, Dad?" The room turns to look at Daniel. Who then bursts into laughter.

"I think that's a little much for me to get used to just yet," but the King's laugh is genuine.

The kingdom receives the news of the upcoming wedding with delight. It will be a grand affair, unmatched by any before seen. Not only will Dulcinea's Prince wed his queen and become King, but the realm's darling, Princess Annaliese, is to wed the Royal Sorcerer, a pride of the people.

The night before the wedding is a cold, white Christmas. The kingdom has been in pure delight, celebrating the holiday and upcoming weddings with excitement. Annaliese knows she is not supposed to be seen by her groom before the ceremony, bringing bad luck.

But Annaliese believes she makes her own luck.

At the top of the tallest tower, two lovers stand hand in hand. The woman lifts a dainty foot and brings it down to crush a tiny crystal on the ground between them. The flakes of white powder swirl and the man says, "You look beautiful in the snow."

Both embrace and kiss each other, stretching this moment into forever, safe in each other's arms