*Princess Alexia*

I'm absolutely exhausted after last night's expedition. I remained silent the whole ride back to the palace. Once I parked the cycle, Eva finally questioned, 'What happened back at the club?' I told her and she responded by pulling me into her arms in a sweet embrace. She always knows exactly what I need.

That is why I'm now in the palace's gardens, picking a bouquet of her favorite flowers. Red roses, lilies, yellow tulips, and daffodils. I know that she has more favorites, but at the moment I can't seem to remember them. So this will have to do.

I tie the bouquet off with a blue ribbon and then head back into the palace, the glass doors sliding shut behind me.

My next stop is the kitchen. Milo greets me.

"Hey, little one." I smile. "Is your Mama here?"

He nods, pointing to the pantry. I notice now that the oak door is unlocked and swung open. I walk on over, spotting the large woman gathering potatoes into her apron.

"Beatrice?"

She jumps, dropping the potatoes, and scattering them everywhere. I bend down and pick up the one that stopped by my foot. Handing it to Beatrice, I apologize. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's alright," she says, collecting some more potatoes.

I help her finish, her apron now filled.

"What are you making?"

She begins to walk into the main part of the steamy kitchen. "Potato soup. Your father, the king has requested it."

I lick my lips. "Yummy."

She smiles. "Now Princessa, what brings you to my humble kitchen?"

I almost forgot my reasoning, luckily she reminded me. "I was wondering if you could bake Eva's favorite cookies for me."

She doesn't question my intentions and I'm grateful to her. "Sure. It's a quick recipe, I'll go get it done now."

"Let me help."

She smiles. "That would be great, thank you Princessa. Why don't you go wash your hands and grab an apron."

"On it." I drown my hands in soap and wash them, the water a little too hot. I then choose an apron that has embroidered cherries all over it and tie a bow in the back.

"Milo," Beatrice calls to the little boy. "Go get your mama a bag of chocolate chips."

He gives her a toothy grin. "Yes, Mama."

"And don't eat any of them. They are for the cookies."

He nods. "Yes, Mama."

"Good." She places her hands on her hips, her gaze now on me. "Know how to sift flour?"

I gulp. "Um, I think so."

She hands me a sifter and a bag of flour. "Then get to work."

And that's exactly what I do.

***

Bouquet and cookie jar hidden behind my back, I make my way down the stairs. Eva is busy putting some potions together, just as I expected.

She looks up from her work as I enter the room. "Greetings."

"Hey there." I grin from ear to ear.

"Why are you so cheery?" She seems suspicious.

My grin spreads. "These are for you." I reveal the bouquet and cookie jar.

Her eyes widen, taking them in. "What for? It's not my birthday or anything."

"It's a gift of appreciation," I tell her, "for being such a wonderful friend who's always at my side. A shoulder to cry on, laughter to join in, and a smile to share. You are like a sister to me and I want you to know that."

I notice a tear rolling down her cheek, and she quickly wipes it away. "Thank you." She takes the gifts from me and places them on the table. She then turns to me and before I have the chance to protest she draws me into her arms in a bear hug, all my bones crushed. "You're also just like a sister to me. And remember that I've always got your back."

I smile big. "Oh don't worry, I know."

***

*Kent*

I've never been in front of the council before, and I'm overwhelmed by the air of seriousness I immediately feel as I walk into the massive circular room. There are three rows of council members before us; the first level of members are old and leaning, the second are middle-aged and bored, and the third are young and smiling. The reason for this is that every age of life has another outlook so it is helpful when making a decision, especially such a big one as this. There are deviant points of views, that can even be within the rows, and certainly between them. Three chairs deliberately sit facing the council. My father chooses the middle seat, Ethan sits on his right, and I settle into the last available chair, feeling a knot in my stomach from the nerves due to what's about to happen.

All too soon, the order is called, and the case is open. There is a scholarly-looking man sitting in the corner of the room recording everything.

The first order of business is for everyone to identify themselves and to swear to oblige to the code of standard law that the council, and the planets, are to hold true by.

"King Leo," the eldest council member rasps, "Sander will read the case file, I want you to stop or correct him if necessary."

The king nods and Sandor begins. I watch the massive clock sitting above the tallest council member's head, as the golden hand ticks forward. From beginning to end, the reading of the case takes just over five minutes.

"The way it works here," states the council member with graying hair, "Kent and Ethan will each be granted the opportunity to explain why he believes he is worthy to be the heir to the throne. How you answer this will be taken into account during the review process. Since Ethan is older, he will begin."

"Thank you," Ethan says, as he rises from his seat. "I understand that I did not grow up in the palace as Kent has, but nonetheless I am imbued with character traits every ruler should possess. I am patient, I listen well, I have a strong sense of responsibility, and have taken part in caring for my other family for a number of years. I am also poised, and I can be strong where I need to be strong."

"All admirable qualities indeed," one council member calls, "anything else Ethan?"

"That will be all." Ethan lowers himself in his seat once more

"Kent? Please rise and state your position"

I take a deep breath and stand in an erect position with my back straight before I speak, "I have had the privilege of being nurtured in an environment that will allow me to be strong and well-equipped for life, one day, as king. Roaming the palace and learning from my father, the king, has given me tools and understanding. I am considered, and consider myself to be, kind, a sound listener, and well thought out."

"Thank you, Prince Kent"

"We will now ask that King Leo, Prince Kent, and Ethan exit the room while we discuss what the council thinks is the best course of action."

As I follow my father out the door, I hope that I made a good impression.

"You both did quite well," the king says. " Now we wait."

***

About a half-hour later, we are invited back into the room. My father squeezes my hand in reassurance as we pass under the large oak doors.

"Please do sit," the council member with dark wispy hair invites, "we have come to a majority decision."

We take our seats and impatiently wait for him to elaborate. "Since you are both more or less equally qualified, and Ethan is older, we have opted that he should have a chance to really show he is worthy of rulership, despite not have growing up in the palace."

At the announcement, Ethan rises. "Thank you," he says, as a tight smile stretches across his face, "you won't be disappointed."

"That is to be determined," the council member replies. "In the meantime, Prince Kent, we would like you to stay in the palace for the next week, while Ethan proves himself. I'm sure your father can help to keep you busy."

I bow. "As you wish."

"Then this officially ends today's summit. We will see you three back here in a week's time."

That was a curveball I did not expect.

***

*Princess Alexia*

I dream of a man with stormy gray-blue eyes. His large hand engulfs mine as we walk hand in hand along a sandy beach. It seems that we are on earth. The large, yellow sun beating down on us.

"Alexandra." His voice is as warm as the sun.

I look at him, overwhelmed with love. "Yes."

"Are you sure about this?" His eyes are gazing into mine.

"Yes. I've never been so sure in my life."

"But you know that you will be going against your father's wishes. There will be consequences to pay."

"I'm well aware. But my heart wants what it wants, and he'll have to be understanding."

His hand releases mine, now resting upon my cheek, caressing it softly. "So then let it be." He's then drawing me in, his mouth greeting mine.

My arms wrap themselves around his broad neck and I'm pulling him down onto the bed of sand. "I love you," I whisper.

"And so do I."

I awake with a start. The beach and warm sun are gone. No lover in my arms.

I can't seem to get him out of my mind. His handsome face has been haunting me in my dreams. All of them are so realistic. It's so very odd.

The only solution I have is for Eva to erase him from my mind. It's a difficult potion for her to make since some of the ingredients are hard to come upon, but I'm hoping for me--- she'll do it.

Ricky and I can never be. That is why I need to forget that I have ever crossed paths with him.

I'm going to let all these feelings go.