"But... What? What were you going to say?"

"Nothing, it wasn't important" she said as she turned around so that he couldn't see her blush.

He slowly approached her, turned her around and lifted her chin. His heart skipped a beat as he looked into her sparkling brown eyes. Then suddenly, his body moved unconsciously and he found himself kissing her once more. When he realized what happened, he stumbled backwards. "Alandria... I ... I..."

Although she was stunned, she couldn't help but wonder why he had kissed her again. "I was curious..." He looked at her nervously. "About what happened both earlier and just now. Why would you... with me..." she was so flustered, she couldn't even speak clearly.

When he saw how flustered she was, he couldn't help himself. He lost all self control and blurted out the thing he had been trying to explain to her all night. "Alandria, I love you!"

"Oh my!" came the voice of a shocked woman standing at the entrance to the terrace.

Jared and Alandria immediately looked to see who it was and were surprised to see the King and Queen standing there.

"Mother... Father... What are you doing here?" Jared said shocked by their sudden appearance.

"When we saw you bring the young lady out here, we thought this would be the best time to meet with her, but apparently we've interrupted you" the King stated.

Alandria immediately bowed and said "I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me I'll take my leave." Then she slowly made her way towards the ballroom, but was stopped by the King.

"Not so fast, my dear. You are not going anywhere just yet." The King turned to face her. He looked at her as she stood there shaking. What on Earth could he possibly see in this girl? Just because she decided to wear a dress for once! Humph!

"Forgive me, but have I done something wrong?"

"Not at all, my dear" the Queen spoke up. "You see, our son has insisted that we meet with you" she smiled.

"Elaina!" the King said shockingly. "What do you think you are doing?"

"I don't think it matters what we say, dear" the Queen whispered to the King. "He's already made up his mind. Or haven't you noticed?"

The King looked at his son and saw that he was staring at Alandria. Then he looked at Alandria and noticed that she was behaving like a respectable young lady, not like the trollop she had been portrayed as.

"Alandria... What do you think of my son?" the King asked of her sincerely.

Stunned that she had been addressed by the King, her mind went blank.

"It is alright, dear. You needn't be afraid" the Queen spoke reassuringly.

Alandria looked up cautiously, took a deep breath, and then spoke calmly and clearly "I think he is himself."

The King and Queen were both confused by her comment, but Jared smiled and gave a little chuckle. The King and Queen looked at their son, and then back at Alandria. The King felt as though he were being made a fool and was outraged, but the Queen asked Alandria one question. "What do you mean by, 'he is himself'?"

"I don't know if I'll be able to explain it well, but... I believe the Prince is who he wants to be. He doesn't let anyone try to dictate his actions or life. Therefore, he is himself."

The King was surprised by her explanation. It was so simple, yet straightforward. He smiled and thought to himself. I wonder why I never noticed how perfect this young lady was. If only I could have looked beyond what everyone was saying and just talked to her, I would have known.

"Jared," the King addressed his son. "Are you sure she is the one?" he asked seriously.

Jared looked his father directly in the eye and said "Yes, I am."

The King looked at Alandria once more, and then he said to his son "Okay, I approve."

Alandria was confused by what the King had just said, but Jared was excited. He ran over to Alandria and wrapped her in his embrace. Then he whispered "I love you so much Alandria! Please marry me."

Alandria, taken completely by surprise, tried to break free from his embrace and said "What?" He can't be serious! He just can't be! There is no way he would want to marry me, right?

This time he looked her directly in the eye and said "I love you. Will you marry me?"

Her heart skipped a beat as she looked into his eyes. She could tell his words were sincere. I can't believe he really loves me. What should I do? She looked back towards the King and Queen, but only saw the crowded ballroom behind them. She turned back around and faced Jared. "I'm sorry, but I can't" she said as her heart began to break.

The King, Queen and Jared were all dumbfounded. They couldn't believe that she had said no.

"Alandria..." Jared began to ask her why, when she interrupted him.

"I'm sorry, but I think I should take my leave now."

"I'm sorry, but I can not permit that." The King now spoke. "Not without a proper explanation."

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"I want to know, why you are breaking my son's heart? If you can not give me a reasonable explanation, then you can not leave."

Alandria tried desperately to fight back the tears that had started to form. She didn't want to stay, but couldn't refuse an order from the King. She managed to regain her composure and began to explain her reason for rejecting Jared. "Forgive me for my impertinence Your Majesty, but is it not the duty of the Crown Prince to marry a respectable lady?"

The King was surprised by her rationale. Is she seriously saying that she considers herself not worthy enough to marry him? "Yes, that is true, but..."

"Then why are we having this conversation? We all know that I do not have the best reputation among the court ladies. He would be better off choosing someone he can be proud to have by his side."

Jared looked at her with surprise. Proud to have by my side? He became furious just thinking about what she had said. Then he walked back into the ballroom and began to make an announcement. "Excuse me! Could I have your attention please? I have an important announcement to make!" The music died and the gossiping that had filled the room came to a halt.

Alandria came to the doorway and watched as he gathered the attention of the entire room. What the hell is going on? What is he going to do?

Noticing that she was there, he turned all his attention on her. "Alandria, I love you! Ever since we first met, I knew you were the one for me. I can't picture my life without you. Will you marry me?"

Alandria was completely embarrassed. She stood frozen like a deer caught in the headlights, in the doorway blushing. What does he think he's doing? Why did he say all that?

Jared slowly approached Alandria, he took her hand in his own and knelt before her. "Alandria, I know why you are afraid and, believe me, I understand, but I don't care what anyone says. All that matters is that I love you. Be my wife. Marry me."

Alandria looked around at all the faces staring at her. She couldn't speak. She closed her eyes and began thinking once more. Why? No! NO! I can't! This is wrong! I can't marry him!

"Stop thinking about what they will think" Jared said hoping that he could distract her. "Do you love me?"

Alandria opened her eyes and looked at Jared. She couldn't deny what was in her heart. As her eyes began to fill up with tears, she muttered "Yes... I do."

Jared stood and held her in his arms. "Then stop trying to run and hide from it. Marry me" he whispered in her ear, and then lifted her chin and kissed her.

As they released from their kiss, Alandria wiped her tears and looked Jared in the eye once more. His eyes were silently asking her the question he had already voiced, only this time she answered "Yes, I'll marry you."

Jared embraced her tightly and kissed her once more. The entire room cheered and applauded the lovers.

One year passed and they finally returned to the palace where they declared their love for one another.

"How does it feel to be here again?" Jared asked as they approached the ballroom.

"The only words I could use to describe today are, blissfully happy" she replied with a smile. She leaned in closer to him and, just as the doors to the ballroom opened, she kissed him.

The ballroom was full and, as the herald of arms announced their arrival, the entire room filled with applause.

"Please welcome, our Crown Prince Jared and his beautiful bride Princess Alandria!"