Arthur took my luggage up to my old room while Aiden and I sat in the dinning room, catching up, just as he promised.

   "Surely there is a nice man who'd like to call you his own. Ruling a duchy is not easy on your own." He said.

   I smiled a little, looking down at the table. "I'm here for your love life, not mine."

   He laughed. "I would not call it love just yet."

   I looked up at him. "What do you think of the princesses?"

   He let out a sigh. "Darcie and Morgan seem ok enough, although I feel they are far more interested in the throne then they are me."

   I nervously tapped the tabletop. "What about Caroline..?"

   He smiled. "She seems more interested in you."

   I let out a nervous laugh. "Oh please, two women getting married? Could you imagine such a thing?"

   He returned my laugh. "I could not."

   Unfortunately, I could. I did it often as a matter of fact. I wanted to tell my brother, but I feared he would never understand.

   I knew for a fact my mother would never understand. When I was younger, she would try to marry me off to any duke or prince that passed through Ironhelm, but I never found myself interested. I was not attracted to men... Stop it, you don't know that.

   "Are you alright, Annie?" Aiden asked.

   "Yes, um, just... Wondering where Arthur is, that is all." I replied.

   He smirked. "Do I sense a crush, baby sister?"

   I rolled my eyes. "Do not be ridiculous."

   We shared a laugh, although mine was a forced one.

   Our conversation picked back up afterwards...

   As night fell, Arthur escorted me to my room. "Everything is set up, your grace."

   I nodded. "Thank you, sir."

   "Have a good night." He said before taking his leave.

   I entered my room, closing the door behind me and locking it.

   A smile lit up my face as my eyes traveled over my old room. They drifted over the line of paintings adorning my walls before landing on the vanity in the corner of the room.

   I made my way over, sitting down in front of the mirror, looking at my reflection. Thoughts of Caroline danced through my mind and I let out a sigh. "What is wrong with you..?"

   Dejected, I got changed for bed, slipping under the familiar covers, closing my eyes...

~~~~~~~~~~

   I walked through the courtyard of Castle Ironhelm, it was strangely empty. All except one person. She had her back to me, but I knew who it was.

   With a smile, I approached her. "Princess Caroline?"

   She turned to me, those eyes locking with mine, her lips quirking up into that polite, graceful smile of hers. "Duchess Annika, what can I do for you?"

   I took her hands in mine, looking down into her eyes. "First, you can call me Annie..."

   She blushed. "Anything else... Annie?"

   "Kiss me..."

~~~~~~~~~~

   I sat up in bed, my eyes still closed, sweat dripping from my forehead. My stomach felt funny, my breathing uneasy, my heart thundering in my chest. My free hand traveled down below my waist, feeling the warmth against my fingers. "Not again..."

   I flopped back down with a huff. "Why does this keep happening..?"

   Then, there was a knock on my door. I quickly pulled my covers over myself. "Yes?"

   "Your mother has summoned you to the courtyard, your grace." Came Arthur's voice.

   My body still shook a little, my core throbbing. "I'll be right down."

   "Take your time, your grace." He replied, his footsteps carrying on down the hall.

I forced my eyes closed. "Get it together... You can not allow anyone to see you like this..."

As I slowly got ready for the day, the feelings in my body started to fade. I needed to know why that kept happening. Why every time I have a dream like that all my nerves seem to stand on end. It was like a thirst I could not quench. An overwhelming desire I could not tame... Not to mention I kept ruining my night gowns.

I needed a release. A way to calm my nerves. Maybe I could take up the harp again? No, that was such a bore. Maybe I just needed someone to confide in. To help me understand. A husband.

I rolled my eyes at myself in the mirror. "Except you do not dream of dukes and kings... You dream of beautiful princesses..."

With one last sigh, I exited my room, heading down to the courtyard.

I arrived to quite the surprise. My mother had set up a picnic for my brother and the princesses. She and Arthur joined them. They all smiled and laughed. My pulse quickened when my eyes landed on Caroline, my steps slowing.

And, when Caroline finally noticed me, she smiled, just like in my dreams. Then, she waved, causing everyone else to turn to me.

"My daughter, I'm glad you could finally join us." My mother greeted.

"I saved you a seat, your grace." Arthur said, pulling out the chair next to him.

I thanked him as I sat, Caroline right in front of me. I tried my best to keep my eyes on the table, but I could feel her looking at me, her beautiful eyes forever engraved in my mind.

Slowly but surely my eyes wandered up to hers. She was so close to me. The smell of her perfume trailing through the morning breeze.

"How did you sleep, your grace?" She asked.

My mind immediately jumped back to my dream and I froze. "Oh, uh... Well. Thank you for asking..."

She nodded. "Your mother tells me you used to play the harp?"

My eyes shot over to my mother, who smiled. "Oh yes, she used to be quite the musician. I used to love hearing her music in our halls."

I felt my face flush. "Mother, you make me out to be an expert."

My mother waved me off. "Just take the compliment, Annika."

The table laughed, including Caroline. "I would very much like to hear you play sometime..."

My gaze slowly drifted back to hers. "Do... Do you play yourself..?"

She shook her head, a humorous smile spreading on her lips. "Oh no, I was not coordinated enough for that."

I smiled in return. "Maybe you just had the wrong teacher..."

She tilted her head, studying me. "Are you offering?"

I bit the inside of my cheek. You most certainly are not, missy. "Well, I-"

"She would make a wonderful teacher." My brother chimed in.

I shot him a glare.

"Great, what do you think about giving me a lesson later today?" Caroline asked.

"I, uh... It would be my pleasure." I replied. Graceful as always.

She looked at me, something hiding behind those eyes of her. "The pleasure is all mine..."