The next day, Angelica did not awake until early afternoon. She switched on the radio as she climbed out of bed. She felt extremely refreshed as she pulled open the heavy curtains. Light spilled into the room from a cloudless blue sky.

Angelica danced a few steps to the upbeat tune coming from the radio, twirling happily before kneeling beside the window.

“Thank you for this sun filled day, Lady of Light. May your blessings be many for those deserving. Lord of Dark, if it be your will, allow the people of my father’s kingdom to remain safe today.”

Angelica picked out a nice tunic from her wardrobe and changing into it. She grabbed breakfast from the kitchen before heading out to the garden. Penelope was sitting on a bench in the middle of the rose garden, reading a book, which was propped open in her lap. A few feet back, Jasper stood at attention.

“Good morning, Nell.”

The blond princess looked up from her book. “Angie. Good morning. You haven’t seen Kenneth have you?”

“I would think I’d be the one asking you that,” Angelica replied. “Isn’t he supposed to be spending time with you?”

“No one has seen him all morning.”

“Odd. I haven’t seen him; I just woke up.”

Penelope reached over to stroke one of the just opening rose buds. “I wish…I could be as carefree as you.”

“It’s not hard.” Angelica smelled a fully open rose. “You just care too much about what other people think. It’s just a matter of doing what you feel like doing.”

“If you had seen the way father was looking at you during dinner last night…and when you were dancing…”

“I wouldn’t have cared.” Angelica leaned forward and touched her forehead to her sister’s. “Don’t worry Nell. Soon you’ll be married and it won’t matter what they all think.”

Penelope smiled softly. “I hope you’re right.”

Angelica mirrored the smile. “If anyone tries to take your happiness away from you, I’ll take care of them.”

“I love you, Angie.”

Angelica kissed her sister on the cheek. “I love you too, Nell. Don’t worry; things will work out just fine.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Of course I am.” Angelica stood up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get away before anyone else realizes I’m awake.” She cast a glance at Jasper, who was still unmoving in the background and then headed out of the garden.

Only minutes later the princess walked slowly down the familiar path toward the lake. At one point during the castle’s construction, the earth under a portion of wall had fallen away due to a shoddy foundation. The whole wall had then slid and tumbled all the way down the slope until it splashed into the lake. The wall still lay in the shallows of the lake, sticking up at an odd angle that was perfect for sunning in the late morning.

Angelica had just reached the slab when she noticed that a figure was already there, laying back and looking up at the sky. As she approached, she realized it was Kenneth, though she did not see any guards nearby.

She moved closer as quietly as she could. He seemed to be asleep, his blue hair wafting in the breeze coming across the lake. Angelica found herself unable to do anything but watch him for several minutes.

What is he doing down here? Penelope doesn’t even know where he is. She moved to the shore of the lake and scooped up some water in her hands, carrying it back over to where he lay. Could he be waiting for me…?

Kenneth sat up sputtering, wiping lake water from his eyes. “Who dares to…?” He stopped when he saw her standing over him. “Ah, Princess. It’s good to see you.”

“You as well, Master Kenneth.” She curtsied. “What are you doing out here on your own? It is most dangerous for one such as yourself to be…”

Kenneth put his finger to her lips, cutting off the flow of words. “Don’t talk like that. It feels wrong somehow.”

Angelica smirked. “Penelope is looking for you.”

“And I’ve been looking for you. You are good at making yourself scarce.”

“It is one of my most well guarded secrets. It’s called sleeping in late.”

Kenneth chuckled lightly. Angelica found the sound to be most pleasant. But out looking for me when he should be spending time with my sister… Angelica moved away from the fallen wall, and looked out over the lake.

“Do you want to fight?”

“Fight?” Kenneth’s voice was laced with confusion.

“Well spar. I have to order the guards when I want to, and it’s not very good practice when they are scared to try and land a real blow.” Angelica turned around, laying her hand on her sword’s hilt.

“I’m afraid I would be scared to try and land a real blow as well.”

“Oh come on, would you say that if I were a man?”

“Yes, after seeing the way you handled that demon I am doubtful of my own skills.”

The teal haired princess burst out laughing.

“I am glad that amuses you.”

Angelica pulled her sword free. “Now I really want to fight you. Anyone who had time to evaluate my skills while protecting his own hide and casting a spell should be worth fighting.”

“Alright then, I accept.” Kenneth unsheathed his sword.

The princess judged his stance immediately. It was solid, aggressive and she found herself smiling as she lunged forward. He met her attack gracefully, pushing it off to the side. Angelica countered the move immediately and her sword sliced through the fabric on his right sleeve.

“Aw, and I expected to draw blood,” Angelica said playfully.

“Either way, I can’t forgive you for ruining my favorite tunic.” Kenneth closed the gap between them, and Angelica only had time to stumble to the side. He was fighting her seriously. Her excitement soared. No one had ever treated her so much like a person before, mostly because no one had ever bothered. All the attention she had ever received before was negative, someone disproving of her actions. But she liked the attention he was giving her. Like she was the only one he could see at times, like she was the only one that mattered…

Kenneth’s sword bit into her arm, and she cried out in surprise. “You’re slowing down,” he commented.

He is spending time with me when he should be with Penelope. Angelica dodged the next blow, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Penelope had looked worried when she asked where Kenneth was, and had she looked relieved when Angelica admitted to not knowing where he was? Could she possibly think that Kenneth might like Angelica better? Was that even possible?

I like him don’t I? Angelica stopped moving. Really like him.

His sword hummed forward and stopped just beside her throat. “Looks like I win.” He smiled.

“You are marrying my sister,” Angelica said flatly, ignoring the look of surprise on the man’s face. And she turned and disappeared into the forest.