Chris took a step back and let them re connect. Chris smiled at the young lady and followed Annika to a table, "She sure seemed nice" he glanced around the room and took his attention back to Annika, "Let's make this week a week we'll never forget. We can go back to that lake and relax"

"And what do you mean by never forget?" She stabbed the eggs on the plate and shoved them in her mouth. For a princess, she was lacking tons of etiquette training most princess have. She leaned back in her seat and watched Chris "yeah. The lake sounds fun. I have swimsuits at home I can wear this time"

Chris studied his food holding in a laugh at Annika's eating. He loved how she could be so free and didn't care what others thought of her.

"We better get going" he grabbed his and Annika's rubbish and relocated it in the bin. He was going to reach for her hand but having Carly around made Chris feel uncomfortable. He walked to the car and unlocked the door.

Annika stood "thanks" she watched as he took her trash. She walked beside Chris, waving to Carly and giving her one last hug before she ran after Chris. She got in the passenger seat, watching some people point at her and smile. One little girl curtsied and the little boy beside her bowed. The mother of the two stood with her hand over her heart, her face beaming with pride. "It's such a small country, but I think that it's better small that huge because I feel connected to my people" she rolled down the window. "Can you drive over to the little kids right there?" She waved to the little children who were jumping around with bright smiles

Chris paused for a second but couldn't stop Annika doing what she loved, he smiled saying nothing and pulled up beside the kids. The smiles and laughs on their faces filled Chris's mind with many questions. He had known only Annika a little while but was now seeing a side to her that he loved. A kind loving heart.

Annika got out of the car and kneeled down beside the excited children. The girl came over and played with her hair, the boy clung to his mother while Annika spoke to her. The two women each picked up a child, the little girl clinging to Annika's side. She eventually put the girl down, waving them off before getting back in the car. She looked over at Chris. "Ok. I'm good now, thanks" she had given the mother two bracelets and a toy truck she had from Penton when he was younger. She leaned back in the seat and watched the mother give her daughter Annika's gift, the bracelet sitting proudly on the little girls wrist. The little boy was playing with the truck. Annika smiled and looked straight ahead. "Next stop, home!"

Chris stayed in the car but watched how she treated them. It was amazing. He smiled at as Annika hopped in, "Off we go! Should be there in about 30 minutes" he guided the car towards the main road.

"The way you treat those kids, so kind, I find that royal people always find themselves higher than other people, but not you. Its amazing" He placed his free hand on hers and smiled up at her before returning his gaze to the road.

Annika blushed and looked away as he spoke. She watched the trees fly past as they drove. "Thanks, but it's not that big of a deal... but you'll learn that I'm not like other royals" she watched the city grow before they finally passed in. She eyed the horizon and waited until the castle came into view. She clapped a little when it came into view.

Chris laughed and pulled the car to a stop in front of the castle. He hopped out and opened Annika's door before locking the car. He followed her up towards the door. His nerves pounding the inside of his head. This would be the first time Chris would meet Annika's mother and he was nervous, not only that but his brother being back home had caused nerves to arise. -I need to tell Ann about him before we go back home....- his brother was charming, flirty. Everything Chris wasn't. The only thing Chris had on his side was his looks and quiet kind nature, -C'mon Chris pull it together-

Annika threw the castle door open without hesitation. "Mother! Penton! I brought company!" She turned back to Chris with the biggest smile on her face. She loved being home. She could hear her mother in a different room. "Oh honey! Welcome back!" A door slammed upstairs and the sound heavy footsteps paced around what Annika knew was Pentons room. "Mother..." the older woman stepped from the downstairs study and poked her head around the doorframe. "Is Penton alright..?" Annika asked. Her mother eyed Chris with a smile on her face then shook her head "he's having a hard time with you gone but he's opening back up. You know how he is" she walked out of the room and straightened her casual dress. "Now introduce me to your friend!" Annika couldn't help but grin. "Mother, this is Chris. Chris, this is my mother, Queen Isabella" the Queen gave a bright smile and took Chris's hands. "Oh dear, aren't you handsome" Annika tried not to laugh at her mother. "Mom... can I speak to Penton for a second..?" She stepped away from Chris for a moment. "Yes, you may" she looked back at Chris and dropped his hands, hugging Annika. "But please don't pick him apart just yet" she joked. "Leave some for me please" she turned and made her way up the stair, leaving Chris to speak to her mother for a moment. "Penton..?" She knocked on the wall at the top of the stairs. "Are you alright?" Her brother picked himself off of the floor faster than she had ever seen before. "Penton what happen-" "I don't want to talk about it" he hissed then grabbed his crutches from the ground and hobbled into his room. "Penton please talk to me" she begged at his door. His anger was short lived because he opened the door a crack. "Come here sis" he said, flinging the door open and grasping her, partly in a hug and partly to keep himself from falling. When he pulled away he looked to have tears in his eyes. "Oh Pen, sit down for a second" she led him to his bed then sat him down, putting herself on his right side. "I just want to be able to walk you down the aisle... and at the rate I'm going now I won't be able to..." he looked away. Annika sighed. "You know Father won't walk you, so I feel like I need to be there for you more than I usually would" he took her hand. "Sis... I need to be the one to walk you. I need to be the one to let you go. I need to be the one who determines if Father picked a right man for you. I need to be the Father figure just this once" he said, standing- a little wobbly- and went to the door. He held it opened as Annika slowly walked through. "Pen... if I'm honest, you have always been the one I have looked up to, even if you are younger than me. Mother and Father were never the ruling figures in my life. I have always tried to be you, that's why I want you to rule. You are more cut out for it. You have the ability to make people listen with just a word. I do not hold that privilege." the two hugged. Penton opened his mouth to speak when their mother called. "Children, time for dinner!" Annika smiled a little and held Pentons shaken hand. "I need my crut-" "no" Annika shook her head. "No you don't" the two walked down the stairs, her arm over his. "Penton, this is Chris. Chris, Penton" Penton didn't let go of her, but he did extend his right hand towards Chris. "Hello sir"