Chris slowly walked out from the room to see the house in huge panic. "You, stop" he said, ordering a maid to halt where she was, "what is happening?" he said in an impatient manner, the maid slowly answered saying, "The princess is on her way" the maid quickly raced off leaving Chris feeling rather mad, -Would've been nice if those parents of mine told me she was coming- he growled, walking back down to the golden stairs. He met his mother on the floor near the door, "Mother, what is the meaning of all this?" she completely ignored his question and instead complimented him on his chosen clothing, "Well done son, perfect clothing choice" Chris moaned and followed his mother to the door, he patted down his hair and try to hide the ashamed look in his icy blue eyes -my parents have ruined my life again, this girl's just gonna be like the rest- he stated to himself before joining his mother at the door noticing a carriage coming towards the castle.

Annika stared out the window for a long time, her eyes glazed over. She did NOT want to be here. When she saw the castle in the distance, she shrunk in her seat. "Dont slump" her father demanded and she sat up. "Yes sir" she said. When the carriage halted, she was escorted out of the vehicle. "Wow" she gazed up at the architecture and beauty of the castle. She didn't even notice the figures at the door as they were ushered inside. At her Fathers glance, she masked her awe and innocently looked at the Prince. She thought he looked okay, but in her mind the princess would be practical,y falling at her feet. This one seemed disgusted. She rolled her eyes then looked away. Her father spoke to the Kinb, leaving her and the Prince alone. Annika gave a quick curtsy.

Chris remained silent but bowed respectfully, she was, well, surprisingly quiet for a princess. He quietly studied her focusing more on her eyes, the green was stunning. He quickly looked away and focused on his parents, "They are so gonna make a fool of themselves, again" he said under his breath, looking quickly at the young princess to see if she heard him. It didn't look as though she had but he couldn't be sure. His parents seemed to have finished talking together and his father had begun to say something to Chris, "Chris, would you kindly go show dear Annika the gardens" Chris sighed, "Yes father" but under his breath he added "match maker", he turned and faced Annika hearing her name for the first time, it was rather pleasent "The garden's are this way" he said roughly but smoothly.

Annika kept her mouth shut, knowing her Father would absolutely hate her if she messed things up. She eyed him at the Kings words. She curtsied then followed the Prince out to the guards. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I seem to have missed your name." She was still in earshot of the Kings, so she kept the formalities until the Kings could not hear her anymore. "Why are they making us marry? Couldn't you find your own Princess?" She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She wasn't usually like this, but she was in a rare state. She had plenty of eligable men waiting for her hand. What could this one possibly have to offer?

Chris winced at the words she was saying, "I have had many girlfriends but you all are the same" he growled back at her feeling the anger of his past flood into his brain. He didn't want anything to do with her but was now being forced into an arranged marriage. He sat down at a stone cold table, "This is the garden" he said before turning away and looking up at the castle, life use to be simple, fun, now it was painful.

Annika contained her laugh. "Wow. I didn't know someone who doesn't even know me could act like I'm normal. I am anything but normal" she continued walking past the boy. "I'm leaving. No one is going to come looking for me for a few hours if you can keep your mouth shut. Father won't notice and I will be safely out of this country by the time he comes looking for me. Goodbye, Your Highness. And if anything, this should tell you that I am very different from other Princesses. I don't want this role. I don't want your money or power. I've had my taste and I am done with it." she gave a swift curtsy then walked away, her eyes searching for a place to run.

Chris yawned and got up, "Ok, do whatever" he should've stopped her but he wasn't in the mood, besides if she disappeared he would be hopefully not forced to marry. Except his parents would most likely force him to marry someone else..."Wait" he paused and continued, "How bout we just pretend to go along with all this, It'll get our parents of our backs and a bit of time to decide to what to do next" he let out a cheeky smile and slowly walked back to the group of parents, hoping she would follow him

Annika stopped in her tracks. "What!?" She rushed back over to him, her face a mixture of anger and confusion. "How could you possibly want to go along with this even for a second!" She shook her head, stepping infront of him so she could stop him from going back to the Kings. "I know my Father and he knows me. If anything, they could be picking my dress and your suit right now!" She crossed her arms and glared at the Prince infront of her. "What kind of time could we possibly have? Because I just had the best chance of escaping I possibly could." Her eyes glanced back at her Father and she was forced to hold back the tears. She felt like she was tearing her insides apart. She wanted to leave because no pleading would make Father let her go, but she wanted to stay for Mother and her younger brother.

Chris didn't know what to do, he had never made someone so upset before, "There, there, it's ok" he paused for a minute, "I'll help you, if you help me. I mean we could just marry then file for a divorve straight away" except that wouldn't work, no, it would get way to messy that way.

He pushed her aside gently and walked back towards the parents feeling somewhat confused.

Annika's mouth hung open. "We both know how a divorce would play out. Either we would be forced to marry again or our countries would fall apart" she stood still when he tried to move her aside. She stood by herself m, gazing out at the gardens, her eyes taking in the scenery. A breeze swept a lock of her hair to the side and she lightened up a little. There was no way she could return to her Father with this much anger in her heart, so she sat down at a bench and took slow, calming breaths. "I can't believe it" she murmured