I nervously waited for my cue in the hallway outside of the throne room. Every few minutes, I wiped my sweaty hands on my dress. The high walls towered over me. The faded red carpet muffled my steps and swallowed my feet. We know your secret. They seemed to say We will exploit it to the world! "Your Majesty, without further ado, I present to you, your long-lost daughter!" All my fear left me when Colbin said those words. I walked gracefully to the dias and performed an elegant, practiced curtsy.

"Hello, Father." I said.

"Alaniana! My daughter has come home! In my grief, I have obtained happiness!" The king- no- my new father proclaimed.

"What grief, Father?"

"Daughter, your mother died only a few months ago. We are still preparing for the funeral." The king's words shocked me. Our beloved Queen Cassandra? Dead?

"How did she die?" I asked.

"We believe it was poison," the king murmured.

"Why have you not told the kingdom yet?"

"We don't want it publicized."

It made sense, but I only responded, "Father, may I go to my room?"

"Yes,Tatiana, escort the princess to her room."

"Which room, sir?" the maid asked.

"The one in the new wing." the king responded. "Boy, you stay here."

I followed the maid out into the hallway I had waited in only minutes before.

"Tatiana, would you wait?" I whispered. The maid watched curiously as I pressed my ear to the closed door.

"Colbin Serin, son of Sir Serin, Thank you for returning my pride and joy. Here is your reward." The king boomed.

"Thank you, sir. It is an honor to help you." Colbin responded.

"You are welcome. Thank you for taming her. You may go."

I recoiled from the door. My head swam with the king's words. Was I somehow tamer than the princess had been? In my shocked state, the maid led me to a large blue room with a gorgeous balcony overlooking the castle rose garden. I walked onto the balcony. A trellis filled with roses wound it's way up the wall. A fountain glittered in the center of the garden, and far off, the harbor glittered invitingly. I could imagine the princess loving the harbor, if only for the view of the wide ocean beyond it.

"Wow," I whispered, the sight totally enchanting me. I turned to thank the maid, but she was gone.

That night, she left me alone, only bringing up my evening meal. I imagine she had told all the other maids of my arrival. That was fine with me. I had a meeting to fulfill.

"Psst" I whispered into the darkness."Hello, Princess, I have been waiting." a voice called from the bushes below.

I laughed. "Come on up, Colbin."

As soon as he reached the balcony, he pulled me into his arms with a kiss.

"Congratulations, my darling Harmonia, you have successfully infiltrated the castle." He kissed me deeply. "You can sleep well now."

"I can't sleep at all! Colbin, I'm acting calmer than the princess did! What if I get caught?" I hissed.

"You won't get caught, I promise. And I will sing you to sleep every night." The feeling of his lips on mine and the sound of his rich baritone voice lulled me to sleep.