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Nothing hurts more than being hurt by the single
person in the world you thought would
never hurt you.

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Natasha prepared for the announcement the next morning. Even though she was beyond nervous, she knew that the pains in her stomach were not from nerves. She had had nerves before and it was nothing like this feeling. This was actually a sharp pain in her lower hip.

Not to mention she had a headache that had no plan in going away any time soon. She had informed her parents and Maria and they had called Cho, the Rogerteria personal nurse to her air.

"Natasha nothing seems to be showing up. You aren't pale, you aren't running a high fever. There isn't much I can say about your condition." Cho said looking in Natasha's eyes and ears. There weren't many medical things they could do at the time. "It's too soon to know whether it will be better or worse."

"What would you suggest? Should she stay out of the announcement?" Nicholas asked rather concerned about the arrangement, and of course his daughter. She was his pride, whether he cared to admit it or not.

"Well, I am sure we all know that would not be good for the alliance. It would lead to questioning. Now I know the king very well and that would not be acceptable." Cho said. "But luckily for you whatever is in your system could be taken care of with this." She handed her a bottle with some sort of medicine in it. The king and Queen thanked Cho and walked her out of the room. Maria took the bottle from Natasha and began to follow the rules that Cho had told her about.

"What are you doing?" Natasha asked when Cho and her parents left. The medicine should cure her for the time being.

"I am preparing it for you, Natasha," Maria said as if it was obvious, Wanda who had joined the woman, along with Sharon stood watching. Sharon, in general, watched Maria's movements. Natasha was startled when one of the maids walked into straight to Maria.
"Have you learned to knock?" Maria scolded. "The princess is here."

"My apologies but the Queen." She was referring to Queen Sarah, "Is looking for you. She wants you to prepare for the ceremony apparently you missed the evening preparations." She said. Maria groaned. "Sir Samuel will be awaiting you." The maid left and Maria sighed as Natasha wore an amused look.

"Sorry, Nat." She sighed. "Lady Sharon could you finish preparing the medicine?" She asked and Sharon nodded. Maria looked back at Natasha. "Don't look so glum." She smiled. "You will do great out there." Natasha gave her an appreciative smile and then Maria left.

"Don't worry Princess," Wanda said. "You already look amazing. Your dress will certainly draw away from the nervousness you have written on your face. "not to mention the way it compliments your eyes is perfect."

"Well, I am glad you think so." Natasha smiled. Natasha was wearing a long blue dress with lacey sleeves and a golded affect top. It was nice and flowy with her hair pinned back nice and curly. "You don't look too bad yourself princess." She smiled.

Wanda was wearing a more casual dress because her mother had informed her many times not to steal the show tonight. But the dress was still nice and would capture the eyes of some. It was red and white with long sleeves and a top the tied around.

"Nothing compared to you. But I must be heading off. My mother will be getting annoyed if I arrive late again. Good luck Natasha." She said Wanda, turned to Natasha handing her the cup.

"Here you are, Princess." She smiled a most wicked smile and walked away following Wanda. Everything was telling Natasha not to drink the medicine but apart actually believed everything with Sharon and Steve is a lie. So she decided to believe what she hoped would be true and took the medicine, every last drop.

Steven.

Steven could feel Sharon's eyes glaring at the back of her head. He was holding a grand amount of guilt on his shoulders, today in particular. He had spoken with Sharon the night before about revealing his plan to Natasha.

He insisted that Natasha would understand. She wouldn't hold two people away from each other if they were in love. He seemed so confident about that, however, Sharon was not. In fact, she was not interested in his idea at all. He responded with a short statement that said with no emotion at all.

"Don't worry Stevie. I have this all taken care of." And walked away leaving Steven to stand there confused and worried.

Now he stood tall by his father and mother. Besides them was King Nicholas and Queen Tatiana, then, of course, Princess Natasha. She looked very stunning and this was the first time Steven noticed how stunning she actually was.

She stood their tall and strong not looking nervous at all. She was truly talented because he was very sure that she was overcome with many conflicting emotions, as was he. He was beyond nervous to make matters worse he felt all eyes were on him even when his father spoke.

"Attention people of Rogerteria, visitors from Romanavia. Me and King Nicholas have an announcement." He spoke clear and loud as a king should. "As you know our kingdom is in certain danger from incoming attacks. Our armies alone have no way to defeat our enemies. But fear not! We are about to be saved. My son, Prince Steven, heir to the throne shall be wed to Princess Natalia of the Romanavia kingdom. We shall unite and together we will work together." He looked over at King Nicholas to continue.

Natasha looked at her father. As he began to speak she started to lose her balance. She looked around and noticed everything was starting to get blurry. But the words for help didn't seem to come out.

"People of Rogeteria, I am king Nicholas of Romanavia, this is my wife Queen Tatiana, and our daughter, only heir to our throne, Princess Natasha. She shall be your next queen. She shall treat your people as her own. She will do just as the queens before he have done and she will stand-" He was cut off by the sound of his daughter coughing and almost falling.

Sir Clinton, who was behind the Royals, ran to his friend. Sir James and Samuel ran to fetch the doctor. Steve stood there confused as gasps arose from the kingdom. Everyone wondering the same thing, but no one had an answer. Soon the only sound in the kingdom was the sound of Queen Tatiana and King Nicholas calling for help.

The princess was losing consciousness as King Joesph yelled at people to find out what was going on. Steven looked around trying to grasps the idea of what was happening to Natasha. But then it caught his eye, Sharon standing in the corner looking very calm and not moving. She smiled at Steven. She had no regret in her eyes just the satisfaction of knowing that Steven marriage of Steven and Natasha is at risk.

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Everything I loved
is becoming
everything I lost

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