Audrey's parents, Olivia and Xaean's parents are gathered round.

They're all seated on plush chaises. Olivia is still nursing a glass of wine.

I purposely settle down beside Olivia.

Xaean walks in right after me. He pointedly stares at me before slowly sitting beside his mother opposite.

Audrey's father speaks first. "Let's get right down to business shall we?"

Talk about straight to the point.

"..This is Olivia..." On cue, Olivia stands and steps forward. "...my first daughter and future Queen."

Xaean's father nods in acknowledgment.

".. She is the one we have promised to your son."

From the corner of my eye I watch for Xaean's reaction. He doesn't even bat an eye, just stares with a completely bored look on his face.

Olivia dips low into a curtesy and smiles. "Good evening Your majesties, your royal prince."

At his father's nod Xaean slowly stands and dips into a bow. "I would love to marry you."

Two things go completely wrong at the same time.

First, the prince did and probably said the right thing, only instead of bowing to Olivia his grey eyes are twinkling and he's standing right in front of me.

The second and worst, is that at that moment, Audrey sits up with a gasp. The momentum of her shock and sudden consciousness pushes me back behind the wall that separates us and gives her full control of her body.

Everything turns black. For a minute.