"of course you won't hurt her any more because im taking her with me"he removed his sword away from Charles neck and placed it back in its holder "ohh and i am Prince Alexander from the Ming's royal family"

"And you want to take my daughter with you? That worthless little brat?" Charles said laughing and clutching his sides as he doubled over with laughter.

"she's not worthless...the only one that is worthless here is you"he glared at Annebelle's father. "you beat down on your own family just because you feel like it you dont even deserve the place your living at... better yet i can just tell my father and place you to death because of the horrible things you done"

"Take her and leave. Being put to death would be better, at least then I'd never have to see her ugly face again, or pay these damn taxes." He spat turning away from the man.

Alexander turned away and left the house.He was still angry but relived that Annebelle would no longer be living in such horrible conditions.She will stay with him and live a long happy life with him. Alexander walked into Annebelle's house and took off his coat and sword and placed it on a coat hanger.

Annebelle smiled when Alexander walked in. "I thought you had left early." She said as she sat up. Her brother was asleep in the chair beside her bed, his snores almost unheard in the small room. Annebelle smiled again but noticed his sword slightly sticking out. "Oh, Alexander you didn't hurt him did you?" She asked worriedly.

Alexander smiled and shook his head. "no i did not but i would have...."He sat down beside her bed and kissed her forehead "are you alright my darling"he asked touching her cheek softly with his hand.

"Yes I'm fine, a little sore, but bruises heal, and bones fix themselves." She said with a smile as he kissed her. She closed her eyes, inhaling his aroma. "I'm glad you didn't hurt him, he doesn't mean what he says and does. He can't control his anger."

"i can see that..."he sighed "well you dont have to worry about his anger any longer...you may come with me to my home i asked him and he doesnt mind it" he smiled well...more like doesnt care but i wont tell her thathe thought to himself.

Annebelle lit up and hugged him again. "Really! He said I could go?" She asked happily her brother stirred in his sleep and blinked one eye open. "Whose going where?" He asked stretching in the chair.

"yes you can go so pack up what ever you need and we can leave tomorrow in the morning"he smiled and kissed her on the cheek.He looked over at his brother and said "Annebelle is leaving with me to my palace to become my wife"

Ducan frowned but stood up. "I'm going with her." He said glaring at Alexander. If his sister was going to be taken away from him he'd have nothing left except his father who was a drunk and useless. Annebelle looked from Duncan to Alexander and bit her lip. "I want him to come Alexander." She said softly.

Alexander stared at Duncan for a second then looked back over at Annebelle "alright...if you want him to come that is fine with me"he sighed "just get ready by tomorrow morning so we can leave"he said resting his head against Annebelles shoulder.

"Duncan can you pack my things for me?" She asked as she kissed Alexander's cheek. "Of course, I'll pack your stuff then go pack mine." He said standing. he walked over to the closet and pulled out two suitcases and began filling it up with her stuff, but left out make-up and a brush, then a dress and undergarments for her to wear the next day. Then took the empty suitcase to the main house to pack up his stuff.

Alexander laid down next to Annebelle and watched as Duncan left to his house to pack "so are you happy that your leaving here"he asked staring into Annebelle's eyes.He was happy that he was going to be able to take Annebelle with him,even tho Duncan was going to come he didnt mind at all.

"Very, I will miss my friends, but at least I have my brother, if I didn't have him, I don't know what I'd do, it's thanks to him that I'm even alive right now." She said snuggling close to him. She was sore and in pain, but she wanted to be as close to him as possible. She laced her fingers with his and rested her head on his chest.

"ill let you see them every once and a while if you like"he smiled softly.He held her against him so it would be easier for Annebelle to stay close to him."well we should get some rest we have a long ride to my house tomorrow"he said starting to close his eyes.

Annebelle smiled and kissed him once more, then pulled the covers over them and snuggled closer to her. "I love you Alexander." She whispered before drifting off.

"YOUR WHAT!" Charles yelled as he stood facing his son. "I'm leaving with Annebelle. She needs me with her, I don't entirely trust that Alexander and I'm not about to send my only sister gallivanting about with him." He said glaring at him. "And if you do not get out of my way, I will have to force you." Charles glared at Duncan for a moment then stepped aside of the door way. "You are no longer welcome in my home." Charles said glaring angrily at him, he wouldn't dare hit him, he was his first born, and his actual son, Annebelle was a mistake in his eyes, an abnormality that shouldn't exist. Duncan huffed and grabbed his bags then walked out into the sun light. A coach could be seen just down the road. He walked over to Annebelle's house and knocked before entering.

"i love you to Annebelle"he said just before drifting off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*


Alexander was putting on his belt when Duncan came in.He looked over and said "i see that you are ready to go ill just go and wake up your sister"h put on his coat.He gently shook Annebelle's shoulder and whispered in her ear "Annebelle...wake up its time to go"he kissed her cheek.

Annebelle opened her eyes and blinked at the brightness, she sat up and yawned. "What time is it?" She asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She stood slowly, still in pain from the brutal beating the day before.

"its a quarter to nine"he smiled."We should be leaving soon its going to take a while to get their"he said getting off her bed.He then grabbed his sword and placed it beside him

"I saw the coach when I was walking over, it should be here any minute. Here I left out your things." Duncan said handing Annebelle her dress and other items. She smiled and walked into the bathroom and took a quick bath, then changed and dried her hair, she then allowed it to dry curly and dressed then fixed up herself. She walked back out a little bit more awake.

Alexander peered out the window to see that the coach was here."alright im going to put some stuff in the coach right now...just meet me out side when you guys are done"he said grabbing some suitcases and left the house.He started organizing them into the carriage and waited beside the coach and waited for the two to leave.

"Are you ready Ann?" Duncan asked looking about the small cabin like house one more time. Annebelle stood in the center of the room looking about the place also. "As I'll ever be, We'll be fine Brother, we always have been, as long as we have each other." She said hugging him. "And I'll always be at your side when ever you need me." Duncan said kissing her head. Together they walked out of the house. Annebelle smiled at Alexander and stood looking at the coach, she saw her mother and father looking out the window, her mother was crying and her father looked angry. She ignored them and kissed Alexander on the cheek.

Alexander blushed slightly and smiled.He then helped Annebelle up on to the carriage. When they both got into the carriage he grabbed his house and harness him to the front of the other two horses then got into the coach and asked the man to take them back to the castle.