Annebelle watched as the only home she had ever known vanished in the distance. Duncan patted her hand and smiled at her. "Do you think your parents will approve of me?" She asked Alexander.

Alexander looked over at Annebelle and smiled "i bet they would love you...and see your personality and intelligence they will notice that you are a perfect person for my family"he smiled.He would looked out the window occasionally to see if they were near his home or not and would look at Annebelle.

"I hope so, I still don't think I will be accepted into the household after where I came from." She said staring out the window as they left the small town she used to go to the sell milk and eggs, and other produce. She smiled for Alexander's sake and patted her brother's hand.

Alexander looked out the window to see his home not to far from they were looking.He smiled but hoped that nobody was worried about his were a bouts.After a couple of minutes the carriage then stopped to a halt.They were already in front of the main house.Alexander stepped out of the carriage to see Diana picking out food from the garden.Alexander smiled but didn't want to bother her from her duties.

Diana got up on her feet and wiped the sweat off her forehead.She looked over to see Alexander coming out of the couch.Her eyes widened of shock and dropped her basket "PRINCE ALEXANDER!?!"she said out loud.She ran over towards him "M-Master Alexander where were you yesterday your mother and father are worried about you"she said worryingly.

"im fine don't worry so much Diana"He smiled and patted her on the head.He then took out some of the suitcases from the carriage to make it easier to get out of the carriage.

"ohh Master dont worry about that the butler can take care of this"she said wondering what are inside the suitcases and who were they.She looked over and called out another maid to bring in the butlers so they could take in the suitcases."umm Master if you don't mind me asking why do you have suitcases we have plenty here"she looked at him curiously

"well they not mine...they are for my future wife"he smiled then looked inside the carriage "Annebelle,Duncan you guys can come out now"

Very slowly Annebelle stepped out of the carriage followed closely by her brother, he was beaming at the giant house, and Diana, while Annebelle stuck to her brothers side. She looked up at the house, it was Massive, one couldn't even call it a house, it was more of a castle. "I am Duncan, and this silent little thing is my sister Annebelle." He said bowing to Diana.

Diana bowed to them back and smiled "Welcome Master Duncan, Lady Annebelle to Ming castle."

A couple of butlers and maids came out of the castle and started to pick up their luggage and carried it into Alexander's home. "would you like them to be sent to the guest rooms"Diana asked.

Alexander nodded "yes i would like their stuff in the guest rooms"he smiled."Diana could you show Duncan and Annebelle the rest of the castle i have to talk to my father"he whispered in her ear then walked by Annebelle "ill be back alright ill meet you by your room in a little bit alright"he kissed her cheek just before leaving into the castle.

Diana nodded then looked back at Duncan and Annebelle "well let me show you around the castle."she turned around "now follow me please"she smiled.

Annebelle grabbed Duncan's hand as they followed Diana. "This is a very nice place." She said softly. Her brother sensing her discomfort, held her hand tighter and patted her shoulder. They were both in a place they had never even dreamed of being in. But Duncan stayed looking strong, mostly watching Diana with a soft smile. He thought she was very pretty, almost perfect looking.

"yes it is...i've always admired this castle and it's structure"she said heading inside "well why don't we start with the lower level and work are way up"she said walking down a long strip of red carpet and on each side of the main entrance were two huge flight of stairs on the left and right side of the wall that led up to the second floor. She continued to deeper into the main hallway passing by butlers and maids. She then stopped and pointed over to the left "well if you continue going down this hallway theirs a flight of stairs that show you the dungeon but ill don't really need to show you that place"she smiled "but i will show you the kitchen"she turned to the right and headed down the hall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Alexander had headed passed a few hall ways and finally reached his father's office.He knocked on the door "hello father its me Alexander...can i speak with you for a moment"he heard nothing so he entered in and saw a note.He walked over and began to read it.

Dear Son,

I'll be out for a couple of days because of some business that i need to take care of. I' ll arrive back with something that you will be very pleased with so for now be a good little boy and take care of the castle while Im gone.

Sincerely King Oliver Ming

Alexander sighed and sat down on his father's chair wonderful...just when i needed him the most he isn't here...well i guess i have some time before i tell him the news...he scratched his head.

Annebelle and Duncan both looked down the hallway at the dungeon and Duncan had to pull Annebelle along as she had frozen with fear, she had always had an irrational fear of basements and dungeons, after her father had locked her in the basement for a week. "It is finely crafted, it's hard to believe that a place like this is hand made." Duncan said in a smooth voice.

"i agree with you till this day im surprised how this was built"she smiled and headed inside the kitchen.Once they entered their was a lot of chiefs running around tasting food and mixing them."well this is the kitchen where you can have whatever you like and out that back door over their is the greenhouse where we have the most freshest food that you will ever find"she walked around a little and entered the green room.There was a lot of exotic plants and filled with fruits and vegetables.It was like being inside a jungle.

She then exited out of the green room to enter the court yard "this is the court yard were the king and queen relaxes from all the stress that their is to running this kingdom,we also have a training ground here where all of are soldiers come almost every day"she pointed towards a few hills.

Duncan's eyes lit up when she spoke of the training field. It had always been a dream of his to be a solider. "You wouldn't happen to know if they are taking recruits do you?" He asked looking over at the empty training field. Annebelle smiled looking about the plants. She liked it here, it was calm, and she liked how the kitchen had smelled of fresh food, not smoke and beer.

Diana looked over at Duncan and smiled "well Im not sure i heard that they are looking for one but then again i hear these from other workers so im not entirely sure but ill ask Alexander he is after all one of the Generals"Diana blushed slightly.She loved men that are in the army everything they do showed her strong they were and she could trust them with her life."well lets continue on with the tour"she said heading inside to the ball room "well here is the ball room where we have lots of parties"she walked around the ball room "we usually have extravagant parties every month so we are very busy"she headed out then walked up the stairs

"well are last stop would have to be your rooms"she said looking towards her left "Lady Annebelle this is where your room is "she opened the door and showed how huge the room was. All her stuff was by her bed."you have a shower inside so you dont have to leave the room"she pointed to the door right next to the walk in closet "and you master Duncan you have the room right across from her.She walked over and opened his room. "you too have a shower inside"she smiled. "well i hope you both like your rooms"

Annebelle stared dumbstruck at her room, it was bigger then her house had been. "Is there to be a party soon?" She asked tearing her eyes away and looking back at Diana. Duncan had noticed her blush when he asked about the soldiers and was smirking a little as he watched her show them their rooms.

"yes their is one coming up soon... near the end of this week their will be a spring ball so everyone is trying to get things ready"she smiled "well i better let you two get comfortable in your rooms so Ill be leaving"she bowed to them "ohh i forgot one thing"she said pointing on to a button on the wall in Duncan's room "if you guys need anything just press that button and ill come and help you with what ever you need"she smiled.

"Even if it's just to talk?" Duncan asked leaning against the door frame with a soft smile on his face, making his abnormally purplish eyes seem to be smiling also. Annebelle rolled her eyes, she knew what he was doing. She sighed and smiled herself and stepped into her room allowing them some privacy.

Diana stared into his eyes.She looked away,trying her best not to blush but sadly it wasn't working too well. hmm...i have a lot of work but....i guess just a few minutes wont hurt she thought to herself. "umm s-sure if its brief then why not"she smiled softly.

"I apologize, you must need to go help get ready for the ball..Perhaps another time?" Duncan asked stepping to her and kissing her hand. He wasn't trying to play gentlemen, he was truly trying to be nice to this girl. Annebelle sat on her bed and looked around the massive room. She got up and opened the closet, but closed it, slightly afraid she might get lost inside it.

"okay then we will talk some other time"she smiled and blushed a little."ill see you later Master Duncan"she said just before heading off to her duties.She then remembered what Duncan had asked about the an opening in the army so instead of working she headed off to the Kings office.

Alexander headed out of his father's office.Diana saw him and grabbed his arm. "u-umm Master Alexander i have a question"she blushed "do you have an opening in the army?"

Alexander look at Diana in confusion "yes we do...but im telling you that no women can join"he chuckled. "ohh-i-i know that but Master Duncan wanted to see if their was"she looked at Alexander.

"ahh...i see...well ill talk to him about it...no run along and finish your job"he patted her head.Diana nodded and headed back to work. Alexander headed off towards Annebelle's room.Once he was their he knocked on her door "Annebelle its me Alexander may i come in"he asked

Annebelle wiped a few tears from her eyes, she had been crying after she found the picture of her mother that her brother had packed. She walked to the mirror and made sure her eyes weren't too red, then walked to the door. "Alexander, Did you speak to your father?" She asked smiling softly as him.

Alexander sighed and walked into her room.He sat down on her bed and shook his head "he's out of town right now...but he will be back in a couple of days...so ill tell him as soon as he comes back"he looked over at Annebelle.He pushed his thoughts aside "so how do you like the castle"he asked curiously.

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"It's nice, Big..I've never been in a place this big before." She said sitting beside him. She smiled and placed a hand on his. "Thank you for bringing me here." She said kissing his cheek. She was glad she was away from her father, but she would miss her mother, even though she never tried to stop him.

((aw thank you ^^))

Alexander smiled and kissed her cheek."your welcome"he rested his head against her shoulder. "i heard from Diana that your brother wanted to join the are army...is it true?"he asked curiously.He did have an opening but since so many people try out it will be tough for Duncan to get in.

"Yes, he's wanted to join the army since he was a kid...But he never left home to go to boot camp, he was always to worried about leaving me." She sighed biting her lip a little. She rested her head on his and smiled. This was comforting to her.

(( i hope you feel better -read your signature- ^^))

"i see i think he was doing the right thing"he smiled.He thought for a moment then looked back at Annebelle."we do have an opening but he needs to go through some immediate training,to see whether or not he is qualified to join the kings army...can he come tomorrow in the morning to the training grounds..ill go talk to the other generals and see if they can interview him"he said.

"Sure, and don't worry, knowing him, he'll be there an hour before he's supposed to. He's very dependable." She said gently kissing the top of his head. "I'm thankful to you for rescuing me, I owe you my life. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, do not hesitate to ask Alexander." She said softly.