Marinette Snow White, Prince Adrien, and Kalie travel along in silence. All three astride the horse.  The group travels past many places some familiar and unfamiliar ground alike. At last, they arrive outside the palace.

    "Guards, open the gates at once for it is I, your leader and ruler, Marinette Snow White. I have found our long-lost friends, Prince Adrien and his daughter Kalie."

       The guards immediately do as they are told.  As the threesome climbs off the horse's back, another guard takes it back to the royal stables to stay.  

       A few minutes later, the royals are in Marinette's quarters. 

        "Friends, is that all we will ever be to you?"

          Marinette sighs. She turns to her servant.

         "Juleka, find some kind of entertainment that is safe for Kalie."

        "Yes, your highness."

           Juleka exits the room with Kalie not far behind her. She takes her to explore the rest of the garden.  It is a lot bigger than most people realize. She hopes she did not make a mistake bringing the child here.  As the young girl frolics amongst the flowers, Juleka wishes the very best for her soon-to-be queen and her friend.
        

           ...with Adrien and Marinette...

         "A-Adrien, please, don't..."

         "Marinette Snow White, do you see us as friends? I mean you did seek us out."

         "I only did  what I felt was best for the kingdom."

          "I see."

         Adrien places a hand on her cheek once more. This time he as he stares into her eyes he feels as if he could get lost in them. He is sure he loves her.  

         "Are you promised to some rich, good-looking, duke, king, prince, or something from another kingdom?"

            "No, if only it were that simple."

            "I do not understand.  Please, help me to understand so that I might fix whatever draws a rift between you and me."

            His breath is so close she can almost feel it.

       Marinette Snow White looks him in the eye but refuses to give in.  She must not love him. She can not because to do so would be to go back on her word. The very word she gave her father as a young child.  It was when she was about eight she made it.  She remembers it well as if it were only yesterday.  Yes, she recalls it was made in haste after his death.  It still meant something though, right?

    Flashback...

    "My precious child, Marinette Snow White, do not marry anyone for riches, gain, or selfish means.  Promise me that my dear."

   "Father, what if I do not want to marry?"

     "Oh, my daughter, you will desire to someday."

     "How do you know? I do not ever think I will."

     "I just know that someday in the future you will meet a fine young man who will sweep you off your feet and you will agree to marry him."

     "I swear to it that I will never marry.  I will never fall in love either."

        Marinette Snow White's father shakes his head at her words. He knows she has no idea what she says right now since is but a child. 

       "You will and when that day comes you must  not let him go."

         "I promise father."

     Two days later, Marinette's father went on a journey.  Upon his return, a newcomer came to the castle. She was lovely, as she was wicked.  It was Lila.  From that day on, Marinette had a stepmother. She must do whatever she says.  

       A few years went by and soon, Marinette's father grew ill. It was strange as the doctors could not find the source of his sudden bad health.  Marinette was sad. She could not lose her father not when they were so close.

       A weak after the diagnosis, her father died.  Marinette Snow White was devasted. She recalls how odd Lila was.  At the news of his death, she held a feast, then she wept, and held a few more feasts.  On top of that, a few servants mysteriously turned up dead.

      It was then, the young Marinette knew her stepmother was not to be trusted.  Not even by her.

     She also swore off love as the only one who loved her, her father was dead.

 End of Flashback...

   " I am sorry, but we can be friends. Nothing more."

     At her words, Prince Adrien's face fell. He took his hand away from her face. He thinks I should have known it was too good to be true. He feels his heart might break.

     "Friends, then we are, but you must know I  shall not be happy for long this way."

     "I can not offer you anything more."

        Prince Adrien leaves the room as tears form in his eyes. He must not let her see him cry. He goes to the guest room without a word.

         Kalie enters the room and hears him weeping. She feels sorry for her father. She knows then it must be heartache.  Why? Does not Marinette feel the same?

         Find out more in Chapter 24

       bye-bye, little owlets!

      -Summer out!