The night of Prince Christopher's eighteenth celebration was nearing closer and closer. Christopher began to grow nervous each day, he didn't like that fact the kingdom was so busy just because of his birthday. He didn't now why everyone was making such a big deal. He might be the prince but this was just ridiculous. His mother, Queen Annabelle had been asking Christopher's opinions on everything. The color of the napkins, what kind of food he wanted, if he wanted swans in the fountain.

            He tried to avoid them as much as possible, and on top of everything Stephen had been avoiding Christopher all week. Christopher had tried going down to the stables to see him and apologize fro his rude remark he had made last time, but he was never there. He knew he was avoiding him on purpose which made him even more frustrated.

            He hadn't encountered Lorraine either, he didn't go to the apple tree as much as he used to. He was too busy at the palace. Prince Christopher was in the library reading a book when he heard his mother calling for him. "Darling, are you in here?" She asked. "Yes mother, I'm in here," he said. "What are you doing here, you should be getting dressed," said the queen to her son once she entered. "I am dressed mother," said Christopher annoyed.

            The queen shook her head in disapproval. "Into something more proper for a prince, Princess Amelia from Downside has just arrived and is anxious to meet you," she said smiling. "Why is she here so early?" Asked Christopher outraged. "She came a day early, there's nothing wrong with that, in fact it's perfect, it gives you a chance to be acquainted with each other," she said. "I'm not ready to meet a princess right now," he said.

            "You're going to meet her whether you like it or not, now get dressed," retorted the queen and left Christopher more outraged than ever. He threw down the book he was reading and began to pace. There is no way she's making me meet her, not now, not ever. I'm being forced to and it's just not fair. I'll just try to escape them for a while by getting out of the kingdom. Yes, that's what I'll do. There is no way I am going to be forced to meet her...

                                       *                                  *                               *

            Prince Christopher had been lucky to escape. He was now in the meadow next to that same apple tree he had met Lorraine. It wasn't easy making his way out of the castle without being caught, but he managed to in the end. It's funny how I thought Lorraine would be here, he thought to himself. He began to pace a few feet when he saw someone come his way. I knew she'd be here, he thought to himself smiling.

            But it wasn't Lorraine that he saw, it was none other then Stephen. He was holding something in his hand and it looked like he was going over something. Christopher stiffened, what was he going to say to him? He wasn't expecting him to be here. Why was he here anyway?

            When Stephen neared him, he noticed the prince for the first time. He didn't say anything when he saw him, he only bowed. Christopher returned the bow. Then he heard someone coming from behind him. He turned around and saw Lorraine; her face was all pink and flustered from running all the way there. Prince Christopher didn't need to be a genius to figure out what was going on, Stephen had asked Lorraine to come here so he can ask her to marry him.

            "Stephen, I'm sorry I'm late, but-your highness?" Asked Lorraine out of breath. "Oh, hello there," he said. "You never told me Prince Christopher was going to be here," said Lorraine to Stephen. "That's because I didn't know he was," he said angrily. "I best be going," said Christopher. "Yes please," Stephen said to Christopher.

            Christopher stopped walking away. "I'm sorry, Stephen, but what did you say," said Christopher angrily. "You heard me, I'm not scared of you, Prince Christopher, I don't want you here right now, you ruined my first proposal, I don't think I want you to ruin this one too," said Stephen. No one has ever talked to him that way. Lorraine knowing this wasn't going to end well said, "Stephen, don't be so rude."

            "Me? Rude? I think not, don't you recall Prince Christopher saying that a stable boy doesn't pay much for a family," said Stephen disgustingly. "Now that was rude," he added. "Look Stephen, I've tried coming by to the stables to apologize for what I had said, I didn't mean it that way," said Christopher. "Yes, well, an apology won't do in this situation," said Stephen bitterly.

            "Then what do you want me to do," said Christopher. "Nothing," he said. Lorraine walked up to Stephen, "Stephen, I'm sorry I'm not going to marry you, and it wasn't what Prince Christopher said that made me come to this decision," she said to him. Stephen looked heart broken. "But- but-I-I made so much more money, and I already bought a cottage near your mistresses' house, so you could be near her, I know how much you lover her-and," he explained fiddling with the ring in his hand.

            "Oh, Stephen you didn't have to do all that, I already told you that I didn't want to marry you even if you had all the money in the world, I'm just not ready right now," she said looking into his mossy green eyes. "I- I'll wait until your ready," he said. "I don't want to guarantee that promise, I'm so very sorry Stephen," she said.

            He nodded his head and started walking away. When he passed Christopher, he gave him a dirty look and started walking away. Lorraine sighed looking at him leave. "So, why were you here Prince Christopher?" She asked once Stephen was gone. "Oh, I was just hiding from someone," he said nonchalantly. "And from whom may I ask are you hiding from?" She asked smiling. He smirked, "Everyone."