The World Will Know

For the majority of my life, I always thought that I was just Anna the orphan. But I am more than that. After weeks of performing for the Royal family of Rothania, in celebration of the edding anniversary for King Antonio and Queen Mackenzie and the ball for Prince Eric's 20th birthday, I found out who I truly was; Princess Annalise of Flower Meadows.

Let me take you back to the beginning of the performances.....

To say that I was nervous was an understatement. I was totally petrified! Not only am I performing for King Antonio, Queen Mackenzie, Prince Eric, and the twins; Prince James and Princess Penelope, I was also performing to the Lords and Lady's, Duke and Duchess's and Counts and Countess's. This means that there will be a lot of eyes on me to see if I make any mistakes.

For the double performances that I had to do, King Antonio and Queen Mackenzie let me stay in one of the guest rooms for the duration of the two balls. This means that I got to know Prince Eric and his family through the weeks. One key highlight that stood out for me was when Prince Eric showed me portraits of his late Aunt and Uncle; Queen Helana and Prince Andrew of Flower Meadows. There was also a portrait of Princess Annalise with Prince Eric at Her Royal Higness' 16th birthday Ball.

Apparently, that was the last time that they saw the Queen, Prince and Princess of Flower Meadows. The only one that is still around is Prince James. People think he is the sibling of Princess Penelopebut he's not. Both were born on the same day.

Going back to why I was at the Royal Palace, the celebration of the wedding anniversary for King Antonio and Queen Mackenzie of Rothania was a hit. Everyone talked to me after the several songs that I sang (requested by the Royal couple) telling me that I reminded them of the late Princess of Flower Meadows. Even Prince James when I sing lullabies to him to help him sleep.

The evening before Prince Eric's birthday ball, I was seated between Prince Eric and Prince James, having tea and cake with everyone; King Antonio, Queen Mackenzie and Princess Penelope. This was when I was asked questions about my background.

"Well, I don't remember much of my childhood," I started, "but about two, three years ago, my parents and I were travelling somewhere, I remember that the car got damaged and I woke up in an orphanage with the name Anna."

"Do you remember what day this happened?" King Antonio asked politely.

"I'm not quite sure," I replied, "but I have this strange feeling it was shortly after my 16th birthday." I finished.

The King and Queen shared a look before calling forward a guard who quickly left the room. I had a very confused feeling about what is happening. Shortly after the guard left, Queen Mackenzie asked James and Penelope to retire to their rooms or the library. Moments later, the guard returned with a wooden box. Inside the box, was a stunning crown. Delicate, golden and out-right gorgeous.

"Who... Who does it belong to?" I stutterly asked.

"It was created as a gift to Princess Annalise for her 18th birthday." Prince Eric replied whilst moving to pick up the delicate crown.

"May I?" Eric asked.

"Why?" I simply responded.

"Because I believe it will unlock the memories to your past." Eric replied with a drop-dead smile.

Simply nodding, Prince Eric placed the crown gracefully upon my head. From the instant it touched my head, the most colourful glow surrounded me. This glow brought memories from my childhood to the tragic night that took my parents from me.

Once the glow vanished, sitting in front of the royal family was the long lost Princess of Flower Meadows; Princess Annalise. All I wanted to do from that moment, was to see my younger brother; Prince James. To hi him, tell him how much I missed him, how much mother and father loved him. With rushed curtsy to their majesties and royal highness, I ran towards the door to search for my brother.

"James!" I cried out hoping he would hear me somewhere within this hugemungous Palace.

I was running up stairs in a non-royal manner trying to find him. I kept calling his name and I saw him come out of the library. I ungracefully rushed towards him and embraced him in the biggest hug possible. As we hugged, we shed a few tears of happiness together as we were finally together once and for all.

James and I hug for what felt like a century; not even knowing that King Antonio, Queen Mackenzie, Prince Eric, Princess Penelope and staff of the Palace gathered around us. It wasn't until I felt a gentle hand upon my shoulder forcing me to look up out of the embrace I was in. I looked up and around to see everyone with tears in their eyes.

"A... Are you truly back?" James asked through his sobs.

"I am dear brother," I started to reply, "I am home and the world will know my return."

"Agreed," King Antonio joined in, "we will announce your return tonight."

"Annalise," Eric spoke with a slight shyness to his voice and getting my attention, "do you remember my birthday present that I gave you for your birthday?" He asked.

Without replying, I stood up from my position on the floor, took Eric's hand and nodded in the direction of the guest room I was staying in. We walked together in silence with everyone following behind. Once we reached the room, I walked towards my jewellery table to retrieved the item I was after.

Grasping it in my hand, I turned back facing Eric and his family; my little brother included. I took hold of Eric's right hand, placed the item inside and concealed it without him seeing the item inside his hand.

"I believe this is the present you gave me for my birthday that night." I spoke whilst gesturing towards Eric's right hand that had the item in.

Opening his hand slowly, a gasp sounded once his hand was fully open.

"You kept it all this time?" Eric asked through his shock to find the engagement ring in the palm of his hand.

"Of course," I replied, "a voice in me kept telling me it is important. I wore it as a necklace for years and now with my memories back, I am willing to wear it proudly on my finger." I stated whilst holding my left hand out towards Eric for him to place the ring - again - on my finger.

Just like he did on my 16th birthday, Eric quickly dropped to one knee and asked; "Will you marry me? Be my wife and Queen for now and forever...."

"Yes!" I excitedly exclaimed before he could finish the rest of his speech.

Eric gracefully slid the ring onto my finger, stood and passionately kissed me. Of course, I returned the kiss with the same amount of fire and passion before I heard my brother say;"Get a room!" knowing he heard me say it when mother and father kissed how Eric and I kissed then.

We just all bursted into futa of laughter over James' statement. The head of the household, Ashton, interrupted our laughter by saying that the ball starts within a hour. With this knowledge, I immediately raised the question; "How am I entering the ball tonight?"

"With me, of course!" Eric exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes," King Antonio started, "that will be the best way for the world to know about your return."

"Precisely," Queen Mackenzie continued, "Ashton," she called and Ashton stepped forward and bowed his head.

"Yes Ma'am," replying to his name.

"When my son enters the ball you will announce his name before announcing his fiancé, the Princess Annalise." Queen Mackenzie continued.

"Of course, your majesty." Ashton said bowing before leaving the room.

When Queen Mackenzie said my name, I felt a sense of pride. I have not heard my proper name being said for two long years. After this was said, everyone went to their respected rooms.

Being in my room already, I was about to walk towards my wardrobe to pick the gown chosen for tonight to put on, when I felt a hand grab ahold of my arm. I was about to fight them off me when I realised it was Eric, my fiancé.

"Where are you going?" Eric asked me.

"To get my gown for tonight." I playfully replied.

"You won't find anything in there." Eric smirked his response.

Before I could reply, he hoisted me up onto his shoulder and carried me out of my room. I screamed with laughter, protesting for him to put me down. He finally lowered me to the floor and I noticed that we were outside a door to another room.

"Where are we?" I asked breathlessly from all the laughter we made.

"The Princess' suite." Eric replied whilst opening the doors.

Walking in through the doors, I was in awe and wonder of the room that was presented in front of me. Eric was talking about how everything bare the ring to this room when I was in search for my brother. Without thinking, I rushed over to him and gave him the biggest kiss before nudging him out of the room so I could change ready for the ball. 'Why didn't I realise that my stuff was missing when I retrived the ring' I thought as I moved into the room to get ready.

A few mintutes later, I emerged from my new room in an improved gown that I wore for my 16th ball tow years ago. Waiting outside my room was Eric, wearing a navy blue suit with a black bow tie, so we can walk to the ball together; just how his mother - Queen Mackenzie - proclaimed before we all got ready.

Eric took hold of my hand, placed a gentle kiss to the back of my hand before telling me; "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." I replied whilst curtsying.

Eric offered me his arm saying; "Shall we?"

I mockingly curtsied, taking his arm whilst saying; "We shall."

We floated together towards the ball room hearing the laughter and music growing louder with every step we took. As we grew closer to the room, a servent noticed our approach and slipped through the tiniest crack to alert the announcer that we were outside.

Standing outside, we heard trumpets sound drawing the attention of the guest below. In a clear strong voice, Eric and I heard the announcer say; "Your Majesties, Royal Highnesses, Duke and Duchess', Counts and Countess' Lords and Lady's; His Royal Highness Prince Eric and his fiancé, Her Royal Highness Princess Annalise of Flower Meadows."

Gasps could be heard as the doors opened allowing Eric and I to enter the room. Once we entered, cheers and claps sounded the room with fanfare music as Eric lead us down the stairs towards the crowd and his parents, sister and my brother. We stopped at the bottom of the stairs to curtsy to their majesties before moving to the floor to officially open the ball.

The world has officially witnessed the return of Princess Annalise.