Author : Saeryen
Source : fanfiction.net
Author's Summary : A few years after the double wedding in which Princess Anneliese of Kattenland and her look-alike, Erika, each married the ones they loved, King Dominick's ambassador has become disillusioned with the fact that his queen was born a peasant. He seeks out Preminger, now imprisoned in Kattenland's dungeon, and asks for his help in seizing Dulcinea.
Chapter : 5/12
Disclaimer : None of this belongs to me. The characters are owned by mattel and the plot is owned by the author.

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Chapter 5

When was Julian going to get back?

He'd been out all day today to find something suitable. Where he had gotten one for Erika Anneliese did not know. All she knew was that she was going to have to do it soon. It might be the only way to throw off Preminger. And whoever it was that wanted some kind of revenge on Erika.

She was so lost in thought and worry that she jumped when someone knocked on the door.

"Oh! Er…come in, please."

Julian entered.

"There you are!" the princess said. "Do you have it?"

"Yes. It took me a long time to find one," said Julian.

He reached into a box and pulled out a brown wig.

"I look just like her!" Anneliese exclaimed as she took a look at her reflection. She had changed her pink gown to a green one.

Erika handed Anneliese her queen's crown and the note she was supposed to give to King Dominick upon her arrival.

"Bring Wolfie," Erika said. "If Preminger is out he may have found Midas."

"What about Misha?"

"She still thinks I'm you. I'm sure it will be in order. Julian's already told my mother and the maids about this plan. You just have to stay in the palace and no one will know I'm gone.

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"Remember, Your Highness," Bertie said as she led Anneliese out of the carriage. "No one is to know except for His Majesty and myself. Anyone else must think you're our queen."

"I understand," said Anneliese.

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"Your Majesty!"

"Bertie!" Dominick cried. "What is it?"

"I have found your queen!"

Anneliese entered the room with a perfectly graceful, queenly walk, just as Julian had taught her. She then whispered something to Dominick and slipped the note into his hand.

"We are…ahem…very glad to have you back, Your Majesty," said Ambassador Bismarck in a tone that suggested he didn't exactly approve. "Would you mind telling us what exactly you told our king?"

"That's not your business, Bismarck," snapped Dominick. "Frankly, I would like to not talk to you until you've completely regained my trust!"

"Now Lady Bertie," he said, turning to the former seamstress, "how exactly did you find her?"

"Nick and Nack were dragging her through a forest north of here," Bertie said. "I'm sorry, but they got away. She's more important anyhow."

"Indeed she is," the King replied. "Now, if you all would excuse me." He bowed and ascended the stairs.

He had to do what the girl had told him to do. He recognized Erika's voice, and hers was a little bit softer, like silk, compared to Erika's, which was like a bright flower blooming.

Read this, she had said. And don't let anyone see you.

It smelled like roses.

Dear Dominick,

Erika is safe. She's in Kattenland, hiding. She feared if she went back here, she would get captured all over again.

She and I have swapped again. I'm going to try to find out who else is behind this. Erika believes that, based on what Nack told her, someone who isn't fond of her let Preminger go free. Neither of us can think of anyone.

Please, help me try to find this person so your queen can return to Dulcinia and I can return home.

Anneliese Kendall Katten

Crown Princess of Kattenland

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