It was a most devastating war between England and Ireland.

Many innocent lives were lost yet neither country heeded. It was a struggle for power and dominance between the two countries; however, not both rulers were attracted to the brutality of war. Princess Alexandra Bennicoeur of Ireland was first in line to the throne and she was not happy that her people had to suffer because of something that seemed so trivial to her. Its that blasted King of England! she would say to her maids. Hes a war-freak and strongly wants our country for who knows what reason! He already has his prosperous country, what more could he possibly want? Honestly, if I ever meet that man, I cannot assure that there would be no blood shed! The maids nodded their agreement and quietly left her to her thoughts. The princess sighed. She knew that complaining would do her nothing good and she would do anything for her country but she desperately needed to relax and escape the war. Just then, a thought came to her; Germany was still neutral! She would go there for the weekend just to escape the war and the King of Englands wrath. King Jack Daniels was sitting in his office, thinking. How can I end this war swiftly? Will my people still accept me if we lose the war? What will I do if Germany does not accept my offer? the questions swirled around in his head and he sighed. He should think positively and show confidence, not the doubt and cowardice that was eating through him. He looked down at his table and to the stacks of paper that still needed to be done and suddenly he was exhausted. He decided to retire for the day; everyone needed to rest. Just as he was reaching for the doorknob, the door opened showing one of his messengers. Sir, the messenger said. A package. Yes, yes, thank you very much. You may go now, Jack said irritably. The package was a letter, a letter from the Prime Minister of Germany inviting him over to discuss the weapons transactions. Jack smiled as he thought of the sure ball victory in the war if they had the Germans weapons. He also remembered that he would destroy the Bennicoeur Family if he won, at that thought he smiled wider. Meanwhile, Alexandra was staying at a hotel in Germany; she was pleased that nobody had recognized her. She disguised herself as a commoner and snuck away to the train station. She was glad that she knew she would have her peace of mind but she had not eaten anything for quite a long time, so, she went out to find somewhere to eat. While she was walking, she felt a strong presence and as if she was being watched. She turned and saw a pair of glittering dark eyes boring into hers. Her heart skipped a beat and was suddenly hammering against her chest and when she took a better look and realized how gorgeous the man was, her breath caught. Suddenly, the strangest and most horrifying fact floated to her mind. This stranger is important to me. Jack saw a most intriguing woman. Her looks didnt match with what she was wearing and she was looking at him in the funniest way; so, he approached her. Hello, he smiled. Hello, she did not return the smile and he was even more intrigued. May I know your name, my fair lady? No, I believe you may not. Jack was taken aback. No woman has ever defied him.

Then may I know what brought you here to Germany because judging by how you look and your accent, you are not German. Actually, he thought, her accent sounds very familiar. If you must know, I am here to find some peace of mind and talking to you is definitely not giving me any of that! Now, goodbye, Sir, I have somewhere else better to be, she had said before she stormed off. Yes, goodbye indeed, Jack said chuckling. A few days after that encounter, King Jack went back to his country and upon arriving he saw the girl he had met. Hello there, he said to the girl. Oh, your Highness! The girl said as she curtsied. Jack was amused at the sudden change of the girls attitude toward him. So now you know me and show respect? What are you talking about, Highness? I would never show you disrespect, the girl said confused. In Germany, you were very cold, he chuckled. Its very different to your current attitude. Come to think of it, your accent seems different and your eyes are lighter, Jack said. Something in the girls eyes changed, as if hiding something. Strange, Jack thought. So you met me? Me, Gabriella, in Germany? she asked, implying something he couldnt quite get so he ignored it. Yes, and Id like to meet you again next week for dinner. Would that be acceptable? Yes of course, your Highness! Good. Thank you. Now, I must leave, and with that he left. The girl was Gabriella Carter and she was furious. Her half-sister, Alexandra, met King Jack in Germany and whats worse is that he took a liking to her! Her sister had always been the favored, the blessed; well, it was her time now. She must have her revenge on Alexandra, her family and her country and she knew just how to do it. A week later, King Jack received another letter. This letter, unlike the first, brought horrible news. The girl he was supposed to have dinner with, the girl he had been thinking about for the past week has been kidnapped by the enemy country and was being held hostage! General!!! the King cried and the general appeared almost instantly. Sir! Ready your men. We will attack Ireland immediately and have a retrieval mission! Yes, Sir! This is it, he thought, he would end it. He would end the war between Ireland and England once and for all and destroy the Bennicoeur family. Alexandra was back in her home country, studying and trying not to remember that man. However, it was no use, he would pop into her head and she would stop everything. This is stupid, she said to herself, I dont even know his name. Just then, a loud noise erupted; she heard shrieks and yells. She looked out her window and was horrified. Fires and gunshots and blood, she almost felt like she was there. It was all too much to take; so, she broke down and cried, so many innocent lives lost This continued on for 3 days but it felt like 3 years to Alexandra. Why, she thought, why is this happening?

Gabriella should be pleased. She should be elated. This was what she wanted and for the first time she got it. Then why did it feel wrong? Why did it feel as if it was nothing but just a waste of time? Alexandra finally stopped crying. Her mind was clearing and she started to think of ways to end this horrible incident. She looked at the wall of her room and saw swords. She had an ingenious idea and called for a messenger. Send this message to the King of England. I challenge him to a duel and whoever of us wins shall rule both countries. If he accepts, they shall seize fire immediately until a winner is proclaimed and we shall meet here in my palace as the venue for the duel, understand? Yes, Highness. As the messenger left, Alexandra looked out the window somberly, waiting, for what seemed like an eternity, until she saw the response she needed. The war that killed so many innocent lives seized, for that she was grateful, but she knew that for the fate of her people and country and that for true peace she must win the war between her and the Englishmens King. A month later, King Jack was walking into the Irish palace grounds, confident of winning. The heir to the Irish throne obviously had a death wish. He was the best in fighting, especially with swords-which of course was the chosen weapon. However, something in the back of his mind was nagging him, telling him something was not right. Well, he thought, its too late for that. He was already walking to the fighting grounds. The guilt was killing her. Had she, Gabriella Carter, developed a conscience or pity for Alexandra? Impossible! she thought. However, what was this feeling? It started ever since England attacked Ireland. It was a devastating picture, she reasoned. Anyone would cringe away from it but she wasnt just anyone, wasnt she? She was the reason why it started and she was the reason why a duel was going to happen today. She felt her stomach drop, she knew what she had to do. Presenting King Jack Daniels He laughed to himself, being introduced first meant that he was the challenger. How ironic, he thought. And now, Princess Alexandra Bennicoeur He stopped laughing. Princess? Alexandra? He was fighting with a girl!? Just then Princess Alexandra entered and he was even more shocked when he saw her. It was the girl from Germany! Jack was astounded. Wasnt she the one kidnapped? What in the world is happening here! Jack thought. Alexandra was equally surprised. The man she met in Germany was he, King Jack! Her mind was spinning. What should she do now? She must protect her country but this man What is going on here!? Jack shouted. Princess Alexandra, if that really is your name, what is going on here? What do you mean? Were you or were you not kidnapped? Kidnapped! No, of course not! Were you the girl I met in Germany? Yes, but what did you mean by kidnapped?

Were you the girl I met when I arrived in England? What!? It wasnt her. It was me, a voice said. They all turned to where the voice came from and saw Gabriella. Everyone gasped. She looked identical to Alexandra, the eyes where the only give-away. Who are you? It was Jack who found his voice first. My name is Gabriella Carter, she replied. I was the girl you met when you arrived in England. I was also the one who sent you the letter saying that I was kidnapped. Why do you look like me and why did you frame my country? Alexandra asked. I look like you because I am your half-sister and I framed your country because it was your country that exiled me and my mother for being the other family of your father, Gabriella said bitterly. I have always hated you, your family and your country. I wanted to have my revenge and I saw it in His Highness but now I realize it was fruitless and I have wasted my life in hating you. Now, I have let go of my hate, I have nothing to live for. I will accept my sentence no matter what it is. Gabriella said. She was now only a hollow shell for the hate she used to live for was gone. Alexandra was hesitant. Gabriellas crimes were equivalent to a death sentence but she could not do that so instead she sentenced her to life imprisonment. When the guards had taken Gabriella away, Alexandra turned to Jack. Do we continue? she asked, not certain because the man infront of her was important to her for some strange reason. Jack did not reply. He could not for he realized he that he had done something horribly. Do you believe in the phrase all is fair in love and war? Jack asked. Alexandra did not know where he was going with this so she did not answer. Well I dont believe in that saying and I attacked your country with no apparent reason. I propose we stop the war, Jack said. Really? Alexandra asked ecstatic. On one condition, you marry me. Alexandra was speechless. She did not expect this condition but she knew the reason why he asked for this. This would ensure the peace and undermine anyone who tried to break it because then, their countries would be one. She made her decision. Yes, she replied and with that one word, the war stopped completely. England and Ireland made peace and built strong relationships with each other. Alexandra and Jack married and lived together, helping each other and building their love for each other, happy because they knew their countries were at peace and their people safe.