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Princess Nicolette Announces Engagement
Andy Rohrbach, Director of ODEN-K to join royal family
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 20, 5677


Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins and Mr. Andrew Rohrbach, seen here earlier this month at Gianni's Istalian restaurant in Luxon, to be married in August

Most of the personal relationships of the Royal Family are kept out of the press until an official statement from House Ananto. That announcement came this week as one of the worst kept secrets in Ananto finally became publicly acknowledged. Her Highness, Princess Nicolette Ananto, 31, and ODEN-K Director Andrew Rohrbach, 35 years old, are engaged to be married. The four year courtship, which has, according to all reports been on-again/off-again is finally moving on to the matrimonial stage.

"Her Highness, the Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins has decided she is finally ready to settle down and start a family," said the announcement by House Ananto head Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds. "Mr. Rohrbach, her fiancé, is the Director of ODEN-K. He has attended several family functions in recent years, including the recent Order Day in Eveari, as an invited guest of the Princess, but the relationship has remained private due to varying personal and professional schedules."

According to Crown Watchers and local gossip columnists, Her Highness and Mr. Rohrbach met one another at a surfing competition in 5673, where Rohrbach was representing ODEN. Sources report that initially, the two individuals were friends, but this friendship evolved romantically over the next few months. "They were seen out together one month, and then they were each spotted alone," said Thomas James, a Crown Watcher from Kaliburg who covered the Luxon social scene. "Luxon isn't that huge a town, so the Princess, when she went out, was usually the center of focus, and a lot of time, Rohrbach was nowhere to be seen. So they must have split up at least six times in the past four years that they have been unofficially 'an item.'" James said that he believed the final impetus for engagement came from the Princess' mother, Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis.

"Yes, the former Empress played a major role in pushing this relationship toward marriage," said Kathy Rogers, who covered Order Day for La Moda. "During Order Day, she was seen going into a side room with both youngsters. By my count, all three remained behind closed doors for more than an hour, and it even held up the convening of the Conclave by more than 15 minutes. While the Princesses were inside the Conclave, Mr. Rohrbach declined to give a statement, and said that House Ananto would make a public statement first before he could say anything. So it likely happened then and there."

The wedding is set for August 19, 5677 in Eveari, and will be organized by House Ananto. Mr. Rohrbach, who is a Dah native, will be expected to move to Luxon so he and the Princess can live together, but this will make his commute into Kaliburg significantly shorter. Following the announcement, Mr. Rohrbach simply said "Finally." while Her Highness the Princess talked about how she's excited to marry Mr. Rohrbach, but "...He will definitely need to learn how to surf if we're going to be together for the long haul. He doesn't have to change anything else, but surfing is a must, and he said he would at least try it. He claims he can't even swim, but I know he's just making excuses. He'll be fine."

Their Imperial Majesties, through House Ananto, expressed approval of the marriage, and echoed Mr. Rohrbach's sentiments fairly closely. It seems that the consensus from the Princess' family in general is that it is about time that the Princess finally settled down and started a family with Mr. Rohrbach. His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto said "We at long last welcome Mr. Rohrbach to our family, and look forward to calling him our Brother. Our sister could not have selected a finer partner, and it is our hope that they enrich each others' lives immensely."

@LaModa