The air grew colder the longer we sat on the terrace. As the sky darkened, the stars shone brighter and seemed to illuminate the terrace in twinkling flames.

"It's beautiful here." I leaned down to adjust my shoe so it sat more comfortably on my foot. "I could stay forever."

"I always feel that way when I'm here, but then I remember I have duties."

"Yeah, that can't be fun," I sighed, wishing my dress allowed me to move more comfortably.

"I actually meant right now." He stood up and held out his hand. "We have to get back to officially leave that ball."

"But we haven't been at that ball in over an hour." I stood up and took his hand, hoping he would explain so I wouldn't have to keep asking questions.

"Weird royal thing, I guess." He led me back inside and quietly closed the door. "We have to officially leave. Another photo opportunity, probably, but they'll tell you it's so the people can see us again."

"You don't believe it's for the people?"

We were walking at a swift pace and my shoe was back to rubbing against my blister, so I tried not to wince in pain when he picked up the pace even further.

"I-" he stopped himself. "I think that's a story for another day."

There seem to be a lot of stories for another day, I thought, but he's probably right. It isn't the time.

We scurried through the hallways until we were back in front of the doors to the ballroom.

"Ready?" Clarence asked me. When I nodded at him, the guards opened the doors and we slipped back into the party surprisingly unnoticed.

"Shall we?" he asked, sweeping his arm towards the dance floor.

The weight of everything that had passed between us since our last dance hung over me, but with all of these people watching, there was no way I could refuse.

"Of course." I smiled and followed him onto the dance floor, remembering to pick up my skirt as he pulled me close with his arm pressed tight against my back.

When the music began, I followed where he led, ignoring the eyes of a hundred people on my back and the flash of the cameras.

Clarence put his cheek next to mine and whispered while we danced, "You look lovely in that dress, by the way. I meant to tell you earlier but we were late."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart and keep my palms from getting super sweaty. I managed to croak out a thank you, though I'm sure my nerves betrayed me.

Clarence took a deep breath. A few moments later, as the dance was about to come to an end, he whispered, "No, Genevieve. Thank you."

I steeled my face to hide my emotions, whatever those are.

As I curtseyed to him to end the dance, I could see the king on the edge of the dance floor, applauding with the crowd. His jolly smile reached his eyes, and I knew he was proud of his son. A nagging feeling inside told me that pride had something to do with me, but I couldn't think about that right now. I had a ball to close. Which meant one more official dance.

I stepped back into Clarence as King Richard guided with Queen Adele out onto the dance floor, and everyone else cleared to the sides.

"All eyes on us now," Clarence said into my ear.

His face is so close to mine, and if I turned it just a little bit, I could--

But no. With the cameras so close, I couldn't risk it. I turned my head away slightly, forcing myself to resist the temptation.

"Yes," I forced out as my feet stumbled on the step, and he expertly held me up with his arm.

I forced a smile onto my face and concentrated on the footwork until the music ended. We bowed and waited for the applause to clear the room. The page, dressed in gold this time, walked to the center of the room, bowed to each of us in turn, and then faced the crowd, who immediately quieted.

"The ball is officially ended," his deep voice bounced around the room. Apparently they had electricity for their jewels, but not for their pages.

We followed King Richard and Queen Adele out of the ballroom and into the hallway, where somehow Princess Madeline ended up right behind us.

"When did you get here?" I asked her, looking around for a secret door I must have missed.

"I followed you out, silly," she giggled. "I came onto the dance floor for the announcement. Honestly, don't they teach you anything in those lessons?" She turned to curtsey to her father, "Goodnight."

Her parents returned the gesture and bid her goodnight.

The four of us just stood there in the hallway staring at each other until Queen Adele broke the silence.

"So, Genevieve," she said. "How did you enjoy your first ball here?"

Something in her eyes alerted me that there might be more to that question than I thought, so I carefully considered my answer.

"I had a very good time." I smiled. "It was more than I could have ever imagined."

Her eyebrow raised when I said that. Oh no. I've said the wrong thing.

Fortunately, Clarence was there to save me from further prying.

"I really think we should be going." He bowed to his father. "Genevieve's shoes are hurting her."

I hadn't told him that. How did he know that?

I curtseyed and then took Clarence's arm. "Goodnight, Your Majesties," I said before following Clarence up the stairs towards my suite.

Once we were out of earshot, I braved speaking to him. "We don't really have to go to bed yet, do we? Because I'm not at all tired and I didn't eat at all because your father eats very quickly."

"I thought Janet would have told you." He looked behind us to make sure we wouldn't be overheard. "We have an afterparty to attend."

"Then why are we going back to my room?"

I answered my own question at the same time he did: "To change."

"I hope you don't mind--" he knocked on the door to my suite--"but I had Marinette choose your outfit and bring you up tea."

"I don't mind at all." I reached to open the door but he stopped me.

"They like to do things properly around here," he cautioned me.

When Marinette opened the door, I could already see the spread of food on the table in the sitting room and my mouth watered. I stepped into the room and my stomach growled as the scent of the warm food made me roll my eyes back in my head. "It smells heavenly."

Marinette giggled. "Thank you, Miss. I'll tell Cook."

I waited for Marinette to lead the way to my room, but she didn't. "Perhaps I'll get changed before I eat?" I prompted her.

"Oh, yes. Of course, Miss." She curtseyed and moved to close the door but Clarence was still standing in the hallway.

"Aren't you going to come in?" I asked him.

His mouth gaped open and his eyes bulged out of his sockets, but it only took a second for him to regain his composure. "If we are accompanied, I don't see why it is inappropriate."

I stepped back from the door. He looked straight at Marinette, though he spoke to me. "Once you are dressed, of course."

"Of course, Sir." Marinette curtseyed and closed the door before dissolving into a fit of laughter.