Michael arose at dawn and gazed out of the window at the purple sky. Michael let out a puff of air as he reminisced about the palaces' past events. Jousting, archery, and even pie contests. He smiled at the thought of soon having this all to himself. The thought of being king was delightful and doing it alone was even better. But Michael longed for love from someone who didn't care about his money or kingdom. He just wanted someone to love him for him. His problem was the amount of time that he had to fall in love and marry a girl to share his palace with. He only has two months to marry someone or he will loose his title of being crowned King of Neverland. He sighed and went to his mirror.

Michael: What must I do to find love on such a short notice?

Just then, his maid came into the room with his breakfast. She laid it neatly upon the bed and almost made it out of the door unnoticed.

Michael: Grace.

Grace: Yes, Prince Michael?

Grace said stoping in her tracks. Michael looked at her with a look of despair.

Michael: Have you ever been in love?

Grace was baffled at the question. Her eyes widened and her mouth parted to speak but nothing came out. Michael shook his head and looked down.

Michael: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that.

Grace: No Sir. Please don't be sorry, I will answer your question.

Michael nodded.

Grace: I have never been physically in love, but I have been in love at first sight of someone.

Michael looked up at Grace with a serious but convoluted look upon his face.

Michael: Are you in love now?

Grace: I-.. Yes Sir..

She answered as she looked down.

Michael: May I ask, with whom are you in love with?

Grace could not respond. She stood there trying to think of a way to not tell him her secret.

Grace: A gentleman.

She finally said, earning a laugh from the Prince.

Michael: Thank you, that will be all.

Grace: Yes Sir. Good morning.

She said as she left the room. She went down to the kitchen, where the other maids and butlers were. She grabbed the broom and started to tend to her chores. She swept the palace floors, mopped the palace floors, polished the china, cleaned out the chamber pots, made the beds, and did the laundry. As she made the beds, she was stopped by Princess Janet. The youngest of the Jackson's Royal Family.

Janet: Oh Grace!

Janet said cheerfully.

Grace: Yes your grace?

Janet: Which dress do you find more stunning? My Emerald Green? Or my Royal Sapphire Blue?

Grace still could not decide. Both of the dresses were beautiful and were a lot better than what she wore.

Grace: You look beautiful in both of them your grace. But I must ask, what are you planning to do today?

Janet: Going out to the garden to meet the Prince of Scandinavia.

Grace: Then you should wear your Emerald Green dress. It captures your eyes more.

Janet beamed.

Janet: Thank you!

Janet went over to Grace and hugged her. Grace was not used to hugs, especially not from royalty.

Grace: I must be on my way now, but I wish you luck on your meeting with the Prince of Scandinavia.

Grace said before bowing and exiting the room. Grace took one step out of the room and into an unfamiliar object. She looked up and her eyes widened.

Grace: Pardon me Prince Sigmund.

Jackie: Please, call me Jackie when my parents are not around.

Grace: Yes your grace.

Grace said leaving immediately. She rushed towards Princess Yvonne's room and pulled back the curtains.

LaToya: Already? I cannot stand mornings..

Grace: My apologies Princess.

LaToya got out of bed and went towards her vanity mirror.

LaToya: Please do fetch my breakfast Grace.

Grace: Yes your grace.

Grace went and had her breakfast brought back by her butler. Then she went to the ballroom. She longed to dance with a Prince in this room that held her close to him. She had finished her chores and had some time left over. She decided to practice dancing for a little while. She went to the middle of the dance floor and positioned herself to dance. She did the traditional waltz by herself the best that she could. She pretended that her partner was the Prince.. Heir to the throne.. Her world lit up as she imagined the whole thing.

-Grace's daydream-

The Prince was dancing with her and held her close as they waltzed across the dance floor. He smiled at her and made her blush. Grace felt like she was walking on air. Michael leaned down towards her ear.

Prince: You dance very well.

Grace: Thank you.

Prince: I am glad to have this dance with you.

Grace: The pleasure is all mine.

The Prince chuckled.

Prince: Thank you.

-Reality-

Grace was dancing and talking alone. Everything that was never meant to be was her dream. She dreamt of marrying the Prince and becoming his Queen but she knew that it would never happen. Grace curtsied, turned away from her imaginary partner, and walked towards the exit of the ballroom. She didn't make it to the door, she had her back against the wall and mourned over what is never meant to be.

Grace: For never and always..

She sighed as she left the room and went into the kitchen once more.

Lucy: Did you see him again?

Lucy said as she washed the dishes.

Grace: Yes, I did..

Lucy: What did he say?

Grace: He asked me about being in love. His specific words were 'Have you ever been in love?' and 'With whom?' I answered him but it was an indirect response.

Lucy: What do you mean? What did you say?

Grace: I simply said that I am in love with a gentleman.

Lucy: Why didn't you tell him?

Grace: You will never understand.

Lucy: I will if you tell me.

Grace: Just forget it. I must go and polish the ballroom floor again.

Lucy: Daydreaming again are we?

Lucy replied grinning.

Grace: Just dancing.. That's all.

Alice: With your imaginary Prince.

Alice grinned.

Grace: You know nothing of this.

Grace said in defense. She was embarrassed.

Lucy: I wish you would tell him.

Grace: And I wish that those dishes were done. The King & Queen need to eat too.

Lucy rolled her eyes and ignored Grace. Grace laughed and went towards the stove. She put food on the King & Queen's china and placed them on a platter. She then got their drinks and placed the top on it. She gave the platter to Alice and sent her off to the King & Queen's room. Grace went out to the barn and fed the animals.

Grace: Good morning Lady. How are you today?

Janet's brown horse flared her nostrils as Grace fed her. Grace proceeded to feed all of the animals and fed Michael's cat last.

Grace: Prince, come here boy.

Grace said calling Prince to come and get his food. He ran towards his food and hungrily ate it. Grace smiled as she watched the greedy cat eat his food. Grace walked out of barn and into the garden. She sat down in the grass and looked up at the sky. She watched as the clouds made different shapes in different sizes until she heard a carriage a approaching. Grace rushed towards the front door and opened it. She saw Prince Michael & Princess Lisa of Norway get into a carriage together. Michael greeted Lisa with a kiss upon her hand and small talk.

Michael: Good morning Princess Lisa, I am Prince Michael of Neverland. Heir to the throne and the third eldest child of King Joseph & Queen Katherine Jackson.

Lisa: Good morning Prince Michael, I am Princess Lisa of Norway. A bachelorette in need of a Prince to inherit my inheritance and love. I am the eldest of three children and the daughter of King Presley.

Michael: Shall we go then?

Lisa: My pleasure.

Michael & Lisa went away in the carriage to a nearby pond. They strolled around and talked about their country.

Michael: Princess, please do tell me of your country.

Lisa: Norway is like England and Russia put together. I am learning from the best to lead with a strong arm and always take time out to hear the problems of my subjects. It is a lively place where I live and I advise you to come and visit it one day.

Michael: One day, I shall.

Lisa: Please do tell me of your palace and people here. What is it like?

Michael: It's actually quite nice. Our people are always having fun but obey our laws. We always hold gatherings in our courtyard for events such as jousting, archery, and pie contests.

Lisa: Please tell me, what happens in those contests?

Michael: When we joust, two men get on two different horses and have armor on. They hold a stick in their hand and charge at each other. If one of them gets hit and falls off, they loose.

Lisa: That sounds interesting.

Michael: It is.

Lisa: What is archery?

Michael: A person takes a bow and arrow and tries to shoot the arrow in the middle of the target.

Lisa: I do not understand.

Michael: I will show you.

Lisa: Alright.

Michael: The pie games are the easiest game there is and it's funny. First, we have a baking contest to see who bakes the best pie. Then that person who wins bakes a lot of pies and set them on a table. Then People sit at a table and have pies set before them. They have to eat the pies without using their hands to help them.

Michael said starting to laugh.

Lisa: That sounds delightful.

Michael: It is.

Lisa: When is the next gathering?

Michael: Next week.

Lisa: I'll be there.

Michael: I will see you there then. Tell me, what is it that you do?

Lisa: I like nature. I spend most of my time outside in the garden reading.

Michael: You read?

Lisa: Yes. Reading is quite wonderful.

Michael smiled.

Michael: I agree. My library takes up a whole section of the palace.

Lisa: Did you read all of them?

Michael: Most of them.

Lisa: That is good. What do you like to do?

Michael: I like to paint, take care of my cat, spend time with my subjects, I like to read, and I like to take walks outside of the palace.

Lisa: That sounds nice.

Footman: Princess Lisa, Prince Michael. We must leave now.

Michael: I will see you next week.

Lisa: Yes you will.

Michael smiled as her carriage left and he got into his. The sun was up and it was close to noon. Michael arrived back at the palace and went to the garden. Janet was having her meeting with the Prince of Scandinavia. Michael left quietly once he saw her and went to his room. He saw Grace with her back turned towards the doorway and dusting his room. Michael went to the balcony doors and opened them, startling Grace.

Grace: Your highness, forgive me.

She said alarmed. She headed towards the exit and was about to leave when she felt her arm being held firmly. She looked at the hand and then at the person who had her by the arm.

Michael: Please, stay.

Grace: I beg your pardon?

Michael: I need someone to talk to.

Grace: I am here.

Michael smiled at her and caused her to look away as she blushed.

Michael: I met someone today.

Grace: Do you like her?

Michael nodded. Grace's heart was crushed at that moment.

Michael: She's from Norway. She is beautiful and I want to see her again.

Grace: How soon will that be?

Michael: Next week.

Grace: At the jousting event?

Michael: Yes. I want her to see what we do here in our country.

Grace couldn't speak. She just put on a smile that wasn't her own.

Grace: That is a wonderful idea. I must be off to my chores now. Good day Sir.

Grace said getting up to leave and curtsying before leaving. Grace's heart was crumbling away. 'I should have told him when I had the chance.' She thought to herself. She felt a tear make its way down her cheek and blind her. Her face turned red and got hot. The tears wouldn't stop after the first tear. They kept on falling and each one was for love.. Her love.. She tried to wipe away the tears but that only made things worst. She started to run towards her room and closed the door. She cried silent tears for her love and her worst nightmare. Grace soon fell asleep and had an eerie dream..