-Ballroom Dancing

(Caroline's POV- Later That Day)

Breakfast was soon over. We said our goodbyes and my parents told me that they were throwing a Ball/party to celebrate Mrs. Lucia's visit to the kingdom. So that means I have to see Prince Stephan again. Just great. I spent the hours before lunch reading. I spent the hours after lunch doing the same again. It was not until a few hours before the party Celeste came barging into my room to get me ready.

"I don't wanna go!" I whined as she tugged on my arm.

"I suggest you speak properly before someone who isn't me hears it." She warned.

Grammar is key when your a princess.

"Sorry. I just don't want to go tonight." I said plopping on my bed.

"You love parties, why don't you want to go tonight?" She asked.

"I think I had an encounter with Prince Stephan last night at The Queens dinner." I whispered.

"Do you think it was him?" She questioned.

"I don't know, but it sure sounded like the guy from last night." I said.

"You think it's him, but you don't know. You can't hind when your not sure, you have to act as if noting is wrong. Or people are going to get suspicious." Celeste whispered.

"Fair point." I said.

"Okay, good. Now let's get you ready." She said and pushed me into my walk in closet.

-----

My parents said they wanted something elegant. Something like a ball gown. So after trying on a million of those I found the one I wanted to wear. Blue is my favorite color so why not wear a blue gown. And it suits what my parents want. Celeste finished the final touches to my hair and put on my crown. She then walked me to the Ballroom door which was closed to make my arrival more "WOW!" as my parents say. Celeste stood there fixing the multiple skirts of my gown and strands of hair that didn't need to be fixed. It wasn't until the doors started to open, when she moved out of sight.

Once the doors fully opened I saw everyone's eyes on me. I just hoped I didn't fall on the way down the stairs. I smiled and picked up the skirts of my gown so I didn't trip. My slow decent down the stairs was watched carefully by everyone. Like one wrong step would make people think bad of my parents.

Once I reached the bottom everyone parted and I made my way to my throne which stood to the right of my mothers on a velvet platform. My fathers was to the left of my mothers. I walked up the two steps and turned to the crowd. My parents stood from their seats and everyone bowed in perfect sync.

Right after, everything continued normally. Music played and people were all dancing in sync. I, of course, stayed in my throne watching as everyone danced and have fun. I didn't like talking to people much. I was never good at making conversation. I was surprised that I made it through breakfast this morning without problems. My parents were great at that though.

I watched as they were in the crowd talking to anyone and everyone. I stared at them until a figure blocked my view of them. Once I looked up I was surprised to see who it was. Before me stood Prince Michael. I smiled at him. But from the look on his face I already knew he wanted to dance. So I didn't even let him ask me.

"Yes I'll dance with you." I said sighing a little.

"That was easier than I thought." He said chuckling a little.

I stood up and he pulled me into the center of the room. We started to dance, and I soon I realized that I was dancing with someone four inches shorter than me. So, it was a little weird when I had to look down at him. But he seem to also struggle dancing with me because I was taller and had a huge ball gown on. He had tripped a few times either over my feet, or over the skirts of my long dress. Even though, he refused to make it noticeable, but I noticed it. We spoke, well he mostly spoke, about what was new in the life of Prince Michael. After awhile I started to tune him out, until someone put their hand on my shoulder.

"Is my brother talking your ears off?" It was Stephan. I can tell just from the amusement in his voice that he had a smile on his face.

"Stephan go away." His brother said but still continued to dance.

"I just came to help a brother out, well you and her." He said putting his hands up in surrender.

"With what?" His brother asked.

"Well, help you because you keep tripping over her feet and gown, and I'm pretty sure she's been close to falling like ten times in the last five minutes." He said amusement still laced in his voice.

"No I haven't, and Princess Caroline loves my company." He said proudly.

"Your not even near her height, much less her age." Stephan said.

"And you are?" His brother questioned. "Oh ya, you are." He said answering his own question.

"Bye." Stephan said, waving his younger brother off.

And with that Michael stopped dancing with me, bowed, and walked away. I turned around to be meet with the gaze of Prince Stephan. I gave him a slight glare since I really did not want to be in his presence.

"Would you like to dance?" He said offering his hand.

"Do I have to?" I asked, annoyance clear in my voice.

"Not unless you want to leave a bad impression with my mother." He said.

"Fine." I said, rolling my eyes and taking his hand.

We danced silently until Stephan decided to talk. Just great. He's going to be like his brother and talk me all the way to death.

"Where were you last night?" He asked out of nowhere. "Your parents seemed eager to find out your whereabouts this morning." He added.

"Nowhere important." I said not looking him in the eyes.

He looked to his side and that's when I caught a glimpse of the same crescent moon tattoo from last night.

"You were there." I whispered unknowingly.

"What?" He asked, his eyes snapping back to me.

"You were at The Queens dinner." I whispered.

"How would you know that?" He asked in a whisper.

"I spoke to you last night." I whispered.

"I spoke to many people last night, I need more details." He whispered.

"You said I didn't work there." I whispered.

"But she had blonde hair." He whispered back.

"And you had blue eyes." I retorted, still whispering.

"Disguised yourself, smart girl." He whispered.

"Thank you. I do try my best." I whispered.

"Do your parents know your an assassin and a thief?" He asked whispering.

"Why did you just jump to the conclusion I am an assassin and a thief?" I questioned.

"Because I am too. Now answer the question." He whispered.

"No, just my best friend, which happens to be my servant." I whispered.

"Do you work for someone? You must work for someone." He questioned.

"I work for no one. Just myself." I answered.

"A solo act, I see." He said.

"Do you work for someone?" I asked.

"Nope, solo act as well." He answered.

"Oh. What's your purpose?" I asked.

"To help the people. Not the royal people, but the people of kingdoms who are mistreated. You?" He said.

"Take down those who have betrayed my family. I did my job last night well." I said.

"Your father seemed to be happy she was gone." He said.

"Exactly, so I did it well." I said.

"Well, I was there for the head of The Ambassador of Maldoor. He has been taxing his people into poverty." He said.

"I heard that almost the entire kingdom was homeless." I said.

"Luckily, I was successful in my mission. His people are already under a better ruler and their economy is improving rapidly." He said proudly.

"It's only been a day and they're already better off with him dead." I commented.

"Very true." He said.

Our conversation and dance came to a stop when a waiter came up to us. We stopped dancing and gave him our attention. He bowed in front of us before he said what he had to say.

"Princess, Celeste would like a word with you in your room." He said.

"Ok, thank you. I'll be up in a minute." I said to him and he nodded and walked away. "Excuse me, but I am needed by my best friend." I said to Stephan.

"Can I meet her? Just so there is an understanding." He said.

"Understanding? What understanding is needed?" I asked.

"Can I just meet her?" He demanded more than asked.

"Fine. But be subtle, I don't want people getting any ideas." I said.

"Ok, I will." He said.

"Follow me." I said.

We weaved our way though the crowd, Stephan following close behind so he didn't get lost. Once we made it to the stairs, we quickly made our way up and out of the Ballroom. I think we got out unnoticed. I made my way down the empty halls. The click of my heels against the marble floor, echo through the halls, being the only sound to be heard. We soon arrived at my room and I walked in to see a pacing Celeste.

"We have a serious problem." Were the first words to escape her mouth...