Clapping down on her exposed back, the man's rough hands caused a large red mark to appear and Katja to nearly pass out. As she turned to face him, she could feel the numerous amounts of callouses on his palm, and once his face was in view, she was bewildered. Long, blond hair that reached a little past his shoulders nicely framed his face, as did the small beard that he had, although it looked like stubble that he had neglected to shave and had grown out some.

"I would reprimand you, but appear to be doing no harm." He said a deep bellowing voice that sounded just as boisterous as he looked. Katja assumed that he was a part of the royal guard.

"I am terribly sorry, for I was just admiring the excellence of what is beheld here." Katja squeaked out, still rather frightened of the large man, whose hand still rested on her shoulder.

His eyes grew wide and he pulled a grin, something malicious and plotting. He had something on his mind. "Go to the ball and await me, for I have someone who must be in your presence."

Katja followed his orders, mainly because she did not want to end up in the dungeons tonight. She reluctantly left the library, and was sure that the highlight of her night was cut short by a guard, so, she took her time returning to the ballroom. Once Katja finally reaches her destination, she realizes that the Royals must have joined the festival, for it was much louder than before, yet the music hadn't started for now was the time to mingle and eat hors-d'oeuvres.

"There you are!" she heard someone exclaimed, although it was most likely not directed to her: she really did not mingle in these circles. But Katja turned towards the noise anyhow and took a second to recognize the man from upstairs, his red and silver mask covering most of his face and his beard the rest. "Come along!"

Katja was soon dragged towards a far corner of the room, where only one man stood, staring at her over his shoulder, so she could only see his profile. Draped in green and black, with delicate touches of gold, his perfect posture controlled the room with his grace and nobleness. He was exquisite and fulgent, the gold of his mask reflecting the light from the chandelier. His mask cut off right at his cheekbones, black covering the top half of his face, a dipped right at the tip of his nose, the gold filigree across his forehead continued up into two gold horns that made large curves backwards and ended in sharp points and a multitude of smaller horns that branched out. From under his mask, Katja stared back at him as he grew more guarded with each second she was in his presence. His mask did cover the entirety of his face, and she could see his pale skin, pink lips, and sharp jawline. 

"Brother I have brought someone, this is Lady..." the guard faltered off, having realized that he never asked Katja for her name.

"Cinderella" she finally said, never breaking her gaze from the man as she deeply curtsied. The man raised his eyebrow, smirking. He knew what she was onto.

"Lady Cinderella, this is Prince-" he was cut off this time, by the mystery man.

"Charming." He bowed low, and Katja saw her reflection in his horns. "Charmed," he smiled and offered his hand. "Take a turn around the room with me?" he asked, his voice was deep and melodious, his intonation and annunciation impeccable. Katja gently laid her hand in his, feeling heat rise to her cheeks, and he briskly walked, leaving her almost stumbling behind him. Prince Charming's "brother" left standing where they were moments before.

Prince Charming led her out of the ballroom and into the hallway which she had travelled down not long ago, and the two slipped into the parlour. As soon as he closed the door behind them, he dropped her hand and proceeded to turn on the lights. The parlour was lived in, with gold and red furniture that circled around a table. A small gold cabinet was in the corner, gold being a reoccurring theme in the castle.

"Sorry, I had to get away from my brother." He whispered, his head down, he was looking at his shoes.

"It's quite alright. I am not too fond of loud noises as well." Katja whispered back, taking a seat on one of the small couches. Prince Charming breathed out a light chuckle. "Come sit with me." She patted beside her. His gaze was lifted from the floor and he looked her dead in the eyes.

"You have no right telling me what to do." He said, his voice was even and malicious.

"And you have no right speaking to me in that manner, Prince Charming." She spat out, still looking at him, the tension grew fast, but he realized he was in the wrong, so he sat, not next to Katja, but on a separate couch. Katja nodded, realizing that that is the closest she would get to an apology from the man.

"Your evening has been wonderful, I hope?" Prince Charming spoke, attempting to make some conversation. He gritted his teeth while saying so, clearly only being polite.

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." She cooly replied. Honestly, this evening did not go as she planned at all. She certainly did not want to spend it stuck in this room with this ungrateful man.

"You may leave if you like, most tend to enjoy my brother's company better." He was bitter, and shifted on the couch, making Katja unsure if he was trying to be nonchalant or if the couch was uncomfortable.

"Well, he was the cause of my dismay. He caught me in the library reading and twist my hand, lest I return here. He also almost spoiled the whole point of a masquerade: to keep your identity hidden! I terribly surprised you are related, for he is quite the oaf!" Katja exclaimed, her hidden rage for the Royal guard finally expelling. And onto his brother! Had Katja caught herself, perhaps she wouldn't have looked like such a fool.

"It was hilarious, I am glad you managed to save me the surprise though. I do like the twist you applied." He broke out into a grin and relaxed, shoulder slumping slightly and his hands more expressive.

"I glad you caught onto it. Do you too enjoy the Midgardian tales of the Brothers Grimm?"

"I spend most of my time reading and have found those stories which you speak of quite entertaining, although my personal favourite tale of the sorts is one by Hans Christian Anderson. A girl that cannot speak and is forced into a new world. Have you read it?" He leaned forward in his couch, sitting almost on the edge.

"Unfortunately I have not, for my book collection is very limited and I do not have access to such things." Katja felt deflated, once again finding herself longing for that library that was upstairs.

"Are you telling me that you are poor?" He scoffed in disbelief. "Come. I shall return you to the ballroom and explain the situation to my brother so that I shall not be bothered again." Prince Not-So-Charming harshly grabbed Katja's wrist and began to pull her away.

"Let go of me you... you binglesnipe!" Her wrist began to hurt from his vice grip and she wanted him to let her go more than anything.

"Binglesnipe?" He chuckled. "My, are you an interesting one. Fine," he let her go, "take my hand. We are near the doors."

The two pushed through and once again entered the ballroom, where the music has started. A gentle waltz had just begun, the high ceilings giving it a euphonic echo. Prince Charming's posture had stiffened as soon as the two entered the room, although few were looking at them. Most of the women were throwing themselves all over the head of the royal guard from earlier, dying to touch his blonde hair. We returned to the corner from earlier and Prince Charming glared in his brother's direction. "He is occupied right now, but soon he shall come over and you shan't be in my hair any longer."

Katja looked down at her feet. She felt as if she had disappointed Prince Charming, and although it wasn't anything she could control, she had hoped to have fun tonight, but it was turning into a disaster of sorts. She was not going to cry. Well, not at the palace at least, she would probably pour her heart out to her sister at home. Katja realized that her hand was still in his and quickly dropped it from his grasp, the sudden action caused him to look at her.

"What? No, hold my hand so no one shall bother me and my mother shall assume I am having a good time. Come on-"

While he was talking to Katja, he failed to notice the clicking of heels drawing near until it was too late. "Dearest, what have you done to the poor girl, she looks miserable!" Katja looked up at the mention of herself to see a woman dressed in gold, her mask as well, with golden curls done into an updo. She was the definition of femininity and grace, and the part of her face that was not masked was angelic. Katja could not help but feel worthless when in her presence.

"Nothing Mother," he hissed out, pain oozing off him, "she is but a peasant girl and I refuse to be near her."

"I like to think I raised you better than that. How dare you treat her so poorly? The purpose of a masquerade is for everyone to be the same in appearance, and to enjoy each other's personalities. And upon seeing how you have behaved tonight, I am surprised the darling is still standing beside you!" Katja looked up after hearing Prince Charming being lectured by his mother, only to see his ears completely pink, and were he not wearing the mask, most likely his cheeks as well. "And look at her," the mother continued, gesturing at Katja, "She is gorgeous!"

Prince Charming looked at her, again taking in her facial features, he had been paralyzed by her looks before, and he was just as stunned this time as well. "Dear, how can we make this up to you? I am so sorry that my son is acting like a disgrace!" his mother continued. Upon hearing disgrace, his attention snapped away from Katja, his posture straightened, and he took her hand once more.

"I am sorry I am such a disgrace mother. I forgot that you never loved me and this was all a ploy so you will stop feeling guilty! Now we are to dance. Does that make up for my actions? Well, mother?" Prince Charming spat back at his mother, a nerve obviously struck. Not wanting to intrude, Katja allowed herself to be whisked away by him towards the other dancing couples, a slow waltz being played.

Katja had not danced much before, but Prince Charming was like a god, practically floating along the floor, making elaborate turns, causing Katja's dress to flare out, and drastic dips, almost causing their faces to touch, both blushing and turning erubescent. His hold on her waist was delicate, almost as if he was holding a butterfly, his hand that held hers was unnaturally cool, yet smooth, unlike his brother's. She could feel his muscles move through his shirt from where her hand lay on his shoulder. He would lift her like she weighed nothing and she would respond to his every touch, although most were guiding her away from other couples or his brother. Multiple times they had gotten close enough for Katja to feel his breath fan her face, making her blush even more. With each shade that she turned redder, his smile grew wider. Once the song had ended, the two walked off stage, still hand in hand. Although no one had clapped for them, nearly everyone was watching, even those who danced alongside them.

Prince Charming's mother smiled. She had a good feeling about this one.

++++++

The two returned back to the parlour, and Katja did not mind, her golden slippers were causing her feet to ache. "Thank you for dancing with me. I know it must have been difficult considering how poor I am." she sneered back at him, upset that the most magical moment of the night was spent with him. She wished she had danced so beautifully with anyone else, yet it had to be Prince Charming.

"I would like to apologize." Katja nearly fainted. He what? Apologized?

"Are you feeling ill?" She asked.

"No why?"

"I thought you were dying. You do realize that you just apologized to me?"

"Well yes, I was until I was interrupted. I should not have acted so irrationally, it is just your dress and shoes looked exquisite, and I must have assumed. I do enjoy your company. I was just saddened to hear of your status." He sat down next to her this time, and she knew that he was sincere.

"I forgive you." she whispered, "The dress and shoes were my mother's, they are the nicest things I own. She was of Svartalheim and died when my sister was born, which explains my hair." Katja sighed, she missed her mother. She wondered how her mother would behave in this situation and what would come of it.

"And your eyes." Prince Charming whispered, so quietly she could have missed it.

"What?"

"Your eyes, there are like the gold that adorns my mask, or the rays of the sun. I have never seen such clarity and shine as in your eyes." He barely spoke, and kept his eyes on his hands the entire time.

"I- um... Thank you. That was really kind." Katja said a bit flabbergasted. He liked her eyes? He noticed her eyes?

"Cinderella," he began, "my brother was right to bring you to me. Had I not ruined it with my ridiculous actions, perhaps it would have been a wonderful evening."

Katja blushed, and then her stomach rumbled, and then she blushed harder. With a wave of his hand, Prince Charming summoned a plate of food for her. "How did you-"

"Magic. Look what I'm trying to-"

"You can do magic? And you never told me?" Katja nearly shouted, and startled him.

"Yes, keep up-"

"But magic!"

"Cinderella, it is nearly midnight and I would like to get out what I have been trying to say. Now, may I continue?"

Katja nodded, her jaw wide open as she leaned over to the table and grabbed a roll of bread, surprised when she could actually hold it.

"My ring." He pressed something cold into her hand, "If we ever cross paths again, I'll let you into my library, show you all of my books, teach you magic. Whatever you would like. I would just like for us to meet when I am not such a... a..."

"Binglesnipe?"

"Exactly. When I don't act like a binglesnipe, I am sure we will be friends. So, find me. Or do not. The choice is yours. I live in-"

This time he was not cut off by Katja, rather the ringing of the large bells, signalling midnight. Frantically, she slipped what he gave her into her dress pocket and left him, leaving a light kiss on his cheek.