MARABELLE'S DREAM ended up the victor. The horse neighed a happy cry as she swished and flicked her long slick mane and tail. Pink and yellow flowers adorned her head and a painter drew a fast sketch of the mare, preserving this moment in a picture.

Prince Edric, who bet on Twilight-Dash winning, groaned as he pulled his shirt over his head. Melusine looked away in an instant, having only a glimpse of Edric's washboard abs. Heat flared on her cheeks when the two chuckled at her back.

The debt had been charged in the form of a hundred push-ups and Edric tapped her on the shoulder.

Melusine jolted so that she almost spun, but managed to stay still. "Are you decent?" she squeaked.

"Decent enough to look at," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

The fairy exhaled all the nervousness in a single breath and composed her flustered self. She turned to him with eyes closed. Just to be sure, she told herself and sneaked a peek under her lashes.

Despite being fully clothed, the sweat glistening on his face and clinging to his shirt surrounded him with a seductive air that Melusine almost lost her bearings a second time.

In her state of stupor, Edric snapped his fingers in front of her face and said, "Now that the races are over, it's probably time to get back to the social barrage. Next up is the lawn picnic."

"Oh." Melusine rubbed her arm, keeping a straight face that betrayed no longing and regret. "I guess that means I should get back to where the other girls are. For all we know, the queen might have already realized I'm going missing."

Stefan looked from her to Edric then sighed. After some pause, he said, "I'll go see where they are."

As Stefan stepped out of the tent for a moment, Edric turned to her, an easygoing smile lighted his mischievous feature. "Thank you for coming here, Mel. I am not exaggerating when I say that you made my day."

They lingered for a moment, basking in each other's presence. With the soft smiles on their faces, something else changed entirely. A stirring of emotions that neither of them was too brave to acknowledge.

And as they parted—the prince to join his family's coach and Melusine to find the other ladies—their hearts would forever remember the small joys of this moment. 

THE OTHER LADIES had gone off to Lord Shire's estate where the lawn picnic was to be held.

Melusine was seen alone on the side of the dirt road under the cool shade of the tree canopies, waiting for her ride. All ladies were supposed to have carriages lined up waiting for them after the race. And Viola could not have forgotten Melusine's other social engagements or neglected her duties as her maid during her stay in the palace. The servant was nothing but pleasant to her.

With a sigh, she thought of going back to Edric's private tent, praying that he or Stefan (at least) was still there and could give her aid. The opulent senator's estate must be at least some kilometers away. Going on foot would be her last option.

A horse-drawn carriage pulled over the towpath. The carriage door swung open and a slender young woman with fair skin, pink lips, dark blonde hair, and brown eyes peeked from the opening.

Stunned by her appearance, Melusine took enough distance away from the carriage. Seeing this wary gesture, the young woman smiled and it was the most welcoming Melusine ever received from a human stranger.

"It's a crime to let a lovely lady as finely dressed as you wait out here in the open. Please, do come in and join me for a ride," the young woman said. She retreated inside as if sure that Melusine would follow in.

Melusine stared at the long winding path that led to a gruesome journey afoot and to the kind-faced coachman who offered a friendly and encouraging smile.

Hitching a ride made a tempting offer, but if these two were a scam, Melusine knew a way to teach them a lesson.

Lifting her skirt, she climbed inside. Melusine settled on the red velvet plush with a sigh, just sort of relieved to be able to rest her legs. The young woman knocked on the ceiling. The carriage rumbled as the horses reared and tugged and the ride tapered into a gentle rocking motion.

"What were you doing out there?" the young woman asked, then caught herself, blushing. "Of course, I don't want to impose. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I'm off to Lord Shire's and expected to arrive with the other ladies when, unfortunately, I was left behind." Melusine cleared her throat, remembering the reason for her delay. "I was caught in something. But when I arrived at that same spot you found me, my chauffeur was nowhere to be seen."

The young woman leaned forward, surprise alighting her face. "To the lawn picnic in Lord Shire's estate? That's where I'm headed!" She gathered Melusine's hands and clasped them in hers. "Tell me. Are you one of the crown prince's lady suitors?"

Melusine nodded, blinking. "Y-Yes. Are you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

The girl burst out laughing as she wiped invisible tears from her eyes. She waved a hand, dismissing the thought. "No. You're wrong to think of that. In fact, I'm just here to enjoy Cassen's infamous Social Season."

Gathering herself, the girl straightened the stray curls of her tresses and smoothened the wrinkled fabric of her blue and black dress. A ghost of the earlier laughter hinted on her outstretched lips.

"It must be rude to ask things about you when you don't even know a thing about me." With a curt nod, she placed her gloved hand on her chest. "Princess Leah of Tradel Kingdom. And you must be?"

A princess! Melusine rambled inside her head. She had met a dozen noble ladies, but none of them was a royal princess. And this girl in front of her was a real princess of a foreign land.

"Lady Melissa Ashborn."

Princess Leah smirked. "As in the prince's Melissa?"

Melusine's stomach flipped in a somersault as she shook her head. "I'm not his! At least. . . not yet."

"Oh, everyone speculates the prince already made his choice." The princess tapped the folded paper beside her. "It's all over the news."

The longer this deal lasted, the more exposed she became to the world. And the more eyes set on her, the harder it was to move freely without being seen.

Leah bent forward and placed her palm over Melusine's hand. "I hope to get to know you more and I can also share with you the ways of the court. How is that?"

"Well, if you put it that way. . ." Melusine blinked and stared out the window into the passing apple farmland. Bright ruby-red fruit dangled like jewels from the trees. "I guess I could use a helping hand. Plus, it's not every day that one share a ride with a princess and is offered help."