SOON AFTER the prince left, a petite young girl in a servant's dress—probably in her late teens with her small, rounded face and chinky eyes—entered the chamber, bearing atop her arms a black velvet square box.

On top of the box's lid was Cassen's coat of arms in gold embossing. A double-crossed sword was placed at the center of the shield. Sitting atop the shield was a helmet and flowing from it was a piece of cloth that protected the metal armor from the sun and became torn and cut during combat. On either side of the shield, appearing to hold it up, were a deer and an eagle. And below the shield on a scroll was the phrase se lever et conquerir.

"What's in there?" Melusine's attempt at a conversation was met with silence. When their eyes met briefly, the girl instantly looked away, focusing instead on the mysterious box she gently laid on the bed.

"I'll go and prepare the bath for you," she said, bowing, and then she was off in a flourish into one of the doors, leading to the prince's bathing room.

Blinking and confused, Melusine said to Robby, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Pft, nah. That's just how every palace servant is." Robby nudged the box with his foot. The box remained still and the rabbit leaned closer, sniffing. "I wonder what's in here."

"I'm sure there's nothing dangerous in there. The prince wouldn't try to murder me, would he?" The fairy sighed, shaking her head. "And by every palace servant, you mean they aren't allowed to talk at all?"

"It's something to do with the hierarchy. Any form of small talk between a servant and a higher-up is frowned upon by many. Surely that's not uncommon to fairies?"

Melusine gasped. "You're utterly mistaken. Quite the opposite, actually!" Her lips stretched into a fond smile. "We are all equal in the Fairy Mother's eyes. Fairies, gnomes, mermaids, elves. All creatures of the realm serve one another. No one's below another."

Her mouth hung as if about to form another word when Robby started to form weird gestures with his eyes. He stared long at something over her shoulder then back at her again.

When Melusine turned, it was at the horrified and bewildered state of the young servant that her body went cold. The girl's eyes were wide as she gave Melusine and Robby alternate looks.

"M-My lady," she stammered and bowed her head. "The bath has been prepared. Would you like me to assist you?"

"No," Melusine said in equal terror. Her words were merely a whisper to the wind. "I can do it myself."

The servant nodded curtly and stepped aside, gesturing at the open door of the bathing room where steam rises from the tub. She walked past her and entered without another word.

"Call me if you need anything, my lady. I'll just be behind the door. And I, uh, will look after your rabbit." And the young servant closed the door, louder than she intended.

Melusine bit her lip and silently beat herself up inside her head for being careless around humans. Humans were scared of things they weren't used to, including having a straight conversation with a rabbit.

She must think I'm crazy, she thought to herself as she stripped off her clothes. I wouldn't be surprised if word spread around the palace about the prince taking a deranged woman as his bride-to-be.

MELUSINE DUSTED her charming blue tulle skirts which the young servant maid had worked so hard to get ready for public viewing. The floor-length ball gown she donned, flaked with white sparkling dust, was the hidden surprise inside the mysterious black box.

Her midnight locks, curled at the ends and straightened to the top, bounced above her shoulders as she followed the guard who was asked to fetch her into the ballroom.

The absence of her little friend beside her perforated a vast hollowness within her chest. Melusine realized she'd used Robby's companionship to fill in the void of her longing for Theolia. He was the constant reminder of her mission, pulling her back from the mundane temptations in the persona of a prince. And Robby had somewhere else to be, a special request from Melusine herself that the little rabbit could not refuse.

A set of velvet curtains separated her and the marble-floored hall, blocking her from having the full view. From her place, though, she could already scan the crowd gathered around there.

Sweeping dresses of different colors, vests, and coats ranging from dark to an unflattering yellow, and the sound of heels clicking against the wispy floor assaulted Melusine's periphery. A light cloud of laughter and forced pleasantries rang in the air, making the ambiance both easy and heavy.

And in the midst of bobbing heads of important people of Cassen's High Court, she was expected to play the part of a noble lady and to play it well.

Melusine checked her sleeves and skirts one last time. Apart from the harsh digging of the pearls lining her collar and her bodice against her skin, her gown was pristine.

She squared her shoulders, her mind already running over the weeks of dancing lessons with Naida and Elros before their first social dance.

She could do this.

So, with feigned confidence rivaling a faux noble, Melusine pushed past the curtain, the velvety softness brushing against her shoulders before dropping its hefty weight behind her. The throng of people gathered in the hall had never looked thick now. Her heart trembled out of excitement to mingle with the same creatures that fascinated her for years, but at the same time, out of fear that she might fail.

The ballroom's lights dimmed and a spotlight focused on her. She narrowed her eyes at the sudden brightness. The voices hushed and all heads turned to look up at her.

Melusine felt her confidence dwindling, but she was a proud fairy to Theolia. Any sort of failure would be a shame to the Fairy Mother. She reached for the essence of the trees and plants outside and anchored her feelings to them, easing her heart into a gentle beating. And just like that, Melusine was as calm as the peaceful seas. She tilted her chin up and flashed the most charming smile she could muster, earning gasps of wonder and murmurs of approval from the people of the High Court. Atleast, most of them.

The king's herald cleared his throat and announced in a resonant voice, "Lady Melissa Ashborn of Evergard."

Melusine couldn't stop herself from raising a brow at the name. Somewhere in the room, she could feel Prince Edric's eyes on her with his usual cunning smirk and the prominent twinkling of the eyes.

She descended the carpeted stairs as planned, lifting her skirt. Melusine fought the urge to unravel her wings and fly down the remaining steps to save time, or to run her hands over the interlaced silk cloths and flowers woven around the railings.

Spring flowers were everywhere, arranged decoratively in bouquets around the tables lining the sides: daffodils, tulips, and forget-me-nots. Hanging on the ceiling among the glass chandeliers were strings of snowdrop flowers. A circular pool took up the space in the center of the dance floor, lined with pebbled stones. Fleur-de-lis flowers floated on its crystal clear waters and the blue, purple, and black guppies swam beneath them.

Her feet led her right to the pond and Melusine was so engrossed with the garden-like theme of the ball that she ran straight through the prince.

"Oh!"

Edricslinked an arm around her waist and pulled her body flush to him as he guided her arms around his neck with the other.

"Dance with me?" A profound gentleness reflected on the smile on his face.

He's actually smiling! she gushed in her head. Not the kind of smile that veiled threats and malicious intentions. This one was genuine and she couldn't help but mirror his own. For the first time, they saw each other as no lesser than strangers. Something changed. A ripple of connections. Like tangled cords rewiring to form something wonderful. An intricate connection.

Would it hurt to dream a mortal's dream or was it poison that would slowly kill her?

The prince gently squeezed her waist and she realized she'd been staring at him too long. Melusine's cheeks felt hot. She pressed her face to his chest to hide the growing embarrassment made visible on her face. A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest as Edric led her to the first step of their dance and the orchestra came to life.

The pair glided smoothly across the dance floor with only the sound of their breaths mingling with the fine tunes of the orchestra. They stared at each as if no one else was around. Their eyes were filled with unspoken questions. They dived through the depths of one another, hoping to learn more about each other. Both played the game, but both risked dancing on the fire they lit.

"Am I in danger?" the prince said after an intense moment of silence. He twirled Melusine around and caught her waist again. Craving for her warmth, Edric pressed their bodies together.

With her eyes, Melusine traced every curve and line on his face. From his thick brows and almond-shaped eyes, down to his straight and narrow nose, and finally to heart-shaped lips.

"Danger from what?" she said, still looking at those lips that suddenly looked sweet and inviting.

Edric's grip on her waist tightened, but not hard enough to hurt her. His voice was rough when he spoke, "Keep doing that and I'll kiss you in front of the whole court. I might as well declare you as my chosen bride."

Melusine gulped and looked him in the eyes instead. The fire raged in those bright blue orbs, a hunger that no water could kill. She might want to test his patience and see if he meant that threat, but she didn't want things to happen that she might regret later. This was not what she wanted. Her judgment had been muddy, her mind a jumbled mess, ever since she became a mortal.

"What happens after this?" she distracted him by saying. Perhaps, a conversation would save them throughout the dance.

Edric released a breath, relieved of the pressure in his chest. "You'll be given an audience with the king. Out of all the ladies who presented themselves as the prince's suitor, only a few will be allowed to stay for the Social Season."

"And how will the king choose which ladies are to remain?" Melusine frowned, worrying. Edric stroked her back up and down to soothe her.

"You'll be fine."

Melusine's eyes narrowed. "How can you say that?"

"Because there's no doubt you are a smart woman. I knew you had it in you. I wouldn't choose any random woman as my co-conspirator."

Warmth blossomed in her chest. She pursed her lips to hide a smile but failed. "So I'm not just a convenience?"

The gap between Edric's brows wrinkled, looking at her thoughtfully. "Did that bother you?"

Melusine shook her head. "No," she said in so much haste even though her heart screamed yes. "And who's Lady Melissa Ashborn of Evergard anyway?"

Edric threw his head back and laughed, earning curious stares and jealous looks from men and women alike. "That's something I came up with. I cannot introduce you as Lady Mel of the Unknown, can I?" He raised an eyebrow and there was that familiar teasing in his smile again.

Melusine huffed. "I don't—" She didn't get to object. He swept her off her feet, drawing forth a soft yelp of surprise.

"Stop worrying so much. Just move, Mel. Move with me."

His voice, that tone... as sumptuous and slow as a bow drawn across the lowest note on a fiddle. The demand resonated within her like the tumbling of the feet in the square. She pressed her hips against his. Every shift of his weight moved his thighs against hers. Melusine followed on instinct, not worrying about the fool she must look because—when her eyes met his—there was only him.

Her chest against his. His arm encircling her waist. His suit open at the first three buttons revealing the firm plane of his chest. A rebel prince who never cared about appearances. His crown a shimmering reminder of just how forbidden he should be to a fairy like her. Melusine was breathless and not just from the dance. She gasped, barely holding back from begging for more.

She wanted to dare. She wanted to dance. She wanted to be someone she had never been even if it was only for one night.

But those wants were only wishful thinking, doomed to fall apart before it even began.

A silver fairy dust sailed past between them. Melusine studied Edric's reaction carefully, but he gave no sign of noticing. She risked finding the direction where the dust took off and her body grew cold. For in the farthest corner of the room, concealed by the shadows where light couldn't reach were the familiar visages of her two fairy friends, Elros and Naida. Their forms rippled. She blinked and then they were gown.

Melusine knew what it meant. She'd been warned.