Prince Wilson's POV

"I have to make sure that Princess Ariadne and her sisters will not receive any form of punishment after the truth has been revealed about their whereabouts in the evening."

The council looked threatening, murmuring amongst themselves. Harriet was also present as I thought she could help persuade the council to agree with me. She, however, had stayed silent the entire time.

It had been quite the task to convince the council this was important enough for a meeting with them so soon. A few promises and maybe a few other bribes had eventually done the trick. Now I was debating if it had all been worth it.

"We cannot promise something when we do not have all the information. I am sure you understand, Prince Wilson."

It took a lot of control to not roll my eyes. "I do. However, I also believe that it is quite an easy task to promise that they will not have any sleeping arrangements changed and that no physical harm will come upon any of the 12 sisters."

The murmuring continued, this time I was a little more hopeful. I also hoped there was not a loophole that the council would jump through after the agreement was made.

Finally, the head counselor stood and the room grew silent.

"We have come to a unanimous agreement. We will accept your terms as long as you give us a full retelling of their adventures now and you must bring proof of it by this time tomorrow."

The rest of the men nodded and mumbled their approval.

"I have to tell you where they go right now?"

"Yes, since you seem very confident in your request, we presume you know where they sneak off to every night and insist that you tell us. And if you do not, then not only will we disregard your request for fair treatment of the princess's, but you will be banned from Glendowin. Sentenced as a convict if ever caught on these grounds again."

What choice do you have?

"Agreed."

* * *

Going to meet Ariadne that night was hard. However, the second I walked in, she greeted me with her beautiful smile and even kissed my cheek. I let out a sigh of relief that she had not heard what I had to tell the council. Or maybe she had and was not upset. I secretly hoped the later. The feeling in my gut told me that my hope was in vain.

A knock sounded on the door as we were in the middle of reviewing the plan.

"You may enter," Charities called.

In walked Harriet followed by several maids carrying various items and they began entering the princess's rooms and setting the objects down.

"What is going on?" One of the older sisters asked.

"The deal arranged by Prince Wilson is being enacted. Since your sleeping arrangements can no longer be changed, we are moving the things from your other rooms into these ones."

My mouth fell open.

"What deal?"

All eyes rested on me.

I quickly closed my mouth and attempted a smile. "I... Talked with the council today to make sure you would not be punished for telling them where you go every night to wear out your slippers. I also made them promise not to move your sleeping arrangements."

"And now they won't. I hope that dancing with those mysterious gentlemen is worth it."

"What?"

Ariadne looked at me, the smile in her eyes was no longer present.

"The men you go down to dance with, in that kingdom - which I am not sure I believe – I hope they are worth keeping the same rooms for the rest of your lives."

"How do you know about that?" She asked Harriet, but her eyes were glued on me.

"Your prince told us all. That was the only way the council would agree to stick to his proposal."

"I did not want you to talk to the council! They would not have done anything unless someone else suggested it. It was Harriet I was worried about, and I just thought she would move us rooms for a little while or increase the guard count at our doors."

Every excuse I could have said at that moment flew from my mind. "I truly am sorry, princess. I was just trying to help. I thought that was what you wanted."

That did not seem to calm her down.

"Prince Wilson, I think you should go. We are not required to see you until tonight."

She looked very serious.

I stood up and left the room, looking back only once but it was in vain. From what she had told me before, they were in fact required to entertain the guests trying to solve the curse. However, I did not want to make the situation worse. Listening to Princess Ariadne seemed to be my best option. Especially if we were going to be married.

True to her word, I did not see any of the princesses until that night. I was grateful when they were all happy once again. All of them, that is, except Ariadne.

"I wanted to once again apologize for earlier. I was not thinking and I should have explained my thoughts before acting on them."

After a second, a very long second, her features softened. "Your apology is accepted. I also owe you an apology. You should not have to run your every action by me first."

I smiled and had to stop myself from hugging her. I felt that I was still on thin ice. "Your apology is also accepted, although it was not warranted. When dealing with your council, you should be consulted."

She nodded. "Thank you."

I decided to run the plan by her one more time to make sure we were both on the same page. She nodded to everything said, only interjecting once to add something that I had forgotten.

"I think it will work."

"It must work. The council will probably have me beheaded if it does not."

She chuckled before gathering her sisters in and began talking to them. The clock rang midnight and I began to feel the familiar drowsiness settle in.

"It is happening," I said. "I will see you lovely ladies in the morning. Promise you will not make a fool of me while I sleep."

They all giggled which turned into a beautiful melodic dream where I was dancing the night away with Princess Ariadne in my arms. She was an amazing dancer.

"Prince Wilson," she called and began slipping out of my grip.

"Prince Wilson." The voice got louder as she faded away.

"Prince Wilson." I opened my eyes to see Ariadne and her sisters surrounding me.

"Is it morning already?"

They all bobbed their heads up and down.

I looked at Ariadne. "Did it work?"

She grinned and opened up her satchel for me to look inside. I grinned. Hopefully, this will be enough to convince the council with.

"Let us go then."

We all rushed down the hall as princely and princessly as we could. I was far too excited to keep up my normally formal appearances.

The guards opened up the doors for us but the council room was empty.

"Of course they are not here yet, they are probably not even awake," Bell said.

I marched over to one of the guards. "I need to send for the council immediately. It is of utmost importance."

He saluted and he and his partner scurried off.

Not too much longer, they came back with all the councilors, which was about 12, in tow.

"This better be good." One of them mumbled as they brushed past me.

I grinned. Oh, it is.

I stepped forward to address the council once they had all taken their seats.

"To the council of Glendowin. As you know from yesterday, the princesses have been escaping to an underground kingdom every night to dance. At first, it was of their own free will because dancing was banned in the castle. However, they later became trapped and are now under a spell forcing them to go every night."

I looked over at Ariadne and ushered her to come by my side.

"This kingdom is a magical one, full of trees of many colors that glitter in the night." I pulled out a broken branch that Ariadne had retrieved for me from the kingdom. It sparkled in the daylight as well and I was amazed at its beauty.

"Grass as soft as silk." I pulled out a few strands of grass and passed them up to the councilors. Who also seemed to be mesmerized by the objects.

"And water as dark as can be." I pulled out a jar full of the dark liquid and also passed it up to the men.

"We do not know exactly how to break this curse. However, it was suggested that my marrying Princess Ariadne could perhaps break this curse." I pulled her to me. "I am a long descendant of the men who are trapped in the underground realm and they think that if I marry Princess Ariadne that the curse of their kingdom and on the princesses will be broken."

The council murmured amongst themselves, but it seemed to be good and in our favor.

"I also must request that the princesses go back to the rules and restrictions that they had before I came to talk with you yesterday. And that you as the council do not change those rules because of this current situation."

Ariadne slipped her hand into mine at that moment and I felt a surge of strength and power from her.

"We accept your conditions," the head counselor said. I still could not remember his name.

"We also accept the evidence you have brought us and now believe your story about where the princesses go. And as a reward, you may have a bride of your choosing."

I looked down at Ariadne and squeezed her hand. "I will choose the Crown Princess Ariadne to be my bride."

So.... what do you think??

Do you approve of this new engagement?

How did you like Prince Wilson and Princess Ariadne's plan?

Is everything resolving now... Or is it only about to get worse?

Hehehehe.... You'll have to find out in the next chapter!