Ariadne POV

I reached the bottom of the stairs, and Grace and Allison handed me over to Prince Wilson's extended arm, which I took.

"How is the fairest of them all?" he asked as we walked down the Hall of Fame, where pictures of all the Kings and Queens of the 12th realm hung.

"I am doing quite well," I answered. "And how are you faring this beautiful evening?"

"I am doing wonderful! You are correct, it is a beautiful evening, and I am spending it with a beautiful woman." He gently placed a kiss on my hand before returning it to the spot in the crook of his arm. "You really do look absolutely stunning."
I blushed as we started walking towards the door.

"I was thinking that we go tour the wonderful means of entertainment within your kingdom. I have already been to a few, and they were absolutely marvelous."

"Oh?" I said. "I have not been to anything outside the palace for quite some time. Aside from the occasional ball. My father and the guards do not enjoy taking 12 females around the town. It is also difficult to only take a few of us because the others complain when they miss out on the fun."

He smiled. "Your face lights up when you talk about your family. Did you know? It makes you even more beautiful, which I would not have thought possible until this very moment."

Blushing again, I quickened our pace to his carriage. "You really do know the craft of flattery."

He chuckled. "My mother taught me how to treat a woman, and although I may not have appeared to have listened to everything she said, I am glad I did because it has come in handy as of late."

He held out his hand for me to take so I could easily step into his carriage. It was larger than most I had been in, and the seats were also infinitely more comfortable.

Prince Wilson climbed in after me and we began talking about growing up as a royal. I was glad that my sisters and I were not the only ones to have misbehaved in various ways to get out of lessons.

"You know, you are the first person I have found who I can relate with," the Prince said looking straight into my eyes.

"I feel the same way about you," I said softly.

I thought I saw a hint of a blush on his cheeks, but it could have been the sunlight.

"If you don't mind, I have a gift for you. I wasn't sure if I was going to give it to you tonight or later, but I really feel as if I must now."

My heartbeat quickened. Was he going to propose? I hoped not. I was enjoying our time together, but I was not ready for that step yet.

He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small box and a small whimper escaped my lips, but he did not seem to notice.

"I hope you like it, it has been in my family for as long as we know."

He opened the small box and pulled out an enchanting necklace with a brilliant red jewel as the main attraction. I sighed in relief and also at its beauty.

"Would you?" He motioned for me to turn and I did, right as the carriage hit a bump, but luckily he steadied me quickly.

The coolness of the metal surprised me when it first touched my neck, and when I heard the clasp fastened I reached up and touched it, but pricked my finger on a piece of metal that was sticking out.

"Careful, it is old so sometimes small pieces poke out," he said and fiddled with it for a second.
"Thank you, I said and looked at the small drop of blood on my finger.

"I believe I have fixed it," he said. "It should not hurt you again." With which he drew my injured finger to him, whipped off the blood with his handkerchief and kissed it.

"Thank you, for the necklace," I said touching the beautiful red stone that dangled around my neck, although this time I was a little more careful.

"You are most welcome. And thank you, Princess, for letting me spend my evening with such beautiful company."

I smiled and looked away from his enchanting gaze, to instead find myself staring at the trees we passed on our way to the village. My smile widened as I remembered calloused hands covering my eyes not long ago. Then the smile vanished and a sickening feeling came over me. "Oh no," I breathed.

"What?" The Prince asked. "Are you alright? You look paler than the moon."

I sat up straight as a rod and tried thinking of a polite way to end the night a little early so I could meet Simeon before he left the maze. I had a feeling he would wait until midnight and no later. I could tell the Prince the truth, however, I did not know what his feelings were about helping peasants, and I did not want to get Simeon in trouble.

But you also are having such a marvelous time with a handsome prince.

I brushed the thought aside. My own feelings did not matter as much as this. How could I have forgotten? I scolded myself. A Queen never forgot her duty to her people.

"I just remembered that I promised... One of my sisters that I would help them with something before they fell asleep tonight. Juno was really looking forward to it, and I hate to let her down."

I heard Prince Wilson sigh and looked at him curiously, could he have been worried about me?

"We can try and do something that does not take as much time tonight and maybe try the theater another evening. How does a tour of the vineyard sound? I remember passing it on my way to your castle and it looked lovely. I bet the setting sun would make it the perfect evening, and get you back in time to keep your promise to your sister."

I smiled gratefully. "I cannot tell you how much that would mean to me."

Prince Wilson was right, the rays of the setting sun looked heavenly as they shone through the leaves of the vineyard. The owner of the huge field told us so many facts about wine and how to make it taste the best, that I thought my head would explode if I tried memorizing it all. So instead I just tried to relax and focus on a beautiful evening.

"I am beyond honored to have two royals come visit my vineyard," the owner said. What was his name? Something long... Maybe that started with an L.

"The pleasure was ours, I have never had the privilege of touring such a place, and Glendowin is known for its exquisite foods and wines. Now I see why," Prince Wilson replied.

"You are too kind," the man said taking a sum much larger than was required for a tour from the prince. "And make sure you take these," he handed us four bottles of what he claimed was his best wine. We thanked him and left.

"Thank you again, that was actually more enjoyable than I would have originally thought," I said after we were well on our way.

"I am glad you enjoyed it, but I couldn't help but notice how anxious you are to get home, so I promise I will not keep you longer than necessary."

I felt embarrassed. I didn't know that my anxiety to leave was noticeable. "I appreciate your concern. But I do want to make sure you know that I did enjoy the beauty of the vineyard as well as your company."

"I am thrilled you think as much," he whispered looking deeply into my eyes.

I felt myself blushing through the intensity of his gaze and looked away. "It really was the perfect evening for such an outing."

"I agree," he said curtly.

The rest of the carriage ride was spent in silence. I did not feel the need to speak because I was trying to devise the best way to get into the maze and find Simeon before midnight. I did not know if I could make it. But I was surprisingly good at mazes and so I might have a chance.

"Here we are, you should go in, you do not want to keep your sister waiting.

Do you really want to leave? Just when you were having such a good time.

"Thank you," I said, taking his hand to help me out of the dark carriage. "For both accommodating my request and for the wonderful evening."

"Of course," he said with a bow and then kissed my hand. His lips lingering for a second longer than usual.

"Let me at least walk you back up to the castle," he said and I graciously took his outstretched arm.

He began talking about his castle and the grounds he played on as a child as we walked the pathway up to the doors. I responded only when the conversation required it, hoping that it would speed up his story, but he took it as permission to continue talking. The guards opened the doors for us to enter and I released his arm once we were inside and carefully started inching away, but he seemed determined to continually tell me one more thing.

"I'm afraid I must get going to Juno, your highness. Your stories are most interesting, but I am sure they would be better enjoyed when I did not have responsibilities that require me elsewhere."

"You must accept my profuse apologies," he said quickly. "I was not thinking, I will bid you farewell, my dear. Until we meet again."

I smiled and curtsied. Then I watched him exit the grand hall before quickly turning around and going outside the doors at the back of the castle. The guards there looked a little confused at my haste, but they did not stop me.

Once outside, I ran into the maze, sad the prince had to go, but also hoping with all my heart, I was not too late. I didn't think I would be, because I had a feeling Simeon would wait, for this occasion, until the clock struck twelve; but only until the clock struck twelve.

Turn left.

Halfway through the maze, my feet were pounding, not used to running in fancy shoes. I quickly stopped and took them off, then continued again with them in my hands. I was almost there, according to what I remembered.

A loud gong echoed throughout the castle grounds.

I kept running, I would make it! I burst through a clearing and looked around. No, no, no! This was not the right one! I must have taken a wrong turn! I quickly spun around to try and find my way back to the right path.

The seventh gong sounded and my legs began quivering, losing hope. I kept running and begged each gong to stop. Then I stumbled on a loose cobblestone, stubbing my toe, and fell on the cold, hard ground.

The last and final gong rang through my entire body as sobs burst out, scolding myself for not sending the prince away sooner.

I lay there on the uneven cobblestones as tears cascaded down my grazed cheeks. Why did I let myself get distracted so easily? And how did I take a wrong turn? I never do that, I thought angrily as I brushed myself off the best I could through my tears. Then a tiny spark of hope ran through me. I could be wrong. Simeon could still be there.

I slowly stood up, steadied myself, and then half ran, half stumbled, the rest of the way. I came to a familiar clearing and looked around, my heart sinking with every glance. He was not here. I had failed.

I sunk back to my knees, while despair consumed my whole body. This time the tears wouldn't come; I just sat there, shaking.

What do you think of Prince Wilson now??

What will happen?

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