"Zipporah, are you ready?" Cirila inquires gently from outside my door as I fix my dark black evening gown, which sports a modest scoop neck and fitted 3/4 sleeves. It is sateen and loosely hugs my figure down to my hips, where it falls trumpet style to just above the floor. I check my hair and then open the door, greeting my mentor with a smile.

"Yes, I am ready."

"Come along then, Zipporah." She urges. I lock the door and we hurry on our way to the garage. Her blue Mercedes which I have dubbed Egon is freshly waxed and buffed up. I am still getting used to the daily sight of higher quality automobiles. I have not seen many American manufactured autos at all, though they are around, usually for use by first class Eldsteiners and foreigners, including Americans. I slide into the passenger seat and buckle, bidding my heart slow. I am nervous to attend the anniversary ball as an interpreter but I am also very honored to have been selected. It is the first major function I will have attended, everything else that I have done is private and minor. "You look sharp, Zipporah."

"Thank you. Cirila, you do best me however." I reply, commenting on her black silk evening gown. It has a wide, shallow neckline extending just to her shoulders and is sheath figured to match her build, with cap sleeves and a satin waist sash. I admire her long mahogany brown hair which is half-up half-down with gold pins. She smiles in return and we exit the premises.

"You know whom you are interacting with?"

"Yes. The American Ambassadors and other guests from my native country if they are present."

"Very good. You are a very good student."

"Thank you."

"Zipporah, the royal family is attending. Even though you are from America, you must curtsy and be polite."

"Of course."

"Not that I would worry, you are very attuned to etiquette and manners. I have faith that this shall be your debut."

"Cirila-"

"I am perfectly serious. You have been a tremendous help since you arrived and are highly capable. Do not doubt yourself."

"Yes, Cirila." We break down in laughter, chuckling until we at last arrive at headquarters. We verify ourselves and hurry to the staff garage. I take several deep breaths to compose myself as we slowly make our way into the main hall, where the ball is to take place. I have to split from Cirila and locate my clients. It is not difficult to spot them, so I hurry over and greet them.

"You are...?"

"I am Zipporah Roux, Ambassador Fitzpatrick."

"I expect you shall serve your purpose well."

"I shall do my utmost, Mr. Ambassador."

After a very long few hours, I am released and find myself skirting the crowd. Cirila is busy with her own clients and most of my new acquaintances and co-workers are occupied on the dance floor. I reach for a glass of lemonade from the refreshment table, at the same time that a gloved hand goes for the same object. We bump hands and I catch the glass from tipping just in time. "I am very sorry-!"

I lift my eyes to find Prince Basil Kaiser staring at me from across the table. I curtsy, "One thousand apologies, your highness!"

"It is perfectly fine, miss, no harm done. I am equal in blame. What is your name?"

"Zipporah Roux." His eyes widen for a moment and he rounds the edge of the table.

"Zipporah Roux from America?"

"... Yes, your highness."

"I selected you for this assignment. I was curious as to you and felt you could do a lot of good. How is the ball progressing?" I restrain a blush. He is gorgeous.

"It was faster at the beginning. My clients have left so I am now alone. My co-workers are also home."

"I see." He acknowledges and sweeps up two glasses of lemonade, offering me one, "A drink, Miss Roux?"

"Thank you, Prince Kaiser." He chuckles heartily at this, handing me the glass.

"No. It is only Prince Basil. My brother Kunibert would be Prince Kaiser."

"I apologize, your highness."

"Tell me, what influenced your decision to expatriate?" I gulp.

"I needed to support my loved ones, and this job provided more than enough. I am very lucky to have been tapped for this position."

"Indeed. Rask Industries is very particular about employees. I have seen many candidates turned away. "

"So I have heard. I know two of my colleagues who applied and were rejected. But they did land good jobs elsewhere, so nobody complained," I clear my throat, "If I may, Prince Basil, you speak English very well."

"Thank you, Miss Roux. Might I hear a bit of your German skills?" I nod.

"Ja. Sie sind der Prinz von Eldstein. Ihr Vater ist der König von Eldstein und Ihre Mutter ist die Königin von Eldstein. Sie ist auch die zweiten Frau Ihres Vaters. Eldstein war eine Kolonie und später war ein Satellit." [Yes, You are the Prince of Eldstein. Your father is the king of Eldstein and Your mother is the Queen of Eldstein. She is also the second wife of your father. Eldstein was a colony and later a satellite]. He nods approvingly, yet I detect a hint of pain.

"Du sprichst Deutsch sehr gut, Fräulein Roux." [You speak German very well, Miss Roux] He compliments. I nearly melt. His accent was hot, but his native German is enough to make my knees buckle. I have always, always loved foreign accents. It does not help that he is very handsome. I resist the hot red blush overtaking my face.

"Dankeschön, Prinz Basil." [Thank-you very much, Prince Basil] I answer and curtsy once more. He smiles and we finish our lemonade in relative peace.

"Miss Roux, I will be spending more time at headquarters. Perhaps you would do me the honor of joining me for luncheon one day?"

"I would be honored to, your highness."

"Basil!?" The Prince stiffens, setting down his glass as a very high pitched voice catches our ears. I step back, knowing that I really have no right to be so close to him, but he motions for me to stay.

"It is only my adoptive cousin Fritzi, Miss Roux. Do remain here. There is no need to retreat."

"Very well." I reply as a thin, opulently dressed young woman whom I recognize as Fritzi Rask appears. She does not see me, but I have seen her here and there during work, usually with the higher ups.

"Basil, why are you not with me and our families?" She asks blatantly in low-quality British English. Restraining myself from wincing, I turn for more lemonade to give the two some privacy. I am aware that their respective families have been trying to arrange a convenient marriage between them. It's best that I do not interfere. I am an American, for pete's sake! I don't have any role in any matter of Eldstein first class.

"Fritzi, I wanted to refresh myself with some lemonade and also to mingle."

"Basil, there is no need to mingle with anyone here. There is plenty to discuss in our own respective circle. Come back with me."

"Fritzi, I shall join you later. I am certain you have friends who would love to socialize with you." At this she plants an audible, sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"If you insist, Basil." She leaves as soon as she came. I calm my heart rate again and turn back around.

"Have you met Fritzi, Miss Roux?"

"I have seen her multiple times, Prince Basil."

"She is a nice young woman, but I have no interest in her." He sighs and turns around to face me. "Miss Roux, are you fond of dancing?" My heart skips a beat.

"Yes, Prince Basil. I love music and dancing."

"Then might you accompany me for a song or two whilst my family is distracted?"

"I am not sure I should, Prince Basil. I am merely nothing compared to you." He chuckles, hunching forward.

"Please, Miss Roux, I am no respecter of status and rank. I could care less. So, if you would..?" I nod and take his hand.

"Yes, Prince Basil."

In seconds, I'm dancing with a Prince. But this isn't any fairy tale or bedtime story.

And I'm not Cinderella.

Thanks for reading and voting! Please comment below! Suggestions and ideas are welcome!

~Uilosris