Lucy sighed as she stared at herself in the full length mirror. As much as she hated getting all dressed up, Juiva surely out did herself with tonight's gown. It was a flowing royal blue dress with poofy sleeves that stopped just past the shoulder. The shade of gold toned throughout the lace, making the dress brighter. The gown itself hung like curtains around her feet.

Lucy wanted to feel uncomfortable, but the dress was too beautiful for her to dislike it. A smile crept on her face, but quickly faded. Her father had only done this ball for her engagement. She hadn't even met the man, and she still had three days before she had even left Fiore. It was aggravating, but Lucy knew she had to keep her duty as a princess.

"Lucy, don't forget this." Levy quickly moved to Lucy's side. In her hands laid an eye mask that matched her dress. The mask itself was completely blue, and gold lined the edges along with small swirl designs within the blue.

"Oh, thank you..." Lucy hesitated as she took the mask out of Levy's hands. Both her ladies-in-waiting had their own gowns on, ready to go downstairs. Lucy was a bit jealous of Levy. She had a silk green dress on. Lucy knew it was most likely more comfortable than her claustrophobic one. But appearances had to be kept, even behind a mask. Placing it on her face, Levy took the ribbons and tied a bow quickly for Lucy. She then placed Lucy's signature crown on top of her head. With a small adjustment from the blonde, the crown fit snug and wouldn't move an inch when she walked.

"Wow! You look beautiful, Lucy!" Juiva chimed in behind the two women. Lucy's eyes glanced at Juvia. Her lady-in-waiting had the biggest smile on her face. It was Juiva's first ball since she started working with the princess. "I'm so excited to go this evening. I wish my beloved could attend..."

"Don't worry, Juiva. He will get his chance one day." Levy reassured her, but then the woman turned to the princess and put her hands on her hips. "Are we going to get going or are you going to stand there all night?"

Lucy only nodded and a sigh escaped her lips. "I suppose."

The princess was the first to exit the bedroom. Levy and Juvia followed close behind her as they continued down the corridor. Throughout the halls, there had only been a few guests. Some that decided to explore the castle before the party started.

Their eyes fell on Lucy as the trio passed by. The princess was Fiore's gem. And because she was their princess; she was always the most beautiful woman. She knew that a simple mask wouldn't keep her identity away from noblemen. Anyone with a higher social standing knew the princess, or at least most anyways. She had never met her future husband, so that was one person she could mark off on her list that didn't know her from her looks.

Before Lucy could think of anything else, the trio arrived at the stairs. Making their way down the steps, the crowd of attendees thickened. Lucy despised her father for throwing a party in her name. While he meant well, he was fully aware of how much she hated the thought of marrying some man she had never met before.

It was too much for her to handle. But if anyone saw their princess crack under pressure, they would deem her unacceptable as a queen one day. She knew how important this was to Jude. If she stopped now, it would be all for nothing. She had to be strong, for her mother.

She could feel every pair of eyes on her as they continued to descend the staircase. Small whispers and conversations continued as they made their way to the bottom. The air became thick and she suddenly found it hard to breathe. Why did she feel ill now? This wasn't her first, nor last, time being the center of attention. Maybe she just looked pretty and that was why everyone was staring at her.

Appearances. Appearances. Lucy thought as they reached the bottom. Before she knew it, everyone had stopped staring at her, or were already too busy engulfed in the conversations before she passed by. Taking a deep breath, she continued to the ballroom.

As they reached the open door, the first thing Lucy noticed was the crowd had their attention to the front of the room. There the king sat on his throne. He seemed content with how the ball was going so far. There were enough guests to fill the ballroom, plus half of one. He knew how to throw a celebration for sure. When he noticed his daughter, Jude stood to his feet and cleared his throat.

"Welcome all to the celebration of the princess's engagement. Enjoy yourselves, and may we wish our beloved princess safe travels to wed her future husband." He spoke loudly, making sure he was heard throughout the room. The crowd cheered and clapped after the king had taken his seat again.

Suddenly, the pianist started to play. Then a violin, and instantly the room became lively. Lucy glanced around for Levy and Juvia, but somehow they had disappeared. People around her began taking partners and dancing to the music.

Lucy was swallowed into the moving crowd before she escaped. She was spun and guided across the dance floor. She began to become dizzy, her head felt light as the music continued.

And all at once, it came to an abrupt stop. She had crashed into someone. Quickly glancing up, she was met with a red hooded man. She could see his flashy smile peek out from under the shadowy cast of the hood.

"Someone seems to be lost." He spoke softly enough for only her to hear.

"I'm sorry," Lucy squeaked, "It wasn't on purpose I swear."

"Care for a dance then, miss?" He asked, but before Lucy could utter a word they had begun dancing. He had somehow grabbed her hand and was swaying with her. They began to spin and twirl. Their feet became in sync. Lucy tried to look anywhere else to find Levy or Juiva, but her gaze was thrown off when the stranger came into view.

"I'm sorry if this was too much, miss." He spoke as he came face to face with Lucy. "You just seemed to be lost in the crowd."

"I-" Lucy was about to agree, but then she found the stranger's eyes. His eyes were a light hazel color and somehow glowed brightly under his black and red mask. The first thought that came to Lucy's mind was how red complemented his eyes. Much like the rest of his outfit. This man had practically swept her off her feet, and she loved every second of it.

"I did get lost, but you seem to be my knight in shining armor." Lucy teased as they continued to maneuver through the crowd hand in hand.

"Anything for a dazzling woman like you. Might I ask your name?" His toothy smile appeared again on his face. But Lucy could only imagine how much this man truly knew if he couldn't somewhat recognize the princess of Fiore. She decided to see how he would react.

"Lucy." Was all she had muttered. But the hooded man didn't change his demeanor. He simply kept his smile and spun Lucy around once more before he came face to face with her again. This time he was a little closer, but neither of them pulled away.

"Beautiful." His voice came out gentle, almost in a whisper.

They continued to dance, as if the song would never have an ending. His eyes were captivating. Lucy couldn't find it in herself to leave his side. Either he really didn't know who she was, or he wasn't surprised. Whatever it was, Lucy loved how reacted. He didn't take it as an invitation to question her or treat her differently. He just stayed and enjoyed dancing with her.

As the song came to an end, the two of them slowed their dancing and held each other for a moment before the hooded man took a small bow.

"That was absolutely lovely." Lucy smiled at her dance partner. "Thank you for finding me tonight..." She trailed off, realizing the man had not told her his name. She lifted and spun her hand in the air to get his name.

"It is Na-" The hooded man was cut off as another man approached them.

"Hello." He said. Lucy almost gasped in shock at his attire.

He was wearing a painted white mask with an elongated beak and intricate designs around the eyes colored of gold and green. He wore a brown suit, none of it matching. Lucy only thought his man had no style, who had told him that he should come to the party wearing this?

"I'll take this next dance, Princess." He spoke proudly, as if he thought he was the only one who knew who she was. The next song began to play, and as it started, the man grabbed Lucy's arm and yanked her away from the hooded stranger. "Jude said it would be fine if I came and stole you away from that man." He spoke with disgust and pridefulness at the same time.

Lucy became angry and harshly tugged her hand away from the ugly masked man. She took a few steps back and took a deep inhale.

"I'm not sure who you think you are, but you do not get to address me as 'princess'. It will be 'Your Highness'. You're lucky you are not punished in front of all these people. Especially if you think calling His Majesty by his name is appropriate." Lucy snarled and quickly left the masked man alone in the crowd of dancing people.

She would deal with that man later. Her mind quickly drifted back to the man in red. She looked in the area where she was dragged away. He was no longer there. A frown formed on her face. Maybe after that man had revealed who she was, the hooded man no longer wanted to be near her.

Taking one glance around for her ladies-in-waiting, Lucy sighed as they were nowhere in sight either. She had been left alone. Breathing in deeply, Lucy headed towards the exit. Her pace quickened as she neared the door.

As she left the ballroom, Lucy made her way to the doors that lead outside to the gardens. She pushed herself through the crowd of people, who now seemed to pay no attention to her as they did before, and found herself outside before she realized.

The cool summer wind blew onto her exposed skin, leaving her body somewhat shivering. Lucy's frown turned into a small smile as the garden came into view. Lucy could almost feel her feet getting faster the closer she got to the garden.

It was one of her favorite places to go with her mother when she was still alive. She could remember the stories that Layla used to tell her under the summer sun. Hours they would spend outside in the heat, laughing and playing. Lucy suddenly felt warm as she began to slow down.

As Lucy got to the garden, she found herself sitting on the stone bench and staring up at the full moon. Lost in the memories of her late mother. Lucy never loved another like Layla. Of course she was her mother, but Layla always gave Lucy the affection and love she had wanted.

Her eyes fell to the ground as she realized she couldn't remember what her mother sounded like, or the warmth of her embrace. Lucy's breath began to quicken. Was this what it would always be like? She had put off truly thinking about her mother for years. It has been ten years now. Was it really that long ago?

"There you are." A male voice spoke behind her. "I was looking all over that ballroom for you."

Lucy's body tensed up, afraid to look the man's way. She was nervous it had been the ugly mask man. What would she even say to him? She told him that he was lucky to not be punished. By the Gods, why did she even say that?

"Umm...Earth to Lucy?" The man spoke again.

Lucy quickly spun her head in his direction, ready to yell at him for being ill mannered to her again, but she suddenly found herself speechless. In front of her was the man in red. His toothy grin could be seen under his hood. And for a moment, Lucy forgot how to breathe. This man was remarkable.

"You found me again." Her words rolled off her tongue like she had been expecting him to find her. She quickly stood to her feet, afraid the man would leave before she could say anything else. "I'm sorry about that man in there."

"No worries." He replied as he took the empty spot next to her on the bench. He patted his hand lightly on the stone, beckoning her to sit once more. "I figured it wouldn't have been hard to find you, considering you're the princess, but I was so wrong."

"Ah..." Lucy sighed lightly as she sat down next to him. She had become disappointed. He only cared for that in the end.

"I mean-" The man must've noticed her mood change. "You're just important, but I guess most people who are in there are important. What I'm trying to say is...I wanted to talk to you."

"Talk to me?" Lucy questioned as if she wasn't hearing him correctly. "What about?"

"I didn't know." He stated, his hand reaching under his hood and rubbing his neck. She could see him bite his lip from the corner of her eye. "I didn't know you were the princess. I'm sorry if I was disrespectful. You are just..."

"Just what?" Lucy asked as she leaned over to try and get a good look at his face. But to her avail, she was still unable to clearly make out his features because of his hood and mask.

"Even with that blue mask on... you're very pretty. And for once, I wasn't treated with disgust..." The man answered sadly.

"Oh...thank you." Lucy was speechless. This man just seemed like a ball of nerves to her. Sweet and kind, but wasn't one to admit how he feels when he has the attention.

For a moment, things between them were quiet. The sound of the crickets chirping and the wind blowing the bushes around them softly. It was a comfortable silence, but Lucy couldn't help but wonder about this man next to her.

He was a phenomenal dancer, but Lucy couldn't think of any young noble who was as good at dancing as he was. Who was this man? He knew his manners and seemed somewhat proper, but he didn't have the same tone as most noblemen do. His name! She still didn't know his name. How could she have forgotten?

"Your name..." Lucy began, her voice came out soft. She could feel her hands getting sweaty. Why had she suddenly become nervous? She just danced with this man, their faces were inches apart. She shook her head and looked at him. "You still haven't told me your name."

"Oh," was all he managed to squeak out. He seemed hesitant for a moment. Then shrugged his shoulders and said, "It's Rose."

"Like the flower?" Lucy asked as she giggled away. This man couldn't be serious. Although, he didn't seem to falter when her laughs started. Lucy ceased her chuckling and just stared at Rose. That couldn't be his name, could it? "That's truly your name?"

"No, but I don't want you knowing my name yet." Rose admitted, as he intertwined his fingers together.

Lucy could tell he was nervous, and she didn't want to scare him away. She racked her mind for a moment on how she could make things less awkward around the two of them. The only thing Lucy could come up with was having a drink with him.

Of course as the princess, she'd have to watch how much she drank. She had to keep her professionalism up in the end. But if it could keep Rose at her side so the night was more bearable then she wanted to do it.

"Well if you wish to keep your name hidden, then I can respect that." Lucy finally answered Rose. She stood to her feet and dusted off her dress. Quickly turning her body to the man behind her, Lucy stuck out her hand to Rose. "Why don't we go back inside and dance some more. Maybe have a drink to relax us. This night has been chaotic as it is."

Rose studied Lucy in awe for a moment before he finally took her hand. Once he was up on his feet, Rose nodded his head and took the lead back to the castle. Lucy had noticed Rose's mood change. He seemed less awkward now that the two of them wouldn't be alone. The princess began to think that Rose didn't want to spend time with her alone. Did her title make everyone, besides Levy and Juvia, cautious around her?

Lucy could feel the breeze kiss her skin softly. The cool air no longer made her shiver. Perhaps she enjoyed the quietness of the outside, but she knew how short lived that would always be for her. And if going inside meant that Rose wouldn't leave her side, then she was fine with being uncomfortable for a bit. Hopefully some wine would make her feel less uneasy.

Before Lucy knew it, they had gotten to the doors of the castle. Rose kindly opened one of the doors for Lucy. He gestured his hand inside and did a small bow, like a footman. She smiled at his dorkiness and moved through the entrance. Inside, the crowd grew bigger as the duo moved through to the ballroom.

The music continued on as they entered the room. Lucy's eyes swept across the mass of people to see if she could find Levy. Her efforts seemed in vain until her eyes landed on an emerald dress. She watched as Levy was immersed in conversation with a tall fellow with long black hair. Levy giggled away at something the man had said. All Lucy could think was how happy her friend had looked.

"Is everything alright, Lucy?" Rose had asked behind her, lightly tugging on her hand. Lucy quickly turned and her gaze fell on his eyes. They held worry in them when they looked at her. Why was he worried about her? Lucy nodded her head in response and eyed the server that had come closer to the duo. She flagged him down and he bowed to her.

"Here you are, Your Highness." The server greeted Lucy as he held a glass of red wine in front of her. She quickly took a glass. The sounds of the music and Rose speaking to the man had drowned out behind her as she stared into the glass. The crimson liquid sloshed in her cup as she moved it slightly.

If Levy is able to have fun at this damned ball, then so can I. Lucy thought as she began swallowing the glass of wine. She could feel the liquid burn her throat as the warm feeling traveled down her chest and into her stomach.

Lucy knew she could hear Rose's warnings of slowing down her drinking, but part of her didn't care. Her life had been chaotic the last twenty-four hours. She should be able to have fun and do as she pleases every now and then.

First, it was her father marrying her off to some duke. Someone unknown, someone she never even met! Secondly, she had lost her only piece of sanity when her book was snatched up outside. And lastly, her father had thought if he had thrown her this party for her engagement, that it would make her somewhat happier.

He didn't know her like he thought. He has never tried! Lucy thought in her desperation. She had grabbed another glass from a nearby server and downed a second glass of wine. And then she took two more glasses and handed one to her dance partner.

Coming out of her thoughts fully, she studied Rose as he took the glass of wine and drank it as well. He only smiled at her in return, but something seemed off. He still seemed shy. Nervous maybe? In an instant, Lucy grabbed his hands in hers as the music became more upbeat.

"Let's dance some more." She sang through her teeth. They began to move to the music. The more they stepped, it had seemed the music had quickened pace. And soon enough, people around them had been in sync with them. Everyone who wasn't dancing around them clapped their hands to the music.

Even under his mask, Lucy could see the tiniest tint of red plastered on Rose's face. She smiled as big as she could at him. Rose only laughed lightly at her as they continued moving through the crowd.

"You seem to be in better spirits." Rose commented as he spun her around. A chuckle escaped Lucy as she found herself pressed up against his chest. Their faces were inches apart. The music began to slow and the duo found themselves following with it.

"Let's just say I found a wonderful dance partner." Lucy replied, as she noticed the room began to spin slightly. She however ignored it and brought her attention back to Rose, who also seemed to be a little wobbly.

"You flatter me too much, Lucy." Rose replied. He took his face back a little and kept his grip on Lucy's hands tight. Rose opened his mouth to speak, but he quickly shut it. Lucy had noticed his hesitation and tilted her head.

"What's the matter, my sweet Rose?" Lucy cooed at him, her hand coming up to his face.

"Should I..." He held back for a moment before Lucy rubbed her thumb over his cheek. His eyes fell on the princess, staring into her big brown eyes that never left him. "Is it alright if I call you by your name?"

A smile spread across her face. Rose was such a gentleman in her eyes. She had purposely told him her name, so he would only call her as such. However, that man from earlier ruined her plans on keeping her rank to herself.

"Of course, Rose. That is what I prefer you to call me by." Lucy breathed out, bringing her face closer to Rose.

For a moment the two of them stayed silent as the music sang out behind them. The world around them seemed to muffle, as if they were the only two that existed in the world. To Lucy, Rose's eyes were vast and empty as she peered into them. She was hooked on them. Their everlasting hazel reminded her of a sunset.

Lucy's body began to move on its own, her face gently getting closer to Rose's. In response to her movement, Rose began to come closer. Before the princess knew, her lips had landed on Rose's. A feeling of warmth and serenity had engulfed her. As she opened her eyes, she had pulled back and once again found herself staring at Rose.

He had a small smile on his face. Adoration had filled his eyes, and it had somewhat shocked Lucy what had happened. She had never kissed a man before, let alone a man she had just met. However, her body craved the feeling of Rose's warmth again. So instead of pondering on her actions. She grabbed Rose by his collar and kissed him again.