Once upon a time in the 1880's of Paris, France, I attended a ball where the king was presenting his twin 18 year old sons at. It felt like the entire city of Paris was there in the King's gardens. I had just come from one of the private maze gardens. I was the daughter of the Queen's dress designer. The queen had passed away when the boys were fourteen from a snake bite. But the king kept my mother on staff for help with other relatives and their needs. I was sixteen and a half years old and my mother had made me a beautiful burgundy dress so I looked like I belonged at the ball even though I preferred to just wander the gardens privately. We normally lived in the city now, but once in awhile we stayed at the castle when my mother was working under a deadline. My father was a city banker. I sometimes helped my mother, but other times, I would stay in the city with my father particularly in the last few years. The city was so more exciting to me.

So as I came out of the garden, I was knocked down by a young man. He said, "I'm sorry." Please excuse me," and he offered me his hand and helped me up.

Once I was upright, I started to clean up my dress by knocking the dirt and wrinkles off me. When I looked up to see the face of my assailant, I knelt again and said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness."

"Please don't. I am the one that should apologize; I ran right into you because I wasn't watching where I was going."

"What is wrong your highness? Why are you away from your party and what has you so distracted?"

"Do you ever wish you weren't who you were so you could be invisible and just walk in the gardens in the quiet of the night?"

"Sorry, Your Highness, I already have that."

"Would you allow me to walk with you in the gardens?" he asked.

"I just came from them."

"Please, I need a break from all the ladies."

"But I am one, myself."

"Please." And he gently started to pull me towards the garden and I could hear something in his voice that said I should go.

"Okay, Your Highness." He quickly took my arm in his and we went back into the gardens.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Bella. Which twin are you?"

"I am Edward; I am the older by five minutes."

"So are there any differences between the two of you?"

"Yes; but not that you can see. Our faces and our builds are identical. I have a birthmark in a very private place."

"Did you play tricks on your nannies and tutors as you two were growing up?"

"Of course, why wouldn't we?"

"Boys."

"Yes, but in the last two years, you can see differences in our personalities. I'm more reserved, quiet and conservative. James is open, flamboyant and even aggressive. He's a cheetah, runs in and goes for it, while I am more a panther, I study the situation and then sneak in and strike."

"Is James on the dance floor right now?"

"Yes and for every song, he has a different partner. I, on the other hand, find a quiet place and ask the beautiful lady that I nearly trampled if she would like to dance."

"What about the music?" and then the orchestra started playing. "Of course, but how did you know?"

"Bella, I know these gardens very well. I have grown up here my whole life." Edward pulled me into a dance hold and we danced.

As the orchestra started to play another song, Edward said, "This is the 'Story Dance Song' do you know the dance that goes with it?"

"Yes."

"Will you?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"I recognize the way you say that. I have heard your voice in the castle before but from where?"

"I am the daughter of your mother's dress designer."

"Bella, you were the little girl that was always helping your mother."

"Yes, your highness."

"You are beautiful and I am assuming that your mother made you this beautiful gown, as well."

"Yes, she did."

"I am so sorry that I knocked you down."

"Please, Your Highness, do not worry about it. I am fine, I promise."

The orchestra started another waltz and Edward asked, "One more dance before I return you to the ball."

"You do not have to return me to the ball. I like dancing with this Prince; he makes it so effortless."

"By the way, who is your escort tonight that I am keeping you from?"

"My mother, you could say. She was here to finish your cousins' dresses; so I came with her."

"Will she be looking for you?"

"No, I am fine on my own. That's why I was in the garden dressed like this for wandering. I had to look like I belonged at the ball."

During the next part of the song, he pulled me in even closer, leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. Edward spun me back out and we finished the song. As the song ended, he pulled my back in close to him and this time leaned in and gently kissed my lips briefly.

"Thank you, Bella."

"You're welcome, Prince Edward."

"I need to get back before my," and another song started playing.

"Oh Edward, this is my favorite song. Please one more dance."

"Only, if you take one step closer to me." I started to, but Edward stepped in quicker and pulled my waist closer to him.

"Better," he said with a smile and we danced to the last song. Edward escorted me out of the gardens. As we returned to the heart of the ball, Edward asked, "Do you mind staying with me through the rest of the evening?"

"No, I wouldn't mind at all, Your Highness. I am honored." as a beautiful pink glow covered my face. As we were about to return to the dance floor, we stopped for drinks. We passed his butler; Edward leaned in and whispered something to him. Then I was escorted to the real dance floor. We truly shared the rest of the dances that evening.

His butler interrupted us once. Edward said, "Your mother is ready to go home."

"All right, Edward, I must go then."

"Bella, please wait and stay. I will escort you home personally if that is okay."

I shook my head yes. "Peter, please check with her mother. If it's okay; let them know, I will have her home in three hours. Please let the stable know to prepare my carriage, as well."

"Yes, your highness."

As Peter left, Edward pulled me back in a little bit closer and we continued dancing. After many more dances and a walk in another part of the garden, and the clocks chiming 1 am, Edward said, "I most return you home."

Edward and I both received our wraps from Peter. Edward escorted me to his carriage. Once we were inside, we were on our way back to my home. "Bella," and he took my hand. "May I call upon you again?"

"That would be lovely."

"I'm sorry; it will have to be in a month because we are going to Southern France for a trip tomorrow for our birthday."

"That is fine."

Then he took my hand and said "Bella."

"Yes," I said as I turned to look at him.

Edward captured my chin and leaned in and said, "I'm going to kiss you again, though I shouldn't." He leaned down and put a lingering kiss on my lips. As he slowly ended the kiss, he said, "Thank you for the best night of my life."

"You're welcome, your highness."

Edward smiled and said, "Please when it is you and I, call me Edward."

"Yes, Edward. Thank you."

Once we pulled up to my home, Edward escorted me to the door where my father let us in.

I said, "Good night and Thank you." I introduced Edward to my father Charlie and mother Renee who met us at the door.

Edward asked my father if he could come and call on me again next month after he returned from the South of France.

Charlie said, "Of course, you may, your highness."

A/N

A new story to share with all of you. Please let me know what you think about the start and where you think it might go.