A/N- This is just the first time Cinderella and the prince met at the ball. I took a few (pretty big) liberties with their personalities. I know the language I use is a little too modern sometimes. Sorry. I just want to put this out there- there isn't any mention of midnight or the ugly stepsisters because she's trying to put that out of her mind and just relax for once. (This is now the prologue to the whole story.)

Disclaimer- I don't claim to own anything. Except for maybe my jokes.

"You wear the clothes, but besides that, you don't look like a royal", someone drawled behind me. "You don't stand like one, you don't behave like one, and a royal would never stand out here alone." I took a deep breath.

"Hey, listen- just shut up. Hear that?" The balcony door was open, and you could hear the music and chattering and clinking of glasses. "That- that is the sound of happiness. Now start talking again."

"Wha-" I quickly cut him off.

"And that is the sound of complete and utter misery", I finished, whirling around. A handsome man, with dark hair and blue eyes, with a stereotypical fancy suit and crown... Crown. A crown. He was wearing a crown. Crown. Princes wear crowns. Crown. Prince. I just insulted the one man who could completely ruin my life- well, even more, that is. Prince. I just insulted the prince. Very insultingly, too. I just insultingly insulted the prince. Smart.

"Ta-da!" He spread his arms wide sarcastically and took a bow.

"Prince- you're a prince! You're the prince! The prince the ball is for! The prince this ball is for!" I sputtered. I whirled back around, looking over the edge of the balcony. "Quick question- Your Supreme Excellent Superb Wonderful Amazing Astounding Regal Awesome Incredible Extraordinary And All That Majesty- Do you think I could survive the fall and safely make my escape?" The corner of his lips twitched- hopefully.

"Don't be foolish- Your Supreme Excellent Superb Wonderful Amazing Astounding Regal Awesome Majesty will do just fine. No need for all that other stuff. And let me see." He slowly walked over next to me and looked down. "... Nope, it's too high. You'd never make it."

"Damn."

"And a royal would never stand out here alone and swear." Oh, the little bastard was smirking at me.

"You're a royal, and you're standing out here alone", I pointed it out.

"I'm not alone- there's you", he shrugged.

"I don't count. I'm nobody", I said quickly. "A nobody you should really forget insulted you."

"Ohh... Funny thing about that- I'd almost forgotten about it, but then you reminded me." The smirk was back.

"Screw it, I don't care if the fall kills me." I climbed up onto the flat stone surface of the balcony, enjoying the dizzy, exhilarating feeling of knowing that the world was at my feet- and that the tiniest thing would be enough to make me fall. I felt free.

"Careful. I could push you, you know." I closed my eyes.

"No, you wouldn't. You're a gentleman."

"How would you know?"

"You're a prince. Knight in shining armour and all that."

"You're a lady- yet you're standing on the edge of a balcony with a man who could- for all you know- push you off."

"I thought I didn't act like a royal?"

"True. A royal wouldn't stand here alone- they would stand inside and laugh at not very funny jokes made by important people and mooch off of the free food and drinks." I held in my laughter.

"Maybe I'm just a royal who wanted some fresh air."

"Please", he snorted. "A royal would never want any air that's not coming off of their own money." I did laugh that time.

"Ah, but you see, I came here to sniff my money in private", I said, struggling to keep my face straight. I let my lips curve into a pleased smile when I heard him give a delighted laugh. The wind surged, and my skirts swayed, causing me to almost fall.

"Whoa! Careful there!" He grabbed my ankles to keep me steady.

"Ah! So you do care!" I turned and grinned smugly.

"No, you're right. I am a gentleman. It comes with the crown." He tapped the golden circlet. I climbed back down, swinging my legs over the edge and settling for sitting, facing him.

"By that logic- if you can call it that- I'm a lady. It comes with the dress."

"No... If you were a lady, I'd've gotten bored of you already." He took a seat beside me.

"So all I had to do to scare you off was act like a lady? Why didn't you tell me?" I teased.

"I usually don't have to", he said. It was silent for a few seconds.

"Say something entertaining", he said suddenly. I turned and looked at him. "What? You've been doing a pretty bang-up job without me telling you to! Tell you what, say something that makes me laugh, and I'll give you something."

"What?" I asked curiously.

"Not telling, but it's good", he said, all sing-song. I hated to admit it, but I was intrigued.

"Umm... Anger and danger don't rhyme."

"... Was that supposed to make me laugh?"

"They really should, though! Think about it! Anger, danger- Danger is just anger with a d tacked to the beginning, yet they sound completely different! How? What idiot decided how to pronounce things?" I ranted. He snorted.

"Well, that little rant of yours was a tad amusing, I'll give you that", he said, getting up.

"Thank you. Now I believe you owe me something?" I said, standing up as well.

"Yes. You get to dance with me", he smiled.

"How is that a prize? That's a punishment, at best!" I exclaimed.

"Then what would it be at worse?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Torture, perhaps. I didn't think you'd ask that."

"I am still a prince, you know. A little respect?" He looked at me. Still a prince. Huh. I guess I had forgotten it.

"But I show you all the respect you deserve, Your Supreme Excellent Superb Wonderful Amazing Astounding Regal Awesome Majesty", I said, faking sincerity.

"Don't step on my toes", he warned, pulling me onto the dance floor.

"Your feet are so big, it'll be hard not to", I teased. A song began to swell up, but I paused. "Wait. I don't even know your name!"

"Henry. It's Henry. Now let's dance."

A/N- I'd love to go on a whole tangent about why someone with a personality like my Cinderella's would take orders from her step-family her whole life, but I'd rather not write it out here. If this gets five reviews or (preferably) more, I'll make this a multi-chaptered story, starting from the beginning. So... Please review, because reviews make me happy! And I'm sure the happiness of a stranger you've never met is very important to you!