Several hours later, the ball began. A large orchestra began playing lovely, melodious waltzes and the guests began to dance. The King and Queen sat on their thrones at the front of the room, in full view of the entire ball room. Princess Emily waited at the top of the stairs for her cue. From her vantage point she could see Lady Penelope dancing with her husband, Sir Kevin and Lady Jennifer dancing with her betrothed, Sir William. All four were smiling and talking. Each one having the time of their lives. Emily reflected on the fact that soon she would be with her husband, dancing, going to balls and she dreaded it. She resented the fact that her mother tried to plan every aspect of her life.

Why, she thought, couldn't her life be more like her brother's? Prince Spencer was living abroad. He was traveling throughout the globe. The Queen had thought it a bad idea but, the King knew that in order to rule the kingdom one day, the Prince would need worldly experience.

Suddenly a loud trumpet blast startled her out of her thoughts and she knew it was time to go down. Slowly, gracefully she took tiny steps down the stairs and stopped at the bottom. She gave the crowd a smile and a princessy wave. She walked to the front if the ballroom where her parents were waiting. Once she reached them, her father gave her a peck on the cheek and whispered,

"Good Luck sweet pea. Find the one that makes you happy." Emily gave a genuine smile this time. Her father was always looking out for her best interests.

King Richard stood up and announced to the crowd,

"Welcome everyone. I would like to present my daughter, Princess Emily. Enjoy your evening." He shot a quick wink off at his daughter before she was ushered away. A tall man with dark hair had been looking at her from across the room but, she paid him no attention. Emily had been trying to make her way over to where her Lady-in-Waiting was waiting but a man grabbed her arm. He turned her so she was facing him and, she realized, he was very handsome.

"How do you do, Princess? My name is Prince Thomas. Would you care to dance?" He was very eloquent and everything her mother was looking for but, Emily politely refused his offer. He just wasn't what she was looking for.

The night wore on and Emily realized she had danced with over seventy five percent of the men at the palace. There was one man she hadn't danced with though.

The tall, handsome, black-haired man who had been watching her all night. He walked over to where she was standing and held out his hand.

"Hello Princess. I am Prince Aaron, how do you do?" Emily liked him already. His eyes were warm and his smile brought out dimples on either side of his mouth. His hand was warm and his greeting was sincere.

"Why yes, I would love to dance." She took his hand and he pulled her into a waltz that was rivaled by no other.

"You are a very good dancer, sir. Dare I say it, better than my own father?" Emily gave a smile and was pleases to see that she got one in return.

"It is not me who is a good dancer but, my beautiful partner." Prince Aaron's words had a most profound effect of the Princess. She blushed. When the waltz ended, Prince Aaron pulled away,

"Thank you for the dance m'lady. I shall never forget it. May I be so forward as to ask to see you again?"

A light blush tinged the Princess' cheeks as she nodded and when Prince Aaron left, she rushed to find her friend.

"Jennifer, I have found the one. I have finally found the one. And my mother has not picked him out." Her Lady-in-Waiting hugged her.

"Oh I am thrilled for you. Now what is his name?"

"He is Prince Aaron of Washington. He is very handsome, and sincere. I must go tell Mother and Father." And with that the Princess rushed off again.

"Mother, Father, I have found him. I have found the one." She cried running up to the thrones.

"Emily! A Princess never runs. Stop that fidgeting this instant!" Queen Elizabeth snapped. Emily immediately stopped fidgeting.

"I'm sorry Mother. I am very excited." The Queen cut Emily off.

"Yes, yes, now fix yourself up. Your Father and I have found the perfect Prince for you. Prince Morgan, please come out now." As soon as the Queen was finished speaking, a tall tanned man walked out from behind the thrones. He was very handsome, but, he was not Prince Aaron and Emily wanted Prince Aaron. Fed up, she shouted.

"I DO NOT WANT YOU TO PICK OUT MY HUSBAND! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Emily ran off and Lady Jennifer followed.