With my hand in Prince Edward's, I tried not to think about how sweaty my palms were getting. He flashed me a heart warming smile as he led me out onto the dance floor while I just silently prayed that I could dissolve into the fine polished floor and call it a night. Taking a deep breath, I went along with it and followed his lead. I studied his face for a moment as we moved along the dance floor like we were petals floating delicately through the light spring breeze. He had a beautiful face and a heartwarming personality, but I never imagined my Friday routine would be ruined by a simple walk around town that would lead me to this gentleman.

"If you look at me with such a beautiful face, I might just fall for you," he murmured to me as his face leaned in a little closer. This simple phrase set my nerves on edge as I felt my cheeks redden and my heart rate quicken. With his face so close, the feeling of paranoia about my own body washed over me as I started to sweat a little out of nervousness. I quickly turned my head to the side so I could clear my throat a little too loudly as I faced him once again.

"So..." I drawled out the word a little to try to think of anything to say that would advance the conversation away from his... pleasant comments, "You're a Prince?"

"Ah, yes," he answered with a laugh as he spun me in time with the music and brought my body close to his again, our bodies touching slightly, "I'm sorry that I never got to introduce myself. You know my name, but I don't have the privilege of being able to let yours escape my lips. It must be as elegant as you are."

"Uhh... right," I laughed awkwardly to try to avoid the heat building up inside me, "My name's Cynthia Paradise."

His eyes seemed to light up as I said the name. "Cynthia Paradise," he repeated softly as his hand squeezed mine slightly and my heart pumped a little quicker with anxiety, "With such an enchanting name as your's and with your ability to keep up with me, you must be someone of importance."

I found myself laughing a little louder than expected. "No, no, no, dear god, no," I answered a little too quickly as he looked at me in surprise, "I'm just someone starting up college again soon. As for my dancing, I had to learn for a school play I was in a long while back. It stuck with me."

Just as he seemed to want to ask more, the music slowed to a halt and a new song began. We stopped and I curtsied to him. As I turned to leave him so other girls could get their turn, I felt a warm, strong arm wrap around my waist. Jumping slightly, I turned to find it was Prince Edward, who clung to me.

"I really do owe Prince Keith a little gratitude," Edward stated as he lead me out to the balcony like he could read my mind. I recognized the name as he spoke it.

"The ass whose car splashed me? Why?" I blurted out. I could already feel the charm that this place instilled in me wear off. I needed to go home soon... I wasn't really much for places like these.

"Don't be upset. He's not that bad," he looked at me with another heart warming smile while we finally reached the balcony, "and thanks to his car splashing mud on you, I got to catch such an exquisite little butterfly."

"I thought I was a flower," I teased as I stuck my tongue out and moved away from him. I leaned against the railing and breathed in the cool night air only to release it with a contented sigh. "I wouldn't want to be either of those things anyway. They may be beautiful, but beauty is always so fleeting and short. Beautiful things... flowers and the like... Well, they break easily. I'd rather be something strong and sturdy," I said with a grin as I reflected on life, "Sorry, I think too much."

I didn't look at Prince Edward as I said these things, but I heard him draw in a breath as another set of footsteps. I turned towards the noise to find it was Prince Keith coming towards us. As he did, I leaned my back against the railing and propped myself up by my elbows. He seemed a little put off when he recognized me, but didn't seem to take notice of Prince Edward, who was further back from me in the shadow next to the door.

"You... Prince Edward brought you along..." he seemed to look a little down as he spoke, "He's a whimsical one, that Prince Edward. That's why when mud got on your clothes..."

"It's fine," I cut him off quickly as I was nervous at what else he could say. He seemed like the kind of person that'd have a sharp tongue. I stood up straight as I responded, "You guys said you'd pay me back for it. I might have loved the outfit, but things can be replaced. People are different. I'll take it as your apology. You didn't seem like you were the kind of person to give a formal one in person."

"Why you little..." he seemed a bit angry at my words. I bit my lower lip realizing I might have said too much. As I went to back away, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped a bit at the touch, but turned to find it was Prince Edward.

"It's a bit unflattering of a Prince to talk in such a tone," Prince Edward gave a smile in my direction as he spoke.

"I didn't become a prince to be flattering. Give me a break with those fake smiles of yours. Do you ever mean what you say?" Prince Keith seemed to not care about trying to tear into Prince Edward. I slowly ducked under Prince Edward's arm and backed away a bit from the confrontation. It was uncomfortable as it seemed to start to get personal. I expected Prince Edward to get mad, but even from behind I could tell what he said next was done with a smile.

"Of course, I always mean what I say," Prince Edward said calmly, " I'm surprised by your remark since I've heard that you were such a frank and honest person."

"What do you even know about me?" Prince Keith stated in a deflated tone as he caught eye of me backing out towards the ballroom again, "Make sure you aren't too deceived by Prince Edward's smile." With that I watched Prince Keith leave the balcony before I could escape. I felt a tense hand on my shoulder. I didn't jump this time since there was no other option, but Prince Edward.

"He's always like that, but inside he's a really nice guy," Prince Edward said with another smile of his.

"I can see what he's talking about," I blurted out.

"What do you mean?" Prince Edward asked with a confused look on his face.

"Well, I don't know you very well. I've only know you for a few hours in fact as odd as this whole series of events is," I rambled before continuing my explanation, "but the way you speak and carry yourself is just... different. People, who are overly kind,... it's usually hard for others to be around them because normal people aren't so kind unless they want something from you or are hiding something. Others are afraid of being deceived. I can get why people think your kindness and your smiles are fake, but you seem genuine. I could be completely wrong, but I'm just giving you my opinion." A breeze blew my half red half black bangs a bit as I looked off nervously towards the full moon.

"Well, if Prince Keith thinks my smile is fake then I wonder what he must think of Prince Roberto..." he drifted off into thought.

"Ohh...?" I questioned trying to be friendly.

"Yes. It seems he's always trying to hide something behind his smile. At least that's how I feel about it..." his expression changed a bit to one of a more sad look, "Those as the role of a prince, more often than not, are burdened by many problems."

The shift of his mood made me uncomfortable. I guess I felt guilty since I might have been the cause of this line of thinking. I walked a little closer to him and in a comforting manner, stroked his back a bit. His lavender eyes quickly met mine as a smile found its way back on his face.

"Excuse me, I shouldn't be immersed in thought when in the presence of such a lovely lady. Perhaps I was distracted by your air of friendliness," he said as I felt myself sigh a little internally while his hand made its way to my cheek. I wanted to back away, but when I felt the contrast of warmth his skin had as opposed to the cool breeze, I welcomed it for the moment. It's not like I'd ever see this guy again anyway. The thought was a relief, but still had a bit of a sad tinge to it.

xXx

The party was over and I was finally out of that pretty dress. It was refreshing to be back into some regular clothes again. I was back in my element. I got into the limousine slowly. As the vehicle started, I had one hand gripping the edge of my seat slightly and the other was moving to check my phone in my batman backpack. While my eyes widened as they scanned the number of messages that I received since I met this Prince, I found myself laughing out loud.

Prince Edward looked over to me in confusion. "Is everything alright?" he asked as his purple eyes looked me up and down. I could tell he noticed my tense hand on the seat, but I directed his attention to what I was laughing at.

"You see, I have a Friday tradition with my friends. We hang out and have deep discussions or play games till the late hours of the night. We've become like a little family. Well, everything earlier happened so quickly that... Well," I looked out the window as I said this with a laugh, "I can't wait to see their faces when I tell them why I didn't come tonight. They won't believe me, but it'll be fun to tell the tale. They might actually be a little disappointed in me." I continued to laugh a little at my own thoughts. "I'm sorry. You might not want me to even mention this night to anyone. Might hurt your reputation or something famous people would say. If so, my lips are sealed," I mimed as if I'd locked my lips and threw away the key. Yes, I'm a dork through and through.

"No, it's fine," he said with a smile as the curiosity in his eyes seemed to overflow, "What exactly would you say?" I took a breath nervously as my face reddened. He moved a little closer in all his curiousness.

"Well, I won't recite this exactly, but I think I'll start by how my day started. Me, adventuring through the town, when I bumped into a handsome gentleman," I blushed a little at my honesty, "He was like something out of a fairy tale with the way he spoke to me. Alarming, I know. Anyway, after meeting him, I got splashed with mud by one of his friends. He felt bad and regardless of how many times I declined, I ended up agreeing to going on a date with him as an apology to his friend. Well, this date ended up being at a ball at Nobel Michel. It was as magical as you can picture. Like the movies, except people interact with you. Bleh. The drinks were great and when I found out my date was a prince... I drank a bit more then I originally planned. We danced and it was a great night..." As I was wrapping up my story, the limo pulled up to my apartment. Surprised by myself, I could feel my heart tighten a little. "Well, he took me home and we said our last goodbyes. He was one stranger that I enjoyed meeting."

I gave him the best smile I could pull off. "Good night. It was nice meeting you," I said genuinely as I began to climb out of the vehicle. I felt a tug on my wrist as I finally got one foot out of the limo.

"I enjoyed meeting you as well, but this isn't the end of our story. I know I'll see you again," he said with another of his charming smiles that left me at a loss for words. I nodded quietly and gave a wave of goodbye as I finally got out of the car and headed to my apartment in a bit of a daze.