The Prince had fallen. Not literally, of course. But Georgiana (Ana) had definitetly taken his heart. Her green eyes and her flustered personality captivated him. He asked her to dance three times in a row before they both retired to the appetizer buffet to find refreshments.

"Your Highness? Oh, bother. Can I just call you Rhydian? Rhydian isn't so intimidating as Your Majesty or Your Highness, or Crown Prince."

"Rhydian is fine I suppose."

"Well, Rhydian. Rhydian. I like the name Rhydian. It kind of rolls off the tongue. Like a royal name is supposed to I guess." She stopped, glancing at his smiling face. "I am sorry. Sometimes I forget what I'm saying so I just keep talking. I don't even know what I'm saying half of the time. My mother says that it's frightfully improper and a habit that I should rid myself of because it is unbecoming."

"On the contrary," Kristopher interrupted, "we find your talking quite becoming."

"Oh!" Ana dropped her cup. "Kristopher!"

"Ana," he sighed, picking up the dropped cup.

"I'm sorry!" She put her hand over her mouth. "Excuse me!"

"So I see you've met the charming Georgiana."

"I have."

Rhydian guessed that she belonged to Leona because of the green dress and ribbons she wore. Perhaps she was another relative--But hadn't she said her sister was engaged to the duke? That would mean that Kristopher was engaged to her sister, wouldn't it?

"Congratulations on your engagement, Kristopher. I hope that you two will be happy."

"Ah, yes. Miss Harrington shall put a smile upon my face in the grave."

"It was nice of you to bring Georgiana along."

"She's never really been to a ball before, but she is quite the dance partner."

Rhydian nodded in agreement, sipping his drink.

The trumpets blasted, making Kristopher jump and laugh.

"Dinner is served," the announcer called.

Kristopher and Rhydian made their way toward the double-doors leading into the great dining hall.

"I do hope they put you near your betrothed, Kristopher. I had no hand in the seating arrangements, but perhaps whoever did remembered."

"I thank you, old friend. It's nice to see you smiling again. For a year there I thought you had become some sort of machine!"

Rhydian laughed.

"Your Highness, this way," a servant girl, whom Rhydian recognized from the kitchens, led him to the very end of one of the three long tables. His chair was much bigger than the others, it's back carved with eagles.

He watched his fellow upperclassmen file in and find their name-cards. He smirked when he saw the blonde girl arguing with one of the servants.

"I should sit next to the prince. I'm a duchess!"

"Not yet, miss. You're seat is right here."

The girl's face turned scarlet with rage. Rhydian stood.

"Is there a problem with this seat?" he asked. "I could have them bring a different chair if you'd like, miss."

"Oh! Your Majesty! Rhydian!"

"Your Majesty," he corrected.

"No, no, this seat is fine, thank you." She sat quickly.

"Thank you, sir," the servant bowed.

"Any time."

He returned to his seat, grinning at the two girls sitting on either side of him. Ana and Raisie. All the girls he had danced with (with the exception of the blonde girl) were seated near him. Raisie had Lake in her lap.

"It seems you've taken a liking to my dog, Miss Westing."

"So I have." She smiled down at the puppy.

Ana laughed uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ana, about Lake. He's really friendly actually."

"I'm sure, Rhydian, but I should not like to find out if you don't mind."

"So you've accepted my name?" Raisie asked.

"I have. It's the perfect name."

"Of course."

"If I liked dogs I would agree," Ana nodded.

Rhydian laughed. One of the other girls coughed. He had been staring at her.

"There you are, Ana!" It was Kristopher. Ana went white.

"Kristopher!" She beamed at him.

"I'm sorry, Rhydian, my friend, but would you mind if I took my fiance?"

"I--your--no, not at all."

Rhydian's face fell as he watched her walk away.

"She said Kristopher was engaged to her sister."

He felt something warm cover his hand. He looked up to see that it was Raisie's hand. She was looking at him, mirroring the hurt he felt in her pale blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Rhydian."

"Why?" he asked. "Why did she say that?"

"Because you're the handsome crown prince. Any girl would have."

"You think I'm handsome? You would have?

"I--well--" she blushed. "Yes, of course."

"You're not engaged too, are you?"

"Heavens, no!"

"Good." He gripped her hand. Lake jumped up on the table.

"Lake!" Rhydian stood, releasing Raisie's hand.

She stood too, hurrying along the chair backs to where the puppy had settled himself on the plate of a boy with black hair and blue eyes.

"Lake, come here darling!" The puppy jumped into her arms.

"Is that your dog miss?" He asked, grinning at her.

"No. It's mine." Rhydian glared at him.

"Oh. Crown Prince." He glanced at Raisie. "I'm sorry. Do keep control of your dog, though. I don't wish to have his fur all over my dinner."

Rhydian steered Raisie away by her arm.

"No need to be so cross, Your High--"

"Rhydian."

"Rhydian. He was just--"

"I'm sorry, Miss Weston--"

"Raisie."

"Raisie. I just--I don't know." He took Lake from her arms. "I'll go find somewhere to keep him during dinner."

"Perhaps if you send for a bone from the kitchens he will behave during dinner."

"Thank you. I shall. Master Z!"