Author's Note: It's been months since I updated this fic and for that I apologize. Writer's block and other fics got in the way of this one. But considering that PH ended I thought back to this fic and thought maybe I should update it. I'm just going to mention that's not what I said it'd be about in the last chapter. This chapter is actually like the follow up to the chapter before it. It's the Summer Ball that Shelly has to attend with Augustus. Also I said in the beginning that I had 11 chapters planned for this collection but I've cut that down to 7 (meaning there is four more after this). Hopefully I'll get them up faster than it took me to get this one up. As always, I'm sorry if anyone is too OOC. Without further ado here is the next oneshot (or rather I guess the second half of the twoshot that includes the one before it): "Dances."

Dear Rufus,

I'm sure you've already heard what I'm about to tell you. It's spread around like wildfire that my daughter left the Summer Ball with her valet and went to some circus in town or something. Of course I'm sure you are aware that that valet was Xerxes. You're probably wondering why with how much I talk about not liking them being together I let him be the one to accompany her. Well, Shelly sure does know how to get her way. She would only go if she got to choose who accompanied her and of course she chose him. I questioned him if he was the one who took her to the carnival but I knew Shelly was probably the mastermind behind it.

I wish that for once, just once, Shelly would listen to me and just act like the lady she should. What is it about Xerxes that makes her want to be with him so much? Is it that she sees him as broken and wants to fix him, wants to help him enjoy life or something?

I did notice that he's a bit more smiley and somewhat sociable now that she's cut his hair. And she seems happier and hasn't been too sick as of late.

Still I can't allow this. Not with all the gossip it's stirring up. Then again Shelly is too stubborn a girl to quit and I feel that the more pressure I put on her to stop this nonsense the more likely she'll be to continue. Oh I just don't know where she gets it from! And don't you dare say it's from me!

Again, thanks for listening,

Sheryl

XXXXXXX

"Mother, you look like a princess!" shouted Sharon Rainsworth.

Shelly Rainsworth stared at herself in the mirror. Her daughter wasn't totally wrong. With Shelly's hair in an up-do and her puffy pink ball gown she could've passed for a princess in one of those fairy tales that Sharon always would have her read to her. "Do I?"

Sharon vigorously shook her head. "Oh yes, Mother! The only thing you are missing is a prince!"

Shelly took a set on the stool in front of her vanity and sighed as she thought about her date. Shelly was not excited to be attending this event with Augustus because she hated the attitude he had when discussing her relationship with Xerxes.

Speaking of Xerxes, in he walked. He too was dressed up for the ball though not near as dressy as her. He wore a nice suit and his hair was pulled up, though he still had that little part covering his eye.

"Look, Mother! Your prince has arrived!" shouted Sharon as she ran over to Xerxes. "Xerx-nii!" She grabbed him in a hug.

"Good evening Sharon-chan," he said returning her hug.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to Shelly. "Now you whisk her away to happily every after!" she shouted.

"Sharon," began Shelly, "Don't bother Xerxes. He's not here to play games he's here to accompany me to the ball as my valet."

"But, Mother," began Sharon, pouting as she drew out the word, "he's not the valet, he's the prince!"

"Sharon," began Shelly, sternly until Xerxes spoke up.

"It's alright, Shelly-sama," he began giving her a soft smile. He cleared his throat and held out his gloved hand to her. "Care to accompany me to the ball, my lady?"

Shelly knew he was just playing around for Sharon but she couldn't help but blush. She took his hand with a smile and said, "Why of course, good sir."

He helped her stand and they both paused a moment looking at each other. Xerxes had been smiling a lot more lately and Shelly was glad. She felt that maybe by giving him that haircut and talking with him a bit about his eye she was able to help him become like that.

They're moment was ruined, however, when Sheryl and Reim appeared at the door. Xerxes quickly jerked his hand away form Shelly and put it at his side as he bowed. "Dutchess."

"I see that the two of you are all ready for tonight," began Sheryl looking at her daughter and valet.

"Lady Shelly looks beautiful," said Reim.

"Thank you, Reim," said Shelly.

"Augustus should be arriving very soon. You two might want to make your way downstairs," said Sheryl.

"My lady," said Xerxes, holding out his arm to her.

She politely took it and off they headed out the door.

When they arrived downstairs Augustus was standing beside his carriage, all decked out in a fancy suit. When he saw Shelly he quickly walked toward her, grabbed her hand, and kissed it. "You look lovely, Lady Shelly."

"Thank you," she said, drawing her hand back quicker than she should. "You look very nice as well."

"I see you brought a valet to accompany you," he said with a bit of bitterness in his voice.

"Well, I usually like for one to be with me when I go places. I can get quite sick sometimes, often very sudden spells, and I just like knowing someone who works for the family is there to care for me," she replied. "Someone I trust."

He gave her a slight glare before motioning toward the carriage. "We should be off. Your valet can sit in the front with the driver."

X

When they arrived at the ball, Shelly was surprised at how large the whole event actually was. Tons of people where scurrying in and out of the mansion, all decked out in their best suits and dresses. Families from all over, some smaller and some, like hers, part of the most powerful ones around were all in attendance. Shelly had actually never attended the Summer Ball in the past, always due to illness, so she couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

"Are you ready, my dear?" asked Augustus as he appeared beside her door. He held his hand out to her to help her out which she reluctantly took. She noticed Xerxes standing off behind them and motioned for him to follow along as they headed inside.

The inside of the mansion was stunning. Tables decked out with the finest table linens, glowing marble columns and floors, chandeliers that sparkled.

As Shelly glanced around at the room, some women began approaching her and Augustus. "Oh is that Augustus Paget?" asked one of them.

Augustus nodded. "Yes, it is. It's good to see you again Margaret." He waved his hand at Shelly. "This is Lady Shelly Rainsworth."

"Rainsworth?" began one of the other women, "One of the four dukedoms? Wow you really know how to find a women, Augustus."

He smirked at Shelly. "Yes I do." He then glanced over at the dance floor then back at the group of women. "If you all would excuse us I would like to have a dance with my date."

So he took her hand and twirled her onto the dance floor. Shelly's face showed no emotion as they danced around. "You could try to look happy," he began.

"I'd rather not," she said. She kept looking over his shoulder trying to spot Xerxes in the crowd of people. When she did she noticed him silently standing by a wall in the back, absentmindedly glancing around the room.

When the orchestra stopped playing, Shelly quickly grabbed her head and stepped away from Augustus. "I'm feeling a bit light-headed. I'm going to do grab a drink and sit for a moment." She rushed away from him before he had a chance to say a word.

She quickly snaked her way through the crowd over to where Xerxes was at. He jumped in surprise when she grabbed his wrist. "Shelly-sama?"

"We're leaving," she began as she started dragging him out the door.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I'm tired of being here. I want to go home."

"Shouldn't you have Paget-sama escort you back?"

Shelly laughed sourly. "Heh, please. I certainly don't want to go back with him. Don't worry though. We can find our way home."

Xerxes just nodded as they continued away from the mansion. He noticed that Shelly hadn't let go of his wrist and it was starting to hurt. He gently slid his arm out of her grasp and then tangled his fingers in hers. She looked over at him, surprised, but then smiled and squeezed his hand tight.

They continued like this until they realized they were back in town, still a little ways from the Rainsworth home but not too far. Shelly noticed a commotion from down by the square. Flashing lights, music, people rushing toward it. Her curiosity was peaked.

"Xerxes, let's go see what's going on," she began as she starting tugging him toward the square.

"But don't we need to be on our way home?"

"What's one detour? Now come on."

When they reached the square, Shelly was surprised at what she saw. Tiny booths filled with shops, games, and food, clowns walking around trying to entertain children, a band playing on a small stage; it was a carnival.

Xerxes was just looking around, trying to take it all in, but Shelly was buzzing with excitement. "Come on Xerxes! Let's go have some fun!"

Xerxes didn't argue with her and off they went around the carnival. They were certainly out of place in their formal attire but no one seemed to mind. They went around to all the booths, grabbing cakes to eat and even playing some games. When they stopped at a booth that sold hats, Shelly snuck up behind Xerxes and placed a top hat on his head. "It's fitting on you," she said as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

He gently touched it. "You think so?"

She nodded. "You look very dapper. Like a true gentleman."

He turned to her, bowed, and held his hand out. "May I have a dance, Shelly-sama?"

Shelly smiled at him. Xerxes was becoming so much more fun as of late. He joked around more and wasn't as chained down by rules as he'd been before. And she knew she had a part in that. So she grabbed his hand and they made their way to the where the band was playing and began waltzing around.

Shelly knew that people were watching them in wonder but she only kept her eyes on Xerxes. "Where did you learn to dance so well?"

"...An old friend once taught me," he began, sadly. He shook his head, getting the memories to go away, and returned to the present. "You dance beautifully, Shelly-sama. I'm glad I was able to dance with you."

Shelly smiled as she rested her head on his chest. "Me too, Xerxes. Me too."

Well I hope that was worth the like 7 month wait. I'm sorry I'm so slow with updating guys but I really hope you all who stick with this fic enjoy it. Anyway in the next fic Sharon drags Shelly and Break into having a tea party with her. Hopefully it won't take me 7 months to get that one up but just keep looking out for it. As always reviews and constructive criticism are very much appreciated! Thanks to all who followed, favorited, and reviewed! See y'all next chapter! ;D