The ball was filled with ladies and gentlemen dancing and laughing to music. Standing at the thrones in the ballroom were Tito and Manny who politely greeted all the guests after their names were announced.

"Annoucing the arrival King Baffi and his granddaughter Princess Sophia."

The old man and his granddaughter approched them.

"Hello again my prince." Sophia giggled.

"Oh no." He thought. "Good evening your highness. I hope you enjoy the ball."

"Care to dance?"

"Not now."

She left them and made her way to the food table.

"Announcing the arrival of the Baron Gustavo and his sister the Baroness Zoe."

Everyone gazed in awe at the lovely Baroness who approached the prince with her best smiled.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Manny." She held out her hand which he kissed.

"The pleasure is mine." Manny said.

"Would you honor me with a dance?"

"Of course."

Zoe and Manny began to waltz to the cheery music along with everyone else. All eyes seemed to be on Zoe, it appeared she had won the prince's favor.

"You are quite handsome sweet prince."

"Thank you."

"I hear you are searching for a bride. Any women in mind?"

"Not yet in all fairness no girl has really got my attention."

"That is until tonight you mean."

"Huh?"

"Me, I've caught your eye."

"Oh."

"Aren't I beautiful? Have you ever seen anyone more fair?"

"I must admit you are lovely."

"But aren't the I fairest you've seen?"

"Well I...I...I..."

His gaze shifted from her to a different person along with everyone else. Zoe turned to see that everyone was starting at a mysterious and beautiful maiden who had arrived. Frida wasn't sure why everyone was looking at her, did she look funny? She hoped not.

"Uh...Uh...Name?" The announcer said nervously.

It took Frida awhile to think of a name.

"Lady Blue."

Not the best name but better than nothing.

"Annoucing the arrival of the beautiful Lady Blue."

Frida or Lady Blue continued down the stairway, everyone's gaze was on her. Manny as if in a trance broke away from Zoe and went to greet the maiden.

"Good evening my lady." He lifted her gloved hand and kissed the back of it just as he had done when they first met. Frida was tempted to jerk away again but she remembered she had to act like a proper young lady.

"Good evening to you as well your highness."

"So are you new here Princess?"

"Oh no. I'm not a princess I'm just here for the free food."

Frida started to feel flustered and nervous. Slow, romantic music began to play.

"May I have this dance Princess?" He asked.

"It...It would be my honor."

His hand interlocked with hers, while his free hand cane to her waist and hers lightly gripped his shoulder. They danced together in perfect sync, he hoisted her up and spun her around then carefully dipped her. Everyone clapped and they began to whisper about her.

"Who is that woman?"

"Where is she from?"

"I don't know."

"Could she be a princess?"

"I do believe the prince has fallen for her."

"She's beautiful."

"I've never seen such beauty since the late queen."

"Dare I say her loviness surpasses even the Baroness's."

When the song finished everyone began to dance as well. Zoe felt envy, rage, and jealousy boil and burn with in her body. It only seemed to grow when she watched the two dance with each other romantically.

"Zoe are you okay?" Her brother asked concerned.

Suddenly she collapsed, he quickly scooped her up and carried her somewhere to rest. As for Manny and Frida they managed to slip out of the crowd and on to a balcony.

"Finally a moment to breathe." Frida said. "I do wonder how you royals participate in those balls without suffocating."

"Actually I don't really like balls that much. I used to but that was when my parents were here."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright."

"So I've been meaning to ask why is there a table filled with sliver and gold out in the open?"

"Oh that's just part of my uncle's pitiful plan to capture El Tigre."

"You mean the masked bandit who's been robbing him blind?"

"You've heard of him?"

"Yes."

"What do you think of him?"

"In all honesty I find him annoyingly cocky but I admire what he does. It's time someone stood up to that tyrant." Frida forgot she was talking to Tito's nephew and feared for her life but to her relief he agreed with her.

"I know my uncle shouldn't rule."

"You're the prince. Shouldn't you be in charge?"

"Yes but my father left my uncle the ruler of our kingdom until he returns."

"Or until you turn eighteen."

"What?"

"By royal law once an heir reaches the age of eighteen then he or she will succeed the former ruler and be the new king or queen. If I'm correct you turned eighteen two months ago so how come you're not the ruler?"

"I don't know."

Before they could go further into the subject there was a loud crash and Tito's triumphed laughter filled the air.

"At last I have captured El Tigre!"

"What? Excuse my lady I'll be right back!" Manny ran inside to see what Tito was gloating about. Only to discover that the supposed El Tigre he had captured was just a little boy who had tried to steal a sliver goblet off the table. "Oh come on, is Uncle that stupid?"

"I already told you I'm not El Tigre!" The boy said.

"You tried to steal from me so it has to be you!"

"Guess again ugly!" He turned angrily to see Manny in his El Tigre attire standing on the table. "Nice party, am I invited?"

"Size him!" Tito ordered.

The guards lunged for the masked young man. Manny pulled out his sword and began to fight them off.