My dress trailed far and red behind me. The moon was clear and bright, illuminating the few shadows of the castle with pearl. I climbed the main steps to the entrance, making my way past intoxicated party goers and chattering groups of splendidly dressed nobles, ascending towards the enchanting glow of the ball and the soft music that accompanied it.

The guards at the door regarded me warmly, asking for my name in order to announce my entrance. I blushed and hastily declined, before turning my gaze to the inside of the palace's large, decorated hall that dazzled with lights, gowns, and finery of every manner. I involuntarily gasped- never before had I beheld such a sight. There was an entire floor full of dancing guests buzzing with excitement.

I picked up my dress, and decided to join.

"Glass of wine?" A finely dressed palace worker offered a tray of refreshments.

"Oh, no thank you-" I began to reply, when suddenly I caught a glimpse of Didi an Anna through the crowd. They weren't far from where I was standing, but they weren't looking at me either. I could see the girls twirling around with each other, laughing with mouthfuls of food and wine.

Where is Lorna?

I did not see her with them, but I didn't want to be spotted, so I ducked into the crowd of guests and wound my way through them, to the back of the hall near the band of violinists. As I traveled, I gained many second glances and curios looks. No one knew me, so it was understandable that I stood out.

But I was just happy to be there.

As I mused around the hall, I passed a mirror on the wall. I stopped to peer at myself momentarily. The fairy had cleaned me up well; I didn't look sick as I had felt earlier, waking up from the poison. My cheeks were rosy with energy and my hair fell in heavy curls around my shoulders and down my back. I hadn't brushed it, so I knew that was magic. The dress was as gorgeous as I had thought, but equally frightening. How could I not stand out while wearing this rosy red spectacle? Diamonds glittered from the bodice and the velvety texture represented me as a girl far wealthier than I could ever be. Embarrassed, I hastily moved forward, away from the mirror, and wandered over to a vast table full of food—the most beautiful, exotic, and delicious smelling dishes I had ever beheld. My stomach felt hallow, so I helped myself to a bowl of strawberries.

"Excuse me," a feminine voice came from behind me. Startled, I swiftly set the strawberries down, turning apprehensively. A girl who appeared to be the same age as me stood before me, her pink dress glittering in the light of the many chandeliers overhead. "Are those slippers made of glass?"

I had forgotten about my glass slippers. I lifted my dress a bit just to double check, then I nodded sheepishly.

She smiled to me, her expression joyous, "They're marvelous," she gushed, "and so unique. I've never seen any like those before. I'm Tamsin."

"Oh," I said, taken aback, "thank you very much! My name's Mary."

She tilted her head, staring at me for a second. "Have we met before?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so. It's my first time here, anyway." Then it struck me, as I quickly studied her face; I had definitely seen her before—on one of Didi and Anna's social outings. Tamsin had been a part of a group of girls they once had tea with. I was there to carry my step sisters' findings at the market. Her and I had never spoken, at least. I could feel the nervous heat rising to my cheeks, but Tamsin took no notice.

"Isn't this place incredible?" she asked, clapping her hands together, "I even got to dance once with the prince!"

My heart skipped a beat. I had forgotten the reason I came! "Prince Stefan?" I asked, "how do you meet him?"

She laughed, "Everyone gets to meet him tonight. I think he's in the garden now, actually. It is quite warm in here." Tamsin fanned herself dramatically.

"What was he like?" I asked eagerly, "Was he fair and just?"

Tamsin took me by the arm and steered me through the crowd, "I can hardly say, I think he's quite overwhelmed with all this going on. How can he expect to pick his princess in one night? Besides, there are probably only a few girls here truly hoping to marry him. I myself have a dowry in place for the son of Lord Cartwright. We're the same age."

"Well, that's nice," I said awkwardly, unsure of whether it was or wasn't. Had my father lived, surely I would've had a dowry of my own, and matched off to a wealthy family. That reality had been taken away from me long before I could even consider it. But how could I have been happy when that future offered no freedom?

"Are you hoping to meet the prince?" She asked me.

"It was my mother's intention that I would, before she died," I admitted out loud, "but I don't know—something just doesn't feel right."

"I don't blame you for feeling that," she sighed, "Those hoping to fall in love on first sight are delusional. It just really doesn't work that way."

She led me out of the golden hall and through tall doorways decorated with stained glass into the posh courtyard, where the air was fresh and the shadows long and flickering. The music from inside wafted out with the breeze and danced across the full moon's light.

"There's even a hedge maze out here," Tamsin gushed, "I wish I could visit every day."

I gazed around at the vast garden, wide eyed. There were many few guests socializing outside, but the wine was flowing just the same and the sound of laughter was constant. A joker weaved his way through the circles of groups, doing flips and contortions with fire, the bells on his hat ringing. "I've never seen one of those before!" I gasped.

Tamsin offered me a dubious glance, "You mean a fool?"

We traversed over to a bubbling fountain, with an edge like a bench so one could sit and enjoy the water if they chose.

"If you'll excuse me," she murmured, "I hope we will talk again." Tamsin tip toed over to a group of drinking guests and joined in on their gossip, so I began to admire the grandeur of the fountain, contemplating on what to do next.

I accepted a glass of wine—my first glass of wine ever—from one of the palace workers, and took a large gulp. It was probably quite rich, but also very delicious. That was when I heard Lorna's voice.

There was a cacophonous cackle, "Why should I give her to you, after you fell through with our deal? My girls are wearing recycled fabric that was thrown together in one day to look presentable for tonight, and the prince hasn't even glanced their way. This is your fault!"

Her voice was far enough away to where I knew she couldn't notice me, but a very cold sensation of paralysis swarmed my spine, and I stood, as still as a statue, clutching my wine glass and listening intently.

A man's voice followed, "Your priorities are confused," he replied smoothly, "the girl is mine because I have paid off your debts and erased the skeletons from your closet, including your late husband's. I don't truly give a damn what kind of fabric your daughters are wearing tonight, I want only what is mine and by that I mean by law. She is legally now my ward and I will be claiming her tomorrow day."

Lorna scoffed, "If I don't turn her into the king's police first! I have evidence that she is a thief-"

"Don't test me, Lady DeWitt," the man's voice was aggressive. I knew it had to be Lord Terrowin, the man she planned to sell me off to. The man who needed a wife.

Slowly, as if time were still standing still, I turned my head to carefully peer over my shoulder. Lorna was not facing me; I could see the exaggerated volume of the back of her dress trailing through the grass, snaking around the darkened grass like a shimmering blue serpent. Lord Terrowin stood opposite her, a tall thin man of maybe fifty. He leaned on a cane, but otherwise looked healthy. His face, though, was not that of a happy man's. The shadow beneath his eyes seemed to fall over his smile. I quickly looked away as his eyes scanned the courtyard. They continued to bicker, and I realized with fear that I needed to go unseen now more than ever.

I followed the shadows of the courtyard into the garden, where the hedges loomed high and thick. I took another gulp of wine to soothe my nerves, and wandered down a lone path lined with rose bushes. Tip toeing, quiet as a mouse, putting as much distance as I could think between me and Lorna, I continued on into the heart of the beautiful and vast garden, the music from the party fading behind me. All the way back here, fireflies began to light the path. I plucked one of the roses from a bush and took in its scent. That's when I heard a crunch of pebbles, and my heart spasmed wildly in my chest as I spun, expecting to see Lorna's cruel face leering before me.

There was a boy. He looked just as surprised as I was.

"I'm sorry," he said immediately, "I didn't know anyone else was back here."

"Oh—no, it's fine. I startle easy," I assured him, clutching the rose still tightly. He was posed before me, hesitant. Unsure, I began to turn from him.

"Wait," he said suddenly, "are you going deeper into the garden? You'll get lost by yourself back there. Trust me, it's a labyrinth."

I regarded him curiously; he was dressed in all white, embroidered with gold. His hair was brush neatly back behind his ears, and his face was handsome and kind.

"I was actually-" here, I took a deep breath, "I was actually trying to avoid someone back there."

"Oh?" he asked, "what a coincidence. So was I."

A strange moment of silence passed between us.

"What's your name?" he asked.

I glanced around quickly, making sure there was no one lurking in the shadows. "My name's Mary," I whispered, "what's yours?"

"Stefan."

I nearly choked on my wine, "As in, the prince of this castle?"

He sighed, "Yes. Maybe we could forget about that part." His gaze fell to the ground.

"Of course we can," I said.

"Good," he briskly replied, "so maybe if we share a problem, we can remedy it together too. Will you do me the honor of joining me for a walk? I've had quite enough dancing for tonight."

It was the prince who took my arm this time, and under the moonlight led me on.