Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Disney. All OCs and non-original names belong to me.

Chapter 7 – The Royal Ball

"Hear ye! Hear ye!" the town crier shouted to get everyone's attention. Silence filled the square, however, a dog continued barking. "QUIET!"

Whimpering, the dog complied. Clearing his throat, the town crier began to read from the scroll he was holding.

"Now! On this day, two weeks hence, there shall be held, at the Palace, a royal ball!"

The silence lingered as the crowd waited for the crier to continue.

"At said ball, in accordance with ancient custom, the Prince shall choose a bride. Furthermore, at the behest of the Prince, it is hereby declared that every maiden in the Kingdom, be she noble or commoner, is invited to attend! Such is the command of our most noble King."

Now that the invitations for the ball had been sent out, the Grand Duke increased Kit's monarchical training fourfold. Every second of his day was now planned to keep him fully occupied, leaving him with almost no time to relax. Kit didn't bother to protest. After all, he'd made the promise to his father that he'd submit to the Grand Duke's training. But whenever Kit felt bored, he'd let his mind wander back to the girl in the forest.

Which was precisely what he was doing now. He was supposed to be practicing his fencing skills along with the rest of his regiment, but he couldn't stay focused, even though he was sparring with Angus.

Seeing that the Prince wasn't a hundred percent focused on what he was doing, Angus decided to tease him a little. With a swift move of his arm, Angus brought his sword down on the Prince's shoulder, hitting the blade against one of the silver buttons. The noise seemed snap the Prince back to reality. With a heavy sigh, Kit realised that, had he been in a real battle, he would have lost his head. The thought made him cringe.

Something was definitely preoccupying the Prince's mind, and it sure wasn't fencing. Angus tapped Kit's shoulder lightly with the flat side of the sword's blade. "Wake up, Your Royal Highness. You're in a daze."

Kit turned away, inwardly kicking himself for letting his guard down. "I'm sorry."

"You've been off since the hunt," Angus admonished.

Turning, Kit started to leave the hall. "It's that wonderful girl," he shrugged innocently. "I can't stop thinking about her."

Angus walked alongside him. "But there are plenty of girls."

"But her spirit, her goodness…"

"You don't suppose she has a sister, do you?" Angus chuckled. From the way Kit described this girl, she sounded like a goddess of perfection.

Kit chuckled too, perfectly understanding why Angus had asked. "I don't know. I don't know anything about her." Aside from the fact that I am completely in love with her!

"Well, perhaps your mystery princess may come to the ball. That is why you threw the doors open, is it not?"

"Captain, it was for the benefit of the people." Kit chided.

"Of course. How shallow of me." But Angus couldn't hide his smile.

Two footmen fell into step behind. Kit handed his sword and gloves to one of them, exchanging them for a soft white cloth, which he used to wipe the sweat off his face.

"And if she comes?" What will I do then?

Angus could read Kit's unspoken thoughts. "Then you will tell her that you are a Prince," he replied firmly. "And a prince may take whichever bride he wishes."

"Ha!"

"Ha?"

"Yes, 'ha'!" Kit sighed despondently. "You know my father and the Grand Duke will only have me marry a princess."

"Well, if this girl from the forest is as charming as you say, they may change their minds."

You're dreaming, Angus! "Father might understand, but the Grand Duke? Never!" Kit said the last word bitterly.

"Well, there is always a way," Angus said thoughtfully. "You are a wily young fellow, after all."

True. I guess there are some advantages to appearing stupid. I just wish I was better at mathematics… Kit looked across at Angus. "And the King's wishes?"

Angus made eye contact with Kit. "He's a good man, and a good King. If he knows that you will rule the people fairly, and keep the Kingdom strong and the people happy, he will approve. I know it."

Kit's heart swelled with hope, and he smiled blissfully. "Then I pray that you are wiser than you look," he teased.

"How could you doubt it?"

Laughing, the two friends continued on their way.

Finally, the evening of the ball arrived. Kit could hardly keep still as his valets helped him to dress in a gorgeous cream and pale blue outfit, which had been tailor made for him just to wear at this ball. Kit had insisted on the blue, because it reminded him of the girl from the forest's pale blue dress. He sincerely hoped, and prayed, that she'd come tonight.

Shortly before 8pm, King Frederick, the Grand Duke and Angus came to fetch Kit from his dressing room. King Frederick smiled when he saw just how handsome his son looked. The Prince had really made an effort to impress tonight.

"Very smart, Kit," King Frederick quietly approved as he ran his eyes all over Kit.

"Thank you, father."

"Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Kit replied.

"Let's go then."

It wasn't long before Kit found himself walking down the hallway that led to the throne room, alongside his father. Up ahead, he could see a flurry of guests, mostly young women, being held back in the hallway by a line of guards.

"His Majesty the King, and His Royal Highness, Prince Christopher!" the Master of Ceremonies announced, and the guests bowed respectfully to them as they passed.

Upon entering the throne room, which would double as a ball room tonight, Kit saw some of the servants still lighting the candles in the chandeliers. Following his father, Kit went upstairs to the balcony, so he could watch the guests as they entered the room. Angus and the Grand Duke remained with them. Due to his illness, a throne had been provided for King Frederick.

Once the chandeliers had been lit and raised up to into their positions, the guests were allowed to enter the throne room. The noise of hundreds of screaming and squealing eager young ladies was more than enough to intimidate most men, but Kit ignored their antics. He only wanted to see one face tonight. Nothing else mattered to him.

As soon as the orchestra had begun to play quietly in the background, the Master of Ceremonies proceeded to announce each of the guests one by one.

"Princess Mei Mei of Frujian."

Kit took one look at the Princess as she descended the stairs. She wasn't the one.

"Princess Shahrzad of the Seljuqs."

Kit shook his head slightly. That wasn't her either.

On the opposite balcony, a rather forward young lady called out to Kit. "Your Highness!" Amused, King Frederick glanced up at Kit, who chuckled awkwardly.

"Princess Chelina of Zaragosa!"

Kit frowned. Princess Chelina looked like all of the other Princesses here tonight, and she definitely wasn't the girl from the forest either.

The Master of Ceremonies continued. "Princess Imani of Shona!"

No, that's not her either…

"Princess Hiina of the Chrysanthemum Throne!"

Kit couldn't help but notice that a footman was directing Chelian up to the royal balcony. Kit continued frowning. Surely, she's not bold enough to try and make an advance at me! At the very least, we'd have to be formally introduced first.

Before Kit could dwell on the situation further, a rather gaudy middle-aged woman appeared at the top of the stair. Behind her were two equally gaudy young maidens. They all looked so silly in their outlandish dresses that Kit very nearly laughed out loud.

"The Lady Tremaine and her daughters."

Oh, boy! Kit thought, and he rolled his eyes as the Master of Ceremonies continued.

"The very clever Miss Drizella and the very beautiful Anastasia."

Shaking his head to try and clear his memory of those women, Kit re-focused on the task at hand.

"The Lord Veneering."

Kit Frederick, who'd been watching Kit closely, finally spoke up. "Why do you keep looking at the stairs? Who are you looking for?"

Kit hesitated before answering. "No one."

But his father could tell when Kit was lying. "It's that girl in the forest, isn't it? That's why you were so generous with the invitations."

Kit tried very hard not to smile. "Father, it was for the people."

"I know you love the people, Kit. But I also know that your head's been turned. But you've only met her once, in the forest."

"And you would have me marry someone I met once, tonight," Kit countered.

"A Princess," King Frederick reminded him firmly. "It's a Princess or nothing."

Kit sighed. He didn't want to have to argue with his father tonight, so he decided to keep his mouth shut. After all, father cannot force me to propose to anyone. Even arranged marriages must be consented to…

Hearing someone cough behind him, Kit turned around. He came almost face-to-face with the Grand Duke, so he quickly took a step back.

Gregory bowed respectfully. "Your Highness. May I present Her Royal Highness, Princess Chelina of Zaragosa."

Kit gulped. So, this is the woman they would have me marry? Well, we'll see about that! Even while he was thinking those thoughts, Kit automatically raised Princess Chelina's hand to his lips, kissing it lightly.

"You are as handsome as your picture," Princess Chelina said, somewhat snobbishly. "And your little kingdom is enchanting."

"I hope the Princess will not find our 'little kingdom' too confining," Kit retorted, sounding equally as rude.

King Frederick raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he said nothing. Clearly, this is NOT love at first sight. But she IS a Princess. Perhaps they could learn to at least tolerate each other. No… That isn't what I want for Kit. I want him to find love, with a Princess.

But Princess Chelina was not easily offended. "It could be bigger… With the right friends, of course, and enough soldiers."

Kit pretended to be confused, but he could see where this conversation was heading. "I'm not sure I understand."

Princess Chelina placed a gloved hand on Kit's forearm. "Of course you do. They tell me you are very brave in battle."

Kit turned away from her as the painful memories of the war sprung to mind. "Brave or not, war is not what it is made out to be. There are many forms of bravery. People don't have to be brave only on the battlefield." He glanced pointedly at his father, hoping he would understand what he was saying. But King Frederick had his poker face on.

Just then, the Master of Ceremonies began speaking again, and a hush filled the room. Kit looked sadly down at the people on the throne room floor. The girl from the forest was not amongst them.

Where is she? She must be here somewhere! Perhaps I missed her, although I don't see how I could have. I saw every single lady enter the palace tonight.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness. My Lords, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished visitors and people of our land, the Prince shall now choose his partner for the first dance. Let our ball commence!"

A round of applause filled the room. Kit closed his eyes, knowing that he'd now have to ask Princess Chelina to dance, since he hadn't been introduced to any other young ladies. It would be highly impudent and improper for him to dance with someone he hadn't been introduced to.

Nice play, Grand Duke! You may have the upper hand now, but not even you can force me to marry.

Silence suddenly filled the room again. Curious, Kit opened his eyes, wondering what had happened. To his utmost amazement, he could see that a young lady had just entered the room, and she was standing at the top of the stairs, smiling down at everyone in total wonder. The girl was wearing the most stunning blue ball gown Kit had ever seen! But it wasn't the dress that made him smile broadly, or his heart beat faster with excitement.

It was the girl from the forest!

Hey everyone! I'm back! And I am so sorry it's taken me so long to update, but my computer died, so I've spent the past week trying to get one of my brothers' old ones up and running. The first one I tried also died, so I guess it's now third time lucky, lol! Luckily, I didn't lose anything, since I had it all backed up.

Thank you so much for your reviews! I have read them, and I am so glad that so many people are enjoying seeing things from Kit's P.O.V. When I watched the movie, I wanted to know more about what was going on inside his head, so I decided to write what I think he must have felt. The movie does mention that he's only just returned from war, so I decided to use that as my starting point. I can't imagine that Kit would've been able to push those horrific memories aside. Nobody, not even a Prince, has that mental strength.

Anyway, there's still a lot more to go with this story, so unless I have further computer problems, my updates should occur with the same regularity as before. Thank you so much for your patience!