By the next week, Belle's father Maurice had fully recovered and set off for home. He of course had been reluctant, particularly because Belle had decided to stay a while longer. But his duties as a merchant won out, and he had to get back. His daughter had been sad to see him go, but that feeling was soon put aside with the help of her new friends, who from then on took it upon themselves to cheer her up and inspire her with thoughts of romance.

Indeed, Belle already felt at home in the castle, surprisingly more so than her own cottage in Villeneuve. She and Adrien also seemed to be quite taken with each other, much to everyone's delight. Hope and love continued to drive them, and as a grand gesture of such, a ball had been organized. Belle, of course, had been invited to attend as Adrien's partner. Meanwhile, Prince Henri had come back just in time for the ball, and was quite looking forward to catching up with his wife and friends.

While everyone was preparing for the event that evening, however, Anastasia stayed holed up in her room, debating whether to attend. On one hand, the last thing she wanted to do was cast a shadow over the happy occasion and make everyone else about as miserable as she was. On the other hand, she didn't want to feel sorry for herself and was determined to have as good a time as possible. The latter won out, and she got up to don the beautiful golden gown given to her by Madame de Garderobe, the castle's resident designer and opera singer.

Soon, she was ready, and proceeded to make her way down the vast hallway and winding staircase to the ballroom. Beautiful music could faintly be heard beneath the clamor of people talking and laughing.

As Anastasia made her entrance, Cinderella quietly excused herself from the company of Cogsworth and Lumiere, coming to stand by her sister. " Oh, Ana, you look positively beautiful! Gold suits you." She blushed at such praise. " Thank you, sister." But then she sighed. " I'm sorry. I feel a bit silly dressing up for a ball where there are really only five guests. Since I do not have a partner to dance with, I am content with the role of spectator. The four of you should simply enjoy yourselves and not mind me." Cinderella frowned. " Ana, what are you saying? Of course you must join in! In fact, both Henri and Adrien have promised two dances each with you. Oh, please don't be a spoilsport! Say you'll do it." Anastasia hesitated. The very thought of dancing with the one person she was trying desperately to avoid filled her with anguish.

With tears threatening to pour down her face, Anastasia shook her head. " I am sorry, Ella. I cannot do this after all." With that, she picked up her skirts and ran upstairs to her bedroom, not caring that her sister was frantically calling out for her, or that everyone else in the ballroom had fallen silent at the dramatic scene she had just made.

Finally entering her room, Anastasia flung herself down onto the bed, sobbing into her pillows. She hated herself for letting her emotions get the better of her, and could not bear to ever face her family or friends again. It was all too much for her, and the more she cried, the more she simply wanted to run away to a place where no one could find her; where she could forget her pain and start anew. As she got up to do just that, wiping away her tears in the process, the bedroom doors slowly opened.

Cinderella and Belle tentatively entered the room, looking extremely concerned. At the sight of them, Anastasia snapped, " Get out! Leave me be!" However, the two of them chose to ignore that and stepped closer to the poor woman. " No, Ana." Cinderella said gently. " How could I sit by and do nothing when my sister is clearly in pain? I am so sorry. As your sister, I should have noticed it from the beginning. So will you please tell me what is wrong?" Anastasia fixed her gaze on Belle. " I'll tell you what is wrong. Her." The latter exchanged a perplexed glance with Cinderella. " Me? Whatever do you mean? What did I do?" Anastasia's face fell. " No, I am sorry. Of course you did nothing wrong. How could you? I suppose that is why Adrien is clearly falling for you. I do not wish to be selfish or cruel, and so I will not stand in your way if you want to be with him. In fact, I wish you every happiness. Truly." " Do you mean to say…you have feelings of your own for Adrien?" Cinderella said in complete surprise. Her sister frantically shook her head. " No! Yes… oh, I don't know! I'm so confused."

The two young women rushed to Anastasia's side, enveloping her in a tight group embrace. " Anastasia, I am so sorry." Belle cries. " You have been nothing but kind to me since I arrived, and I repaid that kindness poorly. Like Cinderella, I failed to notice how you were truly feeling, but no more. I swear to you now that I while I greatly adore and respect the king, I am by no means in love with him. I am simply not the sort of person to be tied down, at least not for a while yet. However, I am afraid that you were right before; he does harbor some feelings for me. So, I think the best thing for everyone is for me to take my leave. I do not wish for you or King Adrien to go through any more pain on my part."

" No!" Anastasia protested. " Belle, you are my friend, and I will not lose a friend over this. Please stay. At least, stay for as long as you wish. I know you have to get home to your father soon."