What's going in there?" Frida wondered when she heard the ruckus.

She walked back inside the ballroom to see people running while the guards tried to arrest El Tigre. She noticed he was outnumbered and might need some help. She knocked out the guards with one punch and stole his sword which she used to fight them off. Manny wasn't the only one who was taught fencing, her father had trained her since she was three and she was a fast learner.

"Not bad for a lady." Manny said as he watched her fight.

"I could say the same for you." She giggled.

Neither one of them were paying attention to their opponents as they chatted which was very impressive.

"So are you here alone tonight?" The masked bandit asked.

"Actually I think I had a date." The masked lady replied. "But it seems he was scared off."

"Don't believe everything you see Senorita. Who knows he could be fighting a battle as we speak."

"Really?"

"I happen to know the prince."

"Is that right?"

"Yep! So got a name?"

"Lady Blue. Hold on a moment." Two guards lunged at her. She jumped up and drop kicked them in the face. Then landed gracefully on the floor. Manny appaulded then knocked out the last three with one stroke.

"Thanks for the help." He said.

"You're welcome but I should be going."

"Wait what is your name?"

"I already told you."

"No I mean your real name."

"Sorry Senor but that's for me to know and you to find out. Also if you see the prince tell him I enjoyed our dance and I'll never forget as long as I live."

She began to run back upstairs. Manny went behind a curtain and changed back.

"Wait!" Manny tried to follow her but he lost her in the crowd of people. Frida had just ran outside when she felt Gustavo grab her and pull her into the carriage with them and it drove off back to their manor. When Manny finally made it out only to discover his masked princess had vanished without a trace. No, there was something she had left behind on the stairs. It was a necklace of sliver thread and pearls.

...

Back at the manor Lady Blue was roughly being pulled along by Gustavo who threw her at the feet of Zoe. The Baroness looked like she was about to explode with rage. Before Frida could stop her she ripped off her mask.

"You!" She shrieked. "You sneaky little tart! What do you think you were doing talking to my prince?"

"Your prince?"

"And where did you get that dress?"

"It was a gift."

"A gift? Who would give a little nothing like you a gift?"

"For your information I am not a nothing and the prince is not yours."

"Oh is that right? Is he yours?"

"He doesn't belong to anyone! He's a person not some gem you can wear!"

"You're making me very angry."

"Good! Cause you've been making me sick ever since we first met. You underestimate the prince, he's not some mindless idiot who will fall for your looks."

"How little you understand men. I don't know how you got out but I will see to it that you never see the light of God again."

Frida spat right in her eye causing her to shriek. Gustavo quickly took her back to the cellar. In rage Zoe went back to her room and angrily began smashing all her furniture, tearing her curtains and sheets, and smearing her make up. She then looked in her looking glass to find that she looked greatly wrecked and worn. Not her usual lovely appearance.

"Wha...What is happening to me?"

Her reflection changed into her mother's image.

"Your power is fading." Her mother spoke.

"But why?"

"Because you are no longer the fairest of them all. I fear there is a maiden more fair than you."

"Who?"

Her mother's image changed into Frida.

"Her?! Why her?!"

The image of Frida became Carmelita again.

"She was blessed with the gift of beauty at birth. Her beauty surpasses all including yours."

"What must I do?"

"Consume her heart and there shall never again be anyone more fair than you."

"Yes and I know just the person to do it."

"You want me to do what?" Gustavo gasped when he received orders from his sister.

"I want her killed."

"Killed? Zoe isn't that a bit rash?"

"She's a threat to everything. Take her into the woods, kill her, then cut out her heart and bring it back for me to eat."

"Zoe are you mad? Oh no you've been talking to Mother again haven't you? Zoe please I beg of you don't do what she did. When Mother killed the good queen it cost her, her freedom. If you kill this innocent maiden you'll suffer the safe fate if not then worse."

"Well it's a good thing you're going to kill her."

"Me? Zoe in case you haven't noticed I'm not exactly violent."

"Well then it's time you learn. Bring back her heart or you'll suffer!"

Frida's hands were tied behind her back and Gustavo took her deep into the forest where no one could hear her scream. Gustavo held the knife firm in his hand and turned Frida to face him.

"Please don't kill me!" Frida begged. "Please!"

"I'm sorry but if I defy my sister it will cost me dearly."

"Wait! Then grant me one last request."

"What is that?"

"A moment of prayer before I die and a message to my sisters and my nurse Mona. Tell them that I love them and that I'm grateful for everything they've done for me."

"Oh God." He said. "You're too good. I can't do it! If I do Zoe will end up like our Mother."

"What do you mean?"

"Our mother was jealous of Queen Maria so she killed her and now she's trapped forever. It caused our father to die of grief. If Zoe gives into jealousy and causes your death she'll be lost as well." He cut the ropes holding Frida. "Run beautiful girl! Run! And never come back!"

He left her while she ran as fast as her legs could carry her through the dark woods. She heard wolves howling and bats screeching, the wind blew hard and the cold felt like knives piercing her skin. She tripped a few times but forced herself to get back up and continue running. She had never been so tightened in all her life. Exhaustion got the better of her and she fell down by a tree. Then she did something she hadn't done since she was seven years old, she cried. She cried harder than she ever had in her life. As she cried she silently prayed in her mind that God would spare her from the wild beasts and the harsh conditions that night. It was not long before her tears made her drowsy and she fell asleep.