Elise stood on the stairwell to the main entrance to the castle, with mask and Nicolette's handwritten invitation in hand. She took a deep breathe placed the mask on her face and slowly walked up to the open castle doors. The faint music from the main ballroom gave her the courage to go on. She walked past the ceremonial guards and into the ballroom. Elise felt many eyes, including the princes turn to her as she gracefully entered the room. She caught the smile that Nicolette sent her. Elise stood on the edge of the dance floor far from her stepfamily.

When the prince approached Elise to dance for the third time all eyes turned to them. She could hear the whispers that spread throughout the castle as she and Octavian spun around the dance floor lost in the moment. When the dance ended Elise noticed the time and ran from the ballroom leaving everyone to wonder who the girl that captured the prince's heart was.

Elise ran to the carriage that awaited her in the courtyard. The carriage carried her home. She entered her home to see the maid waiting for her. "I was worried you wouldn't make it on time." she said as she helped Elise out of her ball gown. Elise put away her gown and her shoes. She showed the maid out and then she sat in front of the fireplace awaiting the return of her stepfamily.

At two her stepmother and stepsister came thru the door. Allegra and Lady Sora barking orders while Helena followed behind. Elise helped each of the ladies out of there dresses and heard all about the ball.