Chapter 10

Serena started getting nervous as the palace finally came into view. What if Stepmother sees me? What if the prince doesn't like who he sees? What if I trip and fall? All of these questions and more ran through her head until the carriage finally came to a stop.

The door opened and an escort helped Serena out. "You are just in time, Madam," he said to her. "All of the women are being introduced to the prince." He led her through the castle towards the ballroom. Serena was in awe of her surroundings. The halls she walked through were decorated elaborately with beautiful paintings. Pictures of kings from generations past to present were hanging in neat order, but it was dark and hard to see the picture of the prince. "We're here, Madam," the escort said.

Serena turned around and was at the entrance to a brightly lit room where many people were gathered. "Thank…" she started to say to the escort, but he was already gone. Serena looked in the ballroom again and noticed a line of ladies for the first time.

"Presenting Rachel Marie and Anna Claire McFarland, daughters of Lady Beryl McFarland," a man's voice said. Serena squinted to see Rae and Ann approaching the throne to a very bored looking prince. He seemed polite enough as he bowed before each sister, but it looked like Ann was embarrassing herself and Rae was trying to hold back her laughter. He suddenly took Rae's hand and went to dance with her while Ann pouted and walked back to where Lady Beryl was standing.

Serena decided that was her cue to enter now that her stepsisters were distracted. "All right, Serena," she muttered to herself. "Just relax…" She took a deep breath and entered the ballroom at the top of the stairs, but stopped to admire her surroundings.

*******

The prince sighed as a couple of sisters curtsied in front of him. He stood up and bowed before them in the same manner as all the other girls. "Thank you for attending the ball," he said in a rehearsed tone. "I am honored that you came."

"It's an honor to be in your presence, Your Majesty," Ann said. "You are so much more handsome up close." The prince looked at her in confusion. "Not to say that you aren't handsome from far away… I mean I don't stalk you or anything… I mean…" Ann looked embarrassed as she continued to stumble over her words.

The prince shook his head and looked towards her sister who looked like she was holding back laughter. He smiled at her politely. She seems nice enough to dance with. He had been choosing random girls to dance with to give off the appearance that he was considering them for his father's sake. In truth he was waiting for someone special. "May I have this dance?" he asked Rae as he extended his hand towards her.

"I'd be delighted," Rae said before he led her to the dance floor. They waltzed together in silence and Rae was not extremely impressed. She sensed something about the prince when she looked him over once. He was dressed in royal garbs and had intense blue eyes and combed back black hair. Recognition suddenly struck her. "It's you," she whispered.

The prince was confused. "Whatever do you mean?" The music suddenly stopped and everyone stopped chattering. He stopped dancing with Rae and noticed everyone looking towards the top of the stairs. "What can possibly have everyone's attention so…" he stopped himself when he looked up and caught sight of what everyone was looking at. It was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life, but she was oblivious to what was going on because she was taking in all of her surroundings. It's her he thought excitedly. He smiled broadly, dropped Rae's hand, and went to the top of the stairs to meet her.

If it was another occasion Rae would have taken offense to the prince's behavior, but seeing the woman at the top of the stairs brought a smile to her face. She made it she thought happily as she went to stand with her mother and sister.

*******

Serena was still in awe of how elegant the ballroom was. The chandeliers seemed to go on for miles and the paintings on the ceilings were amazing. I can't believe I'm here she thought for the millionth time that night. She looked down the stairs and panicked briefly. She noticed that all the music stopped and all eyes were on her including her stepmother. Oh no I've caused a scene she thought dreadfully. Am I not supposed to stand here? Does Stepmother recognize me? A tap on the shoulder interrupted her thoughts. She turned around and came face to face with the prince himself. He had intense blue eyes and deep black hair that was combed back. She could have sworn she saw those eyes somewhere before, but she couldn't remember where. "It's a pleasure to be here, Your Majesty," Serena finally said quietly before curtsying.

The prince took her hand and kissed it. "The pleasure is all mine," he said. "Would you care to dance with me?" He led her to the dance floor before she had a chance to answer as the music started again and people resumed their conversations.

As Serena danced with the prince, she could hear the whispers of people around her. "Who is she?" "She must be royalty from another land." "She's so beautiful and graceful." Serena just smiled as she danced with the prince and enjoyed her time in the spotlight for once. They ended up dancing together for hours before they finally took a break.

"I think I am all danced out," the prince commented. "Let's go outside for some fresh air."

Serena nodded as he led her out the back door to a garden filled with various flowers. "This is beautiful," she said in awe.

"It doesn't compare to you," the prince said never taking his eyes off of her. Serena blushed. He spun her around and got a good look at her. "Do you know how beautiful you look under the moonlight tonight?" he asked as he turned her to face him.

"I'm not that pretty," Serena said looking down. "It's just the dress and the makeup."

"No it isn't," the prince said leading her to a bench and sitting them both down. He cupped her chin and made her look up at him. "It wouldn't have mattered how you dressed tonight because you'd still be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." The prince stared into Serena's eyes for a few moments. "Forgive me for being forward," he said inching closer to her face. "But there is something that I've been wanting to do for a long time."

"And what's that?" Serena asked softly as she inched closer to him. The prince finally closed the gap between their faces and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. Serena wasn't sure what to say. The prince just kissed her and seemed to enjoy it. "Thank you," she finally said softly.

He smiled at her innocence. "I have something I must tell you…" The clock suddenly struck loudly and he noticed his companion tense up.

"Oh dear, what time is it?" Serena asked frantically as she looked at the tower clock. It read midnight. "I'm terribly sorry Your Majesty, but I must leave. Goodbye." She started running back to where they had come from and the prince ran after her.

"Wait!" he yelled as they ran through the ballroom. I didn't finish. He ran as fast as he could determined to catch up with her.

Serena was a good distance ahead of the prince and was running down the palace steps until she felt one of her slippers come off. Oh not now she thought in despair. She quickly ran back up the steps to retrieve her shoe. When she got to the step where the shoe was a few steps from the top, the prince stopped at the top of the stairs. Serena looked up and froze. All of the running they did made both of them look a bit disheveled and the prince's hair was out of its neat style. His bangs now fell messily in his face almost covering his eyes. She instantly remembered why his eyes looked so familiar; they belonged to Derek. Serena snapped out of her stupor and ran away even faster without her shoe.

"Please wait," the prince practically begged as Serena ran into her carriage. By the time he reached the street, the carriage had already taken off leaving him behind. The prince bent down and rested his hands on his thighs to catch his breath. "I love you," he said quietly. He went back up the stairs and picked up the shoe she left behind. I will find you, my love. He went back inside the palace holding the shoe like a priceless treasure.

*******

Serena held her face in her hands as the carriage rode down the street. She was still shocked by her discovery that the man she fell in love with so long ago was actually the prince. Derek is the prince she thought for the thousandth time. She knew in the back of her mind that she was still in love with Derek and being with him at the ball tonight made it reality, but there was still a problem. Serena wasn't sure if he recognized her. What if he just fell in love with the woman in the beautiful dress and forgot all about me? She groaned loudly. It was just too good to be true, but it doesn't matter now. I'll never see him again anyway. Serena sighed heavily and began taking off all the makeup and jewelry.

Author's notes: Yes, I'm leaving you with a cliffhanger. There are 2 chapters left and an epilogue. What do you think? I appreciate feedback and constructive criticism.