How was I going to tell him? I never broke up with anyone before… especially for someone else. I shouldn't have to be the one to do this. Ben looked so happy when I talked to him before. I even encouraged him to see her again. And now I have to tell him it's over? I couldn't. So, I decided to avoid Ben. I thought for the time being, it was for the best.

My next lesson was very frustrating. Cecelia took me to the ball room. She said I needed to learn how to ball room dance. There would be many people attending and she didn't want me to look foolish. She asked if I have ever danced before.

"Sure! All the time!" I replied

"With a partner?"

"I've dance with Eugene before. And the people in town."

She didn't look so pleased with my answer. I noticed a man standing by. He was tall and skinny and wore a fancy looking outfit. He was my new dance partner and apparently, he was a professional. Cecelia couldn't wait to get us started. She had asked Kimberly to play the harp for us while we danced. I soon realized ball room dancing is nothing like the dancing I usually do. It involves many steps. My dance partner tried to hide his frustration when I stepped on his foot for the hundredth time. But I couldn't help it. It was all very confusing.

Kimberly stopped playing and my lesson finally ended. Overall, I didn't do very well.

"We'll try again tomorrow. Please try and cooperate. The ball is in three days." Cecelia reminded me. She also reminded me to finish reading the books she gave me. She said she couldn't wait to hear my thoughts. I groaned silently to myself. The books were still sitting on my desk, not a single page read.

I decided to go outside for a bit before reading. I took Eugene and Max out to the field to practice my archery. That's right! Archery! I quickly took an interest when my father showed me. Something about it made me feel, I don't know… stronger? I wasn't the greatest, I'll admit, but I was determined to get better. I mean, without my long hair, I needed another weapon (Besides, a frying pan).

"I think I'm finally getting the hang of this!" I announced. I let go of the bow and it just missed my target. "Okay… maybe not."

I glanced Eugene who had a smirk on his face. That only made me more determined.

"Okay! This time for sure!" Both eyes open, shoulders relaxed, deep breath. Remembering what my father told me, I successfully hit my target. Max whinnied with delight and I immediately looked at Eugene to see his face. He looked shocked, then proud, acting like he knew I could do it all along.

"Way to go!" He shouted. I rolled my eyes. He shrugged, innocently "What? I knew you could do it."

I noticed Diana walking this way and bit my lip. She wanted to know how it went with Ben, but I'd been avoiding him just as much as she was.

"I… didn't talk to him." I admitted, going back into my stance.

She groaned "Rapunzel"

I released my arrow and it went flying over my target into a bush. I huffed and turned to her. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't do it. You should've seen his face yesterday when I mentioned you. He looked so happy."

She stood up straighter, almost forcing herself to say these words. "Fine. I'll do it myself."

"Don't look now, but here's your chance." Eugene warned. Ben was on his way over and Diana turned back around, pretending not to notice.

"He's getting closer" Eugene smirked

Diana gave him a dirty look.

"Hey, guys." Ben smiled "Hey, Diana."

She turned to face him and her face softened a little.

"Diana here has something to tell you." Eugene said. I nudged him in the ribs.

Diana took Ben's hand and pulled him a little distance away from us. It was hard not to ease drop.

"Here, I made you something." Ben pulled out something from his pocket and handed it to her. It was a sea shell necklace and I didn't understand why he made her that in particular.

Her jaw dropped "You made this?"

Ben grinned "You bet. I thought you might like it."

She looked down at the necklace hanging from her hand then back up at Ben. "I… I don't know what to say."

He shrugged "It was nothing, really… So what did you have to tell me?"

Diana looked back at me. She knew I was listening.

"Ummm… I just wanted to tell you that the other night was, um, really fun."

He smiled "It was. If you're not busy some other time, we could, if you want-"

"Are you asking me out on a date, Mr. Cooper?" She asked with a playful smile.

"Uh, yeah, I guess I am… I hope that's okay."

She smiled softly. "I would love to." That's when I realized she couldn't fight it. She loved him too much. She couldn't break his heart and she couldn't break her own. And that made her freak out…

"I don't know what I'm doing. I have no clue what I'm doing!" she cried. We were in the castle now and I gave Eugene a worried look.

"Look, I think you need to relax." Eugene said

Diana laughed in panic "You don't understand. This isn't fair to Ben. He doesn't know that I'm engaged."

"Then tell him. I'm sure he'd understand." I offered

She shook her head. "I can't. Especially now that I'm going to see him again. I wouldn't want things to feel weird between us."

She had a good point. That would make it weird. And it could even ruin the relationship.

"My sisters are watching me like hawks. They didn't tell my mother about the other night… but if they catch me with Ben again, they might." Diana added

"Don't worry. We'll come up with something. Your sisters won't suspect a thing."

Diana wanted a date with Ben but after seeing her freak out like that, I thought it would be best if Eugene and I went too. Like a double date. So I thought we could all go to the Snuggly Duckling. Diana seemed to like the idea but she worried over what we'd tell her mother. I knew Cecelia would never allow it if we told the truth. So I came up with a plan.

"Eugene and Ben will wait for us just outside the kingdom while you and I deal with your mother." I explained "We'll tell her that we're going on a boat ride with Eugene and that he's waiting for us at the docks. That way Ben wouldn't be seen leaving with us."

Diana frowned "You want to lie?"

Did she have to say it like that? I felt bad enough. "Is there any other way?"

She shrugged "We could just go on that boat ride."

"We promised the guys we'd be back soon, remember?" Besides, she had so much fun last time. She really broke out of her shell. Why wouldn't she want to go back?

"Okay." She agreed

Asking for Cecelia's permission wasn't easy. Lying to my parents would've been impossible. Luckily, they weren't in the room. I never really lied before, so I didn't know if I sounded convincing. Cecelia was thoughtful for a long moment and I was starting to think she didn't believe me.

"Mr. Fitzherbert is taking you?" she suddenly asked.

Oh no, I forgot. She hates Eugene!

"Yes… but he's very careful on boats. He makes us wear life jackets and everything." I said.

That reminded me of the time Eugene and I were out on a boat, just us two. He kept saying that there was a sea monster beneath us. I didn't believe him until the boat started rocking. I freaked out and then it flipped over! I soon realized he was just trying to scare me and it was him rocking the boat all along. (In my defense, I could have sworn I saw something.) I was mad for at least a full minute… then I got over it and we started laughing and splashing each other. So no, he's not very careful… But we weren't really going on a boat so it didn't matter!

"I see. And you really wish to go on this boat ride?" Cecelia said, looking directly into Diana's eyes, almost testing her to see if she'd crack.

But Diana held her ground. "Please, mother?"

Cecelia finally gave in "Very well. As long as you're back before curfew."

"Of course!" Diana grinned

"We promise!"

A/N: Sorry for the delay! I was planning to post this over the weekend but I never had the time. It might still need some grammar editing so go easy on me. I'll just fit it later. Reviews would be lovely!