Elijah struggled to keep the bored look off his face as he greeted another lady. He smiled politely and kissed her hand before focusing on the next lady. All night every face blurred together in his mind. Ever so often he'd ask a lady to dance, there would be a period of him switching dance partners but his heart wasn't in it.

Mikael looked on from the head of the room. He didn't know it but Elijah had no intention of picking a bride. He would have rather had his father randomly pick one than to go one with this farce as if he actually had a choice in who to marry.

"The lady Charlotte of Frenchman." Marcel announced.

She bowed. "Your grace."

Elijah smiled. "The pleasure is all mine, my lady."

Next to Mikael Esther sighed. "This wasn't a good idea."

He turned to his wife. "My lady?"

"Look at our son. This is supposed to be a celebration and it feels like a funeral. My king is brilliant but this idea was a failure."

"The night isn't over yet." Mikael calmly replied.

On the dance floor some couples waltzed. Among them were Rebekah and Kol.

"I forget you have two left feet." She griped.

"Serves you right for dragging me out here. I know you're uncultured but the gentleman is supposed to ask the lady to dance."

"I'm well aware of the rule, I'm also aware that you're not a gentleman so the rule doesn't apply. I needed rescuing."

"From all of your suitors? Are you actually running from attention? Someone alert the court clerk, I want this written in the annals!"

"Shut up and spin me."

He did, and they switched partners. Rebekah dancing with Finn while Kol danced with Sage.

Before Marcel announced the next lady a bold flash of color caught Elijah's attention out the corner of his eye. He looked and found none other than Hayley standing at the top of the grand staircase.

She wore a dark salmon colored dress that made her olive toned skin glow. The dress boldly showed her shoulders. A single strap came from the left side of her bodice, which was simply yet elegantly outlined in what appeared to be diamonds. In the middle was an extravagant design that made up for the rest of the dress which lacked any adornment. As opposed to the rest of the ladies in attendance Hayley's gown simply hung down instead of billowing out; it accented her slim figure perfectly. Her normally straight hair hung down her back in curls and the makeup she wore heightened her exotic look. She wore a salmon colored mask over her eyes but Elijah swore he could see her hazel eyes sparkle from across the room.

Elijah's mouth hung open as she descended the stairs, all eyes on her. The orchestra stopped playing and the only sound heard was her heels clicking against the marble floor. Slowly Elijah made his way over to her. He was waiting at the end by the time she was at the last step.

Hayley curtsied. "My lord."

Elijah reached out his hand and raised her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Call me Elijah."

Hayley's smile was huge. "Call me Hayley."

He held out his hand. "May I have this dance my lady?"

"I thought you'd never ask." She took his hand and they walked towards the dance floor, ignoring everyone's stares.

The orchestra played a beautiful medium speed tune that Elijah and Hayley danced to. After the song ended Hayley moved to leave but Elijah pulled her back close. Another song started and she looked at him with surprise.

"Shouldn't you dance with another lady?"

"I'm not required to."

Hayley shook her head. "Your father—"

"Wants to see the lady that most pleases me." Elijah said as they rocked back and forth. He spun her. "I say we let him see." Hayley blushed and smiled at him. "What are you doing back here?"

"The full moon passed. I can spare a night away from my people." She frowned. "Not that you told me about this little get together the last time we talked."

"I didn't see what good it would do, you left—"

"And you didn't think I would come back." She answered.

"Technically the only women invited were Orleanian."

Hayley shrugged. "It wouldn't be the first time I broke a rule."

Elijah smiled at her brazenness. "How did you find out about tonight?"

"You think I don't have spies in the palace." She laughed at the look of alarm on his face. "I'm kidding. I was invited by the same person who told me. That makes me a special guest."

"Who invited you?"

Hayley looked over at Rebekah who smiled triumphantly as they twirled by her.

"I'm a royal guest, and therefore invited." She said smugly.

As the song ended he walked her off the dance floor and over to the king.

"Father, mother, you remember Princess Hayley."

Hayley curtsied.

"That I do." Mikael said. "We're honored you could join us for this occasion."

"I'm honored to be here, and to be invited back."

Mikael's eyes widened with surprise and Elijah smiled with satisfaction. "Indeed."

Hayley kept her arm wrapped around Elijah's as they walked around.

"Are you going to stay with me all night?" she asked, teasing.

"No, I'll pop back in and keep up my duties but make no mistake," Elijah leaned in and lowered his voice. "I only have you for tonight before you go back and I plan on spending as much time with you as possible."

Hayley smiled and nodded her head, ignoring the jealous gazes of every female they passed.

Rebekah and Kol sat off to the side, surveying the ballroom. Rebekah hadn't stopped grinning. She noticed that her brother looked at her with fury.

"Kol, you're not happy for Elijah?"

"I am, but I'm furious at you."

"Me?" she said confused.

"Yes you! You invited her to the ball."

"So?"

"So, how am I supposed to top a stunt like that? Between you inviting Hayley behind father's back and Nik tricking him at the tournament how am I supposed to continue my legacy as the most troublesome of us all?" Kol shook his head. "I worked hard for that distinguishing honor Bekah, years of pranks, laziness, and troublemaking all down the drain, overshadowed in a matter of weeks! What am I supposed to do?"

"You can't be serious. It's truly amazing how you managed to make all of this about you." Kol grinned to let her know he was joking. She shook her head but smiled. "You'll always be the most troublesome of us all Kol."

They looked on as their brother walked proudly with Hayley on his arm. "You did a good thing here Bekah."

She looked at Marcel who stood with the other servants. She knew what it was like to not be able to be with someone you love. "I'm only did what I hope someone would do for me."

The carriage finally pulled to a stop in front of the main entrance of the palace. Cami felt her nerves coming back. What if she was underdressed? What if Elijah turned her away? What if Davina's magic failed and Bastianna recognized her?

What if she wasted all her time sitting in the carriage and never tried to do what she needed?

Cami took a deep breath and exited the carriage. The bystanders nearby all turned to stare and she was self-conscious as she ascended the stairs. When she got to the top she stopped, not knowing where to go. She followed the sound of music down a hallway, ignoring the stares as she passed people.

Cami went to the grand entrance and came to a stop at the top of another elaborate staircase. She looked out over the immense ballroom, searching for Elijah. Cami had no idea what he looked like but she assumed he'd be the young man with the crown on his head. He wasn't at the front of the room with the king and queen. There was a man near them with a crown but he looked too young to be Elijah. As she peered over the room she found almost everyone staring back at her. Cami swallowed nervously. Was she that late?

A hush fell over the room and Cami froze. From the front of the room someone let out a whistle followed quickly by "Hush, Kol!"

She slowly descended the stairs, trying not to fall.

"Who is that?" Kol asked. "If Elijah doesn't reappear soon I'll take her for myself, the rules be damned."

"She is beautiful." Rebekah whispered, unable to take her eyes off the lady. "Who made that dress? It's the finest I've ever seen."

After a few moments the orchestra started back up.

"If they stop playing every time a phenomenal looking woman enters they'll never be hired here again." Rebekah mused.

"I think that'll be it for the evening, sister." Kol said, his eyes still following the woman in green. "No one will be able to outshine Hayley and…whoever she is." Rebekah coughed and Kol smiled. "I know you could Rebekah, you're in a league of your own. It's just you're my sister and I won't look at you in that way."

She wrinkled her nose. "Gods, I hope not."

After standing awkwardly not knowing where to go a butler walked up to Cami. "Is there something I can do to assist my lady?"

Cami was flustered for a second, not realizing he was talking to her. She wasn't used to being addressed that way. "Yes, where's Prince Elijah?"

"He's taking a small reprieve madam. You are welcome to wait in line." He gestured to a part of the room that held the longest line Cami had ever seen.

The ballroom was enormous and the winding line took up a good amount of space. She moved and saw that the line went back even further, going up a stairwell and through a door at the top. Cami didn't even want to imagine how long it was on the other side. She expected a lot of women to show up, it was the chance of a lifetime, but she never in her dreams would have pictured this.

"It's imperative that I talk to him, it's very important, I'd go as far to call it an emergency."

"I'm sure it is." He said in a condescending tone.

"I'm serious sir, I only need to talk to him for a minute; it won't take long at all."

"Of course it won't." He nodded his head. "But rules are rules. Any maiden who wants to see the prince must wait in line."

"But—"

The butler held up his hand. "If you don't agree you are free to leave at your leisure, or enjoy some food compliments of the crown."

Cami wanted to tell him just what the crown could do to himself. He took in the look of frustration on her face.

"I advise against trying to skip in line or find another way to see the prince. Many a lady have been escorted from the palace for their unseemly behavior."

Cami sighed. "Thank you."

No way was she getting in that line. She would waste all her time waiting and probably still wouldn't get to see Elijah. Maybe if she waited it out it would go down. A chorus of giggles and titters sounded across the room as Elijah came and stood at the front of the line. Next to him a servant introduced him to the lady. This would take all night. Cami didn't care who he was she wouldn't wait in line for a five second exchange.

She would however enjoy what she could tonight. Cami walked over to the tables of food, everything looked delicious. She could see the steam rising from the freshly cooked food, her eyes strayed to the desert table, focusing on the beignets. Her mouth watered, she had to have some.

She reached for a beignet but a servant beat her to it quickly putting three on a plate and handing it to her.

"Sorry." Cami said. "I'm um, not used to—"

The servant boy merely looked at her in astonishment. It took a few seconds for it to sink in. Cami was a guest, she was expected to be served. Guests didn't interact with servants, she knew this for a fact. Servants were meant to be a part of the décor. She looked at the boy, he had to be no more than ten. He appeared hungry, Cami observed his white gloves. They had brown spots, probably sticky from the sweets on the table. "Have you been eating off the table?"

The little boy blanched. Cami knew firsthand the trouble you could get in for eating food meant for guests. But he was just a boy, and what idiot put little boys on serving duty at a dessert table? She decided to treat him the way she wished someone treated her.

"Bring a plate of food and follow me." Cami said in a louder voice so anyone nearby could hear. She hoped she sounded convincing.

She led them up some stairs and to a small balcony where they were alone. Cami moved them to the corner where the curtains blocked anyone's view of them. She took the plate from him. "Now take off your gloves and give them to me."

The boy looked nervous as he did what she said. She handed him the plate. "Sit down and eat."

He looked at her in shock and didn't move.

"I mean it." Cami said. She realized he probably thought it was a trick. "What's your name?"

"Andrew." He answered in a small voice.

"Well Andrew, I want you to eat. You are hungry aren't you?" He nodded his head. "Then eat. I have your gloves so you won't get them dirty. Go on now, eat."

Andrew's hunger was stronger than his apprehension. He devoured the food seemingly in seconds. Cami got a napkin and wiped his face.

"There, no one should have to work on an empty stomach. Promise me you won't go to sleep."

Andrew smiled. "I promise, my lady."

Cami laughed and flipped his gloves inside out. "No one should be able to tell they're inside out unless they look very hard."

"Thank you, my lady."

Cami's nose scrunched at the title, it didn't feel like her. "You're welcome. You can go back to work now."

When he left Cami hoped he wouldn't get in trouble, but anyone around would have heard her command him to go with her.

Cami looked out into the night sky, leaning on the railing. Now what? She was here at the ball and it was impossible to get to Elijah. She left the balcony and stood outside the main ballroom, trying to think of a plan.

She was so lost in thought she jumped when she heard a voice next to her.

"Lost are we?"

A figure melted out of the shadows. The source of the accented voice was a young man dressed in black. The only thing not black was his white under coat. A black mask covered his face, leaving only his eyes and mouth visible.

Klaus looked at the stunning beauty before him. Earlier he outwitted the guards stationed outside his room. They didn't know about the secret passageways and he used it to his advantage. Klaus knew exactly which route to take that brought him closest to the ballroom.

He entered the same time the lady before him did. When he snuck in through the side corner she appeared at the top of the staircase. He, like everyone else in the room, was mesmerized, Klaus knew had to talk to her. He watched as she argued with a butler and then disappeared after taking a plate of food outside. He followed and waited for her to make an appearance.

She looked at him now, caution plain on her face. Her pretty lips were frowning. "Do you make it a habit, sir, to scare ladies and sneak up on them while they're alone?" She walked around him and reentered the ballroom.

Klaus' eyebrows raised and he followed her. She was a sassy one.

"Only if such ladies are wandering the hallways where they shouldn't." he said easily. "Perhaps I should inform your family of this unladylike behavior." She stopped walking and Klaus regarded her. Her family didn't know she was there. "You're not supposed to be here are you?"

"I don't see you hurrying to tell on me, are you supposed to be here?" she challenged, walking again. She came to a stop by the seating area. Klaus studied her trying to picture the face behind the mask. She wanted to play bold, well so could he.

Klaus smirked. "My master doesn't know I'm here."

"Your master?" the lady asked, surprise evident in her voice.

"I'm an apprentice to the court painter." He said, lying smoothly.

Her green eyes softened. She sat down at the table. "You hope to inherit the position from him someday?" she asked. He nodded. "Why do you love painting? What draws you to it?"

Klaus looked at her. He didn't expect more questions. If anything she was supposed to politely dismiss herself once she found out his low rank. Instead she looked at him imploringly like she genuinely wanted to know.

No one ever asked him about painting. His siblings learned long ago not to bother him while he painted, but they rarely asked. When they did it was clear they didn't want to hear him go on about it for too long. So he told her the truth. How painting was a part of him and was a means of escape and how he truly felt free when he got lost in a painting. He was the master, in control of whatever he created. The lady actively paid attention, asking questions whenever he paused. They discussed their favorite paintings and he told her about different styles. Klaus found himself enjoying her company.

All of the stares their way didn't escape Klaus' notice . Men kept looking trying to catch the woman's eye but her focus stayed on Klaus. Remarkable since he told her he was a lowly apprentice.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name."

She paused before answering. "Leah. And you are...?"

"Joseph." Klaus answered immediately. It was the first name that popped in his head and it sounded common enough. He took her gloved hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers. Cami's heart sped up and didn't stop even after he let go.

Joseph reclined in the chair. "Why aren't you supposed to be here?" he asked.

"My….aunt and cousins didn't want me to come." Her smile disappeared. Cami remembered how they mercilessly tore her dress to shreds and teased her. She'd prove them wrong tonight.

"Lucky for us you chose to defy them."

"Who'd miss an opportunity to meet Prince Elijah? I hear he's very handsome and noble."

The smile fell from Klaus' face. Just like that he was reminded of the reason for tonight's celebration. His brother, the crown prince. Elijah had countless beautiful women here fawning over him, and no one knew the werewolf princess already held his heart. Klaus almost felt sorry for the waste the night would be. Leah's eyes lit up when she talked about him. Maybe she was like the rest of the women.

"You're keen on marrying him then?" Klaus asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

She frowned. "Marry him? No. I don't even know him, I just need to talk to him."

"You might want to get in line." Klaus said and nodded his head at the line that was well out the door.

Cami wanted to groan. Was it even longer than before? A knight introduced the lady to Elijah, he kissed her hand, if she was lucky he'd exchange a few words and then she'd be done. How was she supposed to talk to him when every young woman in Orleans was in line? She didn't have time to waste. Davina's spell wore off at midnight. She looked at the clock tower. It was only ten o'clock. Davina got her here, what she did next fell to her.

"I want to meet him, but I refuse to wait in that ridiculous line, royalty or not."

Klaus laughed her frankness. He never would have heard that if she knew who he really was. He found himself staring at her.

The orchestra came back from the break they took. Klaus looked over to the throne and saw his father wasn't there. His siblings stood about, making small conversation with courtiers and his mother chatted with the ladies in line. Good, they wouldn't see him.

Klaus looked at Leah. "There's no reason why you can't enjoy yourself apart from Elijah." He stood. "Would you like to dance?"

Her mouth opened in surprise. She looked at the dance floor. "No one's dancing."

"And? There's music playing, and there's space. I don't see why we couldn't."

Cami looked at Joseph's extended hand, debating in her mind. She never danced before, not at such a fancy engagement. She didn't even dance at the town gatherings, Bastianna never let her.

"Don't be afraid love, come on. Take a chance." He urged.

Cami put her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor. He placed his hand in the middle of her back, decreasing the space between them. As they started to sway she refused to look at his face.

"Are you nervous?"

"I'm not much of a dancer." Cami said honestly.

She heard him chuckle and she looked up to find reassurance in his blue eyes. "Don't worry, just follow my lead."

Cami looked away, trying to ignore the way he looked at her. She found she couldn't. "Are you going to stop looking at me like that?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to remember your face, it's not familiar to me. I know all the courtiers in Orleans." Joseph commented.

"Because you've painted them?"

"Most of them." Klaus lied. "Yet I can't place you."

"I'm not a courtier. I mean, I haven't been formally introduced to court yet." Cami added hastily.

Klaus smiled. He couldn't wait until she was, Leah was a feisty little thing. He'd enjoy when she visited, she would certainly make things interesting.

"Who are your relations? So I may surmise your identity from there?"

"I have an aunt and cousins." Cami said.

"Yes, what are their names?" Joseph asked.

Cami panicked before redirecting the question. "What's your family name?"

"I asked first." Klaus said shaking his head as he laughed. "You're determined to not answer any of my questions."

"You haven't answered mine." Leah pointed out.

"It's all well with me. You're a mystery." Klaus dropped his voice low. "And I do love solving mysteries." Cami felt face heating up because of how near he was.

"For a painter you dance pretty well." Cami commented.

"Dancing, painting, it's all art. You'd be surprised at my many talents."

Cami broke their stare to find that they were still the only couple on the floor. Every courtier's eye was on them.

"What's wrong?" Joseph asked noticing how she was looking at the ground.

"Everyone's staring." Cami whispered.

"Can you blame them?" Klaus looked her up and down and saw Leah blush as she kept her eyes cast down. "Attention makes you uncomfortable?" He was surprised. From what he knew ladies loved having all eyes on them, at least the ones at court did.

"I guess I'm just used to being invisible." She answered.

Klaus knew the feeling, but thought it impossible that Leah did. He shook his head and twirled them in a circle.

"What's that look on your face for?" Klaus could hear the challenge in her voice.

"Nothing, I simply find that impossible to believe." He saw confusion in her face before he spun her.

When she stopped spinning she put her right hand on his left shoulder and his right hand came to the left side of her waist. They moved in a circle, Klaus smiled because she was forced to look in his eyes. He brought his face close to hers so he could whisper in her ear. "You have no idea how mesmerizing you are."

Klaus then moved them so they took five steps forward. Cami was afraid she'd stumble and trip. He was looking at her so intensely and his eyes never left hers. She had never been called beautiful or mesmerizing yet Joseph called her these things easily, as if he truly believed she was all of these things. If only he knew who she really was.

When his hand moved back to her back she felt a jolt of electricity. Her left hand went back to his right shoulder and her right hand held his left as they stretched back out. Joseph moved them in a circle quickly. He looked down at her and Cami was able to get lost in his light blue eyes. He smiled and she returned it.

As Klaus spun her around, her dress billowed and the sparkles on it shined as they caught the light. Everything about her screamed for attention, her dress, her hair. Klaus was able to see the pins in it held the same jewels that decorated her dress.

It wasn't just aesthetics. The way Leah walked, her facial expressions, her voice. Not to mention the way she held her own when he questioned her. Her face, from what he could see was very attractive. She had sparkling green eyes and full pink lips that begged to be kissed. Klaus was completely captivated. He wished he didn't have on pesky gloves so he could feel if her skin was as smooth and supple as it looked. Klaus realized he was completely entranced.

Why? He saw no shortage of beautiful women at court, Leah somehow seemed different. She was gorgeous, but didn't like attention. Carried herself gracefully like a woman of her station yet wasn't used to being served. Leah was a true puzzle.

Cami couldn't believe she was there, waltzing around on the palace dance floor with a mysterious artist. Joseph's movements were fluid and strong as he led their dance. He had to have some kind of training.

Once more, she surveyed the crowd. Her eyes found someone with narrowed ice blue eyes. Genevieve. Monique and Bastianna were nowhere to be found. Shouldn't she be in line with them? Cami was sure Davina's spell was holding up but she was still afraid. How quickly she was able to get swept up in the atmosphere of the ball.

What was she doing there? Who did she think she was, dancing with Joseph? He had a position at court and she was just a servant who couldn't make it there on her own.

She took her hands out of Joseph's and stopped dancing. He looked at her with concern.

"I'm sorry." Cami said before picking up her dress and running off the dance floor.