A/N: Sorry to keep you all waiting. My imagination tank for this story is running low. However, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Maybe not my best work, but it's something.

Enjoy!


Rapunzel spun around in her best gown. Having a ball was one thing but a masquerade. This was definitively her first and she was more than a little nervous. Prince Stephan wouldn't take no for an answer, Eugene's been very busy doing something and nowhere to be seen, Pascal decided to sit this ball out and horses can't really fit into to the ballroom door.

Rapunzel seemed to have everything except a mask. If she knew about the masquerade sooner, she would have had something prepared. Going to this ball wasn't really interesting to her, but she didn't want to sound disappointing and she really didn't have much of a choice. Both kingdoms had a crucial alliance and it would be such a shame to try to fortify the alliance when it was already so strong. She needed to be as polite as possible, besides she enjoyed being around Stephan's sister.

Rapunzel took an inspection of herself in the mirror, when she heard someone knocking on the door and told that person to come in. And much to her surprise, she saw Alexandra's handmaid enter her chamber.

"Angela," she said surprised. "Is everything all right?"

The young maid curtsied before the princess and said, "My lady wishes to see you in her room Your Highness."

The princess accepted as Angela led her to Alexandra's chambers. The hallways were teaming with people making a fuss over the final preparations, but they still had time to address the young royal properly. In other words, by bowing and curtsying before her and addressing her by her titles. This, of course, annoyed her just a bit.

The two finally reached a large doo, which Angela opened. The room was rather large for on person, and it was filled with a bunch of simple things, a few jewels, and other accessories. The bed wasn't any bigger than the room itself, but still very big just for one person to sleep on, there was a large window instead of a wall and the moonlight covered almost every inch of the room.

Alexandra stood next to the bed as she told her handmaid to leave. "I'm sure he's looking for you," she said softly.

Angela smiled sweetly, curtsied before the two princesses and made her way out as she closed the doors, leaving the two princesses completely alone, for the moment.

"Why did you want to see me?" asked Rapunzel.

"I thought you might need something for the masquerade." Alexandra handed Rapunzel a small wooden box on top of her bed, hidden in the covers.

The princess eyed the box as she took it, carefully reminding herself of each detail. The box seemed very peculiar, yet at the same time, it was as plain as any old box. Alexandra motioned her to open it, which she gladly obeyed. Inside the box was the very thing that she needed: a mask. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life, the colour, the form, every little detail made it look more than just elegant.

"I figured you needed something so my brother would have as much trouble recognizing you as our grandmother," Alexandra teased.

Rapunzel was anxious and excited all at once. It was rather rare that someone ever gave her a gift, unless she asked for it. And it was one the most beautiful things she had ever received in her life. She was speechless, as she put the mask on her face and looked at herself in the mirror, next to her. The pretty, little brunette staring right back at her swept her away.

Rapunzel thanked Alexandra as she twirled around in her dress, impressed by her sight. But Alexandra was still sure that something was missing. She had Rapunzel sit down as she began to look in some of her stuff. Rapunzel was a bit confused, but she remained in her seat. After a while of pocking in her stuff, Alexandra pulled out two silver hair clips with small green gems at the tip and carefully placed them on her bangs.

"So we can see your face better," she claimed.

"Thank you," Rapunzel whispered, shyly.

"No worries," she assured her. "Now let's get to the ball shall we?" Alexandra took a few steps towards the door when she realized that something was bothering Rapunzel.

Alexandra took both her hands and asked, "You okay?"

Rapunzel took a deep breath and sighed. "I feel like I'm about to loose everything."

Alexandra let out an obvious groan. "If this has anything to do with my brother-"

"No!" Rapunzel exclaimed, cutting her off quickly. "Of course not. It's just…" She wasn't sure what to say. She learned so much from her trip here and she was worried about everything that might happen.

Alexandra softened as she began to understand. "I know the feeling of getting together with someone you don't want to be with. But you need to understand, you need to try before even assuming you're going to fail."

"I know. But-"

Alexandra cut her off firmly by placing her hand in front of her. "Don't try to think otherwise. You have amazing talents and you're obviously very smart to out wit your darling thief."

Rapunzel was about to protest, but Alexandra still intervened. "No more buts! Now let's go." She took Rapunzel's hand as the two made their way to the ballroom.


Eugene couldn't believe he agreed to this. He decided to work as a waiter at the ball because he didn't have a costume and so he could get a better chance of seeing Rapunzel. Stephan was using his nice act so he could interrupt the couple, which made it very difficult to, even, talk to Rapunzel.

He knew the only way to get close to her was if he worked for the so-called prince charming. But t was worth it, if he could see Rapunzel's beauty and elegance even from a far away distance. Everything about her just made him want to see her more. So he had no choice, but to agree to this.

He was serving a bunch of noblemen, when he heard the herald. "Presenting their Royal Highnesses Princess Rapunzel of Corona and Princess Alexandra of Cassiopeia," he announced.

Eugene couldn't keep his eye off Rapunzel, the way her dress moved, her beautiful green orbs, the cute little clips at the sides her hair, the beautiful mask. Everything about her was picture-perfect, no one could argue with that. Stephan also admired Rapunzel, but in a rather different way.


Alexandra pointed to a certain ex-thief dressed like a waiter and Rapunzel saw her finger, and the man she was pointing at, with her finger. She was a little surprised to see Eugene, working. He would always go on and on about how tiring his job in Corona always is.

"Eugene," she called in a singsong manner. "Why are you a waiter?"

"Because I don't have a costume," he explained, plaintively. Stephan insisted on all who wish to participate at the event must wear something suitable.

Rapunzel gently ran a finger down his suit, "Well I think you look handsome."

"Don't I always," he teased.

The couple laughed as they stared into each other's eyes.

The lovely moment was interrupted, when the herald made his final announcement, "Presenting their Royal Majesties, Queen Cassandra and King Reginald of Our fair Kingdom of Cassiopeia."

Everyone bowed, curtsied and kneeled before the reigning royals of the kingdom and their hosts. The Queen had her daughter's raven hair and dark eyes, while the King took most of the traits of both of his children. Both their clothes and their masks were identical matches of each other- aside from the queen wearing a gown and the king wore a suit. As the crowd stood up from their former position one of the royals began to speak.

"To all our dear guests," cried the queen, "Our son Prince Stephan has an announcement of his own." She left the stage and her dear son took her place.

Stephan seemed to eye Rapunzel as he spoke. "To all who attend our ball you shall be the first to hear the great news that I, your beloved prince and future king, have in store for all of my loyal subjects."

Rapunzel didn't like this one bit. Something didn't feel right and, of course, Alexandra and Eugene could sense it too.

"Along with your future will be a queen," he declared, as he continued to keep his gaze on the brunette princess. "I prince Stephan of Cassiopeia shall wed to the lovely princess Rapunzel of Corona."

The crowd was in awe, but Rapunzel, Alexandra and Eugene stood in silence shocked at his declaration.


A/N: I know you're all waiting for more, but be patient. You'll get what's coming.