Chapter Ten

Eric returned home with less than three hours to spare. He thought it a blessing he found someone as petite as Ariel to play his escort. Finding her a dress was easy, and he was sure making her up would be just as simple. Clara, of course, would stay home while they were at the ball. He wouldn't be caught taking two girls to the dance. Especially not one confined to a wheel chair. Unfortunately, Ariel didn't seem to understand this. She was a test to Eric's patience, and patience wasn't one of his virtues.

"Sit still!" The angry prince tried hard to keep the struggling girl in the chair with his elbow. She was in her dress and now he was on to the hair. There was so much of it that he found himself encountering tangle after tangle as he brushed through the unruly strands of flowing flame. For the first time in his life he appreciated the maids they had at the castle. "If you don't sit still, I'll pull harder."

The threat seemed to do little for Ariel. She kept on struggling, obviously not liking the fact that she was being groomed. Well, like it or not, it was going to be done. It was too late for him to return her to the asylum. He had his girl to make Annamaria jealous, now all he needed was to tame her.

"Would you like some help?"

Eric turned as the gentle blonde girl wheeled herself into his presence. She had her knitting in her lap. He thought he had made it clear that she stay in the other room. "No."

"Oh, but surly you'd find it a lot easier if you would let me do her hair."

He would, but he didn't want to rely on a cripple to do what he could very well do on his own. He frowned at her and watched as she wheeled herself over to the mute girl's side.

"Ariel." She placed her hand on the girl's knee. "Please let him finish. You'll have fun at this party. I don't mind not going."

The fight suddenly left the girl and she looked at Clara determinedly. Eric felt that he was witnessing a silent argument.

"I know you don't think it's fair, but it's alright. I'd only sit in a corner watching all the dancers. It wouldn't be fun for me. I want you to go." She looked up at the prince with her pretty green eyes and the mute girl followed the act.

Eric looked away embarrassedly, with a loud, "Hmph! Females!"

He watched out of the corner of his eye as both Clara and the redhead suppressed amused smiles. Soon, Ariel was out of her chair and approaching him. She took the comb from his outstretched hand and began pulling it through her own hair: gently, slowly.

"You shouldn't have any more problems." Clara smiled at him and then headed towards the door. He watched her disappear around the doorframe and a shiver went up his spine.

She shouldn't be living; a voice in his head seemed to say. He shook away the thought, confused. Where had it come from?

Ariel tugged at his sleeve.

"Alright, alright. Back in the chair, and no more issues. You heard your friend. She doesn't want to go to the ball so we don't have to take her."

The mute girl frowned at him, so he added more to his explanation.

"Look, if you behave yourself this time, we'll take her to the next ball alright?"

The frown soon melted and she smiled, nodding eagerly.

"Good. Now, back to your chair."

...

The ball was already in full swing when the princess arrived with her parents. Still clutching Jared's arm, she instantly scanned the crowd for a familiar face: Green eyes, blonde hair, and dimples when he smiled… She stopped, realizing how foolish she was being. He wouldn't be there. The dead didn't come back.

Sighing, she allowed Jared to lead her over to where Valore's King and Queen sat nobly in their thrones. She curtsied to each of them politely, and then sported a question. "Where's Prince Eric?"

"He shall be arriving any moment." Queen Cristobel replied with a soft smile. "But until then, go on and enjoy yourself. I'll let you know the moment he arrives."

Annamaria nodded leaving Jared at the throne with her parents. She made her way through the crowd ignoring several invitations to dance as she made her way to the orchestra. She envisioned there would be an empty seat, but an older gentleman with a waxed mustache filled the place. How cold. She thought with distaste watching as the man played with little feeling and at moments so mechanically she didn't think them possible of any living thing. Hardly dead a week and already they've replaced him.

"Mr. Krause."

The song ended and the violinist looked over to the man who had addressed him.

The small, thin cellist smiled deviously at his friend and nodded in the princess's direction. "It looks like you have an admirer."

"Hmph!" Annamaria turned up her nose and strutted away. She would have to find a different place to do her reminiscing. She decided to go to a far corner where several town gossipers were talking about the crime and relationships harrowing their vast kingdom.

"And I heard they still haven't found the diamond."

"Oh how odd. You'd think they'd have some lead."

"None at all. The way this kingdom's police force works, it almost makes you afraid to sleep at night."

Annamaria frowned at the women as she passed, but they didn't seem to notice.

"How about the murder that happened just recently. Didn't you read about it in the paper?"

"Oh my yes! What a shame! Such a sweet, gentle boy and quite the musician too! I heard his father is expected to show tonight and play."

The princess stopped when she heard this.

"Oh really? Wouldn't you know that musicianship ran in that family?"

"But of course! Talent isn't earned, it's genetic!" They chuckled. The princess, however, was already at their side. Tony's father would be there tonight? She had to meet him.

"Excuse me." She said rather pleasantly, with a friendly smile. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. You were talking about the murder?"

The two woman turned to her quite abruptly, their faces as red as ripe strawberries.

"Well," The fatter one recovered first. "We're really not usually such gossips, but we know the family. Well... sort of. What a shame, hm?"

Annamaria blinked back the tears. "Oh yes. It was dreadful. Do you know if they found the murderer yet?"

"Not that I know of. I think they're about ready to give up the case. The evidence is meager."

Anger swelled up inside the royal beauty. Close the investigation? Oh yes. She'd have to talk with Eric tonight. If he wanted her, he would have to put every spare cent into that investigation. It should never be closed! Not until the murderer was hung high, paying the highest price for his ghastly deed.

"Milady?"

Annamaria looked back to the two gossip girls. They looked at her with expressions of mild concern. "Oh! Yes? Had you said something?"

"You just suddenly looked poorly. We were worried. Would you like me to fetch you a seat?"

"Oh no, no…" Annamaria tried to smile. "You just continue on with whatever it was that you were doing. No need to bother yourself with me." She turned to leave, but then paused as she remembered her original reason for entering the conversation. "Just one more thing..."

The two women turned back to her with inquisitive glances.

"You mentioned a father. The father of the murdered boy? What does he look like?"

"Oh, you'll know him when you see him." Said the thinner of the two. "He's a violinist, just like his son. Gray hair, green eyes. They share many of the same features. If you're familiar with the son, you're sure to recognize the father."

Oh yes. Very familiar with the son. In fact, she had memorized his face.

"And his name?" The princess carried on hopefully.

"Sebastian. Sebastian Christopher Dare."