The next day Flora hardly had anytime to herself. She spent the whole day with her parents. Since it was her engagement ball she had to be there to help plan everything. She spent the morning with her father tasting everything for the menu. The afternoon was spent with her mother picking out the colors of the ball. Then in the evening before dinner, Flora spent her time with both her parents learning about ruling the kingdom. Her parents finally dismissed her an hour before dinner to get ready.
Flora went to her room and fell straight onto one of her chairs and let out a loud sigh.
The other girls walked in and saw Flora on her chair.
"Hey Flora why aren't you dressed for dinner?" Musa asked.
"I just got to my room like five seconds ago."
"Your parents kept you that long? You have been with them all day." Bloom exclaimed.
"Yeah I know. I'm sorry guys. I thought that I would have more time to hang with you."
"It's okay Flora. We understand." Layla gave her a smile.
"Thanks. The ironic thing is that I don't even want this ball and yet I have to be there for every part of it, from the menu to the color scheme."
"Oh what are the colors anyway?" Stella asked.
"Well since it is called Midnight Masquerade I decided on deep jewel tones, like emerald green, sapphire blue, and royal violet."
"That sounds like a beautiful color scheme. Maybe I can make you costume to match them."
"That sounds like a good idea Stella, but don't stress yourself. I'm sure whatever you design will be absolutely stunning."
"Hey Flora, you need to hurry. Dinner will be starting in a few minutes." Tecna looked at her watch.
Flora jumped out of her chair and ran into the bathroom.
Dinner was fun. The rest of the girls got to tell Rose their stories, but they stayed away from the subject of marriage.
Soon it was time for Rose to go to bed once again. Flora went to tuck her in.
"Flora can you tell me the rest of the story?"
"Of course." Flora went and sat on the bed next to Rose. "Now where did I leave off…"
"You left off at the part where Prince Emmitt meets Ro for the first time."
"Oh yes. Now…
"May I ask what you are doing here?" Emmitt asked.
"Well I live here."
"How is that possible?" Emmitt and his crew were all shocked.
"Well I live here with my friends. Come on out guys?"
Out of the bushes came the animals.
"Stand behind me Ro. I'll stop these beast." Emmitt brought out his sword.
"No, no. You see these are my friends." Emmitt looked at her with a confused look. "Let me explain. The peacock is my friend Barbax. The tiger's name is Artu, and my best friend Sophie is the horse."
All the animals said hello but Emmitt couldn't understand.
"That was rude." Ro said.
"What do you mean?" Emmitt asked.
"They all said hello and you didn't say hello back."
"Wait you understand them?"
"Of course. Don't you?"
"No. People can't talk to animals, at least not where I come from."
The Prince and Ro continued to talk. Ro went on to explain that she was the only person on the island and that the animals had raised her. That is why she can talk to them. Ro amazed Emmitt. He couldn't believe that someone could live with just animals. He then went on the persuade her to come with him back to his home. At first Ro denied the invitation but after some thought and talking to her friends she decided to go. So Ro, Sophie, Barbax, and Artu set off with Prince Emmitt and his crew to his kingdom.
The journey was not a short one. So Ro spent a lot of her time with the prince learning about the people and culture of his home. As they spent more time together, the more they started to have feelings for each other. Neither of them said anything about their feelings to each other because they didn't know if the other felt the same way.
As the ship docked, a huge crowd could be seen waiting. The prince waved to them and they all cheered for the safe return of their future king. But when Ro appeared next to them the cheering suddenly stopped and whispers began. They were all asking the same thing. Who was that girl and what was she doing with the prince?
Everyone got off the ship they all went to where a carriage was waiting for them. Emmitt put out his hand to help Ro into the carriage.
"No thank you. I rather ride Sophie."
"Very well then. I'll ride with you." Emmitt mounted his black stallion.
The two did not talk. Instead Ro talked to Sophie and Emmitt's horse, who she learned was named Valeant.
As the castle came into view, Ro was totally amazed. She had never seen anything like it before.
The gates opened and as they entered the royal grounds they saw two people waiting at the door steps.
Emmitt and Valeant galloped ahead. They stopped right in front of the two people. Emmitt hopped off and ran to them, giving them both hugs.
"Mother! Father! It is good to see you."
"It is good to see you to son. I am glad you have come home." His mother said. Then she looked over to where Ro and her friends were standing. "Now Emmitt who is this lady and these odd creatures?"
Flora stopped and looked down at her sister and saw that once again she had fallen asleep.
"Goodnight little Rose." Flora gave her a kiss on her forehead and put her blankets closer around her. Then she turned off the lights and went to her room to sleep.