Blueeyeddevil06, thank you so much for being my beta!

Serena stepped into the ballroom with her best friend, Mina. Of course, they were announced loudly, and everyone turned to look at them. Serena pasted a smile on her face and descended the stairs with her cousin.

Mina whispered to Serena but kept a serene smile on her face. "And the game begins."

"Is that what this is?" Serena asked with an equally serene smile. "I thought it was torture."

"If you look at it as a game, it's a bit more fun."

"Fun? I'll grant you dancing is fun, but that's about it. We have to make sure to both be as dull as possible, or we will cause a scandal, shaming ourselves, our family, our ancestors, and our pets."

Mina barely managed not to laugh, "Our pets?"

"Yes, my kitten wouldn't be able to look at me without shame. Luna would surely run away and join the circus." She glanced at Mina to see if she'd managed to keep a straight face. "Well, phooey, you didn't even crack a smile."

"You just pointed out that if I do, Artemis will have to run away and join the circus."

"Poor Artemis, too bad you discovered he was a boy after you named him after a goddess of the hunt." She paused then added, "Maybe he should run away in shame anyway."

"He's a cat. He doesn't care what his name is." She then said, "Let's change the subject before someone overhears us."

"And we shame our ancestors?"

"You're ridiculous."

Mina then looked around. "So, this is what it's like to be a regular woman."

"And you hate it that boys aren't flocking all over you." Serena whispered, "Princesses in hiding aren't as fun as you thought."

"I wouldn't say that. It looks like quite a few men are trying to get an introduction to us."

"What was my backstory again?"

Mina looked at her in frustration. "How many times do we have to go over this?!"

Serena covered her mouth to hide her smile, "I was only teasing. I remember. You're so easy to work up."

They spent the night dancing and being introduced to many new men. Serena's aunt, Celine, was there to chaperone them. And make sure they weren't introduced to anyone that wasn't appropriate.

Shortly before midnight, the Duke and Duchess's son made an appearance. He was just as handsome as everyone said, and he looked absolutely insufferable to Serena. He didn't even greet his parents. He went directly to a group of men that seemed equally bored and didn't ask anyone to dance.

"So?" Mina asked. "What do you think of him?"

"If my parents want me to marry him, they have a lot of work to do. Somehow they have to manufacture him a personality." She cocked her head and looked at him. "It would have to be from scratch."

Mina said hopefully, "Or maybe he'll be silent, and you'll just be able to look at him. He's handsome."

"His eyes ruin it. They're cold."

"Can you blame him? He's chased after by so many women. I would assume that he'd have to be unapproachable at a ball."

Serena smirked, "So what if we approach him?"

"And shame our ancestors?" Mina said in mock horror.

Serena almost snorted and had to hide her laugh, "You know, I don't really care about that. I'm the Crowned Princess. I can get away with anything."

"Even what you're about to do?" Mina teased, guessing that Serena had a plan.

"Yup!" Serena's eyes danced with delight. "Follow me."

When they were halfway there, Serena said, "See that man with long white hair. He's your type."

Mina raked her eyes over him. "Oh, boy is he."

"He's our way in."

"I'm in this now?"

Serena scoffed, "You're always in this, Mina. Plus, he's looking at you right now, and it looks like he wants to devour you. You know he tempts you."

Mina smirked at her, "This could be a lot of fun after all."

"Do we know his name? He would be one of the men close to Darien."

"Kunzite," Mina supplied. If he's in the inner circle, that has to be him.

They walked up to the group of five men, and Serena walked right past Darien and ignored him. Instead, she walked up to Kunzite. "If you're going to look at my friend like that, you better ask for an introduction."

He blushed over being called out and cleared his throat. "And who should we have do that? Do we know anyone in common?"

"Well, since we're talking like old friends, Kunzite, I could introduce you."

He looked shocked, "You know my name? I've never met you."

"If you insist on that, I can't introduce you to my cousin," she teased.

"Ah, yes. Old friend, how are you doing…?"

"Serena," she whispered.

"How are you doing, Serena?" He amended.

"I'm a woman, so I must be vapid enough to enjoy this ball, right?" She rolled her eyes and added, "And how are you?"

"You don't like balls?"

She gestured to Mina, "We both think they're rather dull. At least it was until I saw you looking at my friend. I'm pretty sure we should be offended by the way you devoured her with your eyes. You looked like you wanted to make a meal out of her."

Mina was choking on her laugh.

Then Serena acted like she hadn't said anything shocking and put a serene look on her face, "Oh, where are my manners, Kunzite? I'd like to introduce you to my cousin Mina. Mina, this is my old friend Kunzite."

Kunzite bowed to Mina and asked, "May I have the next dance?"

"You may." She then let him lead her away to the dance floor.

Jadeite chuckled, "You're his old friend, huh?" He had a twinkle in his eye.

Serena gave him a wry smile, "I'm his very best of friends now."

"And how is that, may I ask?" Nephrite asked, entering the conversation.

She rolled her eyes. "I just introduced him to the woman he's going to fall head over heels in love with," Serena replied, smiling at him.

"And how do you know that?" Jadeite asked.

"I know my cousin. They all fall in love with her. It's predictable. This time, he might actually have a chance of getting her to fall for him too." She then winked at Jadeite and walked away.

"Did she just ignore me?" Darien asked in surprise.

Zoisite patted him on the back, "I believe she did."

Nephrite laughed out loud and shook his head. "I think you're in trouble, Darien."

"And, why is that?" Darien asked.

"You're used to being chased by women. You're not going to be able to get her out of your head. Of course, it helps that she's beautiful."

"That she is."