Ben could hardly contain himself.

He'd asked Chip (who now knew about the meeting with the girl) for some old 'non-royal' clothes. Thankfully, Chip had quite a few outfits from visits to the village for the king and queen. Now Ben could visit the village with little attention. Thank the good gods out there that made mom and dad go on another outing today! Ben thought with a grin. He was also grateful that Chip was on his side, and promised not to tell Ben's parents as long as Ben kept him posted on what's happening.

Ben was practically skipping to the clearing where the girl promised she'd meet him. The girl… I don't even know her name. He made a mental note to ask her. The thought of the village quickly took over his mind, though, making him wonder what it would be like in such a busy place.

He could hardly wait.

"Ok, Ada, admit it. You like him, don't you? You never take this much time with getting dressed for an ordinary day."

Even though she claimed that she didn't like this new 'Ben' (she seriously DIDN'T), she found herself blushing. Her mother always had this way of getting a blush out of her, no matter what the subject.

"Mama, I already told you, I'm not trying to impress him," She said trying, and failing, at hiding her blush. "I just want to look nice for once and not look like I just came out of the barn." She had been combing her hair continuously and straightening down her dress that she chose. "Well, better get going. Can't have Ben waiting too long for his tour!" Ada said cheerfully.

"Good luck! And remember, the boys will be home from school by the time you're back with Ben." Ada's mother told her.

"Ok mama!" she said kissing her mother on the cheek "I love you! Be back soon!"

She left with a little blush still lingering and a smile. Maybe, just maybe, I do like him just a little bit…

Ben knew that the girl wasn't late, but that didn't stop him from being a little impatient. Maybe she forgot. Maybe she doesn't want to come. Maybe she thinks I don't like her. Maybe she….ARRHHH! He knew he was being stupid, but somehow he kept thinking that she didn't want to come because she didn't like him.

He was just about to go to smash his head against one of the trees when he heard a snap in the shrubbery. He jumped to his feet with shock, but immediately softened his stance when the girl came through the bushes. She didn't forget! She doesn't think I'm some stupid boy and doesn't want to come! Ben felt like leaping for joy.

"Oh. There you are." The girl said with a smile. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."

"Not at all! I only just arrived a few minutes ago." He said with a cheerful smile. Liar.

"Great! Well, let's head back toward the village. You'll like it there, I'm sure." She said.

As she led the way back to the village, Ben couldn't help but think of what the people would be like in the village. All the men, women, girls and boys. Ben stopped on the last one. Boys. What will the boys in the village think? God, I hope that they don't beat me up. What if she has a boyfriend? That may be bad. His thoughts were stopped when the girl spoke.

"So, are you excited?" she said "I guess you must be, it's your first visit. It's going to be very busy, so you best stick by me."

"Sure. I should probably not wander off. I may get lost." Ben added sheepishly, knowing his tendency to forget where he is and which way to go.

Soon, they reached the village. The girl took him everywhere he wanted to go, and he wanted to see it all. Must remember to ask for her name. He reminded himself.

Ben wanted to see it all, and he managed to see most of it in the little time he had in the village. After they'd seen most of the village, Ada took him to her home.

"I'm home mama!" she said when she'd stepped through the doorway. She motioned for Ben to come through, and closed the door behind them.

"Hi, love. Oh, and you must be Ben!" said the girl's mother, turning around. "I've heard a lot about you!" she nudged her daughter playfully.

"MAMA!" Ada yelled, clearly ashamed and blushing like a slapped tomato.

Ada hid her face in her hands, and was just about to say something else, when a small, sweet stream of music came into the room. Ada brightened up immediately and turned to her mother.

"Papa's home?"

"Yes, he came while you two were touring the village. Go welcome him dear!" Ada's mother urged them. Ada basically ran to the door and slowly opened it.

"Papa! You're back!" she said happily running over to hug him tightly. "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, dearest." He whispered, hugging her back. They pulled out of the hug and Ada's father kissed her forehead.

Ada then ran to the door where Ben was standing and took his hands to lead him inside the room.

Ben thought he just might die from the touch of her hands on his.

"Papa, this is Ben. I met him in the forest yesterday. We just went on a tour of the village, since he's never been." Ada explained to her father.

Ada's father eyed Ben over. Ben felt like he was being sized up. 'Are you good enough for my daughter or not?' NO! Stop that brain!

Her father stopped eyeing him and smiled warmly. "Well, I hope you have had a good time in the village so far. So Ben, where are you…"

He was cut short by two childish giggles and the quick tinkle of a music box being taken from the bench. Ada turned to the doorway with horror and saw that it was open. Oh. God. NO.

"Carlos… Louis…" she said cautiously. Ada put a finger to her lips to indicate silence from her father and Ben. Then she listened hard for any sound as to where Carlos and Louis could be.

She heard small and near-silent breathing near her father's desk. She tip-toed over there and caught a small bundle by surprise. "Got you Carlos! Now where's Louis…"

Her question was answered when another small tinkle of a music box came from across the room.

She ran over and caught the second boy by his shirt collar. She held them up in front of her father, who took the stolen music boxes away from the toddlers.

Ben watched on as Ada came toward him with the two boys hanging by the shirt collars, who looked very grumpy indeed at being caught. "Sorry about that Ben, the twins are always trying to sneak into the room if the door's left unlocked, to steal the music boxes and sell them in the village." She said with a shameful face. "They've done it before, so now we keep an eye out and make sure the door is locked. Locking the door slipped my mind when I was greeting papa. He's been away for a while."

Ben had a quick glimpse of his younger twin brothers. They're just as sneaky and cheeky. "No problem. My younger brothers are twins as well, Nicolas and Stephan. Both just as cheeky as the other. So I understand your situation."

"Anyway, Carlos, Louis, this is Ben. Ben, my brothers." Then she added with a smile, "Probably not the best first impressions of the boys, but then, no first impression is with these two. Alright you two," now talking to the twins "why don't you go and find some kids to play with?" ushering them outside "And try not to get into mischief!"

Ben was amused and pleasantly surprised at how mother-like she was to her brothers. "Well, it's getting late, and I promised my parents I'd be home before supper." He said slowly moving toward the door. "But I'll be sure to visit sometime soon!"

Ada followed Ben to the door and watched him walk down the steps. She bid him goodbye and was about to close the door when he called out.

"Oh, I never found out your name. It hardly seems fair that you know my name but I don't know yours." He said with a smile.

Ada giggled at the last part that he'd added. Even I forgot to give him my name! How stupid of me! Even so… "Ada. My name is Ada." She waited for the new information to sink in, then said "Well, goodbye Ben, I hope to see you soon!" and closed the door.

She watched, hidden by the window, as he stood still for a moment, his smile widening, when he slowly turned, eyes still at the door, and walked away.

Ada couldn't help the blush that crept on her face. That was a little sweet… Maybe I like him just a little bit more… she thought, the blush deepening.

Though, secretly, she knew that it was so much more…