As Maxwell and I stood in line to greet the King, he reiterated the need for me to make a good first impression. I was about to ask about what Olivia had told me – that I should kiss the king's shoe to show respect – but it was our turn and I didn't get a chance. I had never heard of something like that, and I didn't notice anyone else doing it, but I was still a little nervous. I didn't want to think that Olivia would purposely try to get me to do something embarrassing, but who knew? Weren't you supposed to kiss a king's ring? Or was that the Pope?

As Maxwell introduced me, I decided to curtsy, and hope that was okay. It seemed to do the trick, as the King welcomed me with a smile and said he hoped I would enjoy my stay in Cordonia. Then, we were shuffled off and I saw Liam up ahead, talking to an elegant woman in a dark blue gown.

While we were waiting to see Liam, I decided to tease Maxwell a little bit. The king had called him Lord, so I elbowed him and said, "Lord Maxwell, huh?"

Maxwell chuckled. "That's my title. You could refer to me as His Lordship from now on if you really want."

I rolled my eyes. "Pass."

"It's your turn! Don't blow it!" Maxwell whispered as the lady in front of me finished speaking with Liam.

Maxwell disappeared, and I realized it was just me and Liam. I curtsied. Liam looked at me, his face friendly, but formal. "Hello," he said with a slight bow. "You'll have to forgive me, but I don't think we've met."

I suppressed a smile. "Oh?" I said, flipping my hair a little. "And how does a prince greet a beautiful mystery woman?"

"With a kiss on the hand, I hope?" He said and gently placed his lips on the back of my hand.

I really grinned then. "Yep, that's what you did the first time we met, too."

His eyes widened, embarrassed that he didn't recognize me. "I'm so sorry, my lady, but with the mask I can't place you."

"It's alright. We only met once. Although, it was just yesterday, so maybe I should be a little upset that your memory is so fleeting."

If his eyes were wide before, now they were ready to pop out of his head as he realized who I was. "Riley?" I just nodded, still grinning. "I thought I'd never see you again!" He reached out as if to hug me, but then stopped himself, straightening his jacket and resuming his formal stance.

"So...this is a good surprise, I hope?"

He shook his head, a wide smile on his lips. "The best." Then, his brow furrowed, and he asked, "But, how did you get here?"

I explained how Maxwell asked me to come and that he was sponsoring me. Liam expressed his shock that I would come all this way for him. "Last night was..." I chose my words carefully. "Really special. I didn't want it to be the last time I saw you."

Liam took my hand in his. "I felt the same way." He looked at me the way he had the night before, with both desire and restraint. Behind him, his guard cleared his throat, bringing Liam back to the present moment. "We're not in New York anymore, though Riley. The rules here are different. This entire series of events is set up not just to give me time with my potential matches, but also to give my parents, the Council, and the people of Cordonia time to get to know their future queen. From now on, everyone will be watching you."

I nodded solemnly. "That sounds intense."

"It can be. I hope you won't regret coming here."

"I'm not in the business of regrets." I smiled reassuringly at him. "I'm ready for this."

Liam returned my smile. "I knew you'd be up for the challenge. I'm sure you'll charm them just as you've charmed me."

I felt my face redden, and I looked away. As I did, I saw the long line of ladies waiting for their turn. Liam followed my gaze and frowned. "Unfortunately, the receiving line isn't the best place to talk. We only have a few minutes."

I nodded and turned back to him. "In that case, I want to know, how are you holding up?"

Liam gaped a little before answering. He definitely wasn't expecting that question. "At a time like this, you're asking about me?"

"I'm only here because of you, Liam."

"That means a lot to me. Really." He paused, and then answered my question. "This whole thing...it's a lot of pressure, but I knew what I was getting into. The princes of Cordonia can only have so much say over who they marry, and I understand why. It doesn't make it easier, but it's what I was raised for." He looked behind me and frowned again. "I'm sorry, but our time is up."

"I understand. We really aren't in New York any more."

"No." As I turned to leave he stopped me. "But I hope I'll see you again later tonight, if you'll save a dance for me." I nodded and left him to the next suitor.

Maxwell rejoined me as I made my way across the ballroom. He was smiling proudly. "Liam looked really happy to see you."

I tried to smile, but I was still feeling like I shouldn't have come. "Yeah," I said, "But is that going to be enough? I also have to impress the royal court and the people of Cordonia."

"Don't worry," he reassured me. "You'll have plenty of time for that. And, me and my brother Bertrand will be there to help you every step of the way. Remember, we want you to win this thing."

I was getting a little annoyed at this whole thing being treated like a reality TV show, but Maxwell didn't notice my annoyed look. Instead, he encouraged me to get to know some of the other suitors, and make "allies," which only further conjured up images of Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest. After his pep talk, I left Maxwell and wandered around until I found myself outside the front doors of the palace. A group of women were gathered around, and Hana was included, so I stopped to talk. Plus, there were drinks set up on an ornate table display, and now that I had talked to the King and Liam, I felt like I was ready to relax and enjoy the party.

Olivia was also in the group, and she did not look pleased to see me. "Riley," she said, and don't think I didn't notice her dropping the lady from my name. "You were awfully familiar with the Prince. You didn't say that you knew him."

I thought about pointing out how she didn't ask, or even really let me say anything at all when we spoke earlier. I also thought about calling her out for trying to sabotage me. But I thought better of it, and instead tried to take the high road, commenting on the fact that I had only met Liam once before. This didn't seem to make her any happier. She was quick to tell me that I didn't stand a chance, and that I didn't belong here, and that she and the rest of the noble women had been preparing all their lives for this moment. Nothing I didn't already know, but it still stung coming from Olivia. I was getting madder and madder, but was still holding my tongue, trying to be the better person. Until Olivia loosed her venom on Hana, telling me and everyone else within earshot how Hana was jilted and her broken engagement was so embarrassing, and her parents will throw her at any rich man they can. Nasty stuff. Hana looked about ready to cry, and she quickly excused herself. That's when I lost it.

"Olivia," I spat, "You're acting like a child, not a queen. If this is how you behave, I wouldn't trust you with childproof scissors, let alone an entire kingdom." She stumbled for a response, but I clearly got under her skin, and I wasn't waiting for another round of insults. I spun on my heel and ran after Hana.

I caught her just as she ducked into her bedroom. She had her mask in her hand and tears streaming down her face. "Riley, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Hana bit her lip. One arm was crossed, holding her other arm like she wanted to give herself a hug. "I know I shouldn't let Olivia bother me. You probably think I'm making a fool of myself."

I'm not a particularly touchy-feely person, but the way Hana sounded, and looked, I couldn't help but reach out and pull her into a hug. "You have every right to be upset," I said before pulling away.

She smiled at me, though it was still a sad smile. "Thank you. But, the thing is, Olivia is right." She sighed and sat down on her bed. I sat in an armchair near by and leaned in to listen. Hana continued, "Last year my parents arranged a very advantageous match for me. But only a few weeks before the wedding, the groom pulled out of the arrangement. It was handled quietly, but it was still regarded as rather scandalous. Since then, my parents have been desperate to find me another match. They've all but thrown me into this competition." She let out a huge sigh. "I thought Cordonia was far away enough that I could escape my past, but it looks like the rumors have followed me here."

I couldn't help but shake my head as she spoke. "Hana," I said when she finished, "A broken engagement is nothing to be ashamed of."

"It's not?" She looked genuinely shocked, as if she were a child finding out Santa wasn't real.

"No!" I said. "In the real world, stuff like that happens all the time. Sometimes, things just don't work out. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you." I leaned in a little closer, almost conspiratorial. "At the heart of it, I think we both know why Olivia really singled you out."

"Why?"

"You're her biggest threat. I mean, look at you!" At this point, I got up, pulled Hana up by the hands, and dragged her to the full-length mirror. I stood behind her with my hands on her shoulders as we both looked at her reflection. "You're gorgeous, well-composed, compassionate, articulate..."

"Not all of those are things you can see in this mirror," she said with a hint of a real smile.

I rolled my eyes and stepped back, letting her turn to face me. "The point is," I said, "You are all the things that Olivia isn't."

Hana frowned, "I don't know, she is kind of gorgeous."

"Okay," I conceded, "I'll give her that. But you're clearly a front-runner for the Prince's choice. It's no wonder Olivia's threatened by you!"

Hana studied me carefully for a minute. "But you're not."

"I'm not like Olivia," I said proudly.

Hana smiled largely at me. "Well, Riley, I see I've found myself in your debt already."

I shook my head. "Friends don't keep track of debts like that."

She simply smiled and turned to look in the mirror again. She took a tissue and wiped at her mascara streaks. "Ugh," she sighed, "What a mess."

"Nothing a little touch-up can't fix," I said. She sat at her vanity and cleaned up, and then we both walked arm in arm back to the ball.

As soon as I set foot in the room, Maxwell ran up to me with a panicked look on his face. "There you are!" he said, pulling me away from Hana. "The last dance of the night is starting up."