It wasn't until after dinner that I saw Hana again, and I frowned; she was looking very serious. "Hey," I said, joining her in the receiving line to greet Liam. "Everything okay?"

When she saw me, she smiled widely and nodded her head, but the smile didn't reach her eyes, and I prodded her a little until she finally admitted, "It's just...some bad news from my parents. But nothing that can't wait. Let's just enjoy the ball."

I looked at her skeptically, but agreed, and we turned our attention to the line, stretching and standing on tiptoes, trying to see what gifts the other ladies had brought for Liam. "Is that a poodle?" Hana asked.

"A gem-encrusted poodle statue," I agreed with a giggle. "Penelope does love poodles."

"Well," Hana said sweetly, "It's hard to know what one should get for a Crown Prince. I had to talk my parents out of sending a full-grown bull elephant!"

I laughed loudly, and Madeleine scowled at me for a moment before taking her turn with Liam. Before I could see what Madeleine had brought, though, I was distracted by Olivia. She walked up behind me and whispered in my ear, "I know it was you."

I looked up at her, confused, and saw her face was red with anger. I shook my head, "What?"

"That stupid note," she hissed. "I'm sure you were behind it, but don't think I can be intimidated so easily."

"Olivia, I didn't send a note."

"Play dumb all you want. It won't help you win."

"Honestly, I have no idea what you're talking about."

She considered me for a moment, and then her face softened. "I actually believe you."

"What's happening?" I asked, my voice filled with worry.

She shook her head. "Forget about it. I can handle it." She stalked off, leaving me alone with Hana.

"What do you think that was about?" I asked Hana, but she didn't get a chance to answer. It was my turn to see Liam!

"Lady Riley," he said with a smile and a bow. I gave a little curtsy and then Liam took my hand and gave it a soft kiss. It was a simple gesture, but my face flushed at the touch.

"Good evening Your Highness," I said, clearing my throat a little as I composed myself. "I brought a gift for you."

"Your presence is more than gift enough. But, I look forward to seeing what you have brought me."

I gestured for him to hold his hand out, and when he did, I dropped the keychain into his open palm. He held it up, his eyes wide. "How did you get a hold of this?"

I shrugged. "I have my ways."

"I know better than to underestimate what you are capable of."

"So..." I had my hands around my back and I twirled a little as I waited for his reaction. "Do you like it?"

His wide smile told me everything. He shook his head a little as he answered. "It's perfect. How do you always do this to me, Riley?" He held the keychain up for me to see. "You always surprise me and leave me speechless."

I looked down, blushing, and tucked a strand of hair behind me ear. "It's nothing, really. I just...I know you love the Statue of Liberty..."

"You know me better than anyone else here tonight, Riley. You know that, right?"

"Even Drake?"

"Okay, maybe it's a close second."

I giggled. "Well, I should hope I've gotten to know you by now, considering we might be engaged by the end of the night."

"I love that you say that. I don't think the other women here would share that sentiment."

"What a pity for those fools, then." I grinned widely at him.

He tucked the keychain into his breast pocket and gave it a pat. "I'll keep this close to my heart."

I rolled my eyes. "You're so cheesy."

"Yeah, but you love it."

"I do," I agreed. Liam looked past me to the still waiting nobles, and gave me a sad smile. I nodded, understanding what he was about to say and responding before he even said it. "I'll see you later tonight."

"Until then, Lady Riley," he said with a final bow as I left him and entered the ballroom.

The first person I saw when I entered the grand ballroom was Drake, and I have to say my jaw dropped when I did see him. "Drake!" I said, looking him up and down. He was wearing a nicely tailored, gray suit and tie. "You clean up well. I wasn't sure I'd see you here tonight."

"Liam insisted," he said, pulling on his tie a little. After a moment of awkward silence, he added, "I guess I should congratulate you."

"Oh?" I asked, eyes wide. Had Liam told him something?

"You look exactly like one of them," Drake explained, his voice bitter. "I guess you are one of them, now. This time tomorrow, you might be the future queen. And then our lives are going to go in very different directions."

I scowled at Drake, crossing my arms. "Don't be like that. No matter what happens, I'm still me. I'll always be me."

"Looking at you now, it's hard to believe that," he said with a sad frown. His eyes looked past me, as if he were looking at a memory. "This place has a way of changing people." Then, his eyes met mine with focused intensity. "And some of us liked the girl you used to be. You know that, right?"

I took a deep breath, letting my arms fall to my side. "I promise, I'm still the same old Riley. If I ever get too high and mighty, just remind me that when we first met, I was taking out the garbage and waiting tables."

"It feels like so long ago now. Can't believe it's only been a few months."

I nodded. That I had to agree with. "It feels more like once upon a time..."

Drake snorted derisively. "Spare me. Life's not a fairy tale." He looked at me with a pained expression, as if he wanted to say more, but just then, Liam walked up behind Drake and clapped him on the shoulder. Drake's face quickly changed to a passive expression.

"My two favorite people," Liam said lightly. "Might I steal Lady Riley away for a dance?"

"Of course," Drake mumbled, excusing himself quickly.

I took Liam's hand and he led me onto the dance floor. We spent a few moments waltzing, not talking but just enjoying the moment. Finally, Liam said quietly, "I need to talk to you." I looked up at him, but couldn't read his expression.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

Before Liam could respond, we were interrupted by Olivia, who asked to cut in. Reluctantly, Liam let me go. "I'll find you later," he told me as Olivia practically dragged him away from me. Frowning, I wandered to the edges of the ballroom, making small talk with some of the other ladies before finding Hana and Maxwell again.

"Oh, good, Riley, you're here," Hana said, grabbing my hand. "I wanted to tell you two...well, I had hoped to tell Liam and Drake at the same time, but...the letter I received earlier, Riley?" I nodded; I remembered. "It was from my parents. They're bringing me home after the ball. I leave tonight, and won't be returning to court."

"What?" Maxwell and I both yelped.

"Why?" I asked.

"I...haven't performed as well as they expected, obviously I'm not going to be the Prince's choice tonight...and, honestly, since I told my mother off on that phone call a few weeks ago, they think that being here has been a bad influence on me." She looked directly at me when she said this, and I understood what she meant. I was a bad influence on her.

"I can't believe this!" I said, hugging Hana tightly. "I never would have made it through the social season without you. And, I'm going to miss you so much!"

"We all will," Maxwell said, joining us for a big group hug. Teary eyed, all three of us commiserated Hana's misfortune for a few minutes, until we were interrupted by Bertrand, who rushed up looking pale and out of breath.

"Hey buddy," Maxwell said brightly. "Everything okay?"

"I have a letter for Lady Riley," he said, handing me an envelope.

"Um...thanks?" I said, confused. "Couldn't it wait until after the ball?"

"Do you think I would have bothered you on this most important of nights if it weren't important? It's marked urgent."

I tore open the envelope and read the note quickly to myself. I gasped, and then read it aloud for my friends to hear. "Lady Riley, the Prince will never be yours, and you will never be Queen. Leave court now."