Chapter 8

Emma stood in the dress shop where she worked cleaning the windows. Another young woman stood behind her.

"How was the ball last night?" the woman asked her.

"It was magical," Emma replied. "I got to dance with the prince."

"What a fairytale," the woman said.

"It sure was," Emma agreed. "But, it was only one night."

"Did you get a kiss?" the woman asked.

"No," Emma replied. "I hardly talked to the prince. The queen's bodyguard saw me after we finished dancing, and I ran away."

"I wonder if the prince is looking for you," the woman said.

"There's no way," Emma said as the door opened. "Besides, there were so many princesses at that birthday ball, he probably won't even remember me."

"Wrong about that," a voice said.

Emma turned around to see Alex and Jack standing there. She immediately dropped her rag and stood there nervously.

"Your Highness," Emma said nervously before bowing.

"You don't have to bow," Alex said.

Emma stood up straight.

"Why did you run away?" Alex asked.

"The queen's bodyguard saw me, and I didn't want to be thrown in the dungeon," Emma replied.

"Why didn't you just tell me who you were?" Alex asked. "I would've been okay with you staying."

"I was nervous," Emma admitted. "My childhood dream was to always dance with a prince. I was afraid that if you knew I wasn't a princess, you wouldn't want to dance with me."

"Are you kidding me?" Alex asked. "First of all, I'm actually quite relieved to have danced with a normal person."

"You are?" Emma asked.

"Yes," Alex replied. "I may be a prince, but I grew up in New York City. I eat hot dogs, I watch baseball games, I buy pizza by the slice, I ride the subway, I've jumped turnstiles!"

Alex looked at Emma and her co-worker.

"You didn't hear that last part," Alex said.

"Okay," Emma said.

"This whole prince thing is so new to me," Alex said.

"I have a question," Emma said.

"What is it?" Alex asked.

"What's a subway?" Emma asked.

"It's a train that runs underground," Alex replied.

"Yeah," Jack said. "And turnstiles are the things that divide the…"

"I know what turnstiles are," Emma said. "Trains can really go underground?"

"Yes," Alex said.

"Oh, how I'd love to see New York," Emma said. "I've never set foot outside Genovia."

"Well," Jack said. "I think I'll give you two some privacy."

Jack walked outside and down the sidewalk. As he walked, he noticed Esmè sitting on a bench wearing a hat. He then walked over and sat beside her.

"Hello, Esmè," Jack said.

"You recognize me?" Esmè asked.

"Yeah," Jack replied. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I'm in disguise," Esmè replied. "I wanted to have some time away from my palace, and my bodyguard."

"I'm sorry," Jack said. "But wearing a hat is not a good disguise. You must wear a wig too."

"How do you know so much about disguises?" Esmè asked.

"I watch too much TV," Jack replied.

"Sounds like it," Esmè said.

"I had a really nice time last night," Jack replied. "I've never danced with anyone that long before."

"I had a nice time too," Esmè said.

"What do you say were go and explore the countryside?" Jack asked.

"I'd like that," Esmè replied.

Esmè looked over and ducked down.

"Is it paparazzi?" Jack asked.

"Worse!" Esmè whispered. "It's my bodyguard!"

Jack looked to see a bald man in a suit wearing an earpiece.

"Okay," Jack whispered. "Run!"

Esmè and Jack took off running. Esmè's bodyguard looked at them, smiled, and shook his head.

"I'll let her have her fun," Esmè's bodyguard said.