Two weeks later Randor had Teela come to his study. He told the Captain of the guard that she had to prepare a schedule for the ball which would be held the week after in honour of Lord Merkon and his daughter.

From the king's study Teela went straight to her father's laboratory. When she passed the throne room she overheard some decorators discussing excitedly which flowers would match such a special occasion.

Teela shook her head in confusion. A ball... a special occasion... what was that all about?

She entered the laboratory. There she found her father.

"Oh, Teela, just a second, I'll be with you at once."

Teela let her gaze drift through the laboratory. Duncan had completed the transporter. It was now standing on a table, ready to be tested.

When Duncan came over to her she asked: "Why is the king having a ball for Lord Merkon? I thought he's just coming to sign the trade agreement?"

Duncan asked surprised: "Don't you know? It's not official yet; but haven't you talked to Adam?"

Teela shook her head. Sadly she remembered the last real conversation she had had with the prince.

Man-at-Arms got serious. "After the signing of the agreement there'll be a ball where the king will announce his son's engagement to Lady Gwendolyn." He stopped for a moment, waiting for a reaction before he said: "You know about King Randor's demand on Adam to find a wife, don't you?"

"Um... yes. But I didn't believe he was that serious about it."

"Adam didn't have a choice really," Duncan said sadly.

Teela winced inside. She had just succeeded to sort out her thoughts to a degree that they didn't return to their conversation all the time – and now that!

"I wanted to talk to you, but I had the impression that you didn't feel like it," her father said.

"Yes." Teela changed to a subject she was more comfortable with. "The transporter is ready I suppose. When are you going to test it?"

Duncan had understood and let the subject rest. "That's why I wanted you to come. He-Man will soon be here so that we can test it."

"Oh! Good." That was the final blow. Under normal circumstances she would have been looking forward to meeting He-Man...

She had only just said that when the door opened and He-Man entered.

At the sight of the hero Teela involuntarily gave him a smile. He-Man, however, didn't feel like smiling at all; nevertheless he greeted her friendly, as always.

During the following hour they put the transporter through its paces. He-Man operated it while Duncan gave him instructions and Teela controlled the data the transporter submitted to the computer.

"During the last transport there have been fluctuations," Teela told the two men.

"Really? He-man, would you give it to me for a while, I'll try to repair it."

While Duncan changed the settings of the transporter He-Man went over to Teela to have a look at the data himself. When the two stood there together, both leaned over the monitor, He-Man again realised how much he missed her. The physical closeness and the scent of her perfume didn't exactly make it easier for him.

"That's the perfume Adam gave you for your birthday, isn't it?" he said without thinking.

"Um, yes, it is, how –"

"I've found it!" Duncan called at that moment. "Now it should work without any problems."

They concentrated on their work again. The rest of the tests were indeed carried out successfully. When all series of tests were finished, He-man said good-bye and disappeared.

And left Teela alone with her thoughts again.

Originally Teela had intended to write the schedule that evening. But instead of going to her office she headed straight to her room, as she had the feeling that she wouldn't be able to concentrate on it anymore.

Adam would get married to someone else. He had told her himself, but she had never believed that it would actually come to it. But why was she so upset by it? After all it had always been clear that Adam, the crown prince, would have to get married one day. And so far that thought had never disturbed her.

Teela sat down at the window and looked up to the two moons that were just rising. She felt as if... as if something was about to be taken away from her that had belonged to her all her life. But that was silly; Adam wouldn't suddenly disappear just because he would get married. It was after all just like she had told him, she had always seen him as something like a brother and as a good friend. And why should marriage change anything about their friendship?

And she didn't want anything other than friendship – or did she? Had she made the wrong decision? He really meant a lot to her... but no, that was impossible, because, after all, there was still He-Man; when she was near him she felt safe and protected. However, he didn't only protect her, but the whole of Eternia. He was a great hero and she admired him. But although she was one of his few confidants she knew very little about him, maybe too little.

But what would be if He-Man hadn't come into her life? What would she feel for Adam then? No, between the two of them there could never be more than friendship.

With that thought she got up, went to her table and began to write the schedule.