As Sora started to stir from her dreams in was nearly mid-morning. Sora felt a presence in the room with her. Her eyes quickly flashed open and looked around. Soon enough she spotted an old waiting maid by the window, pulling back the long heavy curtains.

"Goodmorning miss. I'm glad to see you've awakened. Prince Tai was surprised to hear you were still sleeping when breakfast started an an hour ago" the maid quickly brought Sora's breakfast over.

"I guess I must've been really out of it" Sora quickly started eating. It has been a day since her last full meal was eaten and she was practically starving.

"Eat up, you look as thin as the Princess of France! You poor dear, you've probably been through a lot" the maid opened the closet and pulled out a dark red velvet gown that draped behind itself.

"Wow that's a beauty! Who's dress is that?" Sora stuffed another spoonful of rice into her mouth.

"It's your of course you silly girl" the maid chuckled.

"Mine!" Sora exclaimed. "How?!"

"Prince Tai bought it this morning for you to wear" the maid set over the chair and walked over to Sora.

"Oh you mean for the masque ball" Sora replied.

"No, you think that little dress is fit for a ball?" Sora's eyes widened.

"That dress is to elegant for me. I don't deserve it"

"You deserve it all" the maid smiled back and patted her cheek.

"I've never remembered once in my life, owning such a dress" Sora smiled as she glanced at it.

"If you think that's beautiful, you who will be surprised by the masque dress he made in your honor" Sora choked on her food at that last statment.

"He had it especially made for me?"

"Yes, the day he asked you was the day he planned the dress. It's suppose to be a secret don't tell him I told you"

"I won't" Sora smiled to herself.

"Well, come on we don't have all morning you know. We've got to dress you"

Half an hour later Sora emerged from her bed chamber all decked out in the lovely red dress that matched her deep red eyes and light red hair.

"Wow, you look like an angel" Sora turned around and saw Tai leaning against the side of the wall staring at her.

"Well, I can't object to that" a smile crept over her ruby red lips.

"Come, meet my family" Tai grabbed her wrist and ran off, but suddenlt Sora stopped dead in her tracks. Tai turned around very confused.

"What's wrong?"

"What If they don't like me. I am a servant after all" Sora glanced dow at her feet, but Tai gently lifted her head up to face his.

"Don't look down at your feet when you're beautiful face can look up at the sky" Sora blushed and looked deep into his eyes.

"But.."

"No buts. If I love you then they will love you..." Tai wrapped his arms around her.

"Then I should have nothing to worry about" Sora grinned at him.

"I hope not" he smirked back.

"Now correct me If I'm wrong but wasn't my forgetful son suppose to introduce his family to his love?" the King asked jokingly. Tai and Sora both turned and stepped away from each another, both blushing madly.

"How cute, they're blushing!" Kari squealed.

"Shut up" Tai groaned.

"Tai is this the women?" Queen Kamiya asked.

"Yes, mom. This is Lady Sora Takenouchi. And Sora this is my mom, Queen Kamiya" Sora bowed down respectfully. and greeted her with a smile.

"Pleasure to meet you" Sora said.

As Tai rushed through the introductions Matt and TK appeared.

"Oh and Sora you know Matt and his brother TK already, anyways why are you two here?" Tai asked.

"Well doll boy here and wated to play with Kari" Matt head lcoked Tk and messed his hair up.

"Hey!" Tk shouted, and almost immediately Kari came to the rescue.

"Well, anyways you got a date for the ball?" Tai asked Matt.

"Yup, and Sora here will probably know my date. They are after all best friends" Matt hinted to Sora.

"You mean Mimi?" Sora's eyes lit up.

"Yup, now you won't feel too bad, and you'll at least have someone to talk to if prince charming here gets boring" Matt patted Tai.

"Thanks" Tai said dryly.

"No problem" Matt chuckled.

**********The ball (a/n e-mail me if you wanna know what Kari, Mimi, or Sora's dress look like at the ball)*******


It took Sora and every other girl at least one to two hours to prepare. As soon as she was finished she hardly regonized herself. Sora waited for Mimi to come at the front water fountain. Soon Mimi arrived wearing a beautiful white ivory gown. It was trimmed with silver that sparkled under the moonlight. Her mask was red, it covered her eyes and to the tip of her nose.

Sora was also wearing a white dress but unlike Mimi's it had gold trimming and was not as low around the neck area. Sora's mask was tied on. It was white with feathers and only covering her eyes. Her face was painted with make-up and decorated with diamonds (simliar to drew barrymore in ever after).

Kari appeared to greet Mimi and to show them the way to the ball room. For this ball Kari dressed in a black silken kimono with a silver and black decorated mask with her crown on top. Her hair was tried into a neat little bun.

The three young ladies entered the palace and started towards the ballroom.. Giggles could be heard across the hall as the talk about tonight.

In the ballroom, the guests were already coming in and laughter and the sounds of dinner plates clinging to the untensils were heard. At the front was the Queen and King and their son and his two friends dressed in their formal attire and waiting for their soul mates to appear.

Finally the ladies appeared and every face in the crowd seemed to turn their direction to them

Tai watched in awe as his Sora walked down the aisle to him. She looked heavenly in that gown, he'd never thought it would look that good on her. Her pulchritude was beyond any that he has ever known.

Sora walked closer to Tai and bowed.

"May I have this dance my Prince?" Sora asked as if this was her first time meeting him.

"I would never say no to a beauty such as you" Tai took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

"What is your name?" Tai asked grinning like an idiot.

" I'm lady Sora Takenouchi"

"I am-"

"You are Prince Taichi Kamiya of Japan" Sora smiled.

"So do you dance with many women?" Sora asked.

"Yes" Sora felt disappointed in his answer. "But all were very dull and boring. I was forced to dance with them. My father made me..." Sora giggled.

"Well, what about you. Do you have anyone special?" Tai asked.

"Yes, he's an idiot, stubborn, selfsih, ignorant man at times, but he's my idiot" Sora rested her head on his chest.

"He's an idiot huh?" Tai said.

"Yeah, what about you my prince?" Sora asked.

"Well, I'm in love with this beautiful servant girl from the Tokyo. She's may be strong on the outside, but inside she can be weak" Tai held Sora closer to him.

"Weak huh?" Sora glared at him playfully.

"Yes, especially when I do...this" Tai stopped and leaned down towards her. Their lips touched and Sora was in heaven. The kiss ended as soon as it started and left Sora all dazed.

"It's not fair you know my weakness" Sora whispered into his ear.

"You are mine" Tai whispered back. The song soon ended, Tai had brought Sora out to the balcony where the stars were shined down upon the two couple.

"Tai, do you love me?" Tai was surprised she needed an answer for that question. He thought the whole world already knew how he felt about her. But then again. He was her weakness and she was scared to lose him to a richer and prettier princess from another land. She needed his reassurance.

Tai carefully removed his mask and brought his hands up to hers to do the same. The mask gently untied and fell into his hands. She looked even more amazing that he didn't think it was possible to be more beautiful than she was right now.

"Tai, do you love me?" Sora asked again, it was clear that tears were forming in her eyes.

"Always and forever...e stared into those flaming red eyes filled with love only for him.

"Forever and ever...?"Sora asked as she looked back. Tai pulled her closer to him and embraced her in his strong arms. He whispered into her ear the sweetest words she's ever heard...

"...and ever after"

She, Sora Takenouchi a servant had found love in the Prince's heart....




PLEASE R&R ( THERE WILL BE AN EPILOGUE)