When I finally arrived at the ball, sweaty and pissed off, it was almost 10 o'clock. As I rounded the bend, I caught a glimpse of Ethan's back as he went around the castle, probably into the garden. Resisting the urge to run after him, I stood tall, straightened my mask, and walked up the steps to the castle and entered. Right inside the door, there was a guest sign in book. Probably so the royal family could see how many important allies had shown up. After a moment of decision, I grinned, and wrote down Heir Roland Ferdanine. He was the most powerful ruler within a 200 mile radius of here. That would cause the royal family some gray hairs. Giggling at myself, I readjusted my mask self-consciously, then stepped through the door and into the ball room.

The first thing that entered my senses was the music. Radiant and bright, it caused me to want to find a partner and twirl upon the dance floor. Keeping my feelings in check, I proceeded down the steps and into a whirl of colors, and sound. Bright banners hung gaily from the ceiling, so thick that they looked like a colony of huge butterflies, swaying to the music. The dance floor was littered with brightly colored frocks, and the sound of laughter was heard constantly, more enlightening than the music. The happiness was very infectious. Smiling, I made my way down the stairs into the bright shifting rainbow below.

I walked through the crowd, trying to get to the other side of the ball room. Many stared at me, but I only hoped it was because I was wearing a mask. It seemed that way as some of the women were as well, a few with an amused expression on their face, others with disdain that I would wear something so unattractive. Some of the older women were sighing as they saw me pass, no doubt thinking of their masked escapades from their younger years. I smiled courteously to all, hoping that I didn't seem too rude. Twice I saw Madame and Sir. I wasn't too worried though- they wouldn't have recognized me. Ella, Nina and Ann were the ones I had to look out for, but Ella was probably to occupied with the royals at the moment. Nina and Ann were no where to be found, which was a relief.

Aside from the constant paranoia, I was actually enjoying myself. I sampled some things over at the buffet table, but left after I received some rather rude glares from the palace servants. It seems the meal wasn't to be served yet. Oops. I danced a lively gavotte and a slow waltz with a gentleman who just wouldn't take "no". Finally I pulled myself away from him and proceeded to the gardens, my heart racing, my mind filled with a billion questions. Namely, who was Ethan engaged to, or who was he GOING to be engaged to.

The first thing that hit me when I went outside was how COLD it had gotten. I had only been in the castle for about fifteen minutes, but I suppose I had grown accustomed to the warmth from the huge blazing fires. Shivering, I stepped across the now slightly dewy grass in search of the gazebo. I didn't have to look far. Or more accurately, I didn't have to listen for very long. Soon strains of beautiful melody was heard over the polite chitchat of the guest and even the loud minuet being played indoors. This new music wasn't really loud, it was rather soft actually. But it was powerful- very slow and sad, like a lament over a dead loved one. I walked on, drawn to it, barely even thinking about Ethan now. Behind the line of lush green evergreens was the gazebo, pale and beautiful in the moonlight.

I headed towards it, and nearly ran into a young lady in an expensive looking wine-colored gown. I apologized profusely while repositioning my mask, but my apology didn't seem to sink into her thick head, past that gigantic mass of red curls on her head. She gave me a very dirty look before flouncing off, mumbling something under her breath. I would have run after her and beaten the crap out of her but A) I was at a ball, and there for couldn't act like a servant B) this dress had cost me too much and C) I saw her wearing a ruby cut into the shape of a heart around her neck. I went numb from head to toe. Had I been any less of a woman, I may have fainted. So this was Ethan's bride to be, this red-haired wench of a royal. I HAD to find Ethan right now.

Once again, it didn't take me too long to find my target. I simply followed the auburn bitch. There he was, standing by a rose hedge, looking rather uncomfortable and anxious. I swear the woman nearly peed in her dress she was so excited to see him. But, being the dignified person she was, she did nothing of the sort. "O Ethan dear, how good to see you! I missed you so much love!" With that she planted a big kiss on his lips. It was all I could do to look inconspicuous and not yank the hair out of her head. Thankfully, Ethan didn't seem to enjoy the spit exchange. "Listen, Tabitha, I need to talk to you." he began. Tabitha put a gloved hand tenderly to his lips. "Hush my darling, I know you have. uncertainties about marrying me. But I understand that they are only due to the stress of the marriage being so soon." Ethan sighed, knowing full well that he could not win on this. Shoulder's stooped, he stood next to Tabitha, arm uncomfortably draped around her shoulder as she chatted with another gentlemen.

I started towards the unhappy couple, deciding what I should do, when I heard a horrifically familiar voice behind me. Quickly bending over to smell the roses in front of me I saw her out the corner of my eye. There was Ella, with the prince in tow. I gasped quietly. She actually had managed to snare the big one. Well congratulations for her, I still had a dilemma on my hands. I kept my nose down in the thorns until I was sure they had passed. Luckily for me, there was a single man walking over my way. I grabbed his arm, and introduced myself, while walking back over to the roses. "Hello sir, would you care to dance?" I asked, making my voice higher. The buffoon nodded vigorously and we did a slow graceful waltz to the haunting music from the gazebo. Well, I danced, he kept stepping on my toes. Every step we took brought us a tad closer to Ethan and Tabitcha. Finally the song ended. I turned towards the roses and raised my voice, while keeping my eye on Ethan. "Such beautiful flowers" I began. "So beautiful and delicate, but they have thorns and I respect that." It worked, Ethan's eyes lit up as I quoted more of his letter. " Such a beautiful garden too. What better place for the insignificant beetle to meet the rose." I stole a sideways glance at Ethan. He was wearing a look of shock and disbelief, and of course, Tabitha hadn't noticed a thing.

"Tabitha dear," Ethan cooed. "I just thought I heard the dinner bell rang. Would you be a dear and go reserve our seats. There is something I have to do." This time he didn't look at me, but instead the gazebo. Tabitha gave a small squeal of delight and kissed him on the cheek. No doubt she thought he was going to ask the musicians to play a special song for them. Ethan and I watched her run inside. Then he started for the gazebo. I gave my dance partner a kiss on the cheek. 'It's been a pleasure dancing with you." I murmured. "But I have other matters of business to attend to now. Thank you." With that I walked briskly away, leaving the man with a very foolish grin on his face. I walked towards the gazebo and Ethan, but something suddenly stopped me. Diane's curse! I couldn't go over there with out all the musicians running at me. So I gathered up my courage and walked in front of Ethan but didn't look at him. I could feel his eyes on my back, wondering what I was doing. I walk over to the secluded swing that hung under an arch of pale blue glories. I sat down and started swinging aimlessly, waiting.

I didn't have to wait long. Soon I felt a pressure on the other side of the swing. I looked up and saw Ethan. I could have kissed him right there. I knew I loved him. Ethan frowned. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to come as a stable hand. Do you have any idea what would happen to you if you were found? You would be killed. You-" I sighed and put a hand to his mouth. "It's a long story." I started, but once again, the thought of Diane's curse stopped me. It was cruel and I would be taking advantage of him, but I had to know. Did he love me? There was one way to find out. "I.I'm not really Mabel." I said in a shaky voice. Ethan chuckled softly. "Of course you are. Who else would you be?" I bit my lip to keep from crying. What if he saw my face, but didn't see me? Well better to find out now. With quivering hands, I untied my mask and faced Ethan. I shut my eyes expecting the worse. He looked at me for the longest time. Finally I felt a slight pressure under my chin. I opened my eyes as he lifted my chin to look me in the eye.

"I don't know what has gotten into you Mabel." Ethan said. "But I know who I am looking at." Relief poured out of me in the form of tears. I clung to a very confused Ethan, sobbing. In between tears, I told him the story, from Belinda's threat, to the dress, to Diane's "gift", only omitting Ella's parts. "And when I saw you with her." I whispered. "I didn't know what to do" Ethan said nothing, just held me. Finally my cries subsided and I hugged him, sniffling. He bent over and kissed me lightly on the head, his own voices a bit choked up. "You are very brave Mabel." I looked up, into his deep emerald eyes. "I love you." I breathed. Ethan smiled. "I love you too, but you already know that." he joked. Then he bent over and kissed me. I hung on to that moment of bliss for as long as I could. But questions kept eating away at my pleasure. Finally I pulled away from Ethan and looked him squarely in the eye.

"What is it with you and Tabitha?" I inquired. He sighed and broke eye contact for a moment. "After we got back from traveling, that day I kissed you, I was introduced to her. She is the daughter of the highest chambermaid in the palace. I didn't think much about it then, what a fool I was. After I managed to get your letter sent to you, my father told me that I was to engaged to her. Believe me, it was NOT by my choice. I'm not sure what to do about her though." I bit my lip. There was only one solution that I could think of, but it was beyond risky. It was extremely dangerous. But we had to try. Before I could mention it to Ethan however, I was rudely interrupted.

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Oooooo cliff hanger! Well I need your help, should Mabel be found out at the ball? Or should she not? I think I know which one I'm gonna do, but it would help to get your opinion on it.