Disclaimer: Anything you recognise is not mine – it is, for the most part, Gail Carson Levine's. So yeah, please do not sue because I am making absolutely no money from this whatsoever.

A/N: This chapter pretty much centralizes around the Engagement Ball. Please review! Please excuse any typos.

Chapter 4:

Fights and Jealousy

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Daria had been at first anxious about attending the ball. Now however, she was plain furious.

She had thought that the worst was over when her father announced Daria's and Jerrold's engagement but she had thought too soon.

King Robert then told everybody, "And as is custom, the future bride and groom will now dance their first dance together at the Engagement Ball."

Daria's mouth fell slightly open. There was no way that they were going to make her dance with him.

Jerrold seemed to be on the same wavelength as Daria as he sounded as if he was almost growling.

"There is no way that I am going to dance with you." She hissed to him and then turned to her mother. "The ball will end with blood on the dance floor."

Queen Henrietta sighed, annoyed. "Dearest," Somehow she managed to sound so sarcastic when she said that word, "Remember our little talk earlier this evening? Do what you are told. It is only a dance – what is the worst that could happen?"

If only you knew. Daria inwardly groaned. She was not going to dance with that sorry excuse for a Prince. There was no way that they could force her to. Unfortunately though, no matter how hard she tried, she could not help grimacing at Jerrold and taking his arm. Before she could stop herself she started dragging him towards the dance floor.

"Let go of my arm, Princess, if you want to live."

"Come on. It will not be so bad. It is only just one dance. What is the worst that could happen?" reasoned Daria, sounding exactly like her mother.

Jerrold rolled his eyes. "Anything involved with making physical contact with you is enough of a nightmare for me."

Daria narrowed her eyes. "Could you behave like a responsible ruler instead of an ignorant git for once and go along with my idea?" she asked, exasperated.

He visibly sighed. "Fine, whatever you want. Let's get this over and done with."

She hid her triumphant grin and they both continued proceeding to the centre of the dance floor with enough space for a carriage to pass between them.

They faced each other and slowly drew closer together. Daria avoided making eye contact with Jerrold and instead focused on not standing to close to him. They were as far apart as possible and still be considered in dancing position.

For a few seconds, Daria could hear him breath and could smell his scent. She hoped that he could not see how nervous she was. Wait a minute, I do not care what he thinks so whether he can tell that I am nervous or not should not matter.

The orchestra started playing a slow, romantic song. Daria and Jerrold started to move in time with the music, however, the Prince stepped to the left and she stepped to the right so that they ended up tripping over each other. Or rather, Daria ended up falling onto Jerrold.

Soft laughter rippled through the audience as she grabbed onto Jerrold, trying to steady herself.

"Get off me. You're not exactly light you know." He complained.

"Hush up. It's not as if I like being this close to you." She unsteadily righted herself, and could not help but notice the feel of Jerrold's strong muscles beneath his shirt.

She swallowed nervously, as if afraid that he could read her thoughts. She could feel her face go read and mentally told herself to stop blushing.

Once they were back into position, Daria said, "Let's move to the left."

"But back in Kyrria we usually move to the right first." Jerrold whined like a little boy.

"Do you always have to be this impossible?"

He smiled winsomely. "Only when I'm around you."

"Lord prevent me from killing you." She prayed aloud.

She did not have to continue praying for long however, as the dance soon ended, much to their relief.

They hastily let go of each other's hands. There was a look of sheer distaste on Jerrold's face. It clearly read, I hope we don't have to go through that again anytime soon. The orchestra started playing the music once again.

Daria made to go back to her table but was stopped by a stocky dark-haired man with a monobrow.

Sir Maximillian. Daria's least favourite person. He was even worse then Jerrold, if that could be possible.

She forced a grimace onto her face.

"Sir Maximillian, how nice to see you." She spoke woodenly.

"I can assure you that it is even nicer for me to see you. You are a vision of splendid loveliness." He placed her hand between his sweaty paws and gave it a huge, wet kiss.

Daria yanked it away with as much civility as she could muster.

"Why thank you. You look very handsome yourself. But you must excuse me." She began to turn away when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Please, Princess. But I would be honoured if you would allow me to have this dance with you."

Daria hesitated but gave in. There was something about Maximillian that made her feel sorry for him.

"Of course." She said as warmly as she could.

So once again Daria took to the ballroom dance floor. Maximillian's hands were slippery with sweat and she held them tentatively.

Halfway through the dance, his hand that had originally been on her upper back suddenly "slipped" so that it brushed something that Daria did not wish to be touched.

She grasped his hand tightly and moved it back up, hoping that nobody had seen what had just occurred.

"Sir Maximillian, the next time you touch my behind again and I will seriously damage you." She put on a huge cheesy grin just as the dance ended. She quickly snatched her hands away from him, and discreetly wiped them on her dress.

She made her way back to the table for a second time and managed to get to her seat with no further interruptions.

Jerrold was sitting there, sneering as usual. "I see you and that pompous man with the monobrow were getting a little cosy, don't you think?"

Daria snorted. "Don't say things like that about Sir Maximillian, he cannot help the way he looks." She said defensively, surprising herself. This was Maximillian, not some nice friendly chap. He was perverted and clingy. Then why was she suddenly defending him?

"I am sorry to offend your little lover-boy. If looks are to go by, you two are really suited to one another." He laughed meanly.

"If you say anything about me and Maximillian one more time I will seriously harm you."

There little conversation was interrupted at this point - "Jerrold, you didn't tell us that you were engaged."

Daria jerked her head upward, ready to glare at the man who had dared interrupt their conversation when she saw a charming looking man with blonde hair and green eyes. He grinned wickedly at the Princess, causing Daria to unintentionally shrink back from his gaze.

"Hello Charles." Jerrold answered enthusiastically and the two shook hands. "I haven't seen you in a while. Where is your brother?"

"I am right here." Said another man who was approaching the table.

Daria could not help but gape. This newcomer looked exactly like the man that Jerrold had called Charles. Twins! They were rare in Valrie and Daria had only ever seen twins once in her life.

Jerrold smirked for the millionth time that night at the expression on Daria's face.

"May I introduce you to my good friends, Charles," he pointed at the first man, "And Charlie." Jerrold then proceeded to point at the second man.

Charles and Charlie. Who on earth would name their twins Charles and Charlie? Trust Jerrold to befriend people like that. Daria thought.

"Pleased to meet you." She grinned uneasily, why were they staring at her like that?

Charlie was the first one to break away his gaze. "Forgive me Princess; it was just that I was so stunned by your beauty."

Daria narrowed her eyes, she thought that it was highly unlikely that that was the reason they were staring at her but she decided not to press the issue.

As if sensing that she suspected something, Charles then spoke up, "Yes, you are simply quite stunning. Both you and Jerrold will make a wonderful couple."

"Unfortunately for me." Charlie then said teasingly. "Spare a thought for me Princess whenever you have time."

Though it was clear that the twins were only joking, Daria noticed that Jerrold's face was looking particularly stormy. Daria inwardly smiled. Was he jealous?

The twins saw Jerrold's face too. "Aww, jealous Jerrold?" Charles eyes twinkled.

"About the skinny brat next to me?" Jerrold threw a look of dislike at Daria. "I do not think so."

Daria blushed, fuming that Jerrold had made such a comment in front of his friends.

The twins laughed. Daria excused herself, wanting to escape from the ballroom.

"I am sorry, gentlemen, but I simply need to get some fresh air. Please excuse me."

But it appeared that Jerrold did not want to let Daria get away for he said, "What a good idea, I think I will join you."

He probably wants to humiliate me even more. Daria thought glumly.

They both left the ballroom and walked outside, Jerrold gripped her arm tightly to make sure that she did not try to run off.

As soon as they were outside, Daria yanked her arm back.

"What the hell was that? Why did you have to humiliate me? In front of your friends!" Daria raised her voice.

"Be quiet, people will hear you. And it was not as if you did not deserve it. You said some inappropriate things to me too." He defended himself.

"But not in front of my friends." Daria glared at him for a moment, and then suddenly she felt drained of energy and her shoulders slumped. She sighed.

"What are we going to do about your quest for the Swan Flower?" she asked.

"I guess I will just have to go." He said resignedly. "What else can I do? I will have to actually try to find it."

There was silence for a few moments as both of them thought.

Daria then suddenly said, "How do you know Charles and Charlie?"

She did not expect him to actually answer her civilly but she was surprised when he did.

"My mother and their mother are friends. Before my mother married, they used to do everything together. Even after she was married they still saw each other often, even between her duties as Queen."

"Charles and Charlie seem…different." Daria commented.

"They are in a way. They see things in people that most others do not. It was something they were born with." Jerrold then stopped talking suddenly, realising that they were conversing far too amicably.

Daria was silent also, but for a different reason. She saw a slight figure approach them from the direction of the ballroom. Katie.

"Katie, what is it?" she asked.

"You are both wanted back in the ballroom. Our parents seem to think that you are neglecting the guests."

Both Daria and Jerrold rolled their eyes.

Katie then left and Daria and Jerrold looked at each other.

"You like her, don't you?" Daria asked, almost accusingly.

"Who?"

"Katie, who else?"

The calm mood between them that had existed a few moments before now changed.

"Well anybody is better to talk to than you." He jibed.

Daria breathed in deeply, trying to stifle her anger. He had simply gone too far this time, pushed her limits just a little bit too much. She raised her right hand, and before she knew it she slapped him hard on the face.

There was a shocked silence, and Daria almost grinned at the sight of the red imprint of her hand on his face.

"I – suppose I deserved that." He said in a choked voice.

Daria wanted desperately to apologise but pride would not let her do so. He deserved it. She told herself. He did.

"We better go back." She said frightened.

Jerrold then turned abruptly and walked back to the ballroom with Daria trailing behind.

A/N: Thanks for all your reviews!

Blue-hello-kitty: Yeah, I think it was harsh for Jerrold to call Daria that but I don't think he realised what he was saying. About the Jerrold liking Daria thing, you will see more of that in the upcoming chapters (promise!) Thanks for reviewing.

Potterwoman: Thanks for the review – the table is just somewhere where they can eat and stuff. It's sort of like a wedding reception with the dance floor in the middle (except really large).

Cinderella Atkins: I'm not too sure whether I am going to make Jerrold look for the flower yet. I am thinking yes at the moment. Thanks for reviewing (twice)!

LillianaRose: I promise that next time Daria will definitely come out better in an argument! Thanks for the review!

Lilyclio: There is nothing in Ella Enchanted to say that Daria and Jerrold hated each other first – it was something that I just made up! Thanks for reviewing.

JellyBelly391: Yep, Daria and Jerrold will definitely fall in love. Thanks for the review!

Thanks also to:

Chaye710, Revi, jh, Jaina Eowyn (you reviewed three times – wow! Thanks heaps), Pointy Objects, evil6, MapleRose, b2okworm1, PrettyGal1212, baby blue gal, Another Reader, awaiting impatient person and Princess of Rivendell