For Annika, time did not seem to be on her side. She had only a minimal amount of time to go until Florian's ball, and there was still no sign of Miriam and her blue ball gown. Despairingly, she walked to and fro from the window of her temporary room, hoping that Miriam would suddenly appear in the horizon. The ball started at eight, and it was already half past six. Tension growing in her shoulders, Annika sat down on the purple bedspread. After holding her head for quite sometime, she heard a knock on the door. Jumping to her feet, she ran to the door only to find Michael. "Hello Frauline Terrich..." He began, "why do you look so down?"

"The ball starts in little less than two hours, and Miriam is no where in site! I have no carriage, no gown, no hope." Annika said despairingly.

"Ah ye of little faith. Did you really think that I would let you down my child?" A female voice called out from behind Michael.

"Miriam?" Annika asked in an astonished voice.

"Ja. Come now, we have little time to waste." Miriam then rushed into the room and the two immediately started on making Annika a presentable maiden. The gown fit perfectly, as did the elfin slippers Miriam produced. Miriam then circled Annika, looking in vain to find a flaw. Smiling graciously she returned to Annika's front and grasped her hands. "Sie sind schön." Annika blushed at the compliment.

"Thank you." Annika whispered.

"Now there is one more thing." Miriam said as she placed her hands on Annika's head. Closing her eyes, Miriam mouthed something and then a second later, Annika's golden locks were pulled up into an elegant style. Ringlets framed her face, and in her hair sat a silver tiara of silver ivy. Around Annika's neck appeared a simple silver chain that held an emerald tear drop. Miriam then kissed Annika's forhead. "Florian will not be able to resist you."

Annika giggled nervously before she replied. "One can only hope." Miriam then rushed Annika out of her room and the inn to the carriage waiting outside. "How...?" Annika began as she looked at Miriam, Miriam only winked.

"Go child, but be home before midnight."

"Why?"

"Darling, there was much more magic put into this night than what you were able to see, at twelve, it will fade."

"Then I shan't tarry longer. Thank you Miriam!" Michael then appeared to help Annika up into the cabin of the carriage. Annika blew a gloved kiss at Miriam as the carriage set into motion.

The palace halls were filled with the sounds of luxiours lives that could be heard from miles away. The orchestra played exquistly, and the voice of people talking and whispering filled whatever void. There were hundreds of men and women in formal attire. Yet none of this Florian noticed, the ball had begun only an hour ago yet Florian wanted to stab his sword through his foot, or Brigitte's. As he spent more and more time with her, he detested her even more. She was prudish, arrogant, ditzy, and dull. All fine qualities in a queen, but not for Florian. As much as he hated to admit it, he wanted thrill in his life, he wanted a woman that always kept him guessing, he wanted Annika.

As the Prince, Florian had to fulfill his obligation to dance with every single maiden at the ball. Weary, he finally broke free from a group of women and walked outside to a balcony that overlay the gardens. Sighing, he dropped his head into his hands for a small eternity. Drawing in a deep breath, he finally raised his head and stared out into the blackened greenery. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement. Curiously, he turned his head slightly and saw a figure walking through the gardens. Kniting his eyebrows together, Florian squinted and deciphered that the figure was a woman. Why is she not at the party? He thought to himself. For some unknown reason, Florian decided to find the answer out for himself. He hurried back inside and out to the gardens. Turning his head left and right, he finally spotted the woman toward the pond. Wandering over to the pond, he stopped behind the woman. "Is the ball not to your likeing?" He questioned the woman.

The woman did not turn around but instead just shrugged and ran her fingers through the waters. He walked closer to her. "Is something the matter?" Florian posed.

"Not at all. Well, that is a lie, but I suppose its my own fault." The woman replied.

"How do you mean?"

"All of this is so...different to me."

"Are you not supposed to be here? You are dressed the part."

"No, I suppose duty states that I have a place here, but it's so different to me."

"I am afraid I do not understand." Florian gently told her. He sat down behind her and the woman sighed and turned to face him. Florian smiled at the woman, she like every woman at the ball, had on a mask, but he somehow knew she was beautiful.

"It is a long story, basically I have just gained a noble heir."

"Have you been lost?" He inquired. She nodded.

"For quite sometime." She replied.

"And how did you stumble your way to the ball?"

"Because I-" The woman stopped as she finally looked up at the Prince, she gasped slightly and stood up, almost falling down in the hurried attempt. Florian looked at her alarmed face.

"Are you alright?" He asked her hastily.

"Fine...fine." She answered.

"Do you need to sit?"

"Nein...ja." She stated as she sat back down. Florian kneeled infront of her. "I am fine, do not fuss." He stood up at her bold comment.

"You know who I am ja?"

"Ja."

"Yet you do not take a formal tone with me."

"Should I?"

"By techniquality? I suppose, but I beg you to abstain. I rather like the conversation between acquaintances and not prince and subject."

"I am glad."

"Who are you?"

"I am-"The masked woman began, yet she was interrupted by Briggitte's strident yell.

"Florian? Florian? Where are you? FLORIAN!" The angered voice called. Florian sighed.

"I am afraid I must go." Florian turned to go, then stopped, "Wait for me?"

The woman smiled warmly, "As you wish."

The night passed all too quickly for Florian after his chance meeting with the seceret Madchen. He ws not able to pull away until around half past midnight, when the ball was beginning to wind down. Florian ran into th gardens and searched in haste only to find it empty. Florian groaned and slapped his palm against his forehead.

The night of the ball passed in a dull blur. As soon as Annika arrived, she retreated to the gardens. She had never been more nervous in her life, but when Florian spoke to her, she had never been more happy. The conversation was short, and seemingly un meaningful, but it meant everything to her. Yet as time passed, and Florian had not returned to her side, she grew weary and hurt.

Annika left the gardens two hours after her meeting with Florian, and she returned once more to the ballroom. She saw him dancing with Brigitte nearly every dance, and with every step, the meaning became clearer. He'll never be yours! She stood at the side of the room and her eyes remained trained to the obscene couple. Finally a man walked up to her and bowed. He was handsome no doubt. Blonde hair with a tan complexion. His eyes were covered with a white mask, and he wore a blue top, black slacks, and white gloves. Once he returned to his full height, he smiled grandly down at Annika. Annika blushed slightly and curtseyed. The man grabbed her hand lightly in his, "Would you do me the honor?" He asked, indicating the dance. Annika blushed again.

"Not at all." She replied as he led her out onto the dance floor.

"I am Jorgi by the way."

"Annika." She informed Jorgi.

"Annika...a beautiful name."

"Danke." Annika replied. Jorgi only nodded. After Jorgi came Derek, Johann, Wagner, Marco, Julius, and Gregor, and those were only the men to dance with her in two short hours. Annika was easily the most beautiful woman there, thus bringing the enormous amount of bitter gossip. The single ladies and mothers huddled with their gloved hands over their hands.

"Who is she?"

"She does not seem familiar?"

"Is she a criminal?"

"Worse, a peasant!" One replied, bringing a round of obnoxious laughter. Annika heard all of this and for once she pitied the queen. Was this how they talked of their royalty? Was this how she would have been talked about? Yet she kept her head held high and kept a deaf ear to their envious tongue lashings. When midnight came, Annika left hesitantly, she had not seen Florian since the beginning of the evening. Cursing herself, she stepped into the carriage and returned to the Inn.

Little did she know the lengths Florian would go to meet his mystery girl once more.

A/N: Okay that was short, and probably boring, but tonight is my only night that Im actually home before 7. We have our theater competition on Saturday, so we're working our little...some big...butts off. Please review. And I promise the next chapter will be better! Oh and I just got back from my theater competition...we're going to state!

lady gwen: If only I had the coordination. No actually I am in colorguard. But I am also in theater, and if I had the period, Id be in choir.

Stephanie: Thank you so much! I realize this probably was not a good chapter, and I apologize.

Happy Halloween!