"Darla!"

Darla heard the tap-tap of heels behind her and turned to see an excited Carla racing towards her. "What is-"

Without a reply, Carla grabbed her arm, pulling her along till she stood in Carla's large, rose tinted room. Pushing stray tendrils of blonde hair from her face, Carla bubbled excitedly, "Was that what I think it was?"

Darla gave her a look of pure confusion. "Umm…me walking down the hall?"

"No, silly! You…and.." prompted Carla with a meaningful look.

"I wasn't walking with anyone, dear." She began to wonder if her friend had lost her mind.

Finally Carla cried out in exasperation, "The prince! You and the prince, riding together!"

Darla blinked. "Oh. Yes. Do you know what the cook prepared for lunch today?"

"You maddening darling! However did you get him to go?"

"Get him to? I didn't want him to!"

"Are you crazy? He's only the most handsome male at court! So what did he say? What did you say? Oh, tell me everything!"

"Well…he told me about the coming ball."

"I thought you aren't going to go to any masquerades."

Darla's eyes shone with excitement. "But, you see, Will said Queen Anne shall to help me get fitted for a dress."

"How lovely of him! Oh, how I wish I knew him." She sighed.

"If you really like him that much, perhaps I can talk to him about you sometime," offered Darla graciously.

"Would you?" Anticipation danced in Carla's chocolate brown eyes.

"Of course."

Will finished his breakfast hastily and began pacing the vast hall outside the grand oak doars. She's just like any other girl. You simply ask her, it isn't that big of a deal. The worst she can say is no, Will told himself repeatedly, wondering again why he wanted so much to ask Darla to the ball. She's going to think I like her, he thought in horror. No, no, no…maybe we can go as friends. Yes, that's perf—

A soft voice behind him made him start. "Will?"

He spun around to face Darla in her soft pink morning dress. "Oh, good morning, Darla." Just say it. "Are you going with anyone to the ball?"

She blinked. "No…I was wondering, do you know Carla?"

"Yes, slightly, she's your friend, isn't she?" He struggled to remember.

"Yes, yes. I know you're probably going with someone else, and it is a bit forward of me to ask, but do you think you may go with her? To the ball?" Darla gazed up at him expectantly. At his blank expression, she pressed, "Please? It would mean so much."

Will felt himself melting slowly. Why am I doing this? "Yes, I suppose so."

Darla squealed in sudden delight. "Perfect!" She lowered her voice as if telling a grave secret. "But you must ask her…she doesn't know about this."

"Of course," said Will dully.

"Thank you so much, you're a dear!" She threw her arms about him in an exuberant hug before proceeding along her way, leaving behind her a very disgruntled young man.

Darla shifted uneasily from foot to foot in front of the door to the royal fitting room, trying to conjure up in her mind a list of the rules Lady Pamela had promptly supplied on hearing of her audience with the queen. Sweep a grand curtsey. Amuse her with your witty yet softly delicate conversation. Mention Belinda and Rosaline at least five times each and emphasize their eligibility for the prince-inconspicuously, of course. Stand like…

The door was opened. "Come in."

With a deep breath, Darla entered, sweeping her very best curtsey with a meek, "Good day, Your Majesty."

Queen Anne waved a hand. "No formalities with me, dear. You may call me Anne." Said Anne was rather tall with thick blonde hair that showed hints of white. Otherwise, though, she looked young and fresh with lively green eyes and soft cheeks of peaches and cream. "My son told me you are interested in being fit for a dress for the coming masquerade."

A mortified Darla hastened to explain, "You needn't do it if you don't want to! I simply-"

Anne gave a knowing smile. "Yes, I believe Will offered my services, and I'm glad he did. You know, Will and Jacob," naming his little brother, "are very sweet but could never take the place of a little girl." Here her smile turned sad, for the queen had bourne a stillborn baby girl a few years before. After a moment, she straightened, saying brightly, "Now where is Mrs. Perusha?"

At this, a thin, wiry woman stepped from her place in the corner. Her steel gray hair was pulled into a tight bun and she wore gold framed glasses at the tip of her nose. "Your Highness? Shall I begin?"

"Yes, of course. Now I have some work to do, so call me when you're finished." With this comment, she left the two alone. "Please step up on the stool." Mrs. Perusha made a small motion towards a stool standing alone in the middle of the room. Darla did so and with that the measurements began.

"That is quite enough for today," announced Mrs. Perusha, much to a drooping Darla's relief. She thought the hour would never end.

Presently, Queen Anne swept back into the room. "Now, have you decided what animal you would like to be?"

Darla's eyes widened. "Why, I hadn't even thought of it!"

Queen Anne studied her. "Do you have any ideas?"

Hesitatingly, Darla asked, "Do-do you think a fairy would be alright?" She felt suddenly foolish.

"Well, it isn't quite an animal." At Darla's crestfallen expression, she added, "But I think it sounds lovely."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Do you think you could do that, Mrs. Perusha?" At said person's solemn nod, Queen Anne continued, "Wonderful! So when do you-" A paige entered. "Yes?"

"You are needed by the florist, Your Higness."

She sighed heavily. "Yes, yes. Duty calls." And with that she left.

3