The crowd slowly filtered into the vast ballroom, where the orchestra had begun tuning. Darla tried to resist but could not help but scan the crowd till she saw the face that made her feel like running back to her room and burrowing under the covers-Alex. Looking the perfect doll in a frilly blue dress, Dora adorned his side. How Darla wished to take her place for just one night, to travel back before it all happened! It was always 'happening',Darla reminded herself staunchly. He was always lying.

Nevertheless, her eyes kept wandering back to him. Finally, he glanced up. His expression became inscrutable as he studied her. Gathering her dignity, she looked coldly away, though her heart beat wildly. She danced the first song, a waltz, with Jonathan. A few dances later, a hush fell over the crowd as Queen Anne rose from her throne. When all was quiet, she began, her voice ringing across the ballroom, "Tonight I am pleased and honored to introduce Lady Katrina, the niece of King Bernard." The air became fraught with tension, for the significance of Lady Katrina's presence did not go unnoticed. "As is tradition, William shall share the first dance with her."

Reluctantly, he stepped forward, surveying her closely. He wondered if Darla was right, if she had changed. Her fiery red hair was piled upon her head in rich ringlets, and she certainly looked acceptable. As the attention of the nobles shifted from the pair, William cleared his throat and put on the best diplomatic manners instilled in him since his youth. "How have you been faring? It's been a long time since we've seen each other, if I recall correctly."

"Far too long, wouldn't you say?" She gazed into his eyes in what he believed she supposed to be a dreamy way but made him wonder if she was going to faint.

"I…suppose so."

"It is lovely to be once again reunited together."

"Umm…" Remember yourself. "Indeed."

"We have our lives before us, Willy-may I call you that?" Without waiting for reply, she continued, "And what a sweet paradise it shall be…you and I together!"

"Indeed. Pray tell, are you especially fond of romance novels?" She has to get all that nonsense from somewhere.

She let out an excited squeal. "Oh, you know my soul, to the very core of my being! How else could you have guessed?"

Pretending not to have heard her latter comment, he noted with relief that the song was almost over, and hastily said, "Well, it has been a pleasure, Lady Katrina. Have a-"

"Call me," she paused dramatically, "Trina."

"Uh, yes." Quickly disengaging himself from her he finished, "Have a wonderful night!" and fled to the punch table for safety.

Darla glanced at William, dancing with Katrina, with a concerned expression. "What is it?" questioned Jonathan.

She turned back around. "I just hope they get along well." She somehow would hate to see him yoked to the type of girl he had described on their ride. Hearing Jonathan suck in his breath quickly, she gave him a curious glance. "Jonathan?"

Straightening, he looked down at her. "Lady Cordelia." A tall girl with russet curls approached them.

An understanding look entered Darla's eyes, and she gave a sly smile. Once Lady Cordelia was in hearing distance, Darla heaved a dramatic sigh. "Jonathan," she groaned, "I am far too tired to dance. Why don't you ask another?"

For a moment he seemed baffled, having made no mention of dancing but quickly understood. "Very well, then." He dismissed himself and approached a shy Cordelia.

Smiling contentedly, Darla began to make her way to the chairs at the edge of the room when Carla's voice sounded from behind her. "Darla! Darla!"

After waiting for her to catch up, she said, "Yes, dear?" with a touch of concern in her voice, for Carla looked a bit miserable.

"You didn't tell me he was mute!"

"Who?" replied a confused Darla.

"The prince! I tried to make conversation, but he refuses to make but one word replies, so I was obliged to babble incessantly to fill the silence."

"That wouldn't be too hard for you, Carla," teased Darla. "I haven't a clue what you mean, though. He talked enough on our ride. Maybe he's just tired."

"No, not tired. More distracted. All through dinner he would glance at you, scowl, then devour his green beans with quite a violent air."

Darla laughed, amused. "I didn't know he disliked me that much!"

"No, I think it was quite the opposite," was Carla's ominous reply.

With a small sigh, Darla said drily, "That would be quite unfortunate, then, since I have been long without any desire in the way of romance. Luckily, though, he cares not for me that way at all."

"I suppose not," acceded a reluctant Carla. "Oh, here he comes! Hide me, for I have already discussed in full the lives of every nobleman at court and would rather not have to resort to the weather." Smiling tolerantly, Darla greeted Will, pushing out any doubts as to the nature of his attentions.

He couldn't help but ask a bit heatedly, "Where is Jonathan?"

Darla's eyes sparkled with mischief. "With a certain Lady Cordelia, I believe. She seems a perfect darling."

He relaxed, relieved, and before he could wonder if it would be more proper to ask Carla, he said, "Would you care to dance?"

After glancing at Carla for approval, Darla accepted. Once on the floor, she curiously asked, "So what do you think of Lady Katrina? She looks so very elegant!"

He let out a wry laugh. "I suppose so, but she somehow believes that I am deeply and madly in love with her and doesn't refrain from saying so every few moments."

Giving him a sympathetic look, she consoled, "That cannot be the worst thing in the world. In time, perhaps, you can learn to love her."

"Learning to love and falling in love are two completely different things, and I want nothing of the former," replied Will grimly.

Wondering if she had misestimated his worthiness of the crown, Darla asked, "So what are you going to do?"

"Marry her, of course," he replied dejectedly then abruptly asked, "And what are you going to do?"

She tilted her head in that endearing way of hers. "I beg your pardon?"

What on earth did I mean? "Uh…well, you know, marriage."

She straightened, thrusting her chin up defiantly. "I shall never marry." Her icy tone dared him to speak more on the subject.

He wondered vaguely why he felt such a confusing mix of relief and disappointment. "Why..? It isn't because of Alex is it?"

Darla stiffened and said in a finalistic tone, "I don't believe that is of your concern."

Rashly, he continued, "Darla, he's just one man. You shouldn't judge a race by…"

Her eyes were narrowed and fiery. "I believe I am perfectly capable of making judgments on my own."

"But, Darla-"

She stepped away from him abruptly. "Good day," she spat before turning on her heel and striding away.

Carla had been watching the pair and now looked from a seething Darla to a deject William. She approached him. "What did you say to her?" If he had done anything, anything at all, to hurt her, she didn't care a bit that he was the prince of Lavaria.

Deciding he might as well confess, he said, "I just mentioned Alex…"

"How could you? She barely forgave me when I did that. It's a terrible thing to say, especially because you're in love with her.

His gaze snapped to her. "What!"

William's apparent surprise confirmed her suspicions. "You may not know yet but I do." When he opened his mouth to protest, she shook her head. "I saw the way you look at her. And about Jonathan…a fool could see that you were jealous."

He was gaping at her. "I…I'm not." Even to his own ears, his claim was feeble and thin. When she just raised her brow, he admitted, "Maybe a bit." Am I that obvious? Whatever does Darla think of me, if she knows?

As if in answer to his silent question, Carla continued, "Don't worry, Darla doesn't suspect a thing. Though now," she speculated, "even if she did, it wouldn't matter a bit." Taking pity on him, she threw in, "Don't worry, though. She isn't much of one to hold a grudge, sadly. Which is why I'm glad that she's safe from Alex." On whim, she questioned, "If you like Darla, why did you ask me to come with you?" For she had cheerfully reconciled herself to the fact that she and the prince were not at all suited to one another.

He shifted his weight awkwardly. "You see, I...well…"

Understanding crept into Carla's merry eyes. "I know! It was Darla's doing, wasn't it?" At his nod, she gave a loving smile, "Oh, she is the loveliest friend." Casting her gaze over the crowd, she quickly picked out Darla, loading up on chocolate. "Oh, dear! But I must go…tata!"

A/N: It isn't the end of the ball at all-I'm afraid that a dreadful number of things are going to happen and all in one night when I really wish they wouldn't. (Isn't it sad when an author cannot control what happens?) Anyhow, please review, for it encourages me very much! Thank you, darlings!

Much love,

dancingdryad

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