Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Shugo Chara!

According to the Shugo Chara! Wiki, Amu's birthday is on September 24th, so that's what it is in this story.

Chapter 5

Invitation

After wandering through town, Amu had quickly let go of his hand before Kukai and Tadase could catch them. They had mounted their horses and returned to the palace, and then parted ways after saying a short good-bye.

Once back in his own kingdom, Ikuto headed straight to his room and kicked off his shoes before laying on his bed. He looked out his window, thinking about the princess that had captured his interest.

A couple hours later, he had nodded off, and was awoken by a knock at the door. "Your highness? There is a message for you." Tadase said from the other side of the door. After a moment of silence, Tadase called his name. "Are you asleep?"

"IKUTO WAKE UP NOW!" A voice that was clearly Utau's shouted from the other side of the door.

Ikuto sighed and got out of bed, walking to the door and opening it.

"You're welcome." Utau said before continuing on her way down the hallway.

Ikuto rolled his eyes at his younger sister. "What message, Tadase?"

Tadase handed him a white envelope. "It's from the kingdom of Seiyo. Would you like me to leave?"

Ikuto smirked. "I know you want to hear what it is."

Tadase shrugged. "Your choice."

Ikuto nodded and opened the envelope, pulling out a piece of parchment paper. "You are formally invited to attend her royal highness Amu Hinamori's eighteenth birthday ball. This is to take place a week from today on the twenty-fourth of September. The ball will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and will go until midnight. Formal-wear is to be worn. Gifts are to be presented unwrapped to the guards who will wrap them from there for the princess's safety. We hope to see you there. Best regards, King Tsumugu Hinamori and Queen Midori Hinamori." Ikuto read the letter.

Tadase smiled. "This is exciting, you haven't been to a ball in years." He frowned. "You ARE going, aren't you?"

Ikuto hesitated before answering. "…It would be rude not to attend." He closed his bedroom door.

"Wouldn't be the first time you refused a ball invitation." Tadase said quietly.

"I heard that." Ikuto said before walking to his bed and sitting on the edge, staring at the letter. "A ball, huh?"

Amu sat on her window seat, looking out at the leaves of the tall tree that stretched all the way up to her window. Autumn had already begun, and she knew the nights would start to get cooler. She looked at the dress mannequin that wore the dress she had chosen for her birthday ball. She wondered if Ikuto would come, but then quickly shook her head. "I don't care. I won't let this marriage happen. Just because he's attractive, he's still mysterious, and I can't tell what he's thinking. That's not the kind of person that I want to fall in love with." Although she told herself this, she lightly touched the bead and two pearls on the necklace that she still wore.

She sighed, pulling her knees to her chest. "Now what do I do?"

Short, I know, but next chapter will be MUCH longer! Review please!