Chapter 7! The past few chapters haven't been that exciting, but starting at the end of this chapter, things should start heating up. Up until now I didn't really know where the plot was going, but a few days ago a light bulb went off in my head and I basically figured out the plot for the rest of this fanfiction. So I'm super excited to keep writing. Thank you Dream Plane and aaw0407 for your reviews! Enjoy this chapter and keep reviewing! :)

…

I turned corridor after corridor and saw the usual paintings like before. No hidden roses in any of them. I checked. My situation could not get any more peculiar. I had been thinking a lot about last night when I passed the painting with the rose book, how had I not noticed it before? I decided to take a slight detour to Ebony's room and see if my eyes were playing tricks on me last night. The lighting in the hallway was dim even when I turned the corner, so I had to hope that I was in the right section of the castle. Of course I knew it like the back of my hand, but it was too dark to tell for sure where I was going. I grabbed a lit candlestick from the wall and tried to hurry my pace. I didn't like wandering the corridors at night. Nothing had ever happened, but the darkness was never my favorite thing.

I finally stumbled upon the portrait hall, and scanned each carefully. I found what I was looking for, and much to my dismay there was no difference from the previous night. I moved my hand up and brushed the acrylic book. The rose looked painted on by someone who was in a hurry. Up close it was less of a rose and more of a deep red blob.

Oh well, this mystery will just have to go unsolved for the time being. I'm on a mission.

I walked on, passing the throne room on my way. I remembered the way that I danced with Christophor at the ball. And the way I danced with Kace at the ball. I really hoped I didn't seem interested in any of them. Christophor and I were friends again, and Kace danced with me once. Only enough to call ourselves acquaintances. I think.

…

I was so worried about the ache in my legs from tonight's adventures, that I forgot to look where I was going. I ran right into something, or shall I say someone...

"I am so sorry!" I exclaimed. Aura rolled her eyes when she thought I wasn't looking, but quickly changed her expression to a smile.

"No harm done." She quickly put her right hand behind her back and I heard the crumple of paper. I would ask her what it was but I had a more burning question.

"What are you doing in this wing so late at night?"

"I got lost coming back from the ball. It really is a confusing place." she said, giving a quick smile and looking down. She was fidgeting with her pale pink dress, her right hand still behind her back.

"It is easy to get lost." I assured her.

"Yes, especially when I've never been here before." She said. She flinched, as if she said something she wasn't supposed to.

"Definitely. Even I get lost sometimes." I said, playing along.

"Good to see you, but it's getting late, I really must be going." She said, moving past me at a brisk walk.

"Yes of course, have a wonderful evening!" I called.

"You as well!" She called back from where she had advanced down the hallway with her head down. How strange.

I had finally made it to Ebony's room. My room was right across from hers, and I was tempted to curl up in my bed and sleep. It had been a long tiring night, and I didn't want to think about Christophor, Kace, or anyone for that matter. But, It was my job as a handmaiden and best friend to Ebony to see the verdict on the prince. I knocked on the large oak doors of Ebony's room 3 times, and heard her cheery voice.

"Come in!"

This could not be good. No one is that happy at midnight. I walked in and she still had her ball gown on. She was leaning against the bedpost with a huge grin set on her face.

"Rose! You won't believe what happened?!" She said quickly, like she had way too much sugar. I groaned,

"yes?"

"I'm in love with Charles!" She said, flopping onto her bed. It bounced beneath her.

"Who is charles?" I asked.

"Only the most, sweet, kind, handsome human being who ever walked this earth."

"I think that is a bit of an overstatement." I murmured. "Wait! Is Charles the foreign prince? You're in love with royalty. You know that right?" I asked, gaping. She hugged her pillows to her chest.

"So?"

"Well, I thought that you hated princes. All of them." At this point I was the one leaning against her bedpost, my tiredness getting the best of me.

"I changed my mind. He wants to meet me at the gazebo in the gardens at midnight tomorrow." Her smile was so big it looked like it would break her face.

"Are you going to go?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I? I asked him how long he was staying, and he said he didn't know yet."

"Wow."

"So what's going on with you?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Christophor? You two were dancing." She said, raising one eyebrow.

"Oh. We're friends now."

"Friends?"

"Oh, quit it, would you? Yes, friends."

"What about Kace?"

"Also friends. I made a lot of friends tonight."

"Hmm."

"What?"

"Nothing." She said, folding her arms.

"Alright. I have a question."

"Is it about who I think you should choose." She said quickly, with giddy excitement. "I'd be happy to tell you my opinion on the subject."

"What?! No, stop it. I need you to be serious. Just for a second." I scowled.

"Fine," she rolled her eyes. "How may I be of service?"

"Is Aura interested in Kace?" I asked, biting my lip. Ebony squealed loudly,

"Wouldn't you like to know!"

"Yes. That's why I asked." I said, giving her a massive eye roll.

"No, Kace is currently unaffiliated." She said.

I turned around and smiled to myself. So, I wasn't intruding on any predetermined relationship. Good.

"Just so you know, my parents really wanted to be here. They had to travel to Charles' native kingdom for a delegation meeting. They're working on foreign relations, but they won't need to if Charles and I work out." She smiled and her eyes shone.

"I understand, give me their thanks for the invitation. I had a wonderful time." I smiled.

"Of course! I'm so glad that you could go."

"Me too." I started to get Ebony ready for bed, but I still had one last question pulling at the back of my mind. I was wary to ask it though, and I fought with myself until I was in her doorway. I turned back and asked her, overriding the non-nosy part of myself.

"Ebony?"

"Yes?" She had a book open as she lay in bed. How she could read this late at night still amazed me. Did she ever run out of energy?

"Has Aura been to the castle before today?" I asked. Ebony laughed,

"Why, of course. We've been friends since before you and I became friends. I wouldn't be surprised if she could guide me through the castle with her eyes closed."