"Open in the name of the King!" Called the messenger. "An urgent message from His Imperial Majesty."
Haruhi opened the door and took the invitation.
"Thank you." She said. "From the King!"
"What's it say, Haruhi?" Honey asked.
"I dont know." Haruhi said. "He said its urgent. Maybe I should interrupt the... uh... music Iesson."
She knocked on the door.
"Haruhi!" Benio yelled. "I've warned you never to interrupt while-"
"But this just arrived from the palace." Haruhi protested.
"From the palace!" Benio said.
"Give it here!" Chizuru said.
"Let me have it!" Hinako said.
"No, it's mine!" Chizuru said.
"No-" Hinako said.
"I'll read it." Benio said. "Well...There's to be a ball."
"A ball!" Chizuru and Hinako said.
"In honor of His Highness, the Prince!" Benio said.
"Oh, the Prince!" The girls said.
"And by royal command, every eligible maiden is to attend." Benio said.
"Why, that's us!" Chizuru said.
"And I'm so eligible!" Hinako said.
"Why, that means I can go too!" Haruhi said.
"Ha! Her, dancing with the Prince!" Chizuru said.
"I'd be honoured, Your Highness." Hinako said. "Would you mind holding my broom?"
"Well, why not?" Haruhi said. "After all, I'm still a member of the family. And it says, "By royal command...every eligible maiden is to attend."
"Yes... So it does." Benio said. "Well, I see no reason why you can't go...if you get all your work done."
"Oh, I will! I promise." Haruhi said.
"And if you can find something...suitable to wear." Benio said.
"I'm sure I can!" Haruhi said. "Oh, thank you, Stepmother."
"Mother! Do you realize what you just said?" Chizuru said.
"Of course." Benio said."I said, "If..."
"Oh, "If..." Chizuru said.