The palace grew quiet as the people of the land made their way home after thoroughly enjoying themselves. It was on everyone's lips, the gossip of the mysterious princess whom arrived unaccompanied and unannounced. The wild stories already grew and built themselves as they were passed from one person mouth to the other. One tale told that she was a Princess from a feuding kingdom who wanted to steal the Prince's heart for advantage. Another told that the Prince fancied a servant from the Palace and dressed her to take part in a charade to pass her off as a Princess in order to marry her. The most far fetched that she was no more common than anyone else hence why no one knew her, but how unrealistic considering how expensive her attire would have cost so all dismissed such claims tisking anyone who believed such foolery.

It was unanimous that anyone who had seen her close enough agreed that there was something magical about her. Kit knew of folklore and myths of the land, his nannies would tell him children's' stories – which was all they were intended for – that spoke of wondrous beings who casted magic upon the lives of those deserving it. All magic comes with a price, though Kit was unsure how he had paid it for he was truly blessed with being in her presence.

Surely she was magical, with each step that he took away from where he left her he felt the energy of her deplete from his soul. When he looked out the window of his room he could see the grounds where they talked endlessly for hours, her smile, her eyes and the way her pale skin shone in the moonlight. Just the thought of her brought the energy back, though sanity would call this simply love. He huffed in amusement to himself, of course love made more sense but he refused to believe that she was anything but ordinary.

It was well into the next morning and Kit was still awake, unable to bring himself to sleep with the thought of another day where she – Ella he reminded himself would be in it. Ella a girl whose name he only learnt hours ago but had thought of for weeks unable to dismiss her existence. He finally convinced his tired brain that he'd be useless tomorrow if he didn't get some sleep. It didn't feel like long before a servant rapped sharply on the door of his room, he mumbled something incoherent before his valets entered the room. When the curtains pulled apart it appeared as if it was late morning if not nearing noon. One of his long serving valets Theodore whom he was near of similar age commented on the time and how he must have enjoyed himself. "It was surely a night I'm not to forget soon."

"Well I would have let you waste a day but you Father has other intentions and wants to see you in his quarters at once."

Worry struck over his face, "Is he alright?"

Theodore was honest, "He hasn't been up yet this morning however it may have been due to the late evening we all had." He smiled with reassurance, whilst Kit appreciated the gesture he knew of his father's declining health but it didn't make the fast approaching reality any easier to digest.

"Oh you've come, good."

"Oh Father," Kit spoke softly took his hand and sat next to him on the bed, "Don't go." Tears pricking on the edges of his eyes.

His Majesty shook his head, "I must. You mustn't be alone, take a bride. The Princess Chelina." He suggested though he knew Kit would decline, "What if I commanded you."

"I love and respect you, but I will not. I believe we need look outside our borders for strength or guidance. What we need is right before us and we need only have courage and be kind to see it."

"Just so. You've become your own man. Good. And perhaps in the little time left of me, I can become the father you deserve." He shook his head, "You must not marry for advantage. You must marry for love. Marry her, the one their all talking about."

Kit smiled, "Thank you Father."

"Thank you Kit. I love you son."

"I love you too." Kit laid down curled up like he was a small boy as his Father passed on. He stayed for a long time, no one dared to suggest he was to get up for only a little bit longer Kit could pretend he was in a different time than now. A much simpler time where both his Father and Mother were alive, when the world seemed much bigger and less worrisome.

Ella had awoken in a lush bed, one she could stretch her arms within and not reach the edge. It was late morning a few hours after dawn and Ella couldn't sleep anymore. She wasn't sure what to do exactly, she couldn't just put on the ball gown from last night even if the handmaidens hadn't taken it away. She decided to explore the room she was given, the fire place which had been recently stoked and there was a small desk filled with parchments and envelops. Paintings hung of flowers accompanied by real flowers in vases she felt weren't there the previous evening. She pulled back one of the curtains to see the gardens her and Kit explored the previous evening. It brought a blush to her cheeks to think of their time in the ballroom, the way his hand felt around her waist, to feeling of his kiss...

Ella jumped when she heard a knock on the door, "Come in." She called out, to which three servant girls popped in, one with food, another holding what appeared to be several different coloured dressed and another leading the bunch who spoke to her, "Good morning M'lady," She curtsied, "We've brought you some things to change into and spot of breakfast as no one is yet to awake there is no formal dining this morning."

Ella grateful for their efforts, "Oh thank you, that's so kind." She was use to small scraps of meals so not having eaten since yesterday afternoon hadn't bothered her until she saw the small buffet of food presented to her. She sat down and delicately enjoyed the variety in from of her, spot of jam on toast, fresh fruit and hot tea which aroma was a sweet black tea. The women scurried around dressing the room for the day, pull the curtains back, making the sheets and hanging the dresses up. Ella was sitting comfortably in a silk nightgown, which was unlike any fabric she had ever worn herself, not even her step-sister could boast of ever owning such a fine thing. With the clothes appearing for her and no known female royalty presently living in the castle Ella wonder where such things were coming from.

"Now when you are ready M'lady the Dressmaker has sent a variety of choices for you to wear, they are a gift after seeing the lovely gown you wore last night they thought these had to be given to you."

Ella felt uncomfortable with the arrangement however she convinced herself that a gift is not something to be guilt driven by but enjoyed as which it was intended. Unsure of what exactly to do Ella asked, "I'm sorry I don't believe I caught your name?" She asked the servant combing her hair – again; as someone combed it last night and tied it up in ribbons to keep it form knotting in her sleep.

"Louise, M'Lady. Mary is preparing your dresses and Tahlia is the newest to these quarters though she has served a few years elsewhere in the palace."

"It's lovely to met you all, would you call me Ella please?" She asked and Louise obliged but made note to tell Tahlia that she was only to be called Ella alone but formally addressed in the company of others.

Ella chose the simplest of all the dresses however hardly so in comparison to her blue dress at home. It was an embroidered pink dress with a lace trim and her hair had been styled into a low chiffon with a few pieces escaping that framed her face. Louise had suggested she take a walk to one of the public spaces in the palace, the library on the east side, which seemed so far away when she hardly knew where she was going. She was convinced when Tahlia was given the duty to escort her there in order to keep her busy.

There were no one else in the library perhaps too many had enjoyed themselves last night to even be up out of their rooms. She picked up a book she had never heard of which seemed like a good place to start. Ella had perched onto a window seat; every now she would glance out the window and see the gardeners working, servants passing by and the occasional courtier. Eventually there was a lot of stillness in the garden, the wind blew a gently breeze through the autumn leaves some picked up and taken away.

Ella turned her head to the doorway when a uniformed guard she recognised as the Captain entered the room. His face quite somber as he announced her presence was requested by Prince Christopher. Ella concerned rose from her seat, discarding the book in her hand, "Of course." She quickly picked the book up and returned it to its shelf as left with him.

They met Kit inside the King's study where all-important decisions are made. He had pulled himself together when the advisors were here to make the proclamation of the King's passing. It wasn't until they left and he was alone did his emotions release from his chest and he laid his head into his hands. When he heard the door open he drew his hands down from his face and stood up walking around the desk, though not even the pretty girl in front of him could distract him no matter how much he truly needed it right now. The Captain took his leave as Kit raised his hand in dismissal and closed the door to simply stand in front of it on the other side.

Ella could recognise the look on his face, though she allowed him to confirm her thoughts, "My Father passed away this morning." He said, eyes cast to the ground.

"I'm so sorry." Ella spoke softly, she wanted to hold him however it felt inappropriate, she wanted to hold him as much as he hoped she would reach out to him. "You loved him very much." She continued, "As he loved you I'm sure."

"Thank you," Their encounter was stiff, though as Ella delicately drifted forward they both reach out and embraced. Holding each other firmly, she thought back to her own Father's passing, how something as this would have felt. When they let go his hand trail down to hers, he stared at it for some time before speaking more seriously, "There is to be an official three weeks of mourning," I paused taking in a breath and looking up to read her face, "I want you stay at the palace until then when I'm allowed to ask you a question. Until then will you stay?" It was almost a plea.

Ella nodded her brow knitting together, "Of course."