Slaine tried to distract himself with some chores, some reading, and some other diversions. But nothing could keep his attention for long. It was still early in the night. The ball wouldn't be over for hours. Slaine just hoped the time would fly by and then he could forget about the ball. No such luck.

"Are you done dreaming?"

His head snapped up at the unfamiliar voice and he saw a girl's head poking in through a window.

"I said, are you done dreaming?"

"Why shouldn't I dream?", Slaine said defensively. Dreams were all he had. Who was this stranger to judge?

"Dreamers never get anything done. They always have their heads in the clouds. Dreams are only where it starts. Now are you going to invite me inside?"

Slaine didn't want to, but it would be rude to continue the conversation this way. So he got up and opened the door near the window for her, only to see she had disappeared. When he turned, he saw that she was inside, sitting in a wheelchair.

"How did you?!"

"Fairy magic", she said, waving her hand and letting fairy dust.

"Fairy...magic...?"

"Yes. I'm your fairy godmother, Lemrina", the girl said.

Slaine looked at her youthful face. "You look a little...young to be a mother."

"Well if you're fine spending the night alone, I can go and you can wait for some old biddy to come and-"

"N-no! No, it's fine. It's just...strange." Slaine plopped into a chair across from her.

"You had best prepare for more than that. Because you're going to the ball."

"Looking like this?" Slaine's clothes weren't even good enough for a casual gathering among friends or close acquaintances. There was no way he could go to the prince's ball dressed the way he was.

Lemrina inspected him from afar and tapped her chin, as if she had just realized there was a problem with how he was dressed.

"Yes, yes, that is a problem. And you'll need some way to get there as well. You can't fly as I can... Come! Let us see what we have to work with." Lemrina rolled her wheelchair outside and Slaine followed behind, wondering what she was going to do. After a moment of looking around, she flicked her hands and a pumpkin turned into a carriage while a few mice were made into coach hands and horses.

"There! Perfect", she smiled, satisfied with herself.

"Except for one thing", Slaine reminded her.

"Oh", Lemrina gave him her attention. "Yes, well, turn around so that I can get a good look at you."

Slaine turned slowly and as he did, his fairy godmother sprinkled more of her magic. His clothes, torn, faded, and worn became vibrant and beautiful. He now wore a perfectly tailored suit in a dark blue that shimmered with silver accents. On his left hand was a shimmering ring of glass. Lemrina created a mirror so that he could see himself fully.

Not only had his clothes changed. His hair was perfectly styled. His face was clean and clear of any dirt or dust. Looking closely he noticed there was even a bit of makeup on him.

"Is that...eyeliner?"

"I think it's quite fetching", Lemrina smirked at her work. "Now let's get going. You only have until midnight to have your fun."

"Until midnight? I suppose that's enough time. I need to get up early to brew the tea, and beat the rugs, and-"

"None of that tonight!", Lemrina snapped. "Tonight is about you and your dream. You're going to make it happen."

Slaine walked up to his carriage. "Is it really possible? That I could dance with the prince? That he would even want to be seen with me?"

"Of course it's possible." Lemrina's voice was firm and held no room for doubt and so with a smile, Slaine got into the carriage and waved to her as it drove off. She waved and then seconds later, as Slaine watched the nighttime scenery fly by the window, he saw Lemrina flying alongside the carriage in her wheelchair.

Quite possible. It's possible!

For the world is full of zanies and fools

Who don't believe in sensible rules

And won't believe what sensible people say

And because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes

Impossible things are happening everyday!

Slaine felt like he was flying himself. Tomorrow he would go back to his dreary life of servitude. But tonight, just for a night, he would have fun with the new person he had become.

Tonight, just for tonight, Inaho would endure the tedious rituals under the guise of a speedy courtship. He was supposed to find someone he would be interested in spending the rest of his life with at this ball. But they were all either too focused on impressing him, or were too impressed by him and tripped over their words in their attempts.

He didn't even try to hide his yawns as he danced with everyone that came his way, men and women alike. He had an affinity for both. Not that it mattered all that much when none caught his eye. But there were only a few more hours left. Once it was over he could retire with a big fat 'I told you so' for Yuki.

"Bored, are you?", his current dancing partner asked.

Inaho actually looked him in the eye. He wasn't falling over himself. That was new.

"There's not much fun in these events for me", Inaho answered.

"I have to agree. I'm only here because my father hopes I'll have a chance at earning your favor."

"You're honest..."

"Klancain Cruhteo, at your service your highness."

"You can just call me Inaho."

"So informal. And it's only our first dance."

"First?", one of Inaho's brows quirked up. "You expect there to be more than this?"

Klancain shrugged. "If I may so have the fortune of it."

"We shall see", Inaho said noncommittally, although so far Klancain had been the most intriguing so perhaps he would favor him with a second dance. But that thought left his mind like a fleeting wind when he saw a new person approaching from the top of the stairway. There was no way it could be... It was impossible...And yet there he was.

Slaine from the marketplace.