"His Highness, Prince Frederick," the Herald called across the ballroom and the Prince descended the staircase. It was much the same as the ballroom at his own castle, although the smooth polished white marble in this ballroom was inlaid with blue designs. Frederick crossed the white and blue marble in his polished boots. His coal black hair gleamed in the candlelight and the silver embroidery in his forest green jacket glinted.

"Welcome to our Kingdom," the King greeted him formally with a voice that carried across the room in rolls. This was the second time Frederick had heard these words of welcome. The first had been earlier today when he had arrived and was shown to the King and Queen's reception hall. Tonight was more of a show for ambassadors, Lords and Ladies and alike.

"We trust that your stay with us will be enjoyed by every member of your party, and most of all your self. It is with great anticipation that we receive your Highness in our kingdom. May there always be peace between us."

The King's words were heartfelt and convincing, but Frederick noticed that once again the Princess who he was supposed to be marrying was absent. The Queen stated her apologies for her daughter's in-attendance; it seemed the Princess had come down with a migraine and was unable to attend the ball that evening.

The King bowed to Frederick one more time before Frederick moved off to the dais that had been erected for himself and his future bride. Her absence irritated Frederick. Lina would never be absent at an important time like this, he thought, unknowingly comparing Lina to herself.

Then the King and Queen took to the floor as the orchestra struck up the traditional waltz. The ball had begun. Other couples began to alight the floor and join the King and Queen. They looked worried, Frederick noticed, despite the confidence that the King spoke with.

***

Karalina pushed the panel open in the wall, and finally found herself in her own rooms. She hadn't been able to leave before Frederick to come home and had ended up stowed away in the luggage carriage. It wasn't until after everyone had emptied out the carriage and the noise around had quietened that Karalina had been able to creep out and into the castle.

Now she looked around her room, knowing she had find a ball gown to wear and arrive at the ball before it was over, so that she could dance with Frederick.

***

Frederick danced with another young maiden and then retired to the throne. He had never liked balls, and this one seemed even more troublesome than usual because his reason for being here had managed to avoid being in attendance. The candles burned lower and lower, almost half way through the night, Frederick judged.

Suddenly, as Frederick gazed around the room, he noticed a figure atop the grand staircase. This person must be incredibly late, Frederick thought, as he watched her shed her cloak and step forward into the light. He took a breath as the candlelight glinted off the stunning silver gown.

Her long brown hair was caught back from her face with silver clasps but, instead of being piled on her head, as was the fashion, hung down her back in loopy curls. Her skin was pale and fair, and her green eyes were shining as she gracefully took to the stairs.

"Her Highness, Princess Karalina," the joy in the Herald's voice was undeniable.

So this was the Princess, thought Frederick in wonder. From the corner of his eye he saw the Queen move to go to her, but the King caught her before she could take another step. The dancing had stopped and everyone bowed deeply to the Princess as she paused at the bottom of the stairs.

She is enchanting, Frederick thought as he crossed the ballroom to greet her. He bowed to her without a word, and she curtsied gracefully in reply. The orchestra began to play again as Frederick offered the Princess his hand, as he knew he must, took the Princess in his arms and started to dance.

***

Karalina felt like she must be flying. She was finally at home, in the most stunning gown she could have ever dreamed and in the arms of her Prince. The ballroom could have been filled with another thousand people and she would not have noticed in the slightest. The only thing that mattered was Frederick.

But he seemed distracted. Karalina had been sure he would recognise her, even though her appearance was so different, but for all she could tell, he had not.

"I'm sorry for my late arrival, your Highness," she murmured as they danced.

"Your parents explained about your migraine," Frederick replied easily. He spun her out and then back into his arms and they began to waltz again.

"You seem distracted," Karalina offered, noticing that his forehead was creased the way it was when he was thinking about something, even though the rest of his body moved as if it were completely focused on the dance.

"My apologies," Frederick replied surprised that she had noticed. "Your eyes remind me of someone," he explained.

"May I ask who?" Karalina asked, enjoying herself a bit.

"Someone I love," Frederick answered.

Karalina's heart sang and she knew it was time to reveal herself to Frederick. How can I do it? She wondered, her mind racing.

"Highness," she began, "may I ask something."

"Of course Princess Karalina," Frederick replied politely.

"Did you manage to send the reports on the summer harvest to the district magistrates before you left for this trip?"

"Of course," Frederick replied without thinking, "my maid, Lina- "

Suddenly he stopped dancing and took a hold of her shoulders. Karalina looked into his coal black eyes with her own bright green ones as Frederick searched her face.

"Lina?" he asked breathlessly.

She nodded in response, too happy for words. Frederick looked into her green eyes and saw the woman he loved gazing back.

"Lina," Frederick said again, and then he kissed her.

Karalina explained everything to Frederick, how she had come to the castle to escape being engaged to some unknown prince, and what a surprise it had been when her parents had engaged her to him without even realising it. Frederick laughed as he came to understand Lina's strange reaction to his marriage proposal and how absurd it must have been for Karalina to hear of it.

They danced and danced all evening, until the guests were gone and even the musicians were ready to depart. After a joyful reunion with her parents, Karalina and Frederick explained everything and were married the next day. They then returned to Frederick's kingdom where they lived happily ever after.