A/N- Not a new chapter… lol. I deleted it and then I went to read the reviews ad there were no flames( from what I saw so far at least). I was surprised. Some people actually liked it. So it's back up here. Besides, some of the characters I was going to incorporate later so I'm glad I don't have to re-introduce them.

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CHAPTER 8

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A BALL

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For a short, blissfully wonderful time, things were back to normal. Jerrold and I were best friends again, and I no longer had to worry about Waldor. My uncle, of course, was still there, though he wasn't quite as awful as usual. However, being the unbearable lout he was, he couldn't actually be a normal person for just a little while. He had to take the low road and give me the silent treatment. Usually, my uncle not talking to me wouldn't bother me at all. It'd actually be a relief. But it was the principle of the matter that was driving me insane. He was giving me the silent treatment because his awful friend decided to assault me? The whole thing made absolutely no sense to me, and I made sure that my uncle knew that. Bothering him about how morally wrong his behavior was didn't really seem to help much, but it was all I could do to stop myself from going insane. Tata told me I was something else, but I was pretty sure it was Uncle Edward who was 'something else'.

But during those infuriating times, Jerrold was there to laugh at me and my indignation over the whole ordeal. For some reason, his finding amusement in my little plight was different that Tata finding amusement in it. He would simply poke fun, whereas Tata would chastise. And for yet another reason unknown to me, that was okay. I suppose it was simply because I was more than happy just to have him back as my friend. But, as all good things in my life eventually were, Jerrold was once again whisked away from me. It seemed that the Count of Tyrana had passed away, and his twenty-one year old son, Ian, was assuming the title. Whenever something exciting happened to a personage of high blood (I barely thought the death of one's father could qualify as such), any noble of good manners would go to court and celebrate with all the other courtiers. It was a custom that had been started in Kyrria centuries ago, and the young Count decided to share the wonderful news of his new role with the King and Queen. Jerrold was chosen by his parents to be the diplomat and welcome the count and his sister, Marla, to Frell.

The dubious task actually involved far more than simply welcoming them. Jerrold spent nearly every waking moment entertaining the guests, and very little time with me. And yes, I did try to join the little party and help to amuse Ian and Marla. It seemed Calantha had beaten me to it, though, and she had presumable used her head start to turn Ian and Marla against me. That's the only reason I could come up with for why the Count and his sister acted so coldly towards me. On my short quest to become one of their company, Jerrold seemed to ignore the icy tones of their voices and the harsh glares they sent me as if it were nothing. I was certain he must have seen the looks and heard the words, but he certainly wasn't acting on it at all. Feeling slighted, I decided not to tag along with them again.

So, for the duration of two weeks, I saw little of Jerrold; mostly none of him. During my solitude, I spent much of my time scavenging the manor for any and all books my uncle might have missed. I happened upon a few, and to my luck, they were usually favorites of my parents. They were books that had been taken from the library and had been read over and over, never finding their way back to the shelves where they belonged. That did not occupy all of my time, so I tagged along with Lynette, Tat, and sometimes Bryant, our stable boy (though he wasn't really a boy, considering he was almost 25). I wanted to try to learn to cook, but it seemed Ollo wasn't very open to the idea.

During these weeks, I also saw many of the woods around my home being torn and cut down to make room for the plantation my uncle had schemed up. I was pretty sure that (yes, I'm about to use Tata's words) my parents were indeed rolling in their graves. The beauty that our land had once possessed was rapidly being destroyed, and all for the profit of Edward. It seemed that I was helpless once again. The reality of that fact that I would have no say until I was eighteen was sinking in more so than ever before. And I hated it. But it seemed that soon, things were about to get… dare I say different. Not particularly good, but not bad. I guess sometimes, balls can be a bit of both.

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It had been on a Thursday morning that we had received an invitation to the ball. A royal page, no more than twelve years old, had come to our door and regally announced that my uncle and I were invited to a ball celebrating the arrival of the Devlin, Duke of Thoribrooke, Marquis of Limyratin, Earl of Bast, and nephew of his majesty, King Charmont. The amount of titles had almost made me gag, but my uncle could not be more pleased. From that second on, everything was in preparation for the ball the next evening. Every measure was taken to make my uncle look as if he were the richest in the land. I was made to go, though the idea of a ball with Jerrold occupied elsewhere barely seemed endearing. Nevertheless, I bought a gown that was the perfect compromise of simple and elegant, piled my curls on the top of my head, and descended the stairs, ready for the evening that awaited me.

"You look lovely, dear," Tata whispered, ushering me out of the front door of the manor, "Now mind your behavior! I don't want to hear that you managed to tear your dress again, sliding down the banisters like a wild-woman!"

Lynette giggled and grinned so widely I thought her face was going to split. "You look gorgeous! You're so lucky! I wish I were invited to a royal function. Imagine how glamorous…"

Tata rolled her eyes, though she had a slight smile on her face. "As if the royals want a little wisp of a thing like you running rampant around the palace! They've already got Rosalie, and I think she's quite enough!"

Edward stood impatiently by the carriage, not caring to divulge in our little conversation. He was too busy tapping his heel as if every second counted.

"You know," he warned, his gray eyes flashing, "someone is going to make me late, and that won't make me very happy. Maybe that someone should hurry up a bit or I might just marry them off to the Earl of Wolleck. I hear he's still searching for a bride."

I cut in front of him and climbed into the carriage, not bothering to give him a glance. Two could play that game. Edward climbed in, glaring at me with his stony eyes. Then he grinned suddenly, which was never a good thing.

"You look nice. Perhaps the king's nephew will take notice of you. I hear apart from the prince, he's the richest fellow in the country. Not that it isn't obvious. How can you not be rich when you've got as many titles as he has?" Edward ran his tongue over his teeth as he examined himself in the carriage window. "Or maybe, you've already got a young man on your mind. Maybe the prince has stolen your heart, eh? You most certainly have his."

I stared at him, appalled for a moment, before taunting, "You talked to me! Haha! You broke your silent treatment. I win!" With that, I smugly stared out the window at the passing scenery, contemplating where on earth my uncle could have gotten the idea that I had Prince Jerrold's heart. Honestly…

"I think it's sweet, how both of you are clueless about the whole thing," Edward pursued, "I mean, why else would he care about what happened with Wal-"

"Because anyone with common decency would care that something like that was going on! Just because Jerrold wanted to help me doesn't mean he loves me, alright?" I rebuked with anger. That he had the nerve to bring up Waldor astounded me.

"Why does it bother you so? Do you really not love the prince? I think that would strike him as a surprise. The prince suffering from a love unrequited… a love unreciprocated by my niece. That amuses me so. You're the only girl in the whole kingdom that could find it insulting that the prince, of all people, loves them. Even if you don't love him, you'd be a fool not to accept his hand." Uncle Edward scratched his chin for a moment, as if he were considering something. "I could make millions of KJ's with the royal name linked to my own…"

I groaned. "Would you drop it? We're only friends, and as of right now, he can't even spare two minutes for me. I wouldn't be counting your chickens yet, Uncle, if you get my meaning."

For the rest of the short, very bumpy ride, we sat in silence, as I tried to ignore my uncle's meaningful looks. Very soon, we arrived at the castle, which had bright flags soaring in the colors of the setting sun. Of course, as it always was at such occasions, we had to wait in a queue of carriages as they emptied their passengers into the castle. For thirty minutes, I had to listen to my uncle compare how old and dingy our carriage was compared to the one in front of ours, or how the one behind ours was the ugliest thing he'd ever seen. I imagined things would only get worse when we got into the ballroom. He'd probably be judging every count, earl, marquis, duke, and baron, and their wives, too!

Finally, the doors of our carriage were pulled open, and a doorman with a tunic with the crest of Kyrria on it bowed slightly to us. My uncle tugged me along by the hand as if I were two, complaining that no one paid attention to who was coming in after the first twenty nobles. Obviously, he was aiming to be the center of attention. We entered the front doors, and descended ten stairs to where a man was announcing the names of everyone who entered. Strutting arrogantly, my uncle approached him and whispered very lowly the titles that we were to be called.

"Duke Edward III and heir to the title of Duchess, Rosalie Margaret," the man announced in a deep booming voice.

The ballroom was always beautiful, but tonight it looked exceptional. Adorning the walls were tapestries I assumed were reserved for such occasions as a ball. The chandeliers hung from the ceiling, giving the ballroom a soft glow. I could see into the next room, where there appeared to be tables with white tablecloths. I could only imagine the delicious foods they'd have. It would take much restraint not to wander into there… Instead of thinking about the food I decided to look for people I knew. Among the sea of nobles who had preceded us, I managed to find Princess Elani, who was dragging around an annoyed Prince Drago by the wrist. I couldn't help but grin at that. I couldn't find Jerrold, but awaiting us at the bottom of the stairs were King Charmont and Queen Ella. The King was dressed in white and yellow, in an obviously expensive doublet. Queen Ella looked very pretty in a forest green dress that lit up her eyes.

"Your majesties," Edward said in a very dull voice, bowing deeply to both of them. King Charmont replied by bowing his neck and shoulders, and Queen Ella gave a curt nod. My uncle sort of marched off, obviously not pleased by not being verbally acknowledged.

"Rosalie! You look wonderful," Ella said with a grin, taking my hands into her own, "Jerrold will be so excited to see you here. He was worried you wouldn't come. He told me you hate these sort of things."

I blushed a little, but King Charmont cut in saying, "Who in the right mind doesn't? I just thought it would be the proper thing to do to welcome my nephew. Speaking of which, where is that boy?" With that, he set off to look for him.

"I'm sure I'll have a good time," I lied, smiling at the queen. "I'm very sorry I… er, missed you at the funeral. I was unaware of how important being there really was. It was very rude of me."

"I know how hard it can be," she condoned, "Wouldn't we all rather slide down banisters than face the awful truth?"

I bit my lip, hoping the queen didn't think I didn't regret not being there. "Jerrold told you about that? You must think I have no respect for my mother."

"Nonsense," Queen Ella insisted, "You love your mother very much! Now, you must tell me what has been going on all these months." She got very close to me and whispered to me, "Has your uncle been treating you alright?"

I couldn't help but smile. Jerrold was most definitely Ella's son. He had her warmth and compassion, and her eyes too.

"Things have been tolerable. I haven't cracked yet," I replied, being completely honest, "Let's just say I'll be glad when I turn eighteen and the title and manor are all mine. I know this may sound unappreciative, but the first thing I'll do is kick Edward out!"

"That's my girl! Ah, Devlin, come meet Rosalie!" Ella exclaimed to a tall, lanky boy King Charmont was leading over. He looked rather unexcited about the ball; his entire appearance showed it. His tawny hair was all disheveled, and the buttons on his shirt were half undone. He was observing his surroundings with dull brown eyes. We met eyes for a second, and he started grinning.

"It can't be!" he exclaimed, "You're the girl… Jerrold's friend who used to slide down the banisters and who set him on fire that one time, right?"

King Charmont laughed, grinning widely. "I remember that!"

"Does everybody have to remember?" I whined, not managing to hide my grin. Devlin was still staring at me, and something about him seemed vaguely familiar. He offered me his arm, and for a moment , I stared at him stupidly before realizing what he was implying. With a quick curtsy to the king and queen, I accepted his arm and we set off into the crowd.

"Do you remember me?" he asked after a while. I looked up into his face, searching for some memory. He was not too familiar, but it was as if I'd seen him before but I couldn't place it. He wasn't especially handsome; not to be rude, but he was just average. Not like King Charmont or Drago were handsome and not like Jerrold.

"Not particularly," I replied furrowing my brow, as we meandered to a couple of seats that were placed against a wall. "I mean, yes I do, but not well. You must have been at the ball, I guess, because you saw the coat-tail incident." I grinned at him, then added, "Purely accidental, I assure you."

Devlin smiled back. "Yes, I was there. Mother wouldn't let me tag along with you two. I wanted to badly. You looked as if you were having so much fun."

I looked wistfully out at eh dance floor, where couples were twirling around. "We did have so much fun. We always did."

"Ah, I see you're using 'did' instead of 'do'," he observed, "What? Did the two of you have a falling out? It didn't seem like it the way Ella was joking with you. Do his parents not know?"

"We're still friends!" I declared, almost angrily, "I just meant that we always did, and that there's only been one ball since then, and that was when I was fourteen. We still do have fun. I can't say we will at this ball, but that doesn't mean we're not friends. Because we are."

Devlin shrugged a shoulder. "That's how it seemed."

I furrowed my eyebrows and insisted, "Well, you're wrong." And that was the conclusion of that subject. I didn't say anything for a while, too annoyed with him to continue. How could he be so rude? It seemed everyone had to have their opinion of Jerrold and I. Why couldn't we just be friends and that be the end of it?

After a while, Devlin spoke again, "I hear your mother died. I'm sorry. I know how that feels."

I looked up, my exasperation with him fading quite a bit. "You do? Is your mother dead?"

Devlin shook his head, further mussing his hair. "My father. Really, I doubt it's the same at all. You and your mother were probably close right?"

He didn't give me any time to respond before continuing, "Yes, well, my father and I were not close at all. He wanted me to be something I couldn't and wasn't going to become. He wanted some brave warrior, not a scholar. Sometimes, he threatened giving my younger brother all his titles. Mother wouldn't let him though. Have you met my mother?"

I raised an eyebrow. Devlin's constant changing of subjects was getting a little tiresome. Patiently, though, I replied, "I don't believe so."

"Oh. She's Uncle Char's nearest sibling in age. Her name is Cecilia. She's very nice, but sometimes a bit controlling." Devlin stopped talking after that, leaving me to wonder why he thought I needed to know whether or not his mother was controlling.

"So you're a scholar, eh?" I asked, hoping to get him engaged in a topic, "What's your favorite subject? Arithmetic, Science, English, or Foreign Languages?"

Devlin looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "All of them. I'm pretty good at everything except Foreign Languages. I'm not really that interested in them. I don't plan on moving to any other countries, so why bother learning them?"

"Because sometimes, it's nice to learn about other cultures," I snapped, for some reason getting very passionate about languages, "Besides, there are many different races living in our own country. Why not try to reach out to them?"

"I don't know," he replied, nonchalantly as he slumped into the chair, "It's such a long process to learn another language. Usually I get things so quickly, but not with that."

I crossed my arms, not really liking his response. My eyes wandered back out into the crowd… Where was Jerrold?

"I see you're keeping the prince's cousin to yourself, Rosalie," the lavishly accented voice of Calantha cut in. She looked rather like she had fallen into a vat of glue and then rolled around in ribbons. Her dress was the frilliest thing I'd ever seen in my entire life. Strutting as if she owned the place, she approached Devlin and I, smiling so as to hide some nasty ulterior motive. I hated to admit that despite that, she looked rather pretty when she smiled.

"No one's keeping me anywhere," Devlin barked, standing up so to tower the petite princess, "Why do you care? You've already got your claws into Jerrold. You know, you can't have the both of us on your arm all evening."

I stared at Devlin with a sudden new respect. Jerrold would never talk to Calantha in such a way. I wasn't sure whether it was that he was too polite or that he was just afraid to get her mad. Still, I was proud of Devlin for being the first to stand up to her. It was sort of funny that a girl that Jerrold was taller, bigger, and most certainly smarter than bossed him around. Calantha was taken aback too, and started to make her lower lip tremble.

"I… I never meant that," Calantha pouted, "I just wanted to say good evening to you both."

Devlin rolled his eyes. "Sure. Well, it will be great once I get away from you. Annoying brat…"

I watched him disappear behind a group of elderly women. Now I was stuck with Calantha. Just my luck…

"So, Rosalie, I haven't seen you lately. Where have you been?" she inquired, the tone of her voice a little too sweet.

'Not with you, luckily,' I wished I could reply, but the best I could manage was, "I've been a bit busy."

"It's a shame you haven't been spending more time with Jerrold," she sighed, "But I suppose that if he really had wanted to see you he would go along and see you. I guess that he just would rather spend his time with me. And the count and Marla of course."

"It seems like you're going to lengths to try to prove to yourself Jerrold prefers you," I retorted, trying not to let my irritation ruin my calm and even tone, "You know, it's pathetic that you have to come over here and say that to make you feel special." I turned on my heel, feeling a weight lifted off me to finally have said that.

"I suppose you're right."

I turned around, to see Calantha looking defeated. In shock, I asked, "I am? I mean, of course I am."

She shrugged a shoulder, and turned her baby blue eyes up to look at me. "Jerrold does prefer you to me. But it's not a mistress I'm looking to be."

"What do you mean? You think I want to be a mistress? Calantha, you really ought to try to make some sense," I rejoined, feeling an unsettling feeling in my stomach.

"Well, you're making some progress. Don't think I didn't see you that one night. Your hood didn't throw me off. I saw you and Jerrold go into the stable. And I stayed up until twelve o'clock waiting for him to come out, but he never did," she said in a lowly voice, "And Marla and Ian know, too, so you're little good- girl façade you put on for the queen won't work with them."

I stared at her for a moment in horror. "You've got it all wrong," I mumbled, feeling tears welling up in my eyes, "That's not what happened. How could you tell them something you don't even know about?"

"It seemed obvious enough to me," she shrugged, "Aw-ww, I hope I didn't get you too upset. Don't worry, I'm sure half the court still doesn't know."

I turned around again, running into the crowd. It seemed every face that looked at me was judging. I couldn't believe that anyone would actually listen to what Calantha had said. Certainly they knew it couldn't be true. Still, she had said that half of the courtiers had been told. I barely knew five nobles, much less half the court! How could they ever know that she was just a liar? They couldn't. The word of a princess was regarded much higher than that of a Duchess. I felt angry and hateful and I wanted nothing more than to slap her across the face. If they had thought I was a bit unbehaved before, what would people think of me now?

I retired to the terrace, where the music was faint and I could sit and think for a while. Maybe I would just stay out there the whole ball. There was nothing waiting for me inside. Jerrold was nowhere to be found, and I'm sure if he was, it would be with Calantha by his side. I wondered if I could sneak off to the stables and visit Alleopes. Or perhaps I could just go home. My uncle wouldn't care. He'd leave without me in a moment's time. It made sense to do that. I wanted nothing more of that ball, and nothing more of Calantha. I could make it home by eight if I ditched my heels. The long walk home would be enough time for me to vent my anger before I thought of ways to punish Calantha for being the awful little thing she was.

I sat on a bench for just a short while longer, enjoying the beautiful evening. It could have been a great night. The music was beautiful and the dancing couples looked lovely. I could only imagine how perfect the banister looked, all glossy and begging to be slid on. The whoosh of sliding down rails was something I missed. How long had it been? A couple of months at least. How I longed to slide…

"Care to dance?" I looked up, not able to restrain myself from groaning. (It wasn't too loudly, though.) The young man grabbed my hand and kissed it.

"I'm sorry," I lied, and not very convincingly, "My feet are killing me."

"The lady has already tired of dancing so early in the evening?"

I wondered if anyone actually found that charming. "Yes, 'the lady' has. If you'd really like to, you may sit here."

"Can I not persuade you to dance?" The man was obviously not going to take no for an answer.

"If this particular young lady doesn't want to dance, than I assure you, my good fellow, there will be no getting her on the floor tonight. I wouldn't waste my time on her. There are plenty of other young ladies."

The determined young man and I both looked over to see Jerrold strolling casually onto the terrace. He looked almost too perfect, sort of like those annoyingly handsome and charming princes you hear about in fairy tales. Jerrold was real, though, and the sight of him made me feel very happy for a second. That was before I realized that I should probably be mad at him after the way he had ignored me. How could he blow me off for her?

"Of course, your highness," the man mumbled, "Plenty of other women…"

I watched the young man go, and almost regretted not dancing with him. Jerrold was smiling, oblivious to what his friend Calanthahad said about me, and I had to sit there and act like everything was okay. I couldn't tell him about it, because that'd just be embarrassing. Even being with him then made me feel squirmy, angry, and confused.

"I'm a waste of time, I see?" I asked, not sure what else to say.

Jerrold laughed and took a seat next to me. "Certainly not. But that's the only way I was going to get him to leave."

I avoided his eyes, feeling too awkward to look at him. "You could say 'Boo!' and he'd leave without arguing."

"All too true…" he agreed, his voice filled with laughter, before taking a different tone. "Why haven't I seen you for the last few weeks?"

I raised my eyes to glare at him defiantly. "I don't know. Perhaps you could explain that to me."

"Explain it to you? You're the one who suddenly disappeared without so much as a hello or goodbye!" he replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

"So it comes back to me? And this is from the boy… er, man… person who takes orders from an idiotic princess who hates anyone who even tries to talk to you!" I cried, not really sure how any of this had to do with anything. It didn't really need to. I just wanted to get all my anger and hurt and loneliness off of my chest.

Jerrold was nodded knowingly when I looked back at him. He narrowed his eyes, "Of course. That's what this is all about. You're… you know, I never expected this from you! You're jealous, aren't you?"

I opened my mouth, trying to appear scandalized before stomping down the steps of the terrace into the garden. It was lighted by candles and looked especially beautiful with the fountain trickling in the middle of it. Of course, I was too busy storming off to notice the serenity of things in much detail. Jerrold followed, trying to get a look at my face.

"That's right, isn't it? Do you really think that I like her better than you? Did you actually go over that in your head and think about it for a second? It's insane!"

"No it's not!" I huffed, turning on my heel to stare him in the eyes, "Not when you spend every waking hour doing what she says, or listening to her, or not defending me when she says things that aren't true. It's not crazy when you ignore me when you're around her! Devlin stood up to her, and he barely knows her. But you've known her for months and you just take whatever she throws at you. It's stupid. You're stupid!"

He looked at me for a moment, an almost hurt expression on his face, before he broke out into peals of laughter. I was almost on the verge of tears, and he was just standing there, laughing! How could he laugh at hurting me, listening to the little demon princess, and everything that went along with that. I wanted to kick him in the shin or throw some sort of drink in his face. Unfortunately, I didn't have any drink and my high heels were open toed, so I'd end up stubbing my toes if I kicked him.

"I'd slap you if I didn't know Calantha would spread it around the palace in five minutes," I whispered vehemently, "I'm going back to the ball."

"Don't! I'm sorry…" Jerrold pleaded, catching me by the wrist, "It's just that it's a bit funny that you really are so emotional about this. Don't you think it's a bit silly that we're fighting again?"

I cocked my head to the side, trying to look thoughtful. "Just because we just got in a fight doesn't mean that I'm just going to stop caring about this! That doesn't change anything!"

Jerrold shook his head, laughing faintly. "You don't let things go, do you? That's so… Rosalie-ish of you."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm sorry that I have that Rosalie-ish trait, but it's barely something I can help. That's who I am."

Jerrold shook his head in frustration. "That's who you are? Your entire character is that you can't just let things go? Wow… For all this time I thought there was more to you. Perhaps something like intelligence or kindness. I guess I was mistaken." He walked past me, barely skimming my arm. I stared at him dumbly for a moment, watching as he left. He cast me a glance over his shoulder, his emerald eyes piercing mine, then disappeared out of sight.

For a moment I stood there, frozen in place, not sure how any of it started, only knowing that now we were fighting again. Of course, then it hit me how it had started. I had been selfish and childish. And he had been right all along. We had known each other for ages, played together as children, dealt with the same strict tutor, and shared our secrets since the moments we met. Why hadn't I seen it when we were fighting? It always had to be after I'd succeeded in upsetting someone that I realized how dumb I'd been. Sulkily, I climbed the steps to the terrace, hoping Jerrold was there, but knowing that he wouldn't be.

I sat on the bench for a while, reliving our argument. Stupid mouth of mine… I knew that it was only a petty argument and that we'd get over it, but the night was ruined. I had let my anger at Calantha get between Jerrold and I. It was a real shame things took such a bad turn. I had been half excited about going to a ball all dolled up, though I didn't like admitting it. I rested my chin in my palm, feeling utterly morbid.

"So, when are you and Jerrold going to slide down the banister? This time mother's not here to stop me. I'll have as much fun as I please," Devlin cut in.

I looked up at Jerrold's enthusiastic cousin, fighting the urge to tell him to stop acting as if he were two. He had to be at least nineteen. He sure didn't act like it.

"Devlin," I started, in a condescending tone, "I am not a silly little girl anymore, and I don't want to slide down any banisters tonight. I was just foolish then and now I'm older, and I don't want to make a fool of myself, as I have such an awful knack of doing."

His formerly cheerful face fell. "I thought you didn't care about that sort of thing. I guess you're just as bad as Calantha. No wonder Jerrold doesn't like you anymore."

I narrowed my eyes, and marched up to him, looking him straight in the eyes. I knew exactly what I was going to do. I raised a hand up menacingly, right to the side of his face. Then I tapped his shoulder. He let out a sigh, obviously thinking that I was going to slap him.

"You're it." I said, challenging him with my eyes. Devlin smiled, and his dull eyes took on a bit of life.

"Are you serious? You want me to chase you around in our ball apparel?" Devlin asked scratching at his disheveled head of hair, "I thought you were above that."

"Well, I decided that I don't want to be compared to Calantha. So I'm willing to take drastic measures to ensure that doesn't happen ever again," I replied, returning his smile with a little hesitance. 'And Jerrold does like me,' I added in my head, 'I hope he still does, at least.'

Devlin was still grinning. "So, when are you going to start running? Do you want a head start?"

I wrinkled my nose. "How about we start… oh my gosh! Look, there's a dragon on the loose!"

Being the gullible fellow he was, Devlin looked over, his eyes wide with fear. So I started off, not sure why I cared what Devlin thought. Nonetheless, I was shoving past discerning nobles and through the middle of the crowded ballroom before deciding where to head. I squeezed into the beverage room and into the hall beyond before it caught my eye. The stairwell was more majestic and perfect than I could have imagined. I stood there for a moment, ogling at it before Devlin showed up.

"I… finally… got you," he huffed, holding his side, before looking at the stairwell. "That looks scary now that I think of it."

I smiled at him. "It's not scary once you've done it. I'll go first if you want."

"I thought you didn't want to," Devlin retorted, a haughty look on his face.

"Well, I guess we won't if you're too scared." That wiped the smugness off of his face. I hitched my skirt up to the middle of my shins and began to climb the steps, while running my hand along the railing. The silver banister was smooth and glossy beneath my fingertips. "Come on, Devlin. I'll do it first if it makes you feel better."

He followed me to the top, and furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm not a baby. It's just daunting, that's all. Maybe… I think I'd feel better if Jerrold did it first."

I wore my frustration right on my face. "Why? It won't be the same if I do it? You're being unfair Devlin."

He shrugged a shoulder and let out a sigh before replying in a rushed voice, "Well, I'd just feel better. I don't want him to feel left out. This is your guys' thing and I don't want him to think I'm trying to take his place."

I bit my lip to prevent a laugh. For a moment, before I remembered that I was over our squabble, I was thinking that Jerrold deserved to know what it was like to feel left out. But I wasn't going to tell Devlin that.

"Jerrold won't be angry with you. He obviously knows that people can have more than one friend and that people needn't feel obligated to spend all their time with just one. I can be friends with other people, and he can be friends with other people. That doesn't mean we're not friends." 'Dammit,' I couldn't help but think afterwards, 'Where was that stupid speech when Jerrold was with me. Why couldn't I have had those sentiments?' I cast a glance around the room, hoping he was hidden somewhere and would reveal himself after knowing that I was done being a brat. But of course, the world doesn't always work to one's advantage.

"That makes sense," Devlin agreed, "I guess you and I are friends now." He seemed to lack enthusiasm. I wondered shyly whether he was just trying to slide down the stupid banister instead of making new buddies.

Bashfully, I mumbled, "If you want."

"Sure! Why not? So, I guess I'll slide now that I know Jerrold won't mind. D'you want to go first?" Devlin wasn't quite up to sliding yet, which was made obviously by the way he was pulling on his sleeves nervously.

"Fine, Devlin, but you better go right after me, okay? It's not half bad. It's great actually! And after four years of waiting, you can't bail out now, alright?"

Shamelessly, I gathered up my outer skirts and petticoat to my knees and threw my leg over the banister. And off I went. For about ten seconds, the only thing I really saw was the golden railing seemingly passing under me. And then I clamped my eyes shut and braced for the hard ground. But it never came. Something, or someone, rather, broke my fall. And after sitting in a daze for a moment, I got up and turned around, just to find I had landed on Count Ian. Following closely behind were a curious Marla and a certain Prince Jerrold, who, for some reason looked quite aghast.

"You should really watch where you're going, Rosalie!" Devlin called from the top of the stairwell. I wanted to thank him for pointing out the obvious, but Marla had cut in excitedly.

"That looks thrilling! I'm afraid I'd never have the guts for that." She turned her gray eyes to the top where Devlin was standing. "Are you going to slide as well, Devlin?"

I wondered why she was acting so sweet. Whenever she was with Calantha, she acted so cold. But now, she actually seemed normal. Hoping to take advantage of this odd occurrence, I decided to coax her.

"It's actually not that scary," I ventured with a smile. "If you hold on tight, you'll be fine."

Marla shrugged a shoulder. "I think I'll just watch Devlin. Thanks for offering, though."

Jerrold's eyes narrowed at me as if to say 'Like it's your staircase to lend out.' But he stood there silently, almost angrily. It was ironic, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was the one still mad, especially after his speech about me holding grudges.

"I think I might have a go," Ian said looking around hesitantly, "As long as Calantha doesn't come. She'd give me so much grief for it."

I stared at him for a moment. He hadn't said it straight out, but I had a slight instinct that Ian didn't like Calantha as much as I had thought he had. Perhaps Marla and Ian were just trying to impress her because she was a princess. Or maybe they were like Jerrold and were too shy or polite to take a stand. Suddenly, I didn't feel so nervous or afraid of being insulted.

"Who cares what she says," Devlin replied, after rising from the ground, "It's worth it. And who cares if she gives you grief. I don't know how or why any of you deal with her."

Ian scoffed softly and climbed the stairs, and Marla hung her head, letting her limply curled brown locks to hang in her face. Jerrold rolled his eyes.

"Well, we all can't be as brave as you, Devlin," Jerrold replied tersely. I don't think Devlin heard his cousin because he was almost at the top already, pushing Ian to the top.

"Jerrold, you're acting like an idiot," I muttered, barely loud enough for him to turn around in anger.

"Me? You're the one who started this whole thing!" Unlike me, he didn't try to keep it down. Marla stared at us with wide eyes before quietly dismissing herself and heading up the stairs, where Devlin was basically forcing Ian on the rail.

"I don't want to fight with you! Not really. I was being stupid, alright? But now you're acting all sour and you'll probably be that way all night and a perfectly good ball will be ruined because I couldn't let things go and you couldn't forgive me! I was just upset about something Calantha said and then I took it out on you… and now look at us!"

Jerrold groaned. "What on earth did she say to you? You know, she's really starting to get on my nerves!"

"Starting!?" I scoffed, unable to suppress myself.

"Well, she's continuing to annoy me," he replied, his eyes softening, "You know, when it comes to girls it's pretty hopeless for me." He sighed, shaking his head.

I slapped his arm. "You're so arrogant!"

He shrugged. "What? I can't help it! You're both jealous of each other and you're both competing for my attention. It never occurred to me that that was it! I mean I knew you were-"

"So we're not fighting anymore, right? Because if that's so, I'm going to hit you. A friendly hit. Hopefully it'll humble you a bit."

Jerrold grinned and tried to shelter himself. "Alright, I'm sorry! Sorry for saying the truth. Heh-heh… joking of course. Now that that's over, I have a proposition. Let's agree not to fight ever again, alright?"

He looked sort of serious, so I stopped trying to swat him. "Sure. I mean, we can disagree on things. Since I'm always right."

"Alright. I can live with that," Jerrold replied, then persisted, "So, what did she say?"

I shook my head and grinned, hurrying up the stairs. Jerrold followed soon afterwards, and soon I was whizzing down the railing again. The things Calantha had said didn't bother me anymore. Marla and Ian didn't seem to think badly of me. Jerrold didn't need to know what she said. Everyone knew it wasn't true. And most importantly of all, I knew it wasn't true. So for one short part of the evening, before Calantha ruined our happiness, Marla, Ian, Jerrold, Devlin, and I were all getting along without any of the coldness. There was a happiness then that Edward couldn't ruin.

And even after Calantha came, and when the evening did end, I still felt a little accomplished. I had made friends with the same people who had once shunned me. Who knew? Maybe the future would be a little brighter. Then again, maybe not…

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