AN: I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! Real life seemed to take over and as much as I love you guys, real life comes first. Anyway I hope this longer chapter will make up for the time you've waited. I found this really hard to write but I'm hoping that all of the ball activity will live up to your expectations :) I apologize if the frequent POV jumping is confusing; I just wanted to get a lot of reactions from them both at different points. Also, a reminder: italics means that that is what the person is thinking in their head. It will occasionally pop up places so I just wanted to remind you. OOO! And another reminder: a picture of the dress is on my profile wall, if you would like to see it again :) There are also some videos of balls and waltzes to get you in the mood for the next few chapters!

Oh and I wrote this in a kimono style robe from Japan, with an elven style tiara, with Tchaikovsky (the guy who composed the music for the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty ballets) playing in the background. THAT'S writing in style! Tee hee sometimes I think I'm a princess stuck in the real world :)

athena-gia-ma'at: Yes I am hoping to update regularly now but we'll see HOW regularly it happens… unfortunately real life is pretty hectic right now :/ but thanks for the review!

SeaWeedBrain'sWiseGurl393: I'm glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for the review! I'll try to update soon :)

Jackie1565: In Grease I am in the general ensemble, I'm a beauty school drop-out dancer/angel… person….thing…, and I am a general featured dancer. I'm no one special but it is so much fun it's ridiculous! :D Anyway thank you for the review! I hope the ball lives up to your expectations :)

Mirror-owl38: So yah it'll happen along those lines… I guess… haha! And YES CHEETOS ARE AMAZING! Thank you so much for the review! I spent a good 5 minutes laughing after I read it :)

Purpleartist19: haha I'm glad you like the name choice :) thanks for the review!

Loiskim39: haha I'm sorry I made you crave late night steak… that's a hard thing to deal with… but thanks for the review! :)

Chapter 10: The First Night

(Edmund)

I didn't know how much more I could take. Some of the ladies were tolerable and didn't bother me too much, but some were driving me up a wall. I had to receive each and every one of them, taking their hand and kissing it honorably. Unfortunately that meant I was subjected to countless attempts of flattery and flirting. A few ladies decided that perhaps removing their gloves for the kiss would properly attract me, however it only managed to attract my distaste as it was a blatant—although minimal—breach of propriety.

Since it had been over an hour already, I looked up the grand marble staircase hoping to see an end to the hopelessly long line of over-done and showy dresses. However, much to my dismay, the receiving line had no visible end, and I had yet to see Anna amongst any of the young ladies. Where is she? Disappointed, I turned back to the next approaching maiden.

The young woman had light, curly blond hair that was pulled up to the nape of her neck. Her sharp and intelligent features drew me into her large and dark eyes. "Lady Ellen," she said, offering me her fully gloved hand.

I bowed over it and kissed her knuckles as I had every other lady in attendance. It would be a lie to call her less than beautiful, but I was waiting for my Annabelle and nothing could compare to her smile and shining eyes. Where is she anyway?

(Annabelle)

I had practically begged Florienna to accompany me to the ballroom, at least to keep me from fleeing. A sudden wave of nervousness made it hard for me to breathe, let alone think about making a proper entrance at the ball. She of course agreed and led me with a steady arm down the numerous corridors of the palace, until we made it to the grand oak doors.

"I don't think I can do this!" I said suddenly, turning to my godmother.

"Of course you can, Dear!" she assured in a hushed tone, grasping my hands. "Look all you need to worry about tonight is having fun! No matter what happens, every young woman deserves to have a wonderful first ball. NOW GO!" she urged pushing me gently in the direction of the music.

I turned around to mouth one last thank you, took a deep breath, and stepped through the doors. I felt my jaw drop in a most unladylike fashion as I took in my surroundings. The normally simple and elegant room was festooned with pale blue flowers and glowing golden candles. The chandeliers seemed to sparkle brighter and the floor shined from the hard polishing of the palace staff. Light dripped from every surface; I felt like I was in a dream.

Suddenly realizing the flow of girls towards the grand staircase, I joined in and dared to look below. There, greeting the stream of girls, was my prince, looking every bit as handsome as ever.

(Edmund)

A flash of red caught my eye and I allowed myself to glance up.

That's when I saw her.

My Anna: as beautiful as a rose. And she absolutely appeared to be one. Her pink dress hung about her as though the folds and ripples were petals and her fiery hair cascaded down her shoulder and back in beautiful bouncing curls with flowers placed throughout it. But what was most breathtaking was her exquisite face: her cheeks held a pale flush and her complexion appeared to radiate light. Her beautiful blue eyes shone with excitement while she bit her plump bottom lip in what looked to be nervousness. Nothing about her was haughty, like some of the other women, and her dress and jewelry brought out HER beauty, as opposed to showcasing wealth or status.

Her gaze finally drifted to my own, causing me to grin broader than I had in a long time. She smiled in return with a subtle, teasing wink. I suppressed my laughter as I rushed—rather rudely, I'll admit—through the ladies before her.

Finally, she took her last step down and came to face me. She curtseyed with a sly smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Edmund. My name is Miss Annabelle of Pria."

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Annabelle," I said sweeping into a low bow and kissing her hand theatrically, "I can assure you, it is."

I could see her struggling to contain her giggles as she replied, "Then I look forward to our next meeting."

With that, she was escorted by a footman to the main area of the ballroom. I followed her beautiful form as long as I was able to without seeming to be too obvious.

(Annabelle)

I stood amongst the other eager ladies making polite conversation, as we all waited for the king and queen to open the dancing. I happened to hear a couple of particularly gaudily dressed women chattering incessantly behind me.

"Now, all I have to do is bewitch the prince and I will get all of this!" one exclaimed.

"But don't you think that will be hard? I mean there are hundreds of gorgeous girls here to begin with!"

"Grace, all men are the same and want the same things. Prince What's-his-name will be no different, and as soon as I get him, I'll get all of the riches and glory."

My face reddened with anger at her derogatory assessment.

"Now THAT would make your sister jealous, for sure!" replied her friend with a giggle.

Finally I could take it no longer, and turned to face them.

"Hello, ladies! I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself yet! My name is Miss Annabelle of Pria," I started sweetly. "Now before we go on just let me say: don't you ever talk about Prince Edmund like that again. Yes, he will eventually be the king, but he is also sweet and kind and funny and he doesn't deserve to be treated like obstacle to overcome so that you can get the kingdom." I finished with an angry curtsy.

I stomped off in a slightly unladylike way and made for the punch to soothe my nerves. I sipped the cool beverage and let it relax me. Remember Anna, there will be plenty of those girls here tonight, and Edmund won't fall for any of their tricks.

The slowly lilting music started to pick up in volume and the orchestra's players grew in number. I looked up as applause noted the arrival of the King and Queen onto the floor. They danced gracefully and looked every bit as regal as their positions would expect. I closed my eyes and listened to the waltz ebb and flow around me. I was brought back from my reverie by a polite, masculine cough.

In front of me stood Edmund in a deep bow, hand extended, expectant eyes waiting, with his wonderful boyish grin stretched between his dimples. "May I have this dance?"

(Edmund)

Anna's eyes went wide as she looked around at the many others still staring at us. Her cheeks and nose flushed brightly as she stumbled over her words, "I uh… um I… well…p-p-pardon?"

"Well, my Lady, it seems as though I need to open this dance with the King and Queen, and I would be honored if you would join me for it," I said with a reassuring smile.

With one last look around at the staring eyes, she took my hand and allowed me to lead her onto the dance floor. Even through the silk of the glove, I could feel her warmth and a tingle went up my arm. I pulled her into the proper hold and our feet began to move. She continued to blush profusely and kept glancing at the others standing on the outskirts of the floor.

"What? Are you embarrassed of me?" I teased lightly.

"No it's just… everyone's watching…" she responded meekly.

"What's wrong with that?"

"I just feel like they can tell I don't belong here. It's like they're trying to find every fault in me that they can."

"Well I don't think they'll have any luck finding a fault in you. You are stunning. TONIGHT! You are stunning tonight." Well that was close!

"Really?" she asked weakly.

"Look," I whispered, "just imagine we're back at the vineyard. I seem to remember you saying that you were the best dancer in your village, although I've never found proof of that being true…"

I then saw that familiar glint return to her bright eyes.

"Challenge accepted, your highness."

(Annabelle)

His hand on the small of my back radiated a warm, comforting heat, and my delicate hand seemed to fit perfectly into his much sturdier one. Through my glove, I could feel the muscles of his shoulder and I was once again reminded how strong he was. His smile was radiant as he looked down at me from his tall height. The crystals in the chandelier seemed to laugh and sing with my soaring heart and I forgot every staring eye in the room. I would have swooned if I were that sort of girl. I caught a familiar gleam in his eye and allowed him to spin me gracefully out and pull me back in. My skirt flew elegantly around me in response and I had the rare feeling of utter beauty.

With a slight cue from the orchestra, other couples began to fall into the dance around us. However, all too quickly, the music came to its end, and Edmund and I had to release ourselves from the embrace of our hold. I fell into a deep curtsey, as was proper, and allowed Edmund to lead me from the floor.

The night began to pass quickly as Edmund and I spent the majority of our time together. We danced often, but would also frequently refresh ourselves and enjoy time spent on the open balconies directly to the side of the ballroom. However, I felt an increasing amount of guilt over the time spent with him. Other young ladies stared longingly, hoping that the prince they had come to see would venture to dance with someone else among them.

"Edmund," I said, as he returned from the refreshment table with some small cakes on a plate, "you should dance with some of the other young ladies here. You wouldn't want people to think that you are a rude host."

"I wouldn't?" he asked immaturely.

"No, you wouldn't. In fact, I demand that you dance at least four dances with other women before you may dance with me again. You can see me briefly in between—if my absence is so unbearable—, but they must be four consecutive songs with ladies other than myself."

"Alright," he accepted dejectedly, "but I don't have to like it!"

"You're right, you don't have to like it! BUT you have to ACT like you like it. Now GO!," I said laughingly with a final shove. "You don't want to miss this next dance which sounds like it will begin soon!"

I watched him walk away, laughing at the way I could so easily manipulate him.

(Edmund)

Compared to the wonderful time I had with Anna, the dances with the other ladies were torture; I felt as though they couldn't go any slower. I danced once with Lady Ellen and—at the urging of Anna—I danced the other three with young women who appeared to have not been asked to dance by any gentlemen tonight. I had to admit, their smiles of pure joy made me feel like I had done something good; they probably would have normally gone home upset at not dancing at all, but now they would rejoice in the fact that they were one of the few of whom I had chosen to dance with. Of course Anna would be the one to think of that, I thought with a smile.

She had also danced with others, and I'll admit, I did feel as small tinge of jealousy. As usual, she was everything lovely and amiable, however for once I wish she wasn't. As unreasonable as it sounds, I wanted to be the only one to receive her smiles.

Now determined that no one else should claim her hand besides me, I made my way over to where I had seen her disappear. However, as I got closer to a pillar in the back of the room, I could hear voices whispering behind it.

"I'm telling you, Maria, there is nothing going on between us!"

It was Anna.

"Oh come on! I saw the way you two were always together tonight! Besides, you are always around each other anyway, even on an everyday basis. You are getting way to close to him."

"Look," she sighed, "even if he is close to me, I feel nothing for him but respect as an employer. If I make him happy, I keep my job. If he likes me, I keep my job. If he wants me around, I keep my job. I act like this for the sake of a good job that I would never be able to replace. That's it. End of story. Now you can stop those fairy tale ideas of yours and just leave me alone."

"I don't believe a word of what you're saying."

"Have you ever caught me lying before?"

"Well… no…"

"I'm a good actress, Maria, that's why. Now let's please end this whole discussion.

That was it. That was the dagger to my heart. She had said it in all seriousness, and I couldn't help but believe every word of what she was saying. Quickly, before she could know I was there, I sped away and headed straight out of the ballroom and to the vineyards.

(Annabelle)

I heard loud footsteps walking from me and looked away from Maria to see the retreating, and angry, form of Edmund. He heard! All I could think of was how much I needed to talk to him, to straighten it out. He must hate me right now! So I immediately hurried to vineyards, where I knew he would go.

A maid I knew, Maria, had recognized me as she brought new food to the refreshment table. I had allowed her to pull me away, as I was avoiding the odd stares of Sir William, Edmund's tutor. She immediately took the opportunity to demand to know what was going on. Maria was a huge gossip among the staff, so I knew that she mustn't discover anything no matter what. After a while of dodging her interrogations, I became so fed up that I began outright lying. I would have said anything to get her off of my back. Now look what that did for you, genius.

Ignoring the huffs of distaste at my rushing, I hurried on my way until I reached our clearing. He was already there, pacing with a fury I had never before seen in him.

"Edmund—"

"Is that really all I am to you? An obstacle for you to overcome so that you can get a paycheck?"

"No! Edmund please—" I begged, tears beginning to streak down my cheeks.

"You're right, though, you really are a good actress! I never suspected a thing! But let me just say that it's a good thing I found out now," he laughed with sarcastic rage, pacing around the clearing, and refusing eye contact.

"Please, stop I—"

He interrupted me again, flinging accusations that ripped my heart to pieces. Every word that he said felt like daggers. I tried to stop him, to explain what happened, but every time I tried, either he would interrupt again or I would be too weak from crying to say what I wanted to.

Finally, I could take it no longer, and did the only thing I could think to do to stop him. I sang.

"Se tu m'ami, se sospiri

Sol per me, gentil pastor,

Ho dolor de' tuoi martiri,

Ho diletto del tuo amor," I sang, shaking with sobs. It hardly sounded like beautiful melody my mother would sing.

But, he stopped and just stared at me with tear brimmed eyes, shocked. I couldn't let this opportunity slip.

"Edmund," I began slowly, "do you honestly think that everything that has ever happened between us was a lie?"

He remained silent.

"Do you think that I lied about Peter? Do you think that those nights I cried on your shoulder were lies? Do you honestly think that I came here every single night because I wanted to secure my job as Lydia's nanny? I am so incredibly sorry that you heard everything I said, but it wasn't true. I was just trying to get her to leave me alone and the only way I thought I could do that was to get rid of any rumors she might have been under the impression of. But the fact of the matter is," I continued, stepping gingerly towards him until we were only an arm's length away, "you are the best friend I have ever known. Besides my brother, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. None of that could have ever been an act. So please—"

This time I was interrupted by his strong embrace. He held me tightly and whispered into my hair, "For the record, you're my best friend too."

I closed my eyes and buried my face into his chest.

"Anna, I am so sorry I doubted you. I should have known… I just let my feelings get the better of me and I assumed the worst."

"But I should have never said those things to begin with… can you forgive me?" I asked, pulling away to look him in the eye.

(Edmund)

"Se tu m'ami, Annabelle." If you love me, Annabelle.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"Nothing," I whispered, pulling her back in and resting my cheek on the top of her head, "it means nothing at all."

AN: Holy crap that was longer than I thought it would be! Haha and the fight ended up a lot bigger than it originally was going to be… I guess I just got excited :) Anyway sorry this took so long but I hope the wait was worth it! Please please please review! And don't be afraid to make a friendly suggestion. They seriously make it so much more fun for me to write and update quickly. I love knowing if I'm still keeping you guys interested. So please review! Oh and I'm still accepting cover pics so send me plenty of those too!

I love you all so much!

xoxoxo

Bennet Reilly

P.S. thoughts on the legit-name pen name?