Author's note: I was going to wait a bit longer. But I couldn't wait to write this chapter! Thank you for all your support! We're approaching a pivotal moment in the story. I absolutely cannot wait to hear your reactions to this chapter. Please review!
Greyson could not believe where he was. Never in a million years would he have pictured himself in the grand ballroom of the royal palace. Yet here he was, in his nicest suit with his hair combed neatly and his heart racing with anticipation. As he stood there, he took a moment to just let it all sink in. The ballroom was gorgeous, with a vast floor and a grand staircase where the guests walked in. The guests themselves looked equally stunning, as the whole town was dressed in their finest for the occasion. He looked at all the young women, craning their necks to see if they could spot the prince. Greyson was anxiously looking around the room as well, but he was not looking for the prince.
He was looking for Ella. As he clasped his hands together and searched the grand room he realized just how nervous he was. What if Ella didn't show? What if she didn't want to dance with him? What if she was like all these other girls who were here for the prince? He thought himself awfully foolish for having these nerves. Of course Ella wasn't here for the prince! She had said herself that she was looking forward to seeing Greyson at the ball. Greyson couldn't help but feel nervous though, because tonight he had plans. He was going to get some things off his chest.
There had always been something between the baker and Ella, and Greyson could sense that. He had first felt in on the night where Ella had snuck out of her home to meet him and the two shared a dance. Greyson had tried to play it off as a simple feeling of friendship, but when he held Ella in his arms that night, he couldn't help but feel as though that was the start of something special. His confusion only got worse as the months went on. He remembered how he felt when he saw Ella cry for the first time, on her birthday. He remembered wanting nothing more at that moment than to make her happy. He remembered how the two of them spent a day baking bread together and how touched he was at her attempt to learn his craft. Greyson would never admit these feelings before in fear of harming such a wonderful friendship, for he now could not picture a life without this amazing woman he had meet many months ago. However, if there was a time to tell the truth, Greyson figured today would be it, while he was all spruced up and had courage.
The truth was, Greyson was in love with Ella.
Terribly, hopelessly in love. And he intended to tell her tonight, at the end of the grand ball. That way, he figured, if she rejected his affections, then at least their last memory together would be a happy one.
Greyson did hope severely that if this went unwell that it would not do great damage to their friendship. He wasn't sure Ella even felt the same way towards him in the slightest. She was an awfully kind person, maybe she was just being nice to him this whole time because that was the wonderful person she was. Or maybe, she only saw them as good friends. If that was the case, Greyson vowed that he would respect her wishes. He would value their friendship over his puzzled feelings any day.
However, there was a tiny part of him that held on to the hope that maybe Ella did feel the same way about him. Love was a confusing thing after all, as it rarely was obvious. Greyson hadn't even prepared himself for how he would feel if Ella did indeed return his affections. To be honest, he wasn't sure if his heart could take it, if it could handle that much happiness.
First, however, he had to find Ella, and he was doing a rotten job at that.
Ella felt her heart swell as the royal palace came into view over the horizon. Sure, she could easily see the palace from her attic window every night, but up close it looked breathtaking. It looked especially stunning as its backdrop was a sea of the orange evening sky.
As the carriage finally pulled up to the palaces. Ella felt as though she had a thousand butterflies flittering in her stomach, because of both nerves and sheer excitement. She couldn't wait to be a princess, even if it was only for one night. She was ready to find her baker prince and dance the night away with her best friend.
Greyson was starting to really get anxious. Most of the guests had arrived already and it was almost time for the ball to begin. Any minute now, the prince would be arriving in order to make his selection for the first dance of the night. After that, the grand ball would start. But where was Ella? Greyson had circled the vast room three times in search of her friend but he still could not find her. He began to panic. Maybe her terrible stepmother didn't let her go after all. Maybe she couldn't get her mother's dress mended in time. Maybe she got lost on her way to the place. Upon his fourth inspection of the room he was bittersweet to see the Tremaines from across the floor. Though it made his stomach queasy to see them, he deduced that perhaps Ella was here too. But where was she?
Ella began to ascend the grand stairs up to the palace door when she heard a loud orchestra begin a prelude. She was just in time. She lifted her skirts and began to run up the stairs and into the palace.
Greyson watched as the orchestra began a prelude. He felt his heart sink. The ball was starting and Ella was yet to be found. Those awful Tremaines must've forbid her coming. Still, Greyson stood on the tips of his toes to see over the crowed and try to spot her.
The prince nervously adjusted his jacket as the orchestra began their prelude. It would soon be his time to select a maiden for the first dance. He made his way down to the floor. He bit his lip as he scanned the room, as he had not yet decided who his partner would be.
Ella could feel her excitement growing as she rushed down the castle's hall to get to the ballroom. When she approached the door leading to the the ball, she took a deep breath. This was it. She was here. She moved forward and pushed the door open, sliding through. She could not believe what she saw. The grand ballroom looked more beautiful that she could've ever imagined. She was completely awestruck as she walked toward the top of the large staircase. She did not notice the faces in the crowd, that everyone was staring at her. She was just so delighted to be there. She took a large bow of welcoming before she slowly descended the stairs, her eyes taking in everything, every last detail of this grand occasion.
Like everyone else in the room, Greyson saw the large doors to the ballroom open. When he saw who opened them, he felt his breath swiftly leave him. It was her, it was Ella. She looked like something fresh out of a dream. Greyson had never seen her like this before. She looked more beautiful than he could've ever imagined, though he thought that about her whenever they met. She utterly lit up the room and Greyson was completely awestruck. He was so astonished that he couldn't even move as the crowd pushed past him to get a look at this late-comer, this mysterious woman. All he could do is stand there, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked so happy, her smile ever-wide as she slowly descended the staircase He felt his heart begin to race. She was here.
When the prince saw who had opened the doors he was completely awestruck. Here was this mysterious woman of immaculate beauty, out of nowhere! He watched as she strode down the staircase. Her dress was something to behold! It was more beautiful than he could have ever imagined. She was here. This would be the girl who he would select for the first dance.
When Ella reached the bottom of the stairs, she instantly began to look for Greyson. Where was he?
Greyson was in such a daze that he hadn't even realized that he had been taken by the crowd and was now a drastic distance from the stairwell, and from Ella. He struggled to get through the masses if people, all of whom were trying to see the very person he was looking for. He couldn't see what was going on up there. "Ella!" he called desperately, though it must've been nearly impossible for his voice to be heard over the orchestra and the commotion.
The prince had made his way through the crowd, and like that, the masses had parted for him. There was now a huge oval in the middle of the ballroom. The only people in it were himself and this mysterious princess. It was perfect. He approached the beautiful woman. "Excuse me, miss." He held out his hand. The woman looked rather confused. Her eyes were vigorously searching the ballroom. She didn't even know he was standing right there! He smiled at her. She really was stunning. He cleared his throat gently. The woman looked at him, surprised to see the prince standing right in front of her. The orchestra began to play. "Excuse me miss. May I have this dance?" The woman seemed to be lost in thought.
Ella's eyes were searching for Greyson in the crowd when she heard a man clear his throat. It was the prince! What was he doing here? In front of her? What could his royal highness possibly want with her?
Her mind floated back to an earlier conversation with her friend:
"Not take interest in you!" He scoffed, "of course he would take interest in you, Ella. He would ask for your hand as soon as your eyes met!"
Ella began to panic. Greyson was right. Here the prince was, taking notice of her out of everyone here at this ball. She couldn't help but feel extremely flattered. Also, it didn't hurt that the prince was quite attractive. The orchestra began to play.
It brought Ella back to a different time...
"Music!" Greyson exclaimed as he rushed over to open the window. "I just love music!" He gushed. Ella smiled at his childlike joy.
Ella noticed that the prince's hand was outstretched toward her. Oh dear. "Excuse me, Miss. May I have this dance?" He asked kindly.
Greyson walked over to where Ella remained seated at the table. He held out his hand down to her. "May I have this dance, miss?" He asked quietly.
Ella was conflicted. She came here to dance with her friend, not the prince! Every other girl here was eager to dance with the prince! Why did he have to choose her? Ella knew that it would be awfully rude to deny this man a dance, especially since it was his party and all his guests were watching. Ella felt her cheeks go red.
Ella felt herself blush a little bit. "Yes." She accepted his offer. She took his hand and stood up to meet him.
Ella nodded. "Yes." she replied, putting on a happy smile. Besides, it was not everyday that one got to dance with the prince. Just as she took his hand, she heard a familiar voice in the distance.
"Ella!"
But it was too late now. The orchestra began to play an intricate waltz as the two took to the center of the ballroom.
The simple but pleasurable music entered the bakery. It was a steady waltz. "Do you know how to waltz, Ella?" Greyson asked absentmindedly as he closed his eyes to absorb the rhythm.
Ella smiled softly. "I know a little bit."
"Do you know how to waltz, Miss?" The prince asked with a charming smile.
Ella smiled warmly, thinking of another moment. "I do, yes." she replied.
The two stood together in the light of the window, the moon acted as their lantern. "May I?" Greyson gestured. Ella nodded. Greyson took her hand in his and put the other gingerly upon her waist. Her hand went up to reach his shoulder.
The two stood in the middle of the ballroom as intricate lanterns and lighting fixtures illuminated them. The prince stood before her. "May I?" He asked in a gentlemanly manner. Ella nodded. The prince took his hand in hers and put the other upon her waist. Ella reached up to put her hand on his shoulder. The two began to dance.
They danced well together, and Ella was having a great time despite her inner confusion. The prince led her excitedly through the ballroom, twirling her about left and right. The crowed ooohed and aaahhed as the gorgeous dress of the mystery princess swirled and sparkled.
Greyson was finally making his way toward the front of the room. It was rather difficult, as everyone was trying to see what was happening. The orchestra had transitioned to a waltz, so Greyson figured that everyone was trying to see what lucky girl the prince had chosen to be his dance partner. When he finally made it to the clearing, he looked up to see what everyone was fussing over.
What he saw absolutely broke his heart.
It was Ella.
Ella and the prince.
Together.
Greyson felt his stomach sink to the floor. He was worried about this. The prince would be a complete fool not to choose Ella, anyone would. She was perfect. Everything about her was perfect in Greyson's eyes. Her eyes, her smile. Even when he was reaching toward her as she sit in a mess of eggshells and panic Greyson saw nothing but perfection. She was nearly indescribable. And he lost her.
Greyson felt conflicted. On one hand, he felt he should be happy for his friend. How often does one get such an honor as being hand-picked by royalty to dance at a grand ball? But on the other hand, he was heartbroken. This image brought him back to earlier thoughts:
He was just a baker. However much he adored it, he knew that baking wasn't the most glamorous profession. Most women he knew only had eyes for one man: the prince. And he was certainly no prince. For one thing, he didn't look the part. His hair was always messy, no matter how hard he tried to tame it. He loved to wear his father's old, worn out apron and simple, plain shirts as opposed to the elegant trappings of royalty. He always had flour on him, for goodness sake! He could never hold his own when measured up against the prince, or any member of the royal family for that matter. What girl would want him? He certainly wasn't deserving of someone as wonderful as Ella.
Ella couldn't help but feel like a genuine princess and she was gracefully lifted in the air by the prince. The crowd applauded. However, she couldn't help but hope that the dance would end soon. She had to find Greyson!
The prince felt like the luckiest man in the world. Here in his arms was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He dancing was wonderful. Who taught her that? The prince could feel himself begin to fall for this girl. Perhaps she was the one, the one he would marry. He already was picturing a life with her. Everything was going perfectly.
Everything was going terribly. Greyson could only stand there and watch as Ella slipped away from him.
As the waltz ended, Ella was dizzy from happiness. She had had a grand time with the prince that she would never forget, but now it was time to find her baker. The two bowed to each other to signify the end of the dance. The crowd applauded, now the ball was to begin. Couples raced on to the dance floor excitedly and the orchestra played a lively tune. Ella turned to the prince. "Thank you for the dance, your majesty." she said kindly.
"Ella!" Greyson called out for her as couples shoved past them to dance. Suddenly, he felt a woman collide into him. She was stumbling a bit and had obviously had too much to drink. "Dance with me!" She screamed in good cheer at the baker as she dragged him to the dance floor.
"But I-" Greyson protested.
The prince looked into the mystery princess's blue eyes. "Come with me," he said excitedly, gently grabbing her arm and leading her toward the door.
Ella was alarmed. This wasn't part of the plan. She needed to find Greyson! "Oh really, I can't!" she insisted. She didn't mean to be rude to the prince, it was just…she wasn't here for him. She wasn't after him, or his hand, or a chance to be in the royal family.
She was here to dance with the baker.
The prince laughed. "Of course you can!" he said earnestly. "Come with me, I have something to show you." And with that, he led them out the door. They started heading towards the palace gardens down a grand staircase.
Greyson had finally broken free of the drunk woman and ran out the door to catch up with Ella and the prince. He found himself at the top of the staircase looking down at the pair, who were walking eagerly toward the palace gardens. He was too late. He felt his heart shatter.
The prince led them through a gate as the two walked hand in hand, leaving the baker to pick up the pieces of his broken heart.