Time seemed to stand still around the pair as Shadow approached the pink stranger. He doesn't know it, but there was something about this girl that has captured his imagination. Her gorgeous, translucent emerald eyes were inviting his fiery, now passionate pools of fire to observe her own reason of why a fair young lady such as herself is all alone…with no one to talk to.

She seems very interesting…I don't think I've met her before around here… All he knows for certain is that she certainly is beautiful.

She wore a majestic gown of baby pink, part of the bottom skirt painted with sky blue and golden pigmentation. It had designs embroidered with butterflies and roses, each sequined with one diamond in the middle of it. Her tiara, small but impressive, had a nobility to it, since it was almost butterfly shaped, but also had a tiny amethyst carved rose in the center. The pink girl's mask was in the exact imitation of the monarch butterfly, securing her identity to most of the place. But her hair- her hair had an almost bounciness when she moved because they were curled at the ends of them. All of this angel's ideal qualities made the future prince so attracted to her.

Amy turned around real quick as she saw that he was coming this way. All her life she wanted to find out whom the black hedgehog was, and there he was! Coming right towards her! She kept reminding herself to keep her guard down and never reveal yourself as the one foreigner that the whole kingdom strongly have an aversion for. But she couldn't help but notice that every step he took, her face grew a little warmer every second.

'Wait a minute-why am I blushing really hard? He's just a stranger!'

It was an eternity for him to be besides her, so Amy was getting impatient. It came as a surprise to her that a hand had lain on her shoulder, turning the corners of her eyes to see the black prince right beside her. His touch was very gentle and relieving, so Amy didn't realize that she quite enjoyed being touched that way.

"Strange…it's better being out here than to be in that crowded room." Shadow spoke.

It's okay to talk to him, it's not like he was trying to stalk you or anything, she thought to herself.

"Yeah…I mean it's such a marvelous night at this time of the year. The stars winking down at us, the moon so luminous in the lost misguided night. Who would want to stay inside when it's more enjoyable to embrace the warm, night wind?"

Even her voice was amazing to Shadow. Every syllable, every pronunciation, every sound sounded so melodious, like a sweet serenade to his ears. It's certainly not like his mother's harsh voice, or Blaze's cheery, nagging sound. Where did this fascinating young saint come from?

"I agree with you; every time people are waiting for me to dance for them, when they know that I really don't care to dance."

"Why not?"

"Why should I?"

Amy finally turned around for her eyes to engage with his with an incredulous look.

"Dancing, for me, is the greatest sensation that you could ever receive! I dance as a hobby because it's a way to lift my spirit when I feel trapped, or sad - or at least bored!" she quickly added as Shadow's eyebrow lifted. "As I dance more, I get the opportunity to look within myself, you know, to recognize new triggers of what makes me upset. Plus, you get to express yourself. That's the best part."

An emergence of a smile came on her face to show her point. Then, she swayed a bit from side to side, her gown flowing along with the rhythm. As she looked back at the prince, she saw that he was missing one facial expression.

"Hey…why don't you smile?" she asked innocently.

Shadow was snapped out of his trance of staring at the pretty girl when that question was asked. "I…don't know. I guess it gives me a weird feeling and I don't like it."

He immediately shut himself up at that ridiculous statement and frowned.

Nice explanation idiot, you really insulted her now.

To Shadow's surprise, Amy wasn't taken aback or distraught. Instead, she smiled a reassurance to him.

My goodness, this kingdom is worse off than I thought, she thought.

"A smile doesn't hurt to give. You know, it lets people know that they are worth something, that they are something extraordinary in one way, if not in many intelligences.", Amy explained.

She's so insightful and intelligent, like me. That's something rare even of an Umbrian countrywoman.

Then, in a spontaneous reflex, he grasped her petite hand and led her toward the dance floor. Amy was surprised at this sudden move. Is he trying to get her to dance?

She let go of his hand in confusion, trying to know what is going on.

…Oh no, I hope I haven't made him angry!

"I apologize for this Your Majesty, but are you-"

But a finger was laid on her lips, ceasing her mouth to stop speaking. Shadow gazed at her with a sly, tempting smile on his face. This was very unlikely of what Prince Shadow would do in his lifetime. "You said dancing was the best thing to express yourself, right?"

Amy predicted what he was about to request next.

"Would you have the pleasure to dance with me?" He bowed and slowly held out his hand for hers, his smile still growing on his face.

At this, Princess Amy had blushed crimson; nonetheless placed her palm in his, and was being lead out into the dance floor.

When the couple strolled out in the middle, all got quiet. Every conversation, every mouth went silent to get a glance at the prince's alluring dance partner. And wait a minute- was he smiling? Every single soul averted their attention on Prince Shadow and the unknown visitor.

Prince Shadow wrapped his right arm around her waist, while his left hand held Amy's right one. Her right arm had place itself automatically around the black hedgehog's shoulder, ready for what his next move is. Shadow ordered the quiet orchestra to play 'Fǖr Elise'. Out of the air, the couple waltzed around the room with a swift pace. Shadow was amazingly the one leading Amy throughout their whole routine.

The onlookers were amazed at how well Shadow can dance the Waltz, and studied the foreigner's graceful movements to date. All in all, they were very entertained and glad that the prince was finally enjoying himself. Blaze was dumbstruck at how is it possible that he could pick another girl to dance with, which was not her. King Opaque and Queen Malice were also astounded at this sudden scene, seeing as to how in the world their son would be smiling about dancing?

Amy spoke no words on how this prince can say that he doesn't dance, and yet he dances with grace and precision. But, it drifted her mind soon enough; it felt as though she was dancing on the clouds. To her, dancing was indeed a wonderful feeling, but this time, with the prince it was a remarkable, lovely feeling. She gazed deep into his red eyes, thinking that he looks very cute when he's certain of himself… An emotion of security and sentiment rushed into her brain, sending messages of heavenly thoughts of him and her…alone together in her head.

As he stared deep in her green beryl optics, it was obvious that now he'll never resist letting her out of his sight, for fear she might leave his thoughts and dreams. They continued waltzing, enjoying each other's company very much.

Now the audience was inquiring on the pink stranger who probably caught the young prince's heart. Is she a princess from a faraway land? Where did she get that dress? Did she know Shadow for a long time? But one thing's for certain: for tonight, they were the most attractive couple ever seen. It's like watching a dove and a crow, a beauty and the beast, a rose with black thorns.

She was right; dancing is an extraordinary feeling. Shadow slowed down to a steady pace.

My goodness; he looks so handsome up close. I wonder if he's curious to know about me. I hope so… Shadow held Amy a little closer.

Later, others followed their example and started dancing also. The couple stopped and headed, hand in hand, to the garden.

They promenaded for a while, taking a glance at each other and when their eyes met, they quickly turned away blushing. Soon they came upon a large fountain, its waters sparkling with the midnight's everlasting and narcissistic reflection. Shadow took Amy's hand and gently sat her down at the side, then took his seat right beside her.

"I know it's not a pretty garden…its only because the ground's dead and never grows flowers here." Shadow said sullenly.

Amy gave him an empathetic smile. "It's okay. All you need to grow flowers is TLC. It works every time."

Shadow's heart warmed at what she said, and turned to face her with a solemn, yet gentle face.

"If I did have flowers…I would pick the perfect one that matches your personality"

"Which is?"

"Sweetness and light, of course. Because that's grace, intelligence, and beauty combined. That's what you are."

He bended on one knee in front of Amy and kissed her hand in lovingly courtesy. All this was making Amy blush in deep, deep red. The politeness, his deep, mature, sensual voice, his modesty, his striking features - all of this is too much to contain for her.

Shadow got up and sat with her again. This time, Amy laid her head down on his shoulder. Shadow happily returned the favor by nuzzling gently in her silky hair.

"I'm glad they didn't close off the garden and that I met this amazing lady because…."

"I'm glad that I sneaked out of the palace tonight and met this good-looking, headstrong, mysterious man. I never want to leave because…."

"I think I'm in love."

Amy got up to motion Shadow that it's time to go back inside, until her clumsiness had her trip over a log, making her lose her step. Shadow caught her just in time, with both of them in each other's arms. The atmosphere span out of control; the music was silenced in the background, stars falling everywhere from the sky. Their noses almost touched each other in precision. A free will was bursting out them now, his velvet like breath touching hers. Closer and closer they got until their eyes were shut down in pleasure and their lips were to meet for the first time….

Until, Amy noticed guards coming towards them. Oh no, the king and queen must want to see me!

At the same time, her tiara was starting to disappear…Cosmo's power was failing…that means soon her mask will be gone.

"Oh Your Highness-I'm sorry, but I got to go!" She let go of his embrace, only being held back by her right hand clutched in Shadow's. He looked concerned and worried, hoping that she wasn't going to leave now. Not tonight!

"What's wrong? Where are you going?"

"I'm sorry…I have to leave…and probably never come back." Amy's eyes grew small and looked as though on the verge of tears. She doesn't want to leave him all alone, and almost resorted to stay, but her dress was shortening to almost reveal her ankles. She had to leave.

"Wait-I haven't even got your name!" Shadow said.

But it was too late. Amy's hand slipped through his and her flower ring was all that was left. With Amy rushing into the palace, Shadow pursued after her, through the crowd, his parents' perplexed faces, his fiancée's enraged expression, to reach his lovely rose.

Amy got out just in time before her naked form was revealed because her dress shrank rapidly now. Her carriage was gone, the horses scattered as mice now, so she ran. She ran as fast as she could until she got to the forest. From there, the half nude pink hedgehog ran to her home, her kingdom.

Back in the castle, Shadow looked out sorrowfully at the woods, looking for his briar rose. He looked down in his palm and saw the ring. Determination and desperation crept into his conscious. He knew just what to do to find her and how. Shadow closed his ring held hand into a fist, closed his eyes, and frowned into confidence. He's going to find the beautiful girl whose finger fit this ring!