CHAPTER 22: SECOND NIGHT

"Alexander, have you found a suitable bride yet?"

The Prince looked away and blushed slightly, remembering Raven. Should he tell? He felt kind of guilty for dancing with only one girl at the ball last night, and he hardly even knew her! So he kept quiet and buttoned up his suit, this time, it was dark blue.

His father sighed, "You must try. I know I … we may be pushing you a lot but your Mother has … died and …"

"Father, don't." Prince Alexander said firmly, turning towards the King. He looked sad and the wrinkles on his forehead showed the stress. Last night, when Mother died, he couldn't stop crying in bed, no matter how much he tried to stifle his sobs, Prince Alexander could still hear it, even when he was a bedroom away.

Walking over, he adjusted his father's collar, his voice gentler, "Don't worry, I might even have found someone."

The King looked up, eyes lit with the slightest bit of hope.

"I shan't let you down, Father. Tonight, if she comes, I will introduce her to you." the young Prince promised, smiling as he recalled the previous night with Raven.

"It is not me that might be disappointed son, don't let the kingdom down." the King said seriously.

Prince Alexander laughed lightly as he opened the door wider, "I won't. Now, our guests are awaiting …"

Raven walked into the nearly empty ballroom. She was early today. Then, looking around, she found the Prince staring at her. A smile automatically came to her face and they both walked towards each other.

The Prince caught her hands and twirled her around, then he gently planted a kiss on her right. Raven curtsied and then, found herself to be led off. She wondered where they were going.

Before she knew it, she was standing before the King, himself! She curtsied immediately, head down and deep.

"You may rise." said the King. And so she did. Looking up, she saw the King had a kind face, but lines of hidden sadness was all over it too. That is when she noticed the throne beside the King's was empty. Where was the Queen?

"You are looking at the Queen's throne." stated the King. Raven blushed, having been caught at staring.

"She … died last night." Prince Alexander said softly.

Raven stifled a gasp and looked between the Prince and King. "I am most sorry."

The King's face hardened, "We will avenge her death."

"It was … murder?" Raven's voice rose a bit.

The two nodded grimly before her and she was reminded of her mission. And then, she felt guilty, she was here to protect the Prince, she wasn't here to dance with him and enjoy herself! But yet, wasn't she keeping a lookout by being with him all the time?

"You mustn't let this trouble you." the King suddenly spoke, "It is almost eight. You must rest before the ball starts."

Raven nodded and Prince Alexander extended a hand. She took it and he led them to the shiny, polished floor, where she found her friends, the Titans, staring at her.

"Excuse me, please." Raven said politely. The Prince nodded and she extracted herself from him and started to make her way towards the Titans.

When the Titans arrived at the castle ballroom, they noticed that there was already someone else inside. It was Raven, wearing the most beautiful dress yet. Beast boy stared, where did she get that? It looked so light and it sparkled whenever she made the slightest movement.

Then, his eyes traveled to the Prince, who was walking towards her quickly. Raven smiled and walked over to meet him. Prince Alexander took both of Raven's hands and twirled her around before bowing and kissing her right hand. She curtsied and was led off by the Prince.

Beast boy felt a sudden rush of anger as he watched Prince Alexander introduce Raven to the King. The King's weary face shone as Raven curtsied before him. After that, she appeared to look surprised, then sad and guilty after talking to them. He wondered what they were saying.

Then, Prince Alexander escorted her back to the floors of the ballroom. Raven suddenly spotted them and said something to the Prince before walking right up to them.

"Raven! I am most delighted to see you again!" Starfire said happily as she hugged Raven. She gave a small smile at her and patted her back a bit.

"How are things?" Robin asked.

"Fine. But did you hear the Queen was assassinated?" Raven said, trying to maintain her voice but surprise was still heard.

"It was all over the kingdom, I can't believe you haven't heard!" Cyborg exclaimed.

"Well," Raven tapped her foot impatiently, "How did it happen?"

Robin and Starfire looked at one another. Then, bowing her head, Starfire said softly, "We do not know."

Raven frowned, she did not understand.

"According to what they say, the Queen just dropped to the ground after midnight." Cyborg explained.

Raven looked lost, "Oh. I wasn't here at midnight."

"Then, where were you?" The words were out of Beast boy's mouth before he could stop it. Then, he looked down, expecting Raven to yell at him or something.

But to his surprise, she only said vaguely, "Somewhere …"

He lifted his head and stared right into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts. He wasn't physic like Raven could be, but he can still sense something was up, even if the rest didn't realise it. He knew Raven, and … this just wasn't her right now.

Raven looked away and blushed lightly, "I have to go back to the Prince."

Robin nodded his consent and she turned on her heel and left.

"Who is that?"

"Huh?" Raven snapped her attention back to the Prince.

"That young lad all by himself."

Raven turned her head and saw, as the Titans moved about, the changeling tagging behind glumly. She instantly felt sorry and her gaze softened.

"Beast boy?"

"What an odd name." the Prince remarked. Raven smiled.

Then, the Prince looked at her questioningly, "You are both friends?"

Raven opened her mouth to form the word, "Yes", but something stopped her, something unpleasant. She paused and shook her head, she didn't know what to think. She hated him, a part of her said, he was your friend, another part spoke, then the tiniest voice at the back of her head said the most appalling thing of all …

"He cares for you."

Raven snapped her head on Beast boy's retreating figure … did he really?

"Are you alright?" The Prince asked worriedly beside her.

Silently, she nodded her head, managing a weak smile. Sometimes, high stress levels caused such weird thoughts and feelings to evoke inside of her. It is best for them to be forgotten.

As Prince Alexander led her into the first dance, Raven tried to concentrate by looking into his clear blue eyes …

But somehow, they didn't make her smile like they used to anymore.

The Enchantress entered the grand ballroom. She was dressed in a simple gown, to attract less attention. No one will recognise her. Back at the village, she was an old woman, here, she was years younger. Many, many years younger. She was only 20.

She walked around the ballroom, her eyes finally landing on Raven. She smiled, the girl looked beautiful, her sparkling sky blue really stood out from all the solemn dark colours of the room. Most of the village girls had tried to imitate her style but now, wearing a more modern, bright-coloured, and made out of light, floating material, gown, Raven truly was a refreshing new breeze out of all the old, musty air.

And she was dancing with Prince Alexander too. Yes, her plan was working, and to think, tomorrow, it will be completed! Now, for her next step. She mustn't get distracted. The Enchantress looked around the room, and finally found a tall gentlemen dancing with a pretty brunette with deep chocolate brown hues for her eyes. She tried to recall what Raven had called him … that's right, he's Cyborg.

"Hello dears." the Enchantress smiled sweetly as she approached them.

The couple stopped dancing and looked at one another.

"Perhaps you may be of some assistance," continued the Enchantress, "It is not much, really …"

"How may we help you?" Cyborg asked.

The Enchantress tried to look demure, "It is about your friend - Raven. I need an article of her's. Any object, clothing that is her's will do."

Cyborg looked suspicious and looked at the girl. The brunette also looked hesitant, unsure. "How do you know her name? And why do you need her items?"

"So many questions, my young lad. I simply happened to buy this very gown from that old shop that sells clothing and this old woman called a young girl - Raven. I know she is your friend, for I heard her talking about you and many others, she even described you vividly." The Enchantress spoke the well-rehearsed story confidently.

Cyborg still looked unsure, "Then, why do you need an item that is Raven's?"

"It is a surprise, my friend, but it isn't anything bad! Come morrow, you shall see …" the Enchantress said mysteriously, then added, "I am also a good friend of the old woman's, I ask her for a new suit, hat for you, my lad, and a pretty gown for the lady, in return for your kindness."

"Are you sure -"

"Your friend will be fine. You shall see her the next night and nothing will happen to her." The Enchantress cut in quickly, trying to sound reassuring.

Cyborg seemed to consider this for a while before nodding, "Right. You got a deal. Where do I - we, deliver her item?"

"Place them outside the clothing shop by dawn."

"OK."

The Enchantress smiled once more, "You can collect your suit, hat and gown which will be placed outside when you come to deliver her item."

Cyborg nodded while the girl beside him shone with happiness at the thought of a new gown.

"And remember, do not tell anyone about the surprise …"

And then, before Cyborg could blink, the Enchantress vanished amongst the crowd of dancing couples.

Raven watched as the Prince gulped down the rest of the glass vials, then, she placed them back in her purse which was blue with sequins tonight, to match her dress.

Was it just her imagination or did the Prince smiled almost adoringly at her after drinking those glass vials? But then, a rush of joy prevented her from thinking any further. How sweet! Without thinking, she planted a kiss on his cheek.

Then, she pulled back quickly, her face turning red. How could she do such a thing? Kissing a Prince without permission?

"I am most sorry, your Highness!" Raven gasped, as she knelt down humbly.

To her surprise, the Prince knelt down in front of her and lifted her chin with a finger, "Don't be, my lady." And then, with a gentle hand on her right, the Prince rose, pulling her up as well.

From afar, Beast boy watched with a sinking heart. There was no doubt in his mind now, by the end of the third night, the Prince will ask Raven to marry. Then, Raven would accept and they'd all stay to rule England as King and Queen, together forever.

And Beast boy, will continue to watch them, his heart torn into a million pieces while Raven remains lost to them forever …

Midnight. It came to soon, Raven listened as the clock struck 12. She suddenly stopped in the middle of the dance and Prince Alexander asked what's wrong. Gently, she pulled away, but not before kissing his forehead gently …

"I need to go."

"But -"

"I will come again, tomorrow!"

"And I shall await your arrival!" the Prince called back as he watched her run through the crowd and out of the ballroom.

He refused to dance with any other lady after.

~Meanwhile~

Raven was flying through the night. Her glass slippers never really touching the ground, her skirts blowing behind her as it lost its sparkle as each second past. When she finally reached the shop. The door opened and the old woman said, chiding, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. A bit late tonight, my dear." And then, she let her in and closed the door.

She mumbled an apology and watched her dress turn back into another pale, grey one. It was made of cotton now and she instantly felt drab and colourless. She took of her glass slippers, now made out of cotton too, and added the pair to last night's.

Raven crawled to her bed - a pile of straw with a soft cloth covering and laid her head down to sleep. She yawned and her eyes flew open as she remembered.

"He drank all of your tonic."

"Very good, Raven. Now, my dear, you must sleep." the old woman said soothingly, noticing her tiredness.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my dear." And Raven's eyes closed.

A steady breathing filled the room and the old woman took out a suit and gown. The gown was lilac and had small, white patterns weaved on it, it was pretty and she put that aside. The suit was what she needed to work on.

She glanced at Raven's sleeping figure and finally assured that she was fast asleep, the old woman lifted the suit in midair with only her eyes. Focusing, she stretched both hands towards it and muttered a spell in an ancient language. The suit quivered and glowed yellow before falling to the ground in a heap of black silk.

The old woman added a large, smart top hat and folded the suit and gown neatly. She opened her door and placed the two articles of clothing on top of one another with the hat resting right on top.

She needn't fear that he may not keep his promise and just take the clothing leave. The old woman was a very good judge of character with her sixth sense, he was one who could be trusted to keep promises which is precisely why she had chosen him for this task.

The old woman shut the door and started to fill a small pot of water. She threw some ingredients in and whispered an incantation. Then, it was as if an icy draft of wind had blown in as the spell sucked all the heat. Then, the temperature went back to normal and from the corner, Raven stopped shivering.

She closed the pot with a lid. Tomorrow, when she finally has Raven's item, then everything, including her will be fully under her control.

She could even taste the sweet victory in her mouth now.

A/N: Another chapter for you guys! I'll try to write the next by tomorrow and give it to you the day after.