After dressing for the feast, Elena spotted Gabe at the front gate. He was scowling, intimidating the baker who was trying to enter the castle to deliver desserts.

"Gabe, are you going to let the poor guy in so he can do his job? " Elena asked sarcastically.

His face brightened when he heard her voice. "Princess! Uh yes, of course. Just didn't want a repeat of Fiero for your celebration tonight."

Elena rolled her eyes. "Yes, because the baker's assistant is a maldavo."

Gabe cracked a half smile and responded, "Wouldn't want him to turn your suitors to stone. "

Elena sighed. "By law I have to entertain a date with each of them. And by law I have to marry when I become queen. And my husband will be king. Have you thought about that, Gabe? I mean REALLY thought it through? You would be making a commitment to me and to Avalor for the rest of your life. Responsible for trade, development, the royal guard, food production, occasional magical creatures who want to open the gates to their realm and destroy our way of life..."

"Elena I AM already married to Avalor." He gestured at his uniform and raised an eyebrow. "Royal guard, remember? And if I had known there was any chance I could court you, I would have done it ages ago!"

Gabe looked away and sighed. "But, now here we are. You have three princes who were meant to rule kingdoms and they can give you everything you could possibly want. You belong with one of them, princess. I'm not the guy for you."

Elena grabbed Gabe's arm and tugged, so he would meet her eyes. "Not the guy for me?! Do you really believe that, Gabe, or are you just trying to protect me like you did when you were teaching me how to fence... and losing on purpose! Did Esteban put you up to this?"

She swiveled on her toes and trounced away angrily to the ballroom.

Later, at the feast, Elena entertained a dance with each of her suitors, minus one Lt. Nunez. She was dancing aggressively, taking the lead instead of allowing herself to be led. An awkward, angry smile was pasted to her face as she spun around with Prince Horatio- the slightly chubby, good-natured young prince from Buenos Aires.

Naomi elbowed Mateo . "She looks more likely to kick him in the groin than kiss him. You have to do something!"

Mateo stammered, "M-mee? I can't do anything about it."

Naomi rolled her eyes and pushed Mateo towards Elena and Horatio. "Sure you can! Ask to cut in."

Mateo grudgingly approached them and tapped Elena on the shoulder. "May I cut in?" He squeaked, blushing furiously.

Elena rolled her eyes and said, "Excuse us." to Horatio.

She smiled for the first time that night as she lead Mateo around in clumsy circles as he stumbled over himself. "Thanks Mateo. Did Naomi put you up to this?"

"How did you guess? Sorry you're going through this, Elena. I think it will all work out in the end. "

Elena had a far away look in her eyes and replied, "I hope you're right, Mateo. "

From the grounds, Gabe could see Elena dancing with Mateo through the window. She smiled genuinely at him, and he was rubbing her arm as they spoke into each others' ears. Really?, thought Gabe. It's not enough that I need to compete with princes, but now Mateo too?!

Gabe sulked away from the window; he couldn't bear to watch anymore. For one, amazing moment he'd thought she was his. Now everything was screwed up and he might lose her forever.

A/N: short chapter I wrote at work, more to come!