Years later, Carly and Sam became very good friends. As they often go out for groceries together, they shared their jokes and had fun together. Since the fortune telling incident, they have become closer than sisters. No matter how much Melanie tried to get rid of Carly, Sam would be able to warn Carly before Melanie strike as she told Sam everything she wanted to do.

To thank Sam for her help, Carly always sneaks in extra food for her, even though her stepmother strongly discourages supper. She believed that supper would ruin Sam's figure, but Sam's eating habits have never affected her figure at all.

When Carly's stepmother wanted to abuse Carly, Sam would be dragged into this matter and forced to bully her as well. But Sam would only pretend to do it to convince her mother that she and Carly are not real friends just to make sure that they don't get punished for their friendship.

One day, when Carly and Sam went out together to the market as usual, they met someone very unusual.

"Help!" a boy cried as a thief was running past Carly and Sam. "My box! My box!"

With years of experience in all sorts of physical assault methods, Sam rushed to the rescue and pinned the thief down. She took the box and returned it to the boy who was crying for help. She put her hand out to the boy and asked, "Where's my reward?"

The boy looked puzzled at first, and then reached into his pocket to reveal a pocket watch which he gave Sam. Sam just raised an eyebrow and said, "I was just kidding. I don't want your stupid watch anyway."

The boy shrugged then placed the watch back into his pocket. After which, he let out his hand and tried to shake Sam's, but Sam was reluctant. "My name is… er… Frederick. You can call me Freddie."

"The name's Sam," Sam replied. "What's in that box that's so important to you?"

"Er, nothing," Freddie replied, flustered. "Hey, who's the girl behind you?"

Carly approached Freddie and introduced herself, "Hi, my name is Carly. I'm her stepsister."

"You guys are stepsisters?" Freddie was puzzled. "But you're like, inseparable!"

"Of course," Sam said. "We're stepsisters and we're best friends. Why? Are you jealous?"

Freddie shook his head, "No, who would be? Anyway, I have to go now; I'll see you guys around." With that, he left with his box in the direction where he came from while Sam and Carly continued with their grocery shopping.

No one knew the true identity of the boy. But as soon as he reached his destination, someone who knew him recognized him immediately.

"Prince Fredward!" the Grand Duke cried. "Where were you? We were all so worried that something had happened to you!"

"I'm fine, Grand Duke," he said. "Relax; I just went out for a walk."

"Oh dear," the Grand Duke cried. "What are you wearing, young prince! You look just like a commoner!"

"Chill," the prince replied. "I have to wear a disguise if I want to be out on the streets and avoid being assassinated, rite? Besides, I had to go and collect the rings. Father said that he needed them tonight."

"The rings are not as important as you are your highness. We can always get one of the guards to collect them. You don't always have to do things by yourself. We were worried sick when you disappeared."

The young prince left the hallways of the palace and proceeded to his father's quarters. He placed the box on the table and left the room to get ready for the ball that night. His father had organized a ball to celebrate his return and invited all eligible maidens in the country. Carly, Sam and Melanie were all invited.

"Oh my god!" Melanie screamed. "It's an invitation from the palace!"

"Let me see it! Let me see it!" her mother took the invitation away from her and opened the envelope. "By royal decree, all eligible maidens in the country are to attend the ball tonight to celebrate the return of the prince."

"The prince?" Melanie asked. "He'll be there?"

"Relax," Sam replied. "It's just the prince."

"JUST the prince?" Melanie exclaimed. "How can you say that? He's the prince! He's smart, athletic, handsome and rich! Tonight at the ball, we will meet and he will fall in love with me at first sight!"

"Yeah, right!" Sam commented. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"You'll see!" Melanie said. "Mom, can we go to town to get new dresses?"

"Sure, my dear," their mother replied. "Carly, you're to stay home when we're out, you understand?"

Carly had no choice but to agree. Before the group of three left the house, Sam paid a visit to her.

"Carly?" Sam called out to the kitchen. "You there?"

"Yes?" Carly replied.

"Don't worry about your dress," Sam assured her. "I'll give you the dress that mom buys for me. You know I don't like fluffy skirts and pink ribbons."

"But what are you going to wear for tonight?"

"I'll probably be sitting out on the ball," Sam replied. "You know I don't really like to mix around with the crowd."

"Oh, thank you," Carly said, tears filling her eyes as she hugged Sam. "You're the best stepsister anyone can ever have!"

"I know," Sam joked. "I have to go now or mom will suspect me."

With that, Sam left to join her mother and sister, leaving Carly alone in the house.