Hi readers. Thanks to everyone who added this story to their favorites or alerts. I'm not sure when I'll be able to write again, especially with my laptop acting up, so I decided to give you a relatively fast update. I worked hard on this chapter, so I hope you like it. I'll try to update again as soon as I can. I don't own Skip Beat. Now please enjoy the chapter.

Crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, the finest champagne being served on pure silver platters, golden pillars decorated with intricate details and beautiful white lights, marble floors, the grace and charm of everyone around-everything in the castle embodied royalty. Kyoko was fidgeting to control her excitement of being in such a place. She and Peter walked between the numerous other people there, all dressed in different costumes. Some as clowns. Others as pirates. But not one as a roman warrior. Odette and Kyoko managed to finish Peter's costume with plenty of time to spare. Kyoko didn't have a clue how they figured out when it was time for the party but since she had time Kyoko made a costume for herself, too. She couldn't decide whether she wanted to be a princess, a fairy or a famous actress, so she was dressed up as a celebrity fairy princess.

"Look, there's the queen. If we want to keep our heads, we'd better go greet her."

Kyoko and Peter squeezed between several guests and made their way to the queen's throne. Kyoko's steps got slower as she got closer. The atmosphere seemed tense and unwelcoming. Odette had warned Kyoko that unlike most people in Wonderland, who were good by day, evil by night, the queen was always generally grumpy, no matter what time or event it was. Kyoko could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead from nervousness. The flooring leading to the queen was made of glass and was a little slippery. If it wasn't for the years of practice she had from working at the inn of walking on spilled drinks, Kyoko would definitely have lost her balance. Peter suddenly stopped next to her and bowed down. Kyoko looked up and saw the queen sitting on a golden throne. She sat with her head tilted up, but her eyes were peering down on Kyoko. She was broad shouldered, had long thick wavy black hair, pale white skin, and a natural scowl set upon her face. She was indeed very handsome, but Odette was definitely much more beautiful than her. Kyoko heard Peter clear his throat and realized he was nervously looking at her through the corners of his eyes. Realizing her mistake, Kyoko quickly bowed down in front of the queen.

"You may rise."

Kyoko and Peter stood up straight and Peter stepped forward to kneel down and kiss the queen's hand.

"Your Highness, it is a pleasure to be in your presence. It is a splendid party. I would like you to meet someone. Come child."

Kyoko rushed over to Peter's side.

"This is Kyoko. She's not from here."

"Pleasure to meet you…your highness."

The queen eyed Kyoko up and down and finally her expression changed so that she was smiling.

"Wonderful. I love having outsiders at my parties. It makes them so much livelier. Dear girl, I am the Queen of Hearts. Pleasure to meet you. Feel free to go around the castle as you please. You may go in any room except the last door in the corridor of hearts. Let me know if there's anything you need."

"Thank you, your highness."

Kyoko bowed once more in front the queen and stepped aside. That wasn't too bad.

"Peter. I must say, your costume is splendid. Why don't you stay here and keep me company?"

"Yes, your highness."

As Peter and the Queen continued to talk, Kyoko walked away, back to the door. She opened up her notebook but the pages were still blank. That was strange. She had already helped Peter with his problem, so why wasn't there anything in the notebook? Well, right now she couldn't worry about that. She still had a job she needed to finish.

"Ms. Woods, don't worry. You look great!"

Kyoko stood in front of Odette, whom she had transformed to clearly fit her name: The Swan Princess. It felt strange to be dressing up Ms. Jelly Woods for a change instead of being pampered up by the dresser.

"I don't know. I'm a little nervous."

"Trust me, you look amazing."

Kyoko had left no room for complaint. She had made Odette a beautiful jeweled golden crown with chains dangling on either side of her head. Each feather had been carefully attended to and been put in place. Her wings had a faint shine on them from the glitter sprinkled over them. These few things had made the swan look truly magnificent.

They walked back to the castle and stood in front of the large doors. With a quick glance to each other they walked inside. They looked around for Peter but couldn't see him. He wasn't by the tables on in the center of the ballroom where all the other guests were. He wasn't by the queen's throne either. Where had the rabbit disappeared to?

"I can't find my Peter anywhere."

"He must be around here somewhere."

Suddenly music started playing in the background and everyone partnered up and started waltzing around the ballroom. Kyoko and Odette quickly hurried out of the way to avoid bumping into the dancing guests. They stood by the bandstand and watched everyone twirl back and forth in a patterned movement.

"Now what?"

"Now…well, now you dance."

"Excuse me?"

"Go on Ms. Woods. Go dance."

Kyoko had helped Odette choreograph the perfect solo dance to catch the bunny's attention. Kyoko nodded at Odette and the swan waddled over to the center of the ballroom. She looked around at all the other dancers and then she opened her wings wide and spun around. Her usual wobbly webbed feet moved so precisely and with ease. She had a good teacher after all. She followed the rhythm of the music and synced it into her movement. She elegantly swung her wings and head around and held each pose with grace. Her glittered wings made her look like a sparkling wonder. Everyone stopped and watched the swan move around with delicacy. All the lights and all eyes were on Odette. With her eyes closed she flew up into the air and twirled around, landing back on the floor, wings spread out, ending her marvelous dance.

Applause echoed the ballroom as everyone cheered for the princess of Swan Lake. Odette opened her eyes and bowed. Odette walked back to a dazed Kyoko with hands clasped in front of her, happiness shining on her face.

"How was I?"

"You were…beyond fantastic!"

"Excuse me Miss, but may I have this dance?"

Odette turned around and saw Peter standing there with one hand reaching out towards her and one behind his back. Odette gasped and slowly grabbed his hand with her wing.

"Yes, of course Peter Darling!"

"I must say, you look absolutely magnificent. And that dance. Very spectacular."

Odette looked back and winked at Kyoko. As the two walked back to the floor, Kyoko sighed in happiness. Mission Accomplished.

Having solved her friend's problem, Kyoko was now all by herself. The queen had said she could go anywhere she pleased and curiosity was getting to her. She started walking around the castle, wondering what she might find in this grand place. The ballroom was amazing itself. What else may lie in this enormous palace? She walked towards the spiral staircase and stared at the endless flight of stairs. Wondering what lay up there, she started going up the steps. Each step felt like a gateway to a new world. She got to the second floor and stared down the long corridors descending on each side. The floors creaked beneath her as she walked down the halls. There were so many ways to go. So many doors to open. She finally opened grabbed one doorknob. She hesitantly tapped her fingers on it and then turned it. To her surprise, she found a waterfall inside. The ceiling was painted pale blue with white puffs of clouds over it. There was real grass on the floor and rocks creating a mountain from which the water fell into the large pool below. It looked so natural and serene.

Kyoko fell back into the grass. She looked to her side and saw daisies, all with little faces on them, smiling at her. She smiled back and then crawled over to the pool in the center. Little fish swam around and soon they began swimming in a circle around her reflection. Kyoko laughed and dipped her hand into the water, waving it around. The fishes seemed to leave small little kisses along her hand. Although she felt she could stay there forever, Kyoko was excited now. She wanted to know what else was in store behind the many doors. She sprang up to her feet and left the room, but not before waving good bye to the flowers and the fishes. She ran through the halls and up the flight of stairs, checking in every room. Some were actually bedrooms, with gigantic circular beds and beautifully constructed furniture. But there were some that held mountains of pillows or some with tables full of desserts. Others had art galleries or a slice of an African safari. One even had a beauty parlor. Kyoko actually got pulled in for a full facial and a mani-pedi. Her hair was washed and styled and a make-up artist decked her up to bring out her best features. She finally left the room looking like a top model.

Kyoko was so jittery from all the excitement that she didn't realize where she had ended up. Finally calming down a little she looked around her. She was somewhere on the fifth floor. She could still hear the music playing and the laughter in the distance. She observed her surroundings and saw several red hearts decorating the walls. This hall seemed endless. Something inside her made Kyoko feel that there was more to this hall than the rest. As if this hall held something important to her, someone important to her. Kyoko walked till the end and found herself standing before a large pink door. The top of it was shaped as a heart as was the silver door knob. You may go in any room except the last door in the corridor of hearts. Kyoko remembered the queen's words. This must be the door she meant. Without thinking, Kyoko placed a hand on the door knob. She slowly turned the knob and opened the door to reveal what was inside.

I wasn't planning on ending on a cliff hanger, but I'm actually feeling a little under the weather so I'll stop here. Hope you liked the chapter. I put in a lot of work to explain the party scene, but if it needs improvement, please do let me know what your thoughts are. Thank you to everyone who has been leaving me reviews. Your comments help out a lot in my writing as well as keeping me motivated. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!