I am so sorry on how long it took to get around this writers block. And I did the cover page picture. I hope you like it.

"Talking"
"Thinking"

Chapter 4: The missing Queen and a Dance with a Stranger

Inside the ballroom, people from other kingdoms and towns crowd the room. Everyone, excited to met the new princess. Elise and Grant stands in the back, happily watching as the people round them, thrilled to witness the princess.

Elise stands close to Grant to avoid trouble with Martha. She knows if she should stray away from him, the livid princess would try anything to put her down.

Grant looks to her and saw her thinking about something he knew about. "This week has been really stressful for her." He reaches over and wraps his arm around her. She smiles and leans her head on his shoulder. Before he could console her, a middle age man walks up to them. "Ahh, Grant. There you are! It's been a while." Grant looks over the man and smiles. "It certainly has."

Looking over to the man, Elise took in his appearance. He looked sightly heavy, not as heavy-looking as Cogsworth. He had light brown hair and a Short Boxed Beard. He was dress in black. "Why would he be dressed in black?" Continually observe the man, she noticed that look in his hazel eyes. It had a sad look that hid behind a smile.

The man continually to smile to the prince. "You must feel happy that you're an uncle now." Grant smirks. "Indeed I do. Belle and Adam is extremely happy." Elise smiles and watches while the two men talk. The man puts a hand on Grant's shoulder. "I heard that you're getting married soon. You'll be the one who'll be extremely happy soon." He looks to Elise. "Is this her?" Grant smiles as he looks at Elise. "Yes this is her." He smiles to her. "Elise, this is King Alex." She smiles. "It's nice to meet you." Alex smiles at her. "I heard she was beautiful, looks like it was true." Elise smiles and blushes. "Thank you."

The king smiles back. "You're quite welcome, my dear." He then looks to Grant. "She's quite lovely and polite, Grant. Take my advice and never let her go." Grant holds Elise close. "I don't plan to let her go." Alex smiles sadly. "I hope so." He then frowns. "Especially after my queen, Sylvia, went missing nearly ten years ago." Elise frowns. "No wonder he looks like he's in mourning. Poor guy." Alex then puts on a false smile. "But lets not worry about that. Today's a happy day for Adam and Belle." Grant nods. "Yeah. I hope you enjoy yourself." King Alex nods and walks away.

Grant then looks to Elise and noticed her sad face. "Whats wrong?" She looks at him, sadly. "His queen is missing? That is so sad." Grant holds her. "It'll be alright. He'll eventually hind her. I heard he's been searching for her ever since." Elise looks up to him. "I really do hope he finds her. I can't stand to see a sad face." Grant smiles. "Always thinking about others."

Hours later, the people around the couple had lifted Elise's spirit she met and dances with new people, Belle and Adam had taken Lorie to the nursery when she needed fed and put down for a nap. Elise had almost forgotten about Martha.

She stands alone in the back of the room to relax for a bit until a man in a dark clothes walks up to her. "Excuse me." She looks at him and her eyes wide.

There was something ominous about his appearance. He had grayish-blue eyes and inviting. He was mostly bald, the only hair on him was dark brown that started in the middle of the back of his head. It was fifteen inches long and hand over his right shoulder. His shirt is earth-toned, had a red collar the covered most of his neck and isn't tucked in. His black pants are tucked in under his dark brown boots that starts at his mid-calf.

She looks back up to his eyes. She kept herself from trembling when he flashed her a dashing grin. He then bows to her, not taking his eyes off of her. "Will you do me the honor to dance with me." She takes a step back. "Um..." She wanted to get away from this guy, but she didn't want to be rude. "S-sure." She holds her hand out to him. He takes it and kissed it before leading her out to the floor.

The whole time, Elise wanted the dance to end, especially when the guy pulled her closed to him when he spun her around. He looks at her. "You're really the belle of the ball, aren't you?" She looks at him. "Huh?" He smirks. "Never heard that compliment before?" Elise starts to trembling. "No. I've heard it before, just never out of the blue." He smiles and spun her around. Never before she felt so awkward, not even in her own time.

She thanked the lord when the dance ended. The stranger bowed to her and she curtsied. Elise had to walk outside to catch her breath. She had held it in when the dance began. Walking to the water fountain, the wind blew gently in her hair. Sitting down, she gives a sigh. Looking up at the sky, she enjoyed the night sky.

Grant walks outside and saw her sitting alone. He smiles and walks over to her. She looks at him when he sat down beside her. Grant smiles and wraps an arm around her. "What you doing out here?" Elise cuddles up to him. "Just need a bit a fresh air is all." He holds her in her arms, letting her take a rest. "To think. Two months from now, we'll be married." she smiles and closes her eyes. "Yes. I can't wait for our wedding day. It'll be so grand." He smiles and looks to her. She smiles back and kisses him gently on the lips.

Around the corner, Martha turns away from the sight of the happy pair, grinding her teeth and folds her arms. Looking away from the two, she spots a man walking away from the castle. No carriage or horse. His long cloak flows with his movement as he lift the hood over his bald head.

The princess glances back to the couple and stroke her chin once, before she glanced back at the leaving stranger and decides to follows him.

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