Short, I know. I just wanted the ball to be an entirely different chapter. Not sure if I'm going to keep this chapter the way it is or change it. I'm unsure. Just bear with me :)

"Marie!" Standing before a mirror, unclothed, Marie glanced back at her mother. "It's not that bad… is it?" Her mother was looking at her distastefully. "Those bruises are really unbecoming on you. I suppose that we shall have to adjust the back of your dress so that they do not show."

Marie frowned. "But Lara has already sewn the dress. It took her all week to finish it and her hands…" "I do not care about the state of Lara. She will fix it or she will regret it. Besides, it is your own fault for falling off of the horse."

Her mother's voice was snappish and Marie was reminded that despite her sweet appearance, her mother was a shrew. I wonder if Kay could turn her into one… Shaking off that thought, Marie nodded. There was no point in arguing with her. "I know it was my own fault mother. I hope you will eventually forgive me."

Nodding, her mother went to her armoire and pulled out a corset. Marie shuddered at the thought of that against her bruises. "Maybe I could not wear that… just for tonight?" Walking towards her, her mother shook her head. "It would be disgraceful for you not to wear it. You are getting fat."

Sighing Marie looked at herself in the mirror. She did not think she was fat but what was she to know? Her mother was quite a bit skinnier than she was and she rarely ate. Maybe I could stop eating for a few days…

Setting the corset on Marie's bed, the queen looked at her daughter. Fat, good for nothing child. Smiling gently she walked to the door. "I will send Lara up to adjust the dress." And with that, she left.

Ignoring the corset, Marie put a blue dress on and decided to go to the garden immediately. At least the flowers were silent. Walking as quickly as she could, Marie managed to avoid people as she went out the side door.

The garden lay before her. Breathing in deeply, she ran down the steps and immersed herself within the maze. As a child, she had learned every nook and cranny of the garden and she knew each path. Avoiding the area in which she had fallen the day before, she worked to get to the middle of the maze where there was a fountain and bench.

Rounding the last corner, she thought she saw a man, but before she could say anything, he had disappeared. It was probably just a servant. Never mind that he did not seem familiar. She did not know every servant. She just knew most of them.

Sitting down on the bench, she closed her eyes. Before she knew it, she had lay down sideways on the bench and fallen asleep.

~~~Kiernan~~~

Why was she sleeping? And, how? Kiernan wrinkled his nose at the distinct smell of flowers. He was watching the girl sleep. She had almost seen him and it was his own fault for not staying within the bush.

It was just so exhausting to sit there and do nothing. And no one had ever come this early in the day so he thought it to be safe. Of course, she proved him wrong.

When she had first sat on the bench he thought that she must have been waiting on someone but then she had closed her eyes and a few moments later had situated herself in a laying position.

Now she was breathing deeply and making a distressful sound. Her face soon looked to be in pain and he wondered if she was having a nightmare. Did princesses have nightmares? Maybe one's where dresses ripped, hair went everywhere, and earrings were lost.

She could not be having a frightening nightmare. She lived in a palace for God's sake. What did she have to be scared of?

Everything was dark. Marie could not hear anything. Then voices merged together and said things she had heard her entire life.

"You're fat."

"Don't frown, you'll get wrinkles."

"You idiot!"

"Don't tread on my toes."

"You'll never be a good princess. I'm ashamed of you."

And then silence. She tried to speak, to deny everything they were saying she could not. Soon she realized that it did not matter. What she had to say was pointless. They would say what they wanted and they were right.

"You must make a good match!'

"Don't lie to me."

"You're hair is just too plain."

"Pity, I have such a useless being for a daughter."

She started recognizing each voice. Her father, mother, and occasionally both. She tried to speak again but she was choking on her words.

"If only I had had a different daughter…WAKE UP!"

A voice erupted into her dream. She had no idea who it was but it was very masculine. Knowing that she was having a nightmare, she wanted to wake up. She really did… but the voices kept coming.

"Do you not want to be like me?"

"You know nothing!"

"Don't ask about politics, it is none of your business."

"YOU STUPID GIRL, WAKE UP!" Marie screamed, and opened her eyes. It took her a moment to adjust her eyes to the light and then she saw a man sitting next to the bench.

The first thing she noticed about him was his dark hair and green eyes. He looked frustrated and she figured that he was the one who had been yelling at her.

She sat up and stared at him. He stood up and she suddenly felt very small. He towered over her and even though she could lay some blame on her sitting down, he was still tall. Trying to avoid the urge to stand she smiled. He frowned.

The smile fell from her face. She had no idea who this man was and she could not seem to find the words to ask. Therefore, she stared.

His clothing was dark, as if he wanted to blend in with the night. There were brown stains where he had knelt to wake her up and his shoes were made of a soft fabric, fashioned to be quiet. Who was he?

"I hope my clothing isn't so offensive to your highness." His voice made her jump and she turned her gaze back to his eyes. It was not right for him to have such beautiful green eyes.

Hoping her voice would work, she spoke. "Of course not. I would never judge someone's clothing when they do not have the advantages I have."

He lifted his eyebrows and she thought she saw humor in his eyes. "You believe I should wear pale blue, with frilly lace?"

Huh? "I don't understand."

"You said that you thought I should dress like you. I, personally, disagree but if I must, I will do so if nothing more than to please you." Catching the sarcasm in his voice, she smiled. At least he was an interesting stranger.

"Well I suppose I should call Lara to fashion you a dress." Looking surprised, she thought he would smile but then all emotion left his face.

"I hope you are joking your highness." Confused, she nodded. "Of course."

She waited for a response. He suddenly bowed deeply, and said, "I'm sorry, but I believe I have somewhere to be." He rose back up and started walking off.

Finally comprehending that she was letting him leave without giving her any information, she called out, "I don't know your name!" He stopped and she waited for him to turn. He did not. Then he was gone from her sight.

She sat there, trying to grasp what had happened, but she knew with a glance at the sky that it would soon be time for her to get ready for the ball.

Slowly making her way back through the garden, she wondered where he had came from and why he had disappeared without a by your leave. It was considered rude to not announce who you were and what you were doing in the company of royalty.

I am starting to think like my mother. She grimaced. Maybe he had come into the garden to rest and he was not supposed to be there. Maybe he was a thief. Maybe she had distracted him from sneaking into the castle and getting jewels. Then why did he wake me up?

This was not getting her anywhere. She might as well forget about it. It was kind of him to wake her up from such an awful nightmare but she could not spend all day thinking about it. She needed to figure out a way to get out of wearing that uncomfortable corset.

Maybe Kay can help. Smiling at the thought of her own personal magic-user, Marie walked a bit faster. The corset problem was obviously more important than the name of a stranger.

Unless of course, the stranger is more harmful than the corset.

Thanks for reading. Please comment.