While Johanna stayed behind at the hotel with Lily and Mary, Rella and Samar both attended the ball. Before they left, Rella sent the two girls to bed, this time singing another lullaby—one she vaguely remembered her first mother singing to her. Rella also twirled and modeled the dress. Johanna smirked and said, "Again, why I call you Fire Girl."

"I remember tears streaming down your face when I said, 'I'll never let you go.' When all those shadows almost killed your light, I remember you said, 'Don't leave me here alone.' But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight. Just close your eyes—the sun is going down. You'll be alright—no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound. Don't you dare look out your window, darling—everything's on fire. The war outside our door keeps raging on. Curled up to this lullaby, even when the music's gone, gone. Just close your eyes—the sun is going down. You'll be alright—no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh. La la la la la la la la. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh. La la la la. Just close your eyes. You'll be alright. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound… Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh. Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh oh oh."

Rella smiled at Samar and the two headed to the palace for the ball. Rella had already told Johanna and Samar that she was afraid that Princess Drizella was her ex-stepsister—the older one—and that she'd be recognized.

When she admitted her fear of being recognized, Samar asked, "How could they recognize you? You've changed so much from the girl you once were—from a frightened orphaned child to a strong-willed and determined warrior..."

"And Victor of the Seventieth Hunger Games and an honored member of the Second Rebellion—second only to Mockingjay as Firefly," Johanna added. "Besides, in your final interview, you'd said that Cinderella and Rella could not coexist—peacefully or not—that in your eyes they were—are—two different people."

Rella nodded and she and Samar arrived at the palace.

He went over to the page and said, "Lord Samar Rosenthal and Lady Rella Rosenthal, Victor of the Seventieth Hunger Games."

The page nodded silently. Then he began announcing the guests. "Their Royal Highnesses, Princess Drizella and Prince Edward of Naithia… Lord and Lady Peeta Mellark, Victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games..."

Rella and Samar exchanged a relieved glance.

"Lord Samar Rosenthal and Lady Rella Rosenthal, Victor of the Seventieth Hunger Games."

They entered the ballroom and Katniss walked over to ask, "Like the dress I sent you?"

Rella nodded and added, "Thank you, Girl on Fire."

The two couples stepped away and saluted to each other—the District 12 salute had become the salute of Panem.

Samar led Lady Tremaine over to meet his beloved wife. "Rella, this is her grace, the Lady Tremaine."

Rella froze and Lady Tremaine said, "It is an honor to meet you, Lady Rella."

"Likewise, your grace," Rella answered stiffly. She pulled away and added, "Now if you'll excuse me. I am feeling in need of some fresh air."

Katniss quietly followed Rella outside. "What happened, Firefly?" she asked worriedly.

"Lady Tremaine—she's my ex-stepmother, Mockingjay," Rella explained.

"The Witch?" Katniss clarified—since Rella's final interview, during which Caesar Flickerman first called Rella's former stepmother the Witch, all of Panem referred to Lady Tremaine as such—and Rella nodded confirmation.

Samar rejoined his wife and Katniss rejoined Peeta. Samar tilted her head upwards and gazed into Rella's eyes, checking to see if she had unconsciously returned to the arena. When he saw she hadn't, he breathed relief. He quickly kissed her and they reentered the ballroom.

They danced the night away. At midnight, the two began to leave. Princess Anastasia followed them and called, "Cinderella! Wait up!"

Rella froze and smiled. "You must be mistaking me for someone else," she gently corrected her ex-stepsister.

Anastasia shook her head and continued, "I know you're Cinderella. The way you once again showed Drizella and me up and your reaction to my mother—it all adds up—there's no way around it—you're Cinderella."

Rella nodded reluctantly but corrected, "Cinderella and I cannot exist at the same time so please call me Rella from now on."

Anastasia nodded and asked, "Forgive me?"

"I already have," Rella answered.

Two mice—Jaq and Gus—had snuck into Rella and Samar's carriage while Rella spoke to Anastasia.

Anastasia raised her eyebrows and Rella clarified, "It's a long story and I'll explain later, I promise—to you, Prince Henry, Princess Drizella, Prince Edward, and Lady Tremaine."

Anastasia nodded silently, but then asked, "What do you mean?"

"My explanation kinda includes a History of Panem lesson," Rella murmured.

Then Princess Anastasia watched her former stepsister leave the castle grounds.