The New Year was approaching rapidly. I had much to do, with only days remaining. I sent a letter to my mother, Queen Henrietta Rainier, telling her that I was free. So she told to the courts, which spread across the land, that I had returned from my 'travels'. Much to my surprise, I've also received letters from my cousin...Prince Adam Porc-épic Colère. I was very surprised, not just from getting letters from him. In the letters he sent, he asked for women's clothes and dresses. I hope that it means that he has a chance of being free from his curse. Ever since I found out about his curse, I've kept it to myself. I haven't told Sapphire or any of my servants. The last thing that I wanted was for someone jump to conclusions about my little cousin.

Brimley and some of the other servants helped me put together the story that I had been detained while on travels in the Far East so many times until I believed it. We also had to add something on how Sapphire came; we couldn't tell the truth without blowing our cover. So we decided to say that a brave young lady from my home lands had recognized her prince and brought him home. It seemed good of a story as any. The servants told me that they had rumors that the New Year's Ball had another reason, besides my return. One of those rumors was that I reveal my intention to take the young woman who had 'rescued him' as his bride.

About a week before the ball, my mother came by with a few ranks of the court. She was very shocked and surprised when she saw Sapphire. Sapphire had felt so confidant about her needle limbs that it no longer bothered her and left out for everyone to see. I managed to convince my mother and some of the ranks that Sapphire was the only one for me and if anyone dared to say or do otherwise, they would find themselves in a world of hurt. I meant that because I truly loved her more than life and...I was willing to do anything for her. My mother saw the love that I have for Sapphire, so she gave Sapphire her blessing for us to be married.

There was one rank that didn't believe me about what I said. The Comtesse saw Sapphire's cursed body and was immediately disgusted. She convinced one of her daughters, Fantina, to go and destroy Sapphire's confidence. It almost worked: Sapphire came to me and cried her heart out about what Fantina said about how horrible her body was and how temporary our marriage would be. Nothing could express the rage going through my body when I heard that. I ordered that Fantina would be thrown into the dungeon...and she stayed there until her mother got her out. Ever since then, I kept Sapphire near me. I never allowed her to be alone with anyone else. I didn't want her confidence to be crushed again, making her so heart-broken about the way she looked...just like when I first met her.

It took the rest of the week for Sapphire to regain her confidence once again, but when she did...she became the woman I loved again. I enjoyed having her near me, whether she was hiding her cursed body or not. I enjoyed Sapphire's company far more than the Werewolf, who always spoke to me inside my head. It felt strange that I didn't have any more arguments with someone in my head, but it was also a relief because I no longer had to worry about someone who could control my body and hurt the ones I care about...and loved.

The ballroom was now packed full of guests for the New Year's Ball. Sapphire had begged me to invite her uncle, but she didn't have to beg. I had already decided to invite her uncle, but I was worried that he may have brought his wife and daughters too. If that's the case, this might get messy. I wondered what Sapphire was going to do: be brave and leave her cursed body out in the open or keep it hidden. Well, whatever decision she plans on doing, I wasn't going to argue with it. I finished trying my, now short, black hair back with a red silk ribbon and examined my reflection. Sapphire had made my some fancy clothes: a red-violet cape, silver pants and a plum purple jacket.

"How do I look?" I asked Brimley, who was standing by the door. He smiled at me, looking elegant himself in a deep red satin vest.

"Very good, sir," he said, "very good indeed. The spitting image of the lost prince returned; your subjects will be very pleased."

"Well then," I said, smoothing my jacket, "let's not keep them waiting." He nodded his head as he opened the door for me. Together we made our way to the grand marble staircase.

"Sire, if you don't mind me asking, do you happen to know how milady plans to present herself?"

"With a dress, what else, Brimley?" I told him, but I had a feeling on what he was really asking.

"Sire...I meant: does she plan to reveal her needle limbs, or does she plan on hiding them?"

"I figured you were asking that." I said, "I really don't know...and probably won't know until I see her." I couldn't help but be a little nervous if Sapphire decides to reveal her cursed body. I just didn't want her confidence to be crushed again if people can't help but stare and make comments about her.

Some excitement and worriment built in my chest as the ballroom came into view. Golden tinsel draped the chandeliers and windowpanes, tiny candles making the room glow with ethereal light. I scanned the crowd, watching the sweeps of color as ladies in gowns twirled across the floor; their gentleman partners paling in comparison, like leaves among bursts of flowers.

"Presenting his royal highness," Brimley said with his voice raised, "Prince Sagittarius Amoux Clovis Rainier!" The thunderous applause that followed stunned me. I froze, with a hand on the banister, staring at the beaming cheering faces below me. I swallowed any nervousness I had...and walked down the stairs. People reached out to touch my hand, my sleeve, expressing their thankfulness that I was home safe and giving me their blessings about my wedding. I was in disbelief, murmuring thanks as I moved through the crowd. It had been so long since I had received this much attention, this much genuine admiration. These people were truly glad to see me. It was like nothing I experienced before, and I had to admit...it was rather nice.

"Your majesty." I heard a man say. I didn't recognize the voice as I turned to face him. He was a bit taller than me, not by much, but I can tell that there was something about him that was telling me to be on my guard. "Forgive me for startling you, I'm James Sapin: Sapphire Lamaze is my niece." When I heard that, I no longer was on my guard.

"I'm pleased to meet you, sir." I said reaching my hand out. He took it and we firmly shook hands.

"Forgive me for sneaking up on you." James said, "I didn't mean anything by it."

"Don't worry, I hope you and I will be on good terms. I plan to treat your niece with the utmost respect and love."

"Hmm," he said with a smile, "you just saying that is enough proof that you will. Just let me and my daughter, Stephanie, be in her life. We're the only family she has left...that treats her like family."

"Of course, I plan on it." I said, thinking about what Sapphire had told me about her family: both of her parents are dead, her uncle taking her in and her aunt and cousin, Lucinda, making her the 'Cinderella' of the house.

"You're a good man." James said, "I just hope that Sapphire isn't like her mother." I was now confused.

"What do you mean, sir?" I asked; he just smiled and shook his head.

"I take that back: I hope she is like her mother. I doubt that you would want Sapphire to be..." James stopped what he was saying and his eyes somewhat shrunk.

"Sir?" I asked, "Is something wrong?" Then suddenly, there was no more talking from any of the guests. I wondered what was going on...until I felt a had touch my elbow. I turned around...there was only Sapphire. She was wearing a silver dress; her red hair fell loosely on her shoulders. Rosetta's pendent hung around her neck; the white petal gleaming from within. I noticed that there wasn't any make-up on her face and she wasn't wearing any gloves. That gave me enough to know that she had enough confidence to come down in a crowd of people and hot hide anything.

"Do I look nice?" She softly asked.

"You're more than that." I answered, "You're beautiful." Her face became entirely flushed...well, the white part of her face, anyway. With one hand holding hers and the other on her waist, we glided on the dance floor. Many of the other couples just stared at us, probably because of how strange Sapphire looked, but we didn't care. The orchestra, which I had all but forgotten, came back to life...and in the moment it was just us-in the world.

I saw Rizal and Lilla come out onto the dance floor with us, and when they did, other couples came out as well and we were surrounded by swirls of color and fabric. I suppose once they realized that it was...'safe' around Sapphire, they came out and danced with us. As we passed some of the couples, I noticed that the women were still apprehensive, but their men took their attention off of Sapphire. We soon passed Lilla and Rizal, who were laughing happily as he twirled her around. I steered us about the dance floor, smiling when I saw Brimley. He was waltzing with a pretty dark-haired woman, who was giving him a shy smile as they danced. The night was just perfect, absolutely perfect. When the orchestra ended their song, I twirled Sapphire in my arms...and we stared at each other's faces.

The orchestra was beginning another song, but I decided to go out to the balcony with Sapphire. I gently took her hand and led her out to the balcony. I wouldn't be surprised if we had gotten a lot of stares because of how different Sapphire was, but as I said before: we didn't care. I opened the glass door and we went outside. The stars were glistening like jewels and the moon was completely full.

"This is such a wonderful night, Sagittarius." She said as she approached the ledge. "I really don't know what else to say."

"You don't have to say anything, my lovely Sapphire." I said, "Just knowing that you're happy is enough for me." She smiled at me, but I could tell that something was on her mind.

"Sagittarius, I know we've had this discussion before, but...are you really sure that you want me...as your wife?" I had a feeling she was going to ask that. We had this discussion before, but I don't blame her for having second thoughts because she's worried about the way she looks.

"More than anything else or any woman in the world." I told her; her face started to blush again. "I know you're still thinking about what you just said, but...try not to let it get in the way. You helped me during my darkest hour; I don't care what other people say about you and me together, I'm not going to let us fall apart because of what others say. Besides, as I said a few seconds ago, you helped me. Now...it's my turn to help you." Sapphire smiled at me and continued to blush. I gently took her in my arms; I was about ready to kiss her, but her face dropped...and it wasn't pointed at me. The next thing that happened is she said:

"Look out!"