Hello, everyone! Apologies for the unexpected hiatus! I just got back from vacationing in Kenya with my cousin, and meant to get this chapter up before I left. But it's back now!

Elphaba watched the couple for the next three dances. It amazed her how the blonde and the prince seemed never to break eye contact. Glinda hadn't even looked around to try and find her. She felt like Glinda forgot she existed, now that Fiyero had her undivided attention.

"Elphaba."

She blinked, turning towards the voice who called her name. She forgot the Wizard had been standing next to her. "Sorry. Yes?"

Oscar followed her gaze. "Are you waiting for Prince Fiyero to ask you to dance?"

"No. I'm waiting for Glinda to come up for air so I can talk to her. I can't go over there and interrupt. She's… having so much fun."

"While you wait for her, perhaps I can give you my gift."

"Oh. Okay." She saw the Wizard leave out of the corner of her eye, and she watched Glinda for a few more moments before following him.

He led her down the hall, the noises of the party growing softer and softer. She occasionally looked back, as if expecting someone to follow them. Maybe Glinda. But they were alone.

"Whatever this gift is, I hope it's small enough to fit in the coach," Elphaba said as she was led into a large storage room. "Or in my apartment." Her gaze fell on what was shaped like a painting on a large easel, covered in an emerald sheet.

"It will… if you want it to."

"What does that mean?" Elphaba's voice caught in her throat as the Wizard pulled off the sheet, revealing the painting. She knew immediately who the subject was before he even said anything. "Where… where did you get this?"

"I had this painting commissioned years ago."

Elphaba let out a shaky breath, slowly stretching out her hand to the painted woman with long, brunette hair, dark eyes, and a small nose, wearing a dark pink tulle dress with white trimmings. Her arms were up in an elegant pose she had seen Glinda do many times.

"It's… my mother."

"Yes. This costume is from Cypila. It was… my older sister's favorite ballet."

Elphaba turned. "You had a sister?"

The Wizard nodded. "This was supposed to be a gift for your mother. I had shown her photos of a performance from back in my world, and played the music for her. She loved it, and she loved that costume. I know she didn't dance, but she really did love the ballet. She died before I could give this to her." He ran a hand over the frame. "My biggest regret."

"Now you're giving it to me because it's been collecting dust in this room for years?"

"I heard you were doing it as the winter ballet."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Elphaba… I wanted you to know that I never forgot about your mother. Even to this day, I still think about her. She was a wonderful woman."

"She was a married woman."

The Wizard frowned. "You're still mad about that?"

"My life would be far easier if you never met and seduced my mother."

"I know how unhappy you were in Munchkinland."

"You don't know anything about me."

"Because you won't let me. Elphaba, what is going on? What are you upset about?"

Elphaba froze. What was she upset about? What was it about the portrait of her mother that triggered all these unsettled emotions? It was everything; the portrait, her mother, the Wizard confessing that he misses her, the sinking feeling that all these years, her mother might not have actually loved her husband. On top of all that, Glinda was probably still dancing with Fiyero, and she didn't even notice her absence.

"I'm sorry," Elphaba finally said, turning to the Wizard. "This… this is a lovely portrait. My mother would've loved it. I… love it."

He looked like he didn't believe her. "I'm sorry. This isn't how I… it's the holidays and… what can I do to make this right?"

Elphaba looked back at the painting. Cypila. That's how he could make this right. "I… I need a favor from you. A small one."

"Anything."

…

"Elphie, there you are!" Glinda smiled, seeing Elphaba slip back into the ballroom. She flitted across the room, expertly weaving through the crowd to get to her. "Where have you been?"

"Out. I… needed some air," Elphaba smiled softly.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Are you having fun?"

"The grandest time. Prince Fiyero is the most gallant gentleman I've ever met. He went to fetch me a refreshment. He's so thoughtful."

"I'm glad you're having a good time."

She noted how Elphaba didn't sound as sincere as she probably meant to fake. "Are you having fun, Elphie?"

"Yes."

She wrinkled her nose with a huff. "You're a terrible liar."

"I'm a great liar. You just know me too well."

"Are you upset that Prince Fiyero didn't offer to dance with you?"

"I'm not one for dancing."

"You dance with me."

"And that's why I didn't dance with the prince."

Glinda frowned. "And you're upset that I did?"

"No. No, Glinda. I'm not upset. Of course not. How could I be? I'm happy that you're having so much fun. Truly." She had to stop being upset that her plan was working, albeit better than she anticipated. She took her friend's hands. "I am."

Glinda looked like she didn't fully believe her, but didn't get to question it one final time before Fiyero returned with two wine glasses.

"Glinda," the prince smiled, handing her the glass with a slight nod.

"Thank you, Fiyero," Glinda blushed, letting go of Elphaba's hands.

So they were already on a first-name basis. The green woman had to fight to keep from frowning.

"Fiyero, have you had the chance to dance with Elphaba yet?" Glinda asked, drinking half the glass in a single gulp.

"I haven't been graced with the pleasure yet," Fiyero said, directing a dashing smile at Elphaba.

"Well, you must dance with her now. She loves to hide her gracefulness, but she's a natural."

Fiyero finished his drink and handed the glass to a passing server. "Miss Thropp?"

Elphaba hesitantly accepted Fiyero's arm as the next dance started.

"Is this your way of inquiring about a progress report?" Fiyero chuckled, his voice low as he led Elphaba to the dance floor.

"Since the opportunity has presented itself, I suppose. Though, I can see for myself how things are going," Elphaba said, sparing a subtle glance at Glinda.

"How am I doing?"

"Fine. She seems to be enjoying herself."

"Glinda is a wonderful young woman," Fiyero smiled, taking Elphaba's hand and wrapping his arm around her waist. "I'm enjoying her company. Though, I don't think she's aware of how this is mostly for show to the other Gillikinese in attendance."

"You haven't said anything, have you?"

"No, I haven't. You asked me not to. I thought you did. Did you tell her of your plan?"

Elphaba's silence was his answer.

His eyes widened. "Elphaba… she thinks this is real?"

"No. We're… she's not… she loves me."

"You planned all this for her, but didn't tell her? But… will she be alright?" He looked back at the blonde, smiling when she gave him an enthusiastic wave. "With all of this? I don't think –"

"Of course she'll be fine. She wants to stay here and being seen with you will convince her parents to let her stay."

"But if she finds out that this is all a farce –"

"It's not a farce. You said you were enjoying her company."

"She'll feel used. Like how I'm feeling right now."

Elphaba met Fiyero's gaze. "I… I'm sorry. I know this is a tall ask of you. But this is the only plan that will work. You want to stay in the Emerald City just as much as she does."

"You really want me to marry Glinda just so she can stay in the city and you two can continue your little affair?"

"This isn't about what I want. This is about what Glinda has wanted since before she met me. I'm trying to help her. She deserves a promotion at the Opera House, and this is the only way I can help her get it." She paused. "Wait, I never said anything about marrying Glinda."

"I assumed that would be a step in the plan. What? You thought I would woo her, then dump her?"

"I…" She had thought of that, right? She must have. She thought she planned this façade so perfectly, but she didn't think about what would happen if the lie stopped being a lie. "She won't be upset when this is over. She'll be happy she gets to remain here." With me.

"Not if I don't marry her."

"Do you want to marry her?" She blinked, realization hidden behind her eyes. "You're developing feelings for her, aren't you?"

Fiyero was saved from answering by the dance ending. He stepped back and gave Elphaba a polite bow before retreating to the blonde. Elphaba retreated to the corner, grabbing a drink on the way. Fiyero's words danced in her mind. She knew this was a dangerous game, and she knew she had to be careful of how she played. Convincing Fiyero to pretend to fall in love with Glinda to cancel the blonde's previous engagement had been risky, especially since she neglected to fill Glinda in. She didn't know why she didn't tell her, for she knew she would've been on board.

She watched as Fiyero lifted Glinda by the waist and spun her in the air. The blonde's laughter seemed to fill the entire ballroom, and it made Elphaba's stomach boil in intense jealousy.

Now that it was clear that Glinda's feelings for the prince were genuine, she had to think of a safe way out. And fast.

Glinda bounced in her seat as she rode to Elphaba's building. She clutched a letter to her chest, her face purposefully unreadable. It had been two days since the Lurlinemas Ball, and two hours since the express letter from her parents arrived. The moment her eyes scanned the final word, she was already in her cloak and hurriedly told her driver to take her to Elphaba's apartment.

They arrived at Strumpet Square and Glinda hurried out, practically stumbling over her feet as she rushed to Elphaba's door. She rang the doorbell, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waited. She rang it again, then a third time, and was about to do a fourth when she finally heard footsteps.

Elphaba opened the door, her face melting into surprise when she saw who had disturbed her. "Glinda? What are you –" Her gaze fell on the letter still clutched to the blonde's chest. Without a word, she ushered her inside and closed the door. She led her up the stairs and unlocked her suite door. "What's wrong?" she asked, sitting on the sofa next to her.

"Word got back to my parents about me and Fiyero." She handed Elphaba the letter. "While they're not pleased that the best I could do on my own was a Winkie, they are surprised that I managed to charm a prince. Their friends reported that they saw us happily dancing most of the night and that there was a clear, shared romantic interest."

Elphaba read over the letter. "That's good, right?"

"Relatively. The deal was that I needed to find someone of higher status than Mr. Waith to stay in the city."

"Has he –"

"My parents aren't happy that Mr. Waith has now chosen to select another bride since I'm now… unavailable." A beat, then Glinda burst into a triumphant laugh. "We did it! We did it, Elphie! I don't have to leave! I can stay here with you and Fiyero!" She jumped into her lap and kissed her.

Elphaba blinked, then responded accordingly before Glinda could sense her conflicting emotions. She was overjoyed that her plan had worked, but she was upset that it worked a little too well.

"After that night, a proposal can't be far behind. Thank you for introducing me to Fiyero! You two are the greatest things to happen in my life! I've never been happier."

Elphaba soaked in her affection. "I'm glad, my sweet." She wrapped her arms around the blonde, securing her in her lap.

Glinda rested her head on Elphaba's shoulder, but a new addition to the wall caught her attention. "That's new," she said, staring at the painting of a young woman in a dark pink tulle dress with white trimmings.

"It's a Lurlinemas present from the Wizard."

She slid off her lover's lap and crossed the room. "She's beautiful."

"She's my mother."

She looked back at her over her shoulder, her lips parted slightly. She turned back to the painting. "You said she wasn't a dancer."

"She wasn't. That's one of the Cypila costumes from a production in his old world. The Wizard commissioned the painting, but she died before he could give it to her. I'm inheriting it now."

The blonde reached back without taking her eyes off the painting. She heard Elphaba stand from the sofa and stop next to her, slipping her hand into hers and intertwining their fingers.

"Shall we celebrate your freedom?" Elphaba asked, squeezing her hand.

"What did you have in mind?"

The twinkle in Elphaba's eyes was her answer, and Glinda squealed as she pulled Elphaba into the bedroom.

…

The Opera House was once again full of energy after the Lurlinemas break. Now in full preparations for the tricentennial, all departments were in full gear, putting everything together.

Elphaba was seen more around the opera house, getting to know everyone and letting them get to know her. She had given up most of her free time, but seeing the smiles on everyone's faces when they saw her made it worth it.

Glinda used all her free time preparing for her performances. Greyling told her about her additional solo and arranged extra rehearsal times for her. The blonde was visibly overjoyed that Greyling had given her this opportunity, and promised not to let her down.

Fiyero was also becoming a frequent visitor to the opera house, and not just to see Glinda.

"Fiyero!" Glinda smiled when she came out of class, hurrying over and wrapping her arms around him. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Glin," the prince smiled, kissing her cheek. He pulled away, keeping his hands securely on her waist as the other students filed out. "There was an important board meeting about the final steps before the tricentennial next week."

"Oh, I knew about that. Elphaba said she'd be busy all day, so…" She trailed off. "Wait, you're not on the board."

"I'm not?" he blinked, tilting his head. "I wish someone would've told me before I spent the better part of three hours in that stuffy room, going over tax forms and signing papers." He chuckled. "I'm on the board. I managed to impress Elphaba enough by being smart and savvy, along with my usual extremely charming self."

The confusion melted from Glinda's face. "Really? That's wonderful, Fiyero! Congratulations! I know how hard you've been working. You've earned this."

"Thank you, Glinda." But it was more than earning through hard work. That was the deal. He did his part, and Elphaba did hers. Now both he and Glinda would get to stay in the city. "I know you worked hard to earn your additional solo."

She pouted. "Aww, did Elphie tell you? I wanted to."

"Actually, I snuck a peak at the performance order."

"Greyling is trusting me with the opening solo. It's fifteen minutes long, one of the longest variations in 'Le Deira De Rouge'. I must meet her in a few minutes to rehearse."

"Then I won't keep you." He moved to give her a quick parting kiss, but it lingered.

Glinda didn't move to protest, giggling as Fiyero peppered kisses down from her cheek to her neck.

"Ahem!"

The couple pulled away to see Elphaba standing a few paces away.

"You're late to the meeting with Morrible," Elphaba directed to Fiyero.

"Right. I'll see you ladies later," Fiyero said, waving as he hurried off, leaving the two girls alone in the hallway.

Elphaba watched him go before turning back to Glinda. "And don't you have a rehearsal with Greyling?"

Glinda blinked, tilting her head. A smirk slowly curled on the ends of her lips. "You're jealous."

Elphaba snapped her head towards her. "I'm not." She wished she could be as public with her displays of affection with Glinda, and she didn't want to share her with Fiyero, but that didn't mean she was jealous.

"Yes, you are," she giggled. "And you're adorable." She chastely kissed her cheek with a playful nudge. "You have nothing to worry about, Elphie. You'll always have the first place in my heart. You won't have to fight to share me." She squeezed her hand, hurrying towards the stairs, flitting her fingers in a 'toodle-oo' wave as she disappeared.

The next chapter is the tricentennial celebrations!