Chapter Twenty:

The Ball

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The sea breeze ruffled Harriet's messy, yet growing hair. She had been home in Ecrivenia for nearly three weeks, and already her hair had grown a fair amount. While Harriet couldn't care less, Clara was more than pleased. Apparently this meant she could have her hair in a bun for the ball.

Harriet let out a sigh through her nose, snapping her book closed to instead stare out at the, no doubt, freezing ocean. It was weird to think her sister-in-law of sorts actually lived in its frigid waters, albeit many miles away, but Harriet was hardly one to judge. If Adelaide, Frederick's sister, wanted to have a tail for the rest of her life, Harriet wasn't going to judge her. Even if it was weird to think about.

Bringing her hand up to her face she took hold of the bridge of her nose between two fingers. The ball was supposed to be later that day, and she had allowed for Clara to do everything she hadn't been able to at the last ball.

She had sat through a fitting without complaint, she had allowed Clara to play around with her hair for over two hours, she had even let her sister experiment with what shoes would look the best with the gown. Her feet had ached for days afterwards but she hadn't said a word. She had said she wouldn't complain; so she didn't.

Unlike the last ball, Harriet was out of the castle with her sister's permission. Clara, being the older sister that she was, had picked up on Harriet's need for a little solitude and had sent her away earlier that morning.

It was admittedly freezing out, as it was very nearly winter, but Harriet didn't mind. The salty air coming from the ocean helped her not feel so stifled.

It had been three weeks and she hadn't heard anything from Leopold. To be fair, he was a king who needed to help repair his country after a terrible war, but Harriet wasn't sure what to think. After that night on the rampart, she had thought that he was fond of her; in fact she had been almost certain that he was, but with how he didn't once acknowledge it when she was at the castle of Marenta and she hadn't heard from him, she was beginning to believe she had imagined the whole thing.

Of course the weird stomach spasm she got every time she thought of him told her that she probably hadn't, but that wasn't relevant. There was no use in feeling like this if he didn't feel the same way, but Harriet couldn't seem to turn it off.

On top of that, she was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she was a knight, but even so, she got pangs of guilt every time she thought of Oliver. Sure he had tried to kill both her and Leopold, but she couldn't just erase the memories of being happy with him from her mind. She had been going through them constantly trying to see what she had missed, but all she could think of was Clark's dislike of him, and that was a whole other matter.

Even thinking about Clark made her heart hurt. She hadn't seen the little mouse since the night of the parade. She assumed that he was with Xenon, but she'd neither skin nor scale of the dragon. It was like he had disappeared from her life just as Oliver had.

There were signs he had been there, but know they were only around in her memories. Harriet rubbed at her eyes. Maybe she should just avoid anything of the male sex for the rest of her life. She certainly wasn't being caused any heartache from any women. At least not if you didn't count the witch who had cast a curse on her.

She was just closing her eyes when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Harriet waited a moment before turning around, meeting the eyes of Mark.

Things had been a little strange between her and Mark ever since she had gotten back. They got along fine, but it was like Mark didn't know how to act around her, but Harriet had a feeling she knew why. She was different. She hadn't pranked or argued recently with anyone. She didn't joke around as much. She still smiled, but more often than not it was strained.

The war had changed her. Harriet had yet to find out if it was for the better. There were times when she felt nearly normal, but other times her mind would wander and her worries would get to her. Ever since returning she had yet to sleep a full night without a nightmare of the incident on the rampart, but she always woke up before she hit the ground.

To be honest, she had been spending more time with Garreth and some of the other soldiers who had gotten back from the war. They were like her. They understood, and no amount of explaining could make Mark and her siblings understand. Frederick seemed to understand a little bit, Clara, as sweet as she was, just couldn't, and Amelia and James had treated the war like it was some grand adventure.

It hadn't been.

"Harriet, er- I don't know how to say this, but..." Mark trailed off. "There's a dragon asking for you in the forest by my house. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that?" Mark asked causing Harriet to quickly get to her feet.

"Yes, I know exactly who it is. Can you take me to him?" Harriet asked and Mark nodded his eyes wide as he looked at her.

They were silent as the walked from the cliffs overlooking the sea to the road that led to the forest and Mark's home.

"So you really rode a dragon, then?" Harriet nodded when he looked at her. "I had thought it was just some exaggerated war story," Mark said with a laugh while Harriet smiled weakly.

"It wasn't."

"Yeah, I can see that. He's as big as my house." Harriet didn't say anything after Mark said that.

Harriet had visited Mark and his family the day she had gotten back from Marenta, and while Mark and his siblings had treated her kindly it was Rose, his mother, who had looked at her with a certain knowing look in her eye. However, Rose didn't say anything while Mark and his siblings were in the room.

Instead, when Harriet was hugging her goodbye, Rose had whispered in her ear that if she ever needed anything just to ask. It was then that Harriet remembered that Rose had at one time had more than one family member who had fought in a war. Rose knew what she was dealing with, even if she didn't say much on the subject.

Harriet brought herself out of her thoughts as they neared Mark's house before beginning to tramp through the woods instead of the path. Pushing away pine branches and leafless twigs, Harriet followed Mark, nearly running into him when he stopped.

"Well, I'll leave you to it."

"Thank you, Mark," Harriet said, moving past him without a second glance. Once upon a time she would've begged him to come with her, but she didn't need his support anymore. She could face her own dragons alone.

Stepping through the brush, Harriet finally came to a clearing, a small smile gracing her face as she saw the gleaming of emerald scales in the sunlight.

"Xenon! You came back," Harriet said, and the dragon swiveled his head to look at her.

"Of course I came back," Xenon said, his words echoing inside her head. "You did give me a job after all." With that he brought forwards one of his claws and nestled safely in the palm of it was Clark. Harriet stared at the mouse and the dragon for a second before moving past the claw to throw her arms around Xenon's long scaly neck. Or at least as much around it as she could.

"Thank you so much. For everything. I was so worried." If a dragon could awkwardly clear his throat, that was certainly what Xenon did.

"Yes, erm- you're welcome." Xenon paused. "Please don't get human snot on me." Harriet gave a watery laugh at that, wiping at her eyes as she backed away from the dragon and scooped the chirping mouse from his claw.

"Really Xenon, thank you."

"It's the least I could do," Xenon answered, "Especially since you let me go and got your descendants cursed because of it."

"You understood the curse?" Harriet asked, her watering eyes quickly forgotten as she focused on the dragon. Xenon rolled a luminescent eye at her.

"Yes, I understood the curse. What it was saying was that a male descendant, as in a son, grandson, or great-grandson, I don't know which one it is as she wasn't clear, will be cursed to take the form of a dragon, or something close to one, on his tenth birthday. But it's not just that. He will also have a similar personality or set of morals as you. That's what she meant by akin to you in blood and spirit."

"What about the part about breaking it?"

"Another relative of yours, of any gender, will have to be able to accept him for who and what he is and so will someone who is not a relative of you or like you in any way. Basically, picture your polar opposite."

"Clara or Adelaide then."

"Whoever that is. Anyway, the other person will probably be a bit like them. Past that I don't know anything else."

"But I don't even have any sons! Or grandsons! I don't even have a husband. It takes two to tango, Xenon."

"As I am well aware, but it could just as well be a great-nephew I suppose, but I don't think that's likely."

Harriet frowned but nodded her head. She didn't like it, but at least now she understood what the witch had meant about dreading it. Her descendants, whoever they were, were going to suffer because of her actions and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Does this mean that I won't see you again? Now that you've returned Clark..." Xenon didn't answer for a moment, simply looking at her.

"No, you'll see me again. I've decided that I should try to have a more active role in humans' doings. The fact of the matter is that if I'd been more aware of everything, I never would've been tricked and trapped by the witch. I intend to help you."

"Help me?"

"Yes, the war may be over, but that is not to say that everything is well. There are still those that would seek to cause trouble running about. I will help you until we both feel I am no longer needed."

"Thank you, Xenon. It means a lot."

"No problem. Plus, this means I'll go down in history as the dragon who helped you all end the war. Not a bad title. Xenon the Conqueror or maybe Xenon the Great, what do you think?"

"Xenon the Conqueror sounds good."

"I thought so too." Xenon eyed her for a moment. "Now, I must go, and you should too. If I heard correctly, there is a ball to be thrown at the palace." With that, Xenon gave a swoop of his wings and flew into the sky, leaving Harriet in the clearing below.

Harriet watched him go, before shaking her head and heading back in the direction of the palace. He was one strange dragon, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

All while she was walking, she absentmindedly petted Clark's coat, happy to have him back with her. She had missed him terribly, and she was glad that at least the worry of never-knowing what had happened to him could be relieved. Plus, she couldn't wait for James to see him. Her brother always did have a fondness for animals.

The walk back wasn't a long one, and before she knew it, she was back within the halls of the palace, making her way to her room where she knew her older sister was probably waiting for her.

It seemed that her guess was right, because the moment she walked through the door she was greeted with the sight of Clara and her maids setting out her gown. Up until now, she hadn't been allowed to see it, but looking at it, she could see why Clara had wanted to keep it to herself. It was definitely different from the orange monstrosity from the other ball.

It was a gown made from gold fabric with close fitting sleeves and a skirt that would flow down her instead of up and away from her like many of the court gowns.

"What do you think of it?" Clara asked, and Harriet stared at it for a second before answering.

"It looks really nice. Thank you, Clara." The best part was that Harriet did actually like it, but a dress was still just a dress for her. Maybe she would save it. She was sure that her niece or maybe her younger sister, Amelia, would like to wear it someday. She didn't dare to think that one of her own daughters would.

"I'm glad you like it. Do you need help getting into- Hold on, is that a mouse?" Clara was already backing away from Harriet, and Harriet flashed her a quick smile. She had forgotten about Clara's dislike of mice.

"This is Clark. A friend of mine has been looking after him for me."

"He's not going to the ball with you, right?" Harriet actually laughed at that.

"No. I figured I'd let him just sleep in my room. He has probably had a long day." Harriet placed the mouse on her bedspread, and he instantly curled up into a little ball.

"That's good. Now, let's you get ready," Clara said, already moving to open the dress so that way Harriet could get into it easily.

It was funny how after all these years, Clara still liked to help her siblings get ready for important functions. Personally, Harriet couldn't wait until Evangeline, or Evie, as they had all started calling her, was old enough to take her place. She loved her sister, but she disliked balls and functions like them enough without her sister needing to have everything just so.

However, in the instance, Harriet was happy for her sister's help. The dress, while beautiful, had many different buttons to do up, and while she didn't mind her maids, Harriet preferred Clara to her maids. It was just the way it was.

It took several minutes, but eventually Harriet found herself dressed and ready to go to the ball, and mercifully, there were no heeled court shoes. Clara had decided to take pity on her and allow her to wear flat shoes, and Harriet was already thankful for them. If she was to get to the ball early and leave late, she needed to be comfortable.

Soon enough, both of the sisters were walking to the ball room, nodding to servants and other people as they passed them. The castle had been decorated in winter flowers and other such ornaments and the entire place smelled of pine and cinnamon. It was a vast difference from the overflowing flowers from before.

Clara and Harriet didn't wait to be announced separately, instead coming down the steps together, their arms linked. They had reached the bottom when Clara turned to Harriet.

"I don't want you to jump to conclusions, or get angry with me, but I would like to introduce you or rather just have you talk to a person you didn't get to last time." Harriet's blood instantly ran cold but she just straightened her posture and nodded. She had faced more difficult things than suitors. Plus, if they were that awful, she would set Xenon on them.

"I assume you're talking about the person you wanted me to court?" Clara nodded, beginning to guide her through the masses. They had just passed through the majority of the people when Harriet eyes landed on Frederick... and Leopold.

Harriet swallowed drily as she took in the sight of him. He was dressed in a black and gold ensemble, but instead of making him look washed out, it made his figure look more defined. He didn't just look like Leopold, her brother-in-law's friend, he looked Leopold, the King of Marenta.

She was probably foolish for not assuming that the King of Marenta would be at a victory ball, but nonetheless she was surprised. She was even surprised when Clara made a beeline for the two men, dragging Harriet along with her.

As they approached, Harriet could help but whisper protests in her sister's ear.

"I thought you said you wanted me to speak to the suitor, not Leopold." Clara instantly turned to her, a wide smirk on her face and her grey eyes practically glowing with mischief. It was a strange look on her.

"Who said he wasn't?"

"But he can't be the suitor... can he?" Harriet asked, but Clara merely pulled her along, depositing her in front of the two men before dragging Frederick away and leaving Harriet and Leopold alone. Harriet had always thought she had been the meddling sister out of her siblings. It seemed she had been wrong.

"Good evening, Leopold," she said uncertainly after a beat of silence. He smiled down at her.

"Good evening, Harriet. Would you care for a dance?" Harriet nodded, not trusting herself to speak properly. Her mind was positively spinning with her thoughts, and as Leopold and Harriet began to spin around the dance floor, it certainly didn't make anything better.

Clara and Frederick had intended for Leopold to marry Harriet all along. While she wasn't too surprised about that, the fact that if she had just allowed herself to talk with Leopold at the last ball, things might've turned out a lot differently.

However, there was one thing that was definitely on the forefront of her mind as she danced with Leopold, held closely in his arms. Leopold didn't do anything if he didn't want to. Did that mean he wanted to court her?

"While I do undoubtedly enjoy being stared at dreamily, I would much prefer it if we could simply talk," Leopold said, breaking into her thoughts and causing Harriet to blush. He was smiling at her, his eyes watching her fondly. Harriet clutched onto his black clad arm, sending him a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, I was just lost in thought."

"I could tell. Would you care to take a walk with me?"

"I would like that," Harriet replied and Leopold instantly began to lead them away from the dance floor. No one paid them any mind as the slipped out of the ball room through the garden entrance, and soon enough they were in the rose garden, standing among the dead plants and the covered shrubs.

"So you were the suitor?" Harriet finally blurted out, unable to hold it in any longer.

"I was. I hope you realize that I would never have pushed you to marry me if you didn't wish to. In fact, I still won't. I will not lie to you and tell you I don't want to marry you, but I do know that we need time to get to know each other better." Here he gave a chuckle. "Goodness knows we haven't always seen eye to eye over the past few years."

Harriet let out a laugh of her own. That was a huge understatement. "Then why don't we start spending time with each other. After all, I am a knight of your country and there is still work to do."

Leopold quirked an eyebrow at her. "That's it? You're not going to argue with me or refuse?"

"No. Plus, I suppose I owe you at least a chance after not even allowing you near me at the last ball." Leopold's smile widened.

"Well, that's not entirely true. I seem to remember chasing after you in a garden in a punch covered shirt. I certainly saw you then." Harriet's eyes widened as she peered up at him.

"It was you all along?"

"Yes. Now, I would love to ask you something." Harriet immediately stiffened and Leopold seemed to notice, because his next words weren't what she had expected. "Would you like to train with me tomorrow?"

Harriet blinked at him before nodding. "Uh, yes. That would be nice."

"Wonderful," he said with a beaming smile. He took hold of one of her hands and pressed a gentle kiss to it before letting it fall. Harriet was suddenly struck with a thought. She had a feeling he was going to ask her something else, but yet he hadn't. "Would you like to go back inside to dance?"

"Yes, I would like that very much," Harriet answered honestly, still pondering over his question, before it came to her. They had agreed to get to know each other. And so he was making sure they would. It seemed that Leopold of Marenta didn't make empty promises.

"Oh, and one more thing," Leopold said. "Before I leave in three days, I would most definitely like your help with tying up the loose ends from the war. Would you be willing to help me? It would mean time away from your family, but we would mostly be in Ecrivenia."

Harriet looked at him, before a smile of her own stretched across her face.

"Yes, but on one condition. I'm bringing my dragon."

Leopold's laughter echoed all the way to the ears of the ball goers, but no one paid it any mind, and no one was none the wiser when the sister of the queen and the King of Marenta came back in and danced with only each other for the rest of the night.

The people of the court were all naturally scandalized when they heard an unmarried woman would be helping King Leopold set their countries to rights, but no one said a word to the royal family. They had no interest in dealing with the girl with the dragon, even if King Leopold clearly did.

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I know most of you probably expected them to kiss or confess their undying love for each other, but you must remember they don't actually know each other all that well. Yes, Harriet is on the road to loving him, and vice versa, but they have things to do before they can really get together or get married.

Let me know what you think of the clarification of the curse. Did it make more sense? I also dropped hints of a few other things in this chapter so make sure to look for them. For those of you who read Glass Slippers, I'm relatively sure you'll pick up on it fairly quickly.

Anyway, the next update should be on Friday! (I decided to update this one a little early due to possible internet problems)