It was early Saturday afternoon when the letter arrived. Prince Daniel was sitting in his chambers, reading a book about two lovers who meet at a ball, before being whisked away from each other. It was rather sad but Daniel was enjoying it immensely as he was a true romantic. Besides, he knew that it would all end happily as he had read it so many times, he could remember it word for word and knew that it would all work out eventually. He was lost, deep in the enchanting pages of the book, when he heard a knock at the door.

"Yes?" He inquired, tearing himself away from the romantic words that filled his mind, to answer his noisy door. He opens it to find his loyal friend and trusted servant, Nina, standing in the doorway.

"Sorry to disturb you sir," she says, smiling "but you have mail." Dan smiles back at her and ushers her into his room.

"Hello Nina!" He greets her as she closes the door behind her, "I don't mind, I was just reading 'the ball' again," he pauses, before saying "hey, I thought I told you to stop calling me sir, it makes me feel like a first class snob and you know that full well!"

Nina giggles "I do know that, sir, but I do it anyway because i'm nice like that." Dan glares at her which just makes her laugh even harder "yeah right." He mutters, "laugh all you want," he declares, "but when im king, you'll be sorry!" Nina looks at him and feigns mock horror "sir, you wouldn't!"

He laughs in a villainy sort of way "oh I would, and don't you forget it! Now, how about this mail?"

Nina pulls out a golden envelope that dances and glimmers as though a thousand rays of sunlight were trapped inside. Dan takes it from Nina and breaks the blood red seal that hold it shut, eager to know what was inside. From within the captivating paper, he pulled a sheet of sparkling parchment rimmed with golden swirls. On the sheet was a note written in imperial purple ink. It read:

Addressed to prince Daniel Howell of the kingdom darkheart,

His royal highness, prince Philip Lester of Sapphiresnow, would like to cordially invite you to the upcoming ball of four seasons, a ball that marks the meeting of the four kingdoms of darkheart, sapphiresnow, mounteagle and silverstone with a treaty that will bring peace to all our people. As the host, the kingdom of sapphiresnow will provide an evening of entertainment that you will never forget. The festivities will begin at 9 o'clock with a banquet of foods from all four regions and a ball that will celebrate our unique differences and cherish the amazing cultures that will go long into the night. Please feel free to bring guests as you see fit.

Yours respectfully, the kingdom of sapphiresnow.

Dans heart fluttered as he read the note and Nina poked him in the ribs, trying to draw his attention back to reality.

"What is it?" She inquired, desperate to know what the fancy looking note said.

"It's an invitation to the ball of four seasons" he said looking a bit sad despite this fact.

"Wow, that sounds amazing!" She exclaimed, "I wish I got invitations to balls and stuff," she continued wistfully. She was about to speak again when she noticed the gloomy expression that lay upon dans usually cheery face.

"Hey Dan?" She asks softly, "why don't you look excited? Is something wrong?" She says, concerned for her friend and masters happiness.

"Yeah, I mean, it's great. A ball, whoopee! It's just..." Dan pauses,

"Go on," Nina encourages.

"Well, it's just that, well, me and prince Philip might of, well.... kissed at the last ball." he stares at Nina, his eyes imploring her not to tell anyone. She stares back, slightly taken aback, before saying "Oh.My.Goodness! Does the king know?"

"Of course not, you daft sod. He doesn't even know i'm bisexual yet, you're the only person who knows! And Phil knows to now, I guess."

"Don't worry, I wont tell." She smiles,

"Thanks." He smiles back

"I'm really flattered that you trusted me to keep your secret more than anyone else!" She exclaims, clearly shocked, "I thought you would have at least told your parents."

"Well duh I told you first, you are my best friend! In fact, I think that you're my only friend, at least, friend who truly cares about me and doesn't just talk to me because i'm a prince. At least i think you don't just talk to me because i'm a prince, do you?"

"Of course not, you absolute turnip!" She says, giving him a hug

"Well that's good then!" He chuckles, but then remembers the letter and begins to look sad again.

"What's wrong now?" She asks, patiently waiting for him to respond.

"It's just this letter," he replies, despondently.

"what about this letter?" She asks

"Phil" he answers simply, looking down at his lap as he speaks.

"What about Phil? I mean you guys kissed so you must like each other right? Or did something happen that you haven't told me?"

"No, it's not that. The kiss was great, magical even, in fact, it's the best thing i've ever experienced. It's just.." He trails off, examining his fingernails as his brain tried to put what he was feeling into words.

"Just what?" Nina questions, curious to know what was bothering her friend so much.

"Just, the letter wasn't very personal. I mean it wasn't personal at all. He clearly didn't even write it. He clearly hasn't got time in his busy schedule to fit me in!" His voice was bitter and filled with sadness.

"Oh, so that's what you're worried about?" Nina says beginning to giggle.

"It's not funny Nina! Im serious!"dan was beginning to sound seriously upset.

"Dan, have you tried turning the note over?" Laughs Nina, "because when you were reading it, i'm pretty sure I saw a large amount of writing on the back!"

Dan turns the note over, uncertainly. Sure enough, it was covered with elaborate swirls that could only be the handwriting of a prince.

"What does it say?" Nina asks, eagerly, trying to peak over his shoulder as she did so.

"Hold your horses!" He laughs, scanning the peace of paper. It was written in dark blue ink that seemed to sparkle upon the page, or at least, it appeared that way to Dany but he was head over heels for the man who wrote it so his view couldn't really be trusted. The note said:

My dearest Dan,

Since our last encounter I have been unable to get you out of my mind. I do hope that you'll attend the ball of four seasons as it would be a pleasure to see you again. If you care for me, meet me in the pavilion at the heart of the rose garden at midnight on the night of the ball, if you come then we can talk and maybe we can become something more than now, if not, then you will never have to see me again.

Forever yours,

Phil

Dans smile grew wider and wider as he read the note.

"What is it, lover boy?" Nina questions

"Its from Phil, he says that I should meet him in the pavilion at the Centre of the rose garden at midnight on the night of the ball!" He says dreamily, clutching the note to his pounding heart "it's like a real life romance novel!" He exclaims excitedly. Nina smiles, pleased to see Dan so happy.

"So, you gonna go?" She asks, already knowing the answer.

"Course i'm going to go you idiot!" She laughs as he shouts this, "shush, Dan, your going to have the whole castle in uproar at this rate and you know that once the other maids get a whiff of a secret, they wont stop until they know the truth!" Dan laughs at this and they just laugh together for a while until the hysterical giggles became small chuckles.

"What is wrong with us?!?" Dan giggles, trying to regain composure.

"That is something I ask myself everyday," Nina says, wiping tears from her eyes, "I still haven't got a decent answer!" Dan smiles, trying very hard not to burst out laughing again.

"So, lover boy, Whatcha gonna wear to meet your prince?" Dan thinks for a moment

"I'm not too sure, I might have something made specially for it."

"Oh the joys of being rich!" Gasps Nina, falling back onto the bed, in mock despair.

Dan giggles, "well, there are some positives of being a prince, unfortunately there are also meetings and royal duties and such like, I have a very busy life you know!"

"Ha!" Nina scoffs at that, "if you think being a prince is hard, try being a blooming maid! All these silly royals need a lot of looking after!" She says, matter of factly,

"You are a feisty one, aren't you Nina? All these silly royals indeed! What a cheek!" They laugh at that.

The conversation goes on like this for a while until Dan remembers that he has a meeting to attend and nina realizes that she should probably do some work. They wave goodbye and dan tells nina to meet him at 7 o'clock.