We both read for some time, but, eventually, it lost its appeal, so I set my book down and William and I went to talking. It was nice, being able to just talk with him, as if he were like me, instead of being the crown prince of Belhaven.

At one point, when conversation had ceased and we were both just sitting beside each other, comfortable with the silence, William spoke. "Erika," he began slowly, watching the flames of the fire in the hearth.

I glanced over at him. "Yes?"

"We always have things to talk about. But I just realized . . . I know hardly anything about you." He said thoughtfully.

I did not really want to talk about myself. "You know a lot about me."

He lifted a shoulder in a shrug, still watching the fireplace. "Not really. I know that you like to read . . . and that you resent your sister . . ."

I nodded. "Yes. What is your question?" I just wanted to move on to a different topic as quickly as possible.

He thought for a moment. "Tell me why you resent your sister?"

I exhaled softly, thinking. "It's not so much that I resent her . . ." I said slowly.

He laughed softly. "I don't know what else to call it. You two are not close. Why is that?"

"She's a terrible person." I replied without hesitation.

"That didn't take you long." He said with a raised eyebrow. "Tell me, why do you think she's a terrible person?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "If I wanted to talk about the things that bother me, I would go see a shrink." The words came out harsher than intended, but he remained unfazed.

He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "I'm just asking questions, Erika. But if you really don't want to talk about it, then we can talk about something else."

I felt a little guilty for snapping at him, since he was so kind about it. So, I said, "She is just better than me at everything. I cannot compete with her. I have never been like her, craving attention, receiving attention. Everyone loves Alice, as you have seen. She is beautiful, and loveable, and amazing at everything she does. She can dance, and stitch, and cook, and stand in the middle of hundreds of people and be all right with it. I just . . . never could. I could never dance very well, and the last time I did needle work I kept accidentally stabbing my hands, and I could never have so many eyes on me. I get so nervous that I can't even form a rational thought."

He nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "You compare yourself unfairly, Erika." He answered quietly after a pause. "You are so much more than you think you are. You are better than her in other areas."

I snorted derisively.

"It's true. You are beautiful, and kind, and smart, and charming, and witty . . . Why does it matter if she can cook? She has servants to do that for her. And it is alright that you do not like to be in front of many people. Not everyone does." His face drew closer and I almost leaned in to close the little bit of space between us, but I did not. Instead, I turned my face away. My throat ached with the effort to keep from crying. I didn't want him to see me cry.

"I should go." I said suddenly. I did not wait for him to reply, before I stood and made my way toward the door. "I'll come back tomorrow, William. Good night."

"Good night, Erika." He said softly, and I could hear the smile in his words, before I shut the door behind me and made my way back the way I'd come.

All the next day I could not wait to see him again. It was a giddy sort of feeling in the pit of my stomach that made me smile at random moments, and left me unfazed by Mother's harsh words and angry glares.

That night, I waited for Mother and Father to go to bed, before sneaking down to the front door and heading for the palace. It was unseasonably warm for the middle of autumn. It felt like an early summer night, which I found to be quite pleasant.

I reached the palace gates and turned to find William waiting under our tree.

When did it become our tree? I thought as I walked toward him.

He straightened and walked toward me as I approached.

"Good evening, William." I greeted pleasantly.

A smile touched his lips. "Good evening to you too, Erika. It is a very nice night for a walk, don't you think?" He asked, looking up at the sky.

"I would agree. Would you like to walk with me?" I asked him.

He nodded, holding out his arm for me. "Yes, that would be lovely."

I placed my hand on his arm and we walked away from the palace gates, down the cobbled street. Neither of us spoke for several moments, listening to the chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl.

When we could no longer see the palace in the distance, we slowed our pace a little, suddenly more relaxed. We began talking softly, feeling the need to be quiet on the barren streets.

"How many women have you danced with?" I asked curiously.

He laughed softly, lifting his eyes skyward. "Too many to count, I should think."

I nodded slowly, thinking.

"How many men have you danced with?" He asked, glancing over at me.

"William, you know I cannot dance." I said, smiling.

He rolled his eyes. "I think you are an excellent dancer."

I felt my cheeks heat up at his unexpected, yet entirely false, compliment. "You know that is untrue."

He shrugged. "I do not mind the way you dance, Erika."

I paused my walking, my hands falling from his arm, and he came to a stop with me. And then I blurted what I was thinking. "I have been learning how to dance." I said, louder than I intended. I was thankful it was too dark for him to see me blush.

He turned his blue eyes on me, which looked black in the moonlight. "You have? Why?"

"I was completely mortified by how awful I was when we danced at the ball some weeks ago. So, I tried dance lessons. I have improved much, I think." My voice was only a whisper.

"Well, then, you should show me." William offered me his hand. "Dance with me?" He smiled, his white teeth glinting.

I smiled and placed my hand in his. "I would love to."

He pulled me closer, placing his free hand on my waist, and I placed my free hand on his shoulder. He led me in the dance, as we waltzed down the street. I looked up into his eyes and found that I could not have looked away if I wanted to.

William spun me around and I snapped back into his arms. I felt as though I were gliding through water as we danced, for I could hardly feel the ground beneath my feet. He lifted me up, making me gasp—I had not expected it—and twirled me. My gown brushed against my legs, spinning out around me with each movement.

I lost track of how long we danced, down and up the deserted street, with only the stars to watch. He twirled me again and I closed my eyes, as we both got lost in music that could be heard by no one but us.

It felt as if I was no longer in control of my body. I danced as if I had been dancing for an eternity, as if I would grow wings and fly. The moon lit the street before us, along with the occasional street lamp, lighting our way, as if guiding us.

I opened my eyes to find William watching me, a smile playing about his lips. Neither of us spoke, as though speaking would cause this moment to break apart and we would land back in reality. I don't think either of us wanted that quite yet.

He lifted me off my feet once more, spinning me around, before setting me down again. Our eyes stayed locked on each other; we did not need to see where our feet were going. They seemed to be guiding us on their own, knowing where to go.

And then suddenly, we were no longer moving. I did not know when we'd stopped moving, but our gazes stayed directly on each other. We were both breathing hard, whether it be from exertion, or exhilaration, or both.

And then, he leaned down toward me, and I stood up on my toes, closing the gap between us, until our lips met. His lips were softer than I'd imagined, and tasted sweet. My eyes slid shut and my lips parted against his. I wrapped my arms around his neck, wanting more.

He seemed to understand, and his arms tightened around my waist pulling me against him until there was no space left between us. Until one could not tell where one ended and the other began. This moment felt almost magical, as though sparks were flying between us as our lips brushed against each other's. And on this empty street, where there was no sound except that of our ragged breathing, where we could only see by the light of the moon, where it felt as though we were the only two people left in the entire world, I realized that I had fallen in love. And that I never wanted this moment to end.

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Ok, I loved this chapter!!! It is so adorable, I think! Well, of course we all saw this coming, but now it's written! I really hope you guys liked it!

Please vote, comment, or fan! Follow me for updates on First at Last! Thanks for reading!

P.S. Just a reminder: I know I've published this on the website, but I am still going to edit it just as I go, because I am still working on it. I haven't even finished writing it yet :P