The ball was held in the royal palace, so everyone attended in the best possible attire, with the best wheedling phrase to sweeten the queen's ear, and a few attended with the legitimate intention of finding a suitable partner to marry. When they announced the arrival of Lady Irin and her guests, the queen herself came out to receive them, and then took the princess by the arm, in order to walk her around the great hall and introduce her to various nobles.

"I know you came with diplomatic intentions and to marry off your brother, but you should also consider prospects for yourself, princess," the queen told her, brightly.

Although the princess smiled at her, her face suddenly turned so serious that even the queen was alarmed by it.

"I appreciate your intentions, Your Highness, but perhaps we could speak in private for a moment?"

"Of course girl, come with me."

The queen took the princess to an office with a small library that was quite isolated from the bustle of the party. Only the butler was with them, but with a nod from the queen, he remained waiting outside the door.

"I understand that in your kingdom, is not well seen nor legislated what I have to say, Your Majesty. However, I believe that you are an open-minded and benevolent-hearted person, so I will tell you anyway."

The queen nodded, now she was not only alarmed, but also worried.

"I'm not going to marry any man, Your Majesty. It is not a matter of choice, it is rather a matter of who I am. I have never felt anything for any man, however, with women, it is totally the opposite. Nor do I want to be misunderstood, I am not a libertine, I only have my tastes clear."

There was silence, the queen seemed to be processing the princess's confession, which she was worried about her reaction, if she wanted it that way, the queen could ask that her head be cut off.

"Oh."

That was all the queen said, which made the princess nervous.

"Your Highness, I really thought I could tell you, if I have been wrong please forget all this and tomorrow I will leave without fail for my kingdom..."

"Is that an option?" The queen interrupted her. She had never thought of it.

"¿What?"

"That's right, princess. I had never considered that you might be attracted to someone of your same gender. It's really fascinating. Wait a minute, does your brother like men or women?

"He likes women, Your Highness," the princess replied, smiling.

"Oh perfect. At least him if I can help him. Even if I wanted to, the laws don't allow me to help you, my dear. By the way, we should go back to the living room, they will miss my presence. And you should tell me how you found out that women were your thing."

Saying this, the queen took her arm again, and they returned together to the hall. The princess was relieved, she wasn't sure how the queen would take it, but she preferred her sincerity over rejecting every suitor she presented. When they got to the center of the event, they noticed that people were conspicuously looking in only one direction.

The princess and the queen interrupted their conversation to see who it was, when they got closer, they knew that Miss Sarocha had entered the room, capturing everyone's eyes. She was wearing a simple white dress, her hair was loose, though adorned with pearls, like a subtle crown, her naturally reddish lips stood out too much, she looked simply wonderful.

"That's my diamond!" the queen exclaimed excitedly.

Freen approached the queen of her own free will, she knew it was inevitable, she greeted her with a bow, then she noticed that the princess was next to her, so she repeated her gesture.

"It is a pleasure to attend your ball tonight, your majesty," the girl spoke, immediately delighting the queen, who smiled with pure joy.

"Miss Sarocha, allow me to introduce Princess Rebecca Armstrong, guest of honor for this evening, I'm sure they will be great friends, or perhaps something more."

The princess looked somewhat puzzled at the queen, but she nodded to her brother, who was a few meters away from her talking with lady Irin and other knights. Then she left the two of them alone, she excused herself saying that she should take care of other matters.

There was a somewhat uncomfortable silence between the two, neither knew how to start the conversation.

"Miss Sarocha, would you like me to introduce you to my brother?" Said the princess, she couldn't think of anything better to say, for some reason that girl made her nervous.

"Yes, of course, of course," replied the young lady, unable to hide her sarcasm.

"Sorry?"

"I forgive you."

"No, it's not that... Maybe you already have a suitor on your list? One better than a prince, it seems..."

Miss Sarocha gave her a weary look.

"Of course not. I'm just here to make my mom happy."

"Ah, what a relief," the princess inadvertently blurted out.

The young lady raised an eyebrow as she looked directly into the princess's face. At that moment, she realized that the princess was also very beautiful, although her features were slightly different from what she used to see.

"Are you relieved to know that I am available for her brother, princess?" The lady said something annoyed.

"May I know the cause of your annoyance? I don't think I've done anything to offend you, miss," the princess replied, her face showing some concern.

"It offends me that you think that I come here looking to get married as if I were a piece of meat without a brain or decisions of my own."

The princess couldn't help but make her face surprised at the lady's biting response, which seemed more and more interesting to her.

"I'm sorry to have assumed that after you debuted today in the new season where young ladies and lords seek a partner for marriage according to the traditions of this kingdom," the princess replied, clearly amused by the young lady's tantrum.

Freen gave the princess an indignant look, but she was right, she couldn't expect anything else from a woman in the kingdom where she was unfortunately born.

"You're right, I apologize. I'm not really interested in getting married."

"May I ask why, miss?"

"Please don't call me miss, just call me Freen."

"Ah... In that case, you should call me Becky."

"I can't do it, you are a princess."

"Then at least tell me why you doesn't want to get married."

"I don't think you understand."

The princess sighed, it was hard to talk to her, she was too defensive.

"I don't want to get married either, but I have my good reasons. I'll tell you, if you tell me yours."

"Why do you care so much? Is it so important to have me as a sister-in-law?"

"Maybe I could offer you a deal, Freen."

Hearing her name come out of her mouth, she gave Miss Sarocha a chill, as the princess murmured it.

"What kind of deal?" asked the lady, despite everything.

"We can be friends this season, my brother needs someone to woo, while you need to get the unwanted attention off your back, or am I wrong?"

Freen raised an eyebrow again, looking skeptical. The princess smiled slightly.

"I'm listening."

"Does that mean you're interested in my deal?" the princess told her, smiling triumphantly.

"Depends on the deal, clearly. You are not mistaken in the fact that I do not desire the attention of other gentlemen just because I am the "diamond" of the season."

"Yes, I assumed so, although you still haven't told me why you don't want to get married."

This time it was Freen who heaved a long breath before answering.

"You're not going to leave me alone with that question, are you? Well, my reason is simple. I am an artist, my true passion is painting, but if I get married, those merits will be attributed to my husband, not to me, the true author."

There was a silence, the princess seemed to weigh the words of Miss Freen, that she could not bear waiting for her.

"I knew you wouldn't understand, forgot everything..."

"I fully understand your situation, Miss Freen. I myself have not married to dedicate myself freely to my greatest passion, diplomatic relations, although also... I think my treatment would benefit you, miss. For my part, I need my brother to woo a lady, even if he doesn't want to marry either, and from what I see, you have no interest in meeting other gentlemen. We can help each other. What do you think?"

Freen hesitated before answering, that pause that the princess had made made her understand that she was going to say something else, but she didn't. That princess got on his nerves.

"Okay, I accept the deal."

"Very well, let's begin then," the princess said smiling diplomatically, the young lady noted that that smile was not completely sincere. She saw that she beckoned to her brother, who came over immediately.

"Brother, this is Miss Freen Sarocha, miss, this is my brother, Prince Richard Armstrong."

The season had just begun for Freen, who she never would have imagined how it would end.