"How long have we been in here?" James asked after what seemed like another few hours had passed.

"Who knows?" I returned. "There are no windows in here. But they are probably going to leave soon. If the king was going to let us out, he would have done it already."

"I guess you're right," he replied. "I wonder if they'll let us out for the ball--"

"If they let us out for the ball, I'm going after them."

"You'll be too late!" 

"How can I go to a ball, when capturing The Jackal is on the line?"

"Lily, please. You deserve to have fun. I'm sure they'll be back by the time the ball begins."

"I hope you're right."

But a few more hours passed, and no one came.

"How long are they going to keep us in here?" I asked James.

Suddenly the door clicked and then swung open.  Queen Mary stood in the doorway. "Come with me, darling. Greta's going to get you ready for the ball," she said. 

"Has the king left?" I asked, rising to my feet.

The queen nodded.

I followed her out, and she led me to the same room as the night before.

"I'll send Greta in," she told me and then left.

Once her footsteps had faded, I rushed out of the bedroom and looked back and forth.  

There were no guards in sight.  

I ran down the hall and looked around the corner.  There were two guards stationed there.  I stayed close to the wall and inched toward the curtains.  When one of the guards looked my way, I slipped under the fabrics.  I peeked out and saw that he had turned away.  The other guard started patrolling in my direction.  I stayed still and waited for him to pass before sprinting to the door closest to me.  I kept it open a crack and waited for both guards to turn away.  Then I ran toward the next hallway.  There were two more guards and I quickly slipped into one of the rooms.  

I was so focused on watching the guards that I didn't notice the person behind me.

"Hiding from the maid or the dress?" James asked.  

I jumped and whipped around.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned.

"This is my room," he replied.  

"Oh my goodness," I said under my breath.  

"Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. I won't tell, as long as you take me with you."

"Fine, but you have to follow me exactly."

He nodded.  I turned and peeked out of the door.  The guards were turned away, so I rushed out of the room and into the next hall.  I was nearly caught by the next two guards, but managed to slip under a table without being seen.  James just made it in next to me.  

I waited for the boots to pass before sprinting into a door at the end of the hallway.

"We're almost home free," I whispered.  James nodded.  

I slipped out of the room and rushed behind a large statue.  James hid behind the one next to me.  

I rushed into another room, and then another before I saw the door that led outside at the end of the extra long hallway.

I opened the door to sprint toward it, but suddenly heard a voice behind me.

"Stop!" they said.

I whipped around and saw a guard charging toward me. 

"You are not aloud out of the palace! King's orders."

I narrowed my eyes at him and then turn and ran toward the door.  But then I was off the ground, flying backward.  I landed on my back with a thud.  I groaned.  

"The door is locked and there are guards guarding the other side of it," the same man said. "I would rather not have to fight you."

"The king's life is in danger," I told him.

The guard suddenly looked very torn. "The king is wise," he replied. "His plan is flawless."

"Excuse me?" I questioned.

"I said his plan is flawless."

"His plan?" I emphasized. "Of course," I muttered under my breath.  I shook my head in disgust.  I rose up to my feet and brushed myself off.  Then I started walking calmly toward the door.

"What do you think you're doing?" the guard called after me.

"If the king won't respect me, I'm won't respect him or his authority. He has no right to keep me here."

"He is the king!" the guard exclaimed.

No.

He was a thief. 

I couldn't say it aloud, though.  It would give them reason to lock me up.

Maybe even put me to death.

I continued walking toward the door.  

The man grabbed my left wrist to keep me from continuing.  In response, I grabbed the top of his hand with my right and launched myself forward, flipping him over on his back.  Then I sprinted toward the door.  I heard urgent footsteps behind me, but I didn't dare look back.

Suddenly I was lifted off the ground into the air.

"If you continue to fight us, little lady," a new voice said. "We will have to lock you up." 

I stoped struggling and surrendered. "Fine," I mumbled.

"Lily? Are you alright?" a girl's voice asked behind me.

"I'm fine, Greta," I replied.

I gave the guards one last firm look before leaving with the little maid.

"What happened?" Greta asked worriedly.

"Nothing you should be concerned about," I replied.

We walked the rest of the way in silence.

"I have already picked out a dress that is perfect for you," Greta said. "But I understand if you choose a different one."

"I'm sure the one you chose is beautiful," I replied. 

Greta walked into the large walk-in closet and emerged a few minutes later.  She held a bundle of midnight blue fabric.

She laid it out on the bed, and I stared at it in awe.  

The skirt was made of several layers of silk.  The bodice was delicate and ended small sleeves that hung down loosely.

The dark fabric was sprinkled with small crystals that shined like the stars in the sky. 

It was beautiful.

"Wow...Greta..." I began.

"Do you like it?" the girl asked hesitantly.

"I love it!" I exclaimed, wrapping her into a tight embrace. "Thank you, Greta. I've never worn something as beautiful as this."

A/N Quick note. Sorry for the interruption! I was going for the sleeves like Anna's coronation dress:

Please let me know if you know what it is called! Thanks!

SiSi out.

I tried the dress on, and Greta had to make a few adjustments to the waist and length.  Once she was finished, she and a few other maids put my hair in a fancy updo, brushed my cheeks with with powder, and applied a bit of lipgloss to my lips.  

I twirled around the room in the beautiful dress and couldn't help the small giggle that escaped my lips.

The other women quickly left, and then it was just me and Greta.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded.  Then I followed her outside.

Wearing the fancy ball gown that matched the extravagance of the halls made me feel somehow more comfortable in the palace. 

More...

At home.

I smiled at the feeling.

And I had to admit.

I liked it.

My silk slippers made no sound on the stone floor as I followed Greta to the ball room. I had refused any heels.

Yes, I was a fighter.

But a heel walker?

Seriously, any woman who could walk in those shoes was a hero in her own.

She led me up the stairs to a large, double wood door.

I peeked out so I could prepare myself.

I took a step back when I saw the view. I was at the top of a massive grand staircase that led to a spacious marble floor. Women in large dresses and men in suits and fancy jerkins entered through another pair of large wood doors. Tables of food lined the room, and I could see some couples dancing in the leftover space.

"Why did you take me to the top of the stairs?" I hissed. "Everyone will see me!"

"It's the only way into the ball that doesn't require you to leave the palace!" Greta insisted.

"Maybe I shouldn't go..." I began, backing up. But then I caught sight a certain young prince. James looked like he was refusing the many young woman wishing to dance with him. At the same time, he was looking around, as if waiting for someone.

"He's waiting for you," Greta whispered next to me.

I shook my head. "No, he's...I don't know. He's not looking for me."

Greta gave me a knowing look before walking away.

I took another peek out the doors and saw James still looking around expectantly.

I gathered up every ounce of courage inside me, shut my eyes tight, and swung the doors open.

A/N Hello! Quick note before I start on the next chapter! If you have anything you think I could improve on, please let me know in the comments!                                                             -------->

Or you could just comment your thoughts!                                                                                           -------->

I love reading your comments!

Thanks for reading!

That's a lot of exclamation points!

😝

Ciao,

SiSi