The grand ballroom was dazzling. Chandeliers glittered overhead, casting golden light across the vast space, while an orchestra played a soft, enchanting melody. My dress—admittedly, not my usual style—sparkled under the lights, its deep blue fabric flowing like water as I walked through the crowd. I felt more exposed than ever, but I kept my chin high.

As I stepped deeper into the room, conversations quieted, and I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on me. Whispers buzzed around like bees.

"She's stunning," someone murmured.
"So this is the princess of Aeatria?" another voice questioned, a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

I swallowed hard and tried to ignore it, but it wasn't easy. All this attention was overwhelming. Just when I thought I could slip into the background, a tall figure stepped into my path.

"Princess Angeline," the man said smoothly, offering a charming smile. His blonde hair was slicked back, and his attire screamed royalty. "Prince Cedric, from the Kingdom of Aurealis. May I say, you are a vision tonight."

I blinked, momentarily thrown off by his directness. "Uh... thanks?"

He chuckled, clearly undeterred by my awkward reply. "A woman of few words. Intriguing. Tell me, Princess, how are you finding your first grand ball in Enchancia?"

"Honestly? A bit much," I admitted, trying to keep my tone polite.

"Ah, but you handle it with such grace," he said, bowing slightly. "Perhaps we could share a dance later?"

Before I could come up with an excuse, another prince—this one with jet-black hair and an emerald-green suit—stepped in.

"Princess Angeline," he said with a slight accent. "Prince Adrian of Velthora. I must say, your beauty truly rivals the legends."

"Uh, thanks again?" I said, glancing around for an escape route.

It didn't come. Another prince appeared, then another. Each one more eager than the last, all with dazzling smiles and compliments so sugary they could give Pinkie's cakes a run for their money.

I felt trapped, like a cornered animal. Where was Soarin? Or Blitz? Anyone?

Then, as if answering my silent plea, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.

"There you are."

I turned to see Soarin striding toward me, his teal suit perfectly tailored to his athletic frame. His shoulders were broad, his walk confident, and his teal eyes focused directly on me. He wasn't just walking—he was commanding the entire room without saying a word. For a moment, my gaze lingered longer than it should have.

Why does he have to look so good? I caught myself, realizing I was scanning the way his suit hugged his figure and how his hair looked slightly tousled, but in that deliberate, perfect way. I shook my head quickly, breaking free from my thoughts.

Nope, stop it, Rainbow, I scolded myself internally. I don't like him. He's just Soarin—annoying, teasing, know-it-all Soarin. That's all.

The princes stepped back slightly as he reached my side. "Sorry to interrupt," Soarin said, his tone polite but firm. He turned to me, his eyes softening. "Rainbow, care for some fresh air? You've been in here long enough."

I didn't hesitate. "Yeah, that sounds great."

Soarin offered his arm, and I took it without a second thought. As we walked away, I could feel the glares of the princes burning into the back of my head, but I didn't care.

Once we were outside on the balcony, the cool night air washed over me, a much-needed relief from the stifling ballroom.

"Thanks," I said, letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "They were... intense."

Soarin chuckled. "Yeah, I saw. Princes from other kingdoms can be like vultures. Don't let them get to you."

I leaned against the railing, looking up at the stars. "It's not that. It's just... weird, you know? Being treated like... like I'm not just me anymore."

"You'll always be you," Soarin said, his voice steady. "No matter what they say or think. That's why you're going to be an amazing queen."

His words hit me harder than I expected, and I found myself smiling. "You really believe that?"

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I do."

For a moment, it was just the two of us, the world quiet except for the faint hum of the party inside. Then, Soarin smirked.

"Besides," he added, "you're stuck with me to remind you who you really are."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but laugh. "Lucky me."

Spitfire's POV

From across the ballroom, I leaned against a marble pillar, sipping from my glass as I watched Rainbow and Soarin. The way he walked toward her, all confidence and charm, was almost too much to handle. Fleetfoot, standing beside me, nudged my arm with a knowing smirk.

"Would you look at that? Our boy's on a mission," Fleetfoot teased, her voice low enough for just the four of us to hear.

Misty Fly chuckled softly, her eyes following Soarin. "He's not even being subtle about it. Look at him, strutting like he owns the place."

Surprise tilted her head thoughtfully. "Rainbow looks... different. You think she's finally noticing how he feels?"

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Please. If she's noticed, she's too stubborn to admit it. That's Rainbow for you—wouldn't acknowledge it unless it hit her in the face."

Fleetfoot snickered. "Well, the way he's looking at her right now, it's about to hit her like a freight train."

We all watched as Rainbow blinked, visibly flustered. She quickly tried to compose herself, crossing her arms and giving Soarin her signature "what do you want?" look. But there was something in her eyes—a softness that wasn't usually there when she looked at him.

"He's got her," Misty Fly said, crossing her arms with a satisfied grin. "Whether she wants to admit it or not."

"Yeah, but let's see how long it takes her to actually figure that out," I said, taking another sip from my glass. "Knowing Rainbow, this could drag on for ages."

Surprise giggled, practically bouncing on her toes. "Oh, this is better than any romance book! Should we do something to speed it up?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Like what? Push them into each other? Leave them alone, Surprise. They'll figure it out in their own time."

Fleetfoot leaned closer, her smirk widening. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, it's Soarin we're talking about. He'll wait for her as long as it takes."

We all laughed softly, but my gaze lingered on them. Soarin had reached Rainbow now, standing close enough to make her visibly fidget. For all her bravado, Rainbow was terrible at hiding how much he got under her skin.

"Alright," I said, straightening up. "Place your bets. How long before one of them cracks and admits something?"

Surprise grinned. "I say tonight! The ballroom, the music, the vibes—it's perfect!"

Misty Fly shook her head. "Nah, Rainbow's too stubborn. I give it a month."

Fleetfoot smirked. "Two days, max. Soarin's charm is going to break her walls sooner than she thinks."

I shrugged, watching them with a small smile. "We'll see. But one thing's for sure—this is going to be entertaining to watch."

We all clinked glasses, our quiet laughter blending into the hum of the ballroom, as Soarin leaned in to say something to Rainbow that made her roll her eyes—and smile.

Back to Rainbow's POV (what happened when Spitfire & the other 3 were eavesdropping)

"You're really working the room tonight, huh?" I said, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow.

He grinned, his teal eyes twinkling. "You noticed?"

"It's hard not to when you're practically glowing," I shot back, trying to ignore the way my pulse quickened. "What, did Spitfire dare you to turn up the charm tonight?"

He chuckled, leaning slightly closer. "No dares. Just me." His gaze swept over me for a moment, and his voice softened. "But it's nothing compared to how you look tonight."

I blinked, thrown off by the sincerity in his tone. No, Rainbow, don't let him get in your head.

"Nice try," I said, attempting to sound unimpressed. "You're not going to distract me with compliments."

"Distract you?" he echoed, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "From what?"

"From..." I trailed off, realizing I didn't have an answer. "You know, stuff."

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine, and for a moment, I hated how much I liked it. "Stuff. Got it. Well, I'll try not to interfere with your important 'stuff.'"

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. "What do you want, Soarin?"

"Just checking in," he said, his tone more casual now. "Figured you might need rescuing from your fan club over there." He gestured subtly toward the group of princes lingering nearby.

I sighed. "If one more guy asks me where I'm from or if I want to dance, I might lose it."

"Good thing I showed up, then," he said, offering his hand. "Care for a break from all the attention?"

I looked at him suspiciously. "You're not serious."

"Why not?" he said, his smile softening into something almost... genuine. "Think of it as a strategic escape. And besides"—he leaned in just enough to make my heart skip a beat—"you deserve to enjoy tonight, too."

I stared at him for a moment, torn between brushing him off and... something else I didn't want to name. Finally, I huffed and took his hand. "Fine. But if you step on my toes, I'm out."

He laughed again, his grip firm but gentle as he led me toward the dance floor. "Deal. But don't say I didn't warn you—I'm a pretty good dancer."

Yeah, sure, I thought, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest as we reached the center of the room. He's just Soarin. Just Soarin.

Back in the ballroom

I glanced at the crowded dance floor, then back at him, raising an eyebrow. "You sure you can keep up with me?"

"Oh, I'm counting on it," he shot back, his confidence unwavering.

Before I could overthink it, I placed my hand in his, and he led me to the center of the ballroom. The orchestra shifted their tune, and I froze as the first upbeat chords of "Shut Up and Dance" filled the room.

https://youtu.be/_glQsoPesQo

Oh, don't you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me

I said, "You're holding back"

She said, "Shut up and dance with me"

This woman is my destiny

She said, "Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance with me"

A laugh escaped me. "Really? This?"

Soarin's grin widened. "What? Too lively for you, princess?"

I narrowed my eyes, but the playful energy in his gaze made it impossible to stay annoyed. "Fine. But don't blame me if you can't keep up."

He laughed, spinning me as the song picked up pace. "Challenge accepted!"

[Verse 1]

We were victims of the night

The chemical, physical kryptonite

Helpless to the bass and the fading light

Oh, we were bound to get together

Bound to get together

[Pre-Chorus]

She took my arm

I don't know how it happened

We took the floor and she said

[Chorus]

"Oh, don't you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me"

I said, "You're holding back"

She said, "Shut up and dance with me"

This woman is my destiny

She said, "Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance with me"

We moved in sync, the rhythm infectious and impossible to resist. Soarin's steps were confident, almost cocky, but he knew what he was doing. He twirled me again, and for a moment, I let myself laugh freely.

"You're actually good at this," I admitted, slightly breathless.

"Only the best for you, Dash," he teased, dipping me dramatically before pulling me back up.

"You're enjoying this way too much," I shot back, unable to hide my grin.

"Can you blame me?" he countered, his voice low as he leaned closer. "It's not every day I get to dance with a princess."

I rolled my eyes, though my cheeks betrayed me with a faint warmth. "You're ridiculous."

"And you love it," he said with a wink, spinning me into another step.

[Verse 2]

A backless dress and some beat up sneaks

My discothèque Juliet, teenage dream

I felt it in my chest as she looked at me

I knew we were bound to be together

Bound to be together

[Pre-Chorus]

She took my arm

I don't know how it happened

We took the floor and she said

Around us, the other dancers began clapping and cheering, caught up in the energy of the moment. A few of the Wonderbolts were hooting, led by Pinkie Pie, who yelled, "Go Dash! Show him who's boss!"

I caught her eye and shot her a mock glare before Soarin pulled my focus back with a smooth sidestep.

"Eyes on me, Dash," he said, smirking. "Unless you're giving up already."

"In your dreams," I retorted, picking up the pace to match his steps.

[Chorus]

"Oh, don't you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me"

I said, "You're holding back"

She said, "Shut up and dance with me"

This woman is my destiny

She said "Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance with me"

Oh, c'mon girl!

[Keyboard/Synth Solo]

[Bridge]

Deep in her eyes

I think I see the future

I realize this is my last chance

She took my arm

I don't know how it happened

We took the floor and she said

[Chorus]

"Oh, don't you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me"

I said, "You're holding back"

She said, "Shut up and dance with me"

This woman is my destiny

She said, "Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance"

"Don't you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me"

I said, "You're holding back"

She said, "Shut up and dance with me"

This woman is my destiny

She said, "Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance with me"

Soarin suddenly spun me one last time, then dipped me so low I was practically parallel to the floor. My heart raced—not just from the movement, but from the way his eyes locked onto mine.

For a moment, the music faded into the background. His smile softened, and the playful glint in his eyes was replaced by something... different.

"You okay, Dash?" he asked softly, his voice barely audible over the cheers.

I swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Y-yeah. Just... impressed you didn't drop me."

He laughed, pulling me upright as the song ended. "Like I'd ever let you fall."

[Outro]

"Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance with me"

"Ooh hoo

Shut up and dance with me"

The room erupted into applause, and I stepped back, brushing my hair out of my face. My cheeks were flushed—not just from the dancing, but from the way Soarin was still looking at me.

Fleetfoot whistled loudly from the sidelines. "Best dance of the night! Hands down!"

"Shut up, Fleetfoot," I muttered under my breath, though I couldn't hide the small smile on my face.

Soarin leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. "Told you I could keep up."

I crossed my arms, trying to regain my composure. "You got lucky. Don't expect an encore."

"Guess I'll have to make this one count, then," he replied, his tone so lighthearted it left me flustered all over again.