Chapter 5

Knallia was trying not to cry. Somewhere in this room was someone she had to marry, and it was driving her mad. Martin was hovering, constantly trying to interject in any conversation or take her to dance or do something to annoy her. Both Oncya and Lowen had both taken him to dance twice each for which she was forever grateful, but she knew he'd be back. She had taken up a refuge in the corner at a table and was trying to remain as calm as possible. She didn't know if it would hold, but she didn't want to embarrass herself by breaking down.

"Knallia, I'm going to get a drink, can I get you anything?" Oncya asked politely. Lowen was out on the dance floor with Martin for the moment so it seemed safe.

Knallia held up her glass of iced water, it seemed full enough for now. "I'm good Oncya, go have a dance with someone, this night is for you too."

Oncya smiled timidly, then went off to the buffet area.

Aven stood nervously near the drinks, taking in the offerings. She was amazed to see ice in the bowls, keeping them chilled, as she had never seen such before. They must have a court wizard to cast spells to keep it cold, she thought. She had been watching everyone dance and was hoping she was catching on as to how to do it. She'd never actually danced before and didn't want to draw any attention to herself by acting foolishly. She turned her head and noticed a beautiful young lady in a stunning red dress looking over the drinks as well. On her finger was a ring containing a ruby the size of her thumb, and it took all of her might not to stare at it.

It was time to try and make a little money, she thought, with a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Would you care to dance?" she asked the young lady, who looked at her timidly.

"Yes, yes I would!" she replied with a smile.

Aven held out her hand, and the young lady placed her ring covered hand into it. Aven placed her other hand on the girl's waist and they circled out into the room.

"And who might you be?" Aven asked politely.

"My name is Lady Oncya," The girl answered sweetly. "I don't think I've seen you before."

"No, this is my first time here I'm afraid. I don't get out much." Aven answered truthfully, "it seems like everyone is having fun."

"Oh, not the Princess," Oncya said, then blushed.

The dance reached a part where the music had everyone twirl together, and Aven slipped the ruby ring off Oncya's hand as they did, then pocketed it quickly.

"Oh, why not?" Aven asked as if they hadn't just twirled about, curious about why the princess would be sad. The whole ball was for her, why shouldn't she be happy?

Oncya looked into her eyes, not speaking at first, then took a deep breath and whispered. "Well, she is supposed to marry someone here, but doesn't like anyone. She wants to marry for love, but her parents need her to marry to make the kingdom stronger."

Aven frowned, rethinking a lot of theories on royals. "How do you know all this?"

"She is my best friend!" she giggled.

"Well then I hope you help her find someone that she can love, everyone should hope for that," Aven told her honestly as the music ended. She bowed to Oncya who looked at her with a smile, then turned away. Oncya hurried back to her corner.

Aven felt her guts knotted up and had to lean against the table for support. Oncya had seemed quite nice, looking out for her friend, and yet she just stole her ring. She felt like a wretch. Aven felt she was no better than the moneylenders preying on the innocent back home. She hated herself, it wouldn't do. Turning around, she went off to the corner in the direction that Oncya had gone, and found her standing, whispering to a pair of ladies. One in a pale blue dress had a mountain of red curls piled on top of her head and looked like she was smiling at whatever Oncya was saying. The other had her back to him but had a gorgeous green dress that almost had a leaf patten, and long blond hair cascading down her back. She stepped up to Oncya, who looked at her wide eyes as she approached.

"My lady," she said with a bow. "Forgive me but I believe we were a little too wild in our dance, and your ring slipped off." She held out the ruby ring to Oncya who gasped.

"Oh, my goodness, my grandmother's ring! Thank you so much!" she said in shock, her hand over her heart.

"You're very welcome," Aven said, feeling instant relief at having returned it. She was turning to leave when she caught the eyes of the young woman in green who had turned to watch the exchange, and almost hurt her neck turning back at the sight of her. She was simply stunning, with wide hazel eyes and a smile that made her feel better than she ever had before. She turned and stumbled away in a daze, feeling herself blush up under the mask. What had just happened?

"Was that him?" Knallia asked Oncya.

"Yes, you have to go meet him!" Oncya gushed. "Tell me that wasn't the nicest thing ever!"

"Did you see the way he looked at you?" Lowen said conspiratorially.

She had indeed, and it had shocked her. She had been courted by every man in the room, in most cases more than once, and not once had anyone ever looked at her like that. She wanted to be looked at like that again and again. She simply nodded.

"What was his name?" she asked in wonder.

Oncya looked confused for a moment. "Oh my, I never even thought to ask him!" she said with downcast eyed.

"I'm betting you could ask him yourself," Lowen prompted her with a grin.

"Perhaps," she said softly.

"So? Go!" Oncya pleaded.

"No, not yet. Lowen, can you? Go see what you think?" she begged. In truth, she was terrified of getting her hopes up, but her breath was already a little ragged just at that short interaction.

Lowen nodded with a big smile and raced to catch up with the stranger.

Aven was shaking and had no idea what to think. She made it to the water station and was able to gulp down two drinks quickly, hoping it would help calm her down. The night had been completely turned on its head and she had no idea what to do any more. Leaving was the only option, there was no way she could steal anything in her current state, and the way things were going she would be caught and imprisoned for impersonating a noble.

But that woman! Why had she been so drawn to her? She wanted to see her again but didn't dare. Aven turned towards the balcony but was stopped by a hand on her wrist.

"Excuse me. Could I get the next dance?" A soft voice said.

Turning, Aven noticed it was the redhead who had been talking with Oncya. She had lovely blue eyes and a kind smile but was nothing compared to the girl in green. However, she was also looking right at him, and she couldn't really say 'no I have to escape'. Instead, she smiled and said, "Of course, how could I say no to such a lovely invitation?"

Taking the young lady in her arms, they started to slowly dance together. "So, I'm guessing you're a friend of Lady Oncya?" Aven asked politely.

"Of course, I'm Lady Lowen, and she couldn't stop talking about you!"

"Well, she was being overly kind I'm sure, because I didn't step on her feet," she replied with a grin.

"Still, returning her grandmother's ring was a wonderful gesture, she would have been heartbroken had she lost that!" Lowen assured her.

"We wouldn't want that, she seemed like a nice young lady. It would be a shame to see her cry."

"Well, she won't now!" Lowen assured him. "Only the princess will be," she added sadly.

"She still hasn't found anyone that she might like?" Aven asked with a little worry in her voice. She wasn't sure which of the masked women the princess was, but with all the people here it seemed that she could find someone. Of course, Aven thought, maybe she had also found someone herself. But that fantasy wasn't happening, she wasn't a noble, and she had never even considered a relationship with a girl. But, she reasoned, she had never considered a relationship at all really. She'd never had a lifestyle that would permit one.

"She might have, we're all hoping for the best," Lowen said with a shy smile.

"That would be wonderful! Everyone should have a chance at happiness," Aven said earnestly, trying not to think about her own life.

The music died down, and Aven bowed once again to Lowen, who curtsied and skipped back towards the corner with Oncya and the woman in green. Across the room she caught her eye, and the girl smiled at her, it felt like she had been punched. She smiled back, wishing she could stay, but this could only lead to trouble. She grabbed another cup of ice water and finished her trek out to the balcony, making her way to the far edge. Unfortunately, after the music stopped a lot of couples had come out to the cooler night air, so she just sat on the railing, hoping it would empty out soon so she could slip over the side and run for it. Her mind and belly were whirling too much to think at all rationally.

"So?" Knallia asked eagerly. She had given up on not getting her hopes up. Martin had been pestering her the entire last dance and this young man might be her only hope. She had watched him dancing with Lowen when Martin wasn't blocking the view and had melted every time that he had smiled at her friend. She remembered the calm brown eyes that had looked into hers before and wanted to see them again. When her eyes had met his after the dance, the smile she had seen on his face melted all the reserves that she had. She needed to go talk to him.

"Just, go," Lowen commanded. "I don't even have the words for more." She almost pushed her out of the corner, just in time to see the man slip out to the balcony.

She hadn't taken three steps before there was another hand grabbing hers. "Princess Knallia, please, can I have this dance?" Martin asked once more. He just didn't want to accept her previous answers.

She tried to yank her arm out of his grasp, but he hung firm this time, giving her a smirk as she struggled. "Prince Martin, let go, now."

"Princess, you know you'll end up with me, think of all the advantages of a marriage between our two kingdoms," he drawled.

Her blood turned cold as she listened, this man was truly despicable.

Once more, Oncya came to her rescue, "accidentally" spilling a glass of wine on the Prince, who bellowed in surprise while releasing her hand. Knallia almost ran out to the balcony, gasping for air, tears running down her face. She tried to catch her breath but couldn't. This night was so much worse that she had thought it would be.

The balcony was finally clear, and Aven swung her legs over to the outside of the railing. She was about to start climbing down the vines when hurried footsteps made her reverse and turn around till her legs were back inside the railing. Aven was surprised to see the lady in green rushing out to the balcony, with her breath ragged and tears coursing down her face.

Aven could have climbed down, the girl wasn't paying any attention to her, but the thought of those hazel eyes crying was driving her crazy. Not knowing what she was doing, or why she was doing it, she hopped down off the railing, and strode over to the young lady, dipping her handkerchief in her cup of ice water.

Knallia gasped when the cold fabric hit the back of her neck. "Are you all right my lady?" asked the voice. She knew that voice. She turned her head and saw the young man in black, his eyes gazing at her in wonder again. She stared; his soft brown eyes were so kind. "Are you all right?" he asked again.

I am now, she thought. She was about to answer when the man reached up and wiped away the tears running out from her tiny mask on her face with his thumb, and her voice caught in her throat. She opened her mouth, but there was no sound.

"I'm going to assume you're not all right," the man said softly, "Can I get you something?"

"Who are you?" she croaked finally. Neither of her friends had ever gotten his name.

The man looked a little lost at first, then smiled. "I'm Evan. Who are you? Well, besides a friend to Lady Lowen and Lady Oncya."

He didn't know who she was? How was that possible? "I'm Princess Knallia," she said softly. Now he was the one staring.

"You're the Princess?" he gulped, taking his thumb off her face, and letting the handkerchief go. "I'm so sorry my lady, I meant no disrespect!" he gasped.

"Don't be sorry, please, you're the only one who's shown any respect to me at all tonight," she smiled at him. The young man was beautiful, she thought. It might have been an odd thing to say about a prince, but it was true. She turned and leaned against the railing, looking back at the mass of whirling dancers in the ballroom. She took the man's arms and pulled him back until he was standing next to her.

"You really didn't know who I was?" She asked shyly.

"No, I didn't. I knew the party was for you, but I had never met you before and I'm afraid I had no reason to even think who in there was the princess," the other admitted ruefully, causing Knallia to giggle.

"And what do you think now?" she asked.

The man was silent for a moment, staring at the dancers and the milling bodies. "I think I missed the sale on codpieces," he said with a straight, slightly dazed, face. "And your dress is the color of the last tree I slept in; it is as stunning as you are."

Knallia stared at him in shock for a moment, and then doubled over in laughter, both at the comments and the delivery. It was the best laugh she'd had in ages, and it had come on a night she had expected misery and not happiness. She tried not to glance at his codpiece, though now that he had said it, she couldn't not think it, so she finally straightened up instead. Knallia noticed he was staring at her, with a half-smile on his face. She wanted more of those stares.

Finally, she turned to him. "Would you like to dance?"

"Dance? With you Princess?" Aven's brain wasn't thinking any more, it was just spouting things left and right. The codpiece joke was actually her lamenting that she hadn't bought one and realizing she might not blend in with the other men showing off their, ummm... wares.... And yet the Princess had laughed so hard that he thought she might be crying again. And now she wanted to dance? "Of course, it would be my honor."

She took a hold of the princess and they slowly circled the balcony. It was some unspoken agreement that they not return to the ballroom but keep this between themselves. She couldn't stop looking at Knallia, she couldn't even talk. This was an abject failure of an escape. And yet, the Princess was smiling, she seemed happy, which seemed like a good thing considering the tears of a few moments ago.

Maybe they would let her off easy when they were throwing her in the dungeon.

The princess lay her head on Aven's shoulder, and she stopped breathing. Aven took her arm off her waist, and put it up on her back, pulling her closer to her body, she probably needed the hug. She was always good at hugs; dad needed a lot of them.

They didn't speak the rest of the dance, they just stayed dancing. The music ended and they stayed still. Knallia finally sighed and smiled at her. "Thank you so much for making my evening better."

"No Princess, thank you. I couldn't have asked for more," Aven replied shakily, trying not to babble and blurt out everything.

"You look like my cat." She said with a silly smile.

"Your cat?" Aven felt like she was missing something.

"I'm sorry, he is all black, with a white patch on his chest and a white mark around his eyes, so I call him Bandit," she explained. "Your outfit matches his."

Aven didn't know what to think about the comparison, it was just too much of a coincidence to comprehend the irony. "I think I'd like to meet this cat of yours someday."

"I'd very much like to show him to you," Knallia said, reaching into her pocket, "I would also like to give you this ring. Would you please accept it?" she asked shyly.

"For me? Are you sure?" Aven asked, nobody had ever given her something as a gift, and now a princess was giving her a ring out of nowhere? What better way to remember this evening forever?

"I'm very sure," Knallia said, her smile growing.

"Then yes, I would very much like that," Aven said, matching her smile. She held out her hand and was surprised that Knallia slipped it over her thumb instead of putting it in her hand. It even fit perfectly. "Thank you!" she said in wonder.

"Thank you!" Knallia whispered, leaning in, and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek under the mask, then she whirled away and skipped back into the ballroom.

Aven stared at the ring, it wasn't fancy, but it was a gift she would carry with her forever. She heard people coming back towards the balcony, the dance was over after all. Hurriedly, she threw herself over the railing and slid down the ivy, then sprinted towards the rope she had left coiled at the base of the wall. Her mind was a jumble with all the recent events, and she wasn't paying any attention at all. She moved fast, up and over the wall again, taking her rope with her. She jogged through the empty streets and found herself back at the wall to the hunting preserve. Using the rope again, she clambered up and over, but let go a little early and twisted her ankle landing. It was pure luck there was nobody to witness it, but it hurt, and she could already feel it swelling. She looked at the ring in her hand again, and her cares stopped. This had been the best night ever.

Knallia glided through the ballroom, she didn't care about a thing anymore, her face was smiling, and she was happier than she had been in a long time. She found someone who she honestly thought she could spend time with and grow to love, something that she had no real hope for at the beginning of the night. Oncya and Lowen pulled in alongside her, and didn't even have to speak, they could tell by her face what had happened. They paused her only long enough to hug her while squealing, then she continued on her way.

"Princess Knallia!" Prince Martin blurted out as she started climbing the stairs. "Our dance!"

"Shut it Martin, I had my dance, I made my choice," she said without even turning to look at him.

When she got to the top of the stairs her parents were waiting, hopeful looks on their faces.

"Have you had any luck? Where is the ring?" her father asked, almost pleading. He had watched the ball from the beginning, though he had sunken back to his royal chair by the end because of how dismally it had seemed to be going, so he hadn't seen anything that might point to good news.

"You're in luck father, the ball worked, I've given the ring to who I want to marry." She said as she walked past her parents. Her mother's face lit up at the news and her father breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who did you give it to?" he called after her.

"Evan!" she yelled back.

"Who the hell is Evan?" he exclaimed in frustration, but Knallia was gone.