"I'm sorry Miss, but I need to go," I said, tugging myself away from the Princesses tight grip. I did not appreciate the woman's clingy attitude. This was not the proper way to fix one's reputation. I sighed, walking over to where my family was sitting. Alice jumped up and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Will you take her outside or something?" my mother yawned tiredly, acting as if my sister was a dog. "She's getting on my nerves..." I nodded and bent down slightly, then I lifted Alice up easily and set her on my hip. "Sure, don't worry about it." I mumbled, eAger to get out of this stuffy atmosphere. It wasn't that I didn't like these sort of balls, I just wasn't really on my best game at the moment. We stepped into the hotel lobby and I sat down on one of the plush couches my father probably bought. Alice was practically asleep on my shoulder. And all this time I wondered what had become of Isabel. I hadn't seen her since she abandoned me for the second time in one night. 

---

I looked up and noticed Gabe, holding young Alice on his hip, walking out of the ballroom. I was swiftly able to swoop around the nearest corner...But, what good would running away do me? Plus... If I wanted to go to my room... I would have to go right past him anyways. I took a deep breath, folded my gloves, and walked around the corner. I smild at Alice, as her head lifted up from its perch on Gabe's shoulder. She shimmied from his lap and walked over sleepily,"Izz, where have you been? I thought we were best friends!" I laughed softly and shook my head, knealing down softly,"Well, I'm sorry, darling, can we still be friends?"

---

Alice perked up and before I knew it she had climbed down for me and was running for something of obvious importance. It was Isable. I was not sure where we stood, but I got up anyways and strolled over to the two blondes, my hands placed nervously in my suit pockets. Alice put her fists on her hips, an obvious pout sat on her lips. "Maybe, but I want more marshmallows. " she said, knowing she had her wrapped around her little finger.  I wondered if I had been that fearless when I was her age. "Don't let her fool you. She'll get you to buy the Great Wall of China for her if you let her." I said, laughing quietly. 

---

I smiled and shook my head, looking up at him for just a moment before looking back at Alice,"Well, I'm sorry to say that the kitchen just ran out of marshmellows for the night... But, how about I give you this,"I said as I reached into my hair and pulled out a green flower clippy, holding it out infront of her. She grinned and nodded softly,so I slowly clipped a loose curl of hair onto her head. We were friends again.

---

 While they were busy making up I realized that I still had my mask on. I slipped it off and placed it on the couch behind me. Yes, my eyes could breathe again! I blinked a few times, and then focused my attention back to the girls. I hated how polite and reserved our culture forced us to be. It made me want to scream in frustration. I imagined a world where people could do whatever they want whenever they want.... Oh yes, that world was right outside my door. "Yay! I wish you two would get married!" Alice grinned, overjoyed with her new present. She skipped back into the ball room to show it off I'm sure. It was quiet for a moment, as I tried to think of something to say. "I'd like to apologize for anything I might have done to offend you." I looked her straight in the eyes. My apology was sincere. 

---

"Thank you, " I said quietly as I stood to his level, rather than his sister's. He was even more handsome without the diamond encrusted mask. I nodded lightly, "And, I am sorry for leaving you like that, it was not very elegant of me, "I said quietly. I looked over shoulder at the ballroom, the music swaying through the lobby just faintly. Then I got an idea. I bowed gently and then held my hand out, "May I have this dance? To make up for the last one! I won't leave this time... "

---

I chuckled and reached behind me, swooping up my mask from where I had left it on the couch. A million different conflicting emotions faced me. They were even more threatening than say an man's army or a fleet of angry horses. I knew in the root of my core that this shouldn't be happening. I would be disrespecting my parents If I decided to do this. Then again, Isabel was beautiful and did not seem like the girl my parents made her out to be, evil, a witch. "Put on your mask," I said quietly, slipping my own over my face. "And we will dance out here, just to be safe. " I did not want to be caught dancing with the Princess of Croatia by any means

---

I smiled and lifted my mask back over my face. It felt a bit tighter now that my hair was down, but I didn't mind. I glanced around slowly, knowing what he meant by safe. Then again, he would be in trouble with his parents... I could be put in jail. Afterall, I was on my opposing ground, and I was with the prince... For some reason, I didn't mind... I gently took his hand and placed my other on his shoulder.

---

I swayed Isabel back and forth in a slow circle. We did not dance the way courting couples did, pressed up against one another as if some invisible magnet forced them to stay together. No, I kept about 6 inches of distance of space between us as my heart threatened to beat out of my chest. This was probably one of the most stressful things I had ever done. "I wasn't lying when I said you were beautiful.." I said after a few minutes of silence. It was strange, the feelings that I was having for this woman. I can't really explain it. 

---

"Thank you, "I said quietly, smiling gently, "You are rather handsome, "I said as we continued that to and fro motion. I felt like the wheel of a ship, the way he held me at a distance, his arms square and in control. He was skiddish.

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