OMG I haven't updated in like, forever. Sry about this, school was hard, made track, homework, friends, family…..yeah so that's my excuse. Anyway, my sister made me write this, in fact shes right behind me right now, reading every single word, so I just want to thank all those who reviewed and hope you will still read this even though it has been forever!

Chapter Nineteen:

Mitzi, who had waited years and years for this, was determined to make her entrance as grand as she had imagined it all her fifteen years. She had long awaited this moment and was not to be cheated out of any grandeur. This was her moment to shine and then revel in all the luxuries afforded a princess…..once everyone knew she was a princess.

Mitzi carefully chose a time when no one else was entering the room –she had made sure she was 'fashionably' late. But her timing worked out because when she entered all the heads in the room turned to look at her….and it made her feel happy again; she was back in her place; no more having to pretend to be something she wasn't; she knew how to be a princess.

With the graceful walk all princesses were carefully taught, she descended the staircase, pausing a moment to look at her reflection in the glass teardrops hanging from the chandelier. She knew she didn't have to, but it was nice to know that even after three weeks of neglect she could still 'dress up'.

And indeed she turned heads. Her curled hair was piled elaborately on top of her head, with a few dangling the perfect length to frame her face. Tear-drop amber earrings sparkled in her earlobes that matched the sparkling in her amber eyes, and her eyes were sparkling; they were sparkling because of happiness. And even though at first Mitzi's golden dress, which draped from her shoulders to the floor in elegant layers and ruffles, caught everyone's eye, it could not be denied that her happiness was the effect that made her the most beautiful girl in the room. It was not her shimmering eye shadow or the beaded sandals that set her apart – it was the dazzlingly happy smile that she flashed around.

Most of the boys –even the ones that had made fun of her in the classroom and training ground- rushed over to take her hand as she stepped down from the last stair. But Roald was there first and took her hand protectively.

"Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?" he asked, looking down at her with dark blue eyes.

"Of course," she replied, teasingly. "I haven't forgotten. You just never gave me the chance….Happy Birthday."

"You look…..beautiful."

"Why thank you. This is a special occasion you know….being your birthday."

"And you can't have forgotten that this will be your 'coming out' as well."

"That too," said Mitzi with an excited smile that showed she hadn't forgotten.

"Did you get me a gift?"

Mitzi looked at him. "I'm sure that is rude manners for anyone…..but especially a prince to ask such a question."

"I only asked because I thought perhaps the first gift you gave to me tonight would be the first dance of the evening?"

Mitzi clasped his hand and they made their way over to the dance floor. Roald was a marvelous dancer and everyone admired them as they spun along. Unfortunately, when the first song was over, Roald was called over to the table where his mother and father sat, for he needed to prepare to give his birthday speech. When he left, however, Mitzi was not alone for immediately many pages rushed over; Neal one of the first.

"May I claim the dance you promised me?" he asked.

"I seem to have the time," she replied, teasingly. As they danced Neal started the conversation.

"Are you nervous?"

"No," Mitzi answered, she was happily oblivious to everything and didn't realize what she was saying.

"You don't mind it…..in front of all these people?"

"Not at all….this is what I was born to do."

"But the danger."

Suddenly Mitzi stopped –mid way in the dance so that a nearby couple nearly spun into them- and said, "Wait! How did you know?"

Neal just looked at her sadly. "My father is Duke Baird. He told me everything….he wanted me as an extra body-guard. Not that Kel isn't enough. He just wanted a man around."

"I see," Mitzi said. "So you knew all along?"

"No….only a week ago really."

"Things won't be changed between us….will they?" asked Mitzi. That was the only thing she regretted by this ball. There was always the risk of people –even those you had known for a long time and had friendships with- treating you different once they discovered you were royal and had power.

"It….it already has," said Neal sadly. They were still not dancing; two people like an island in a sea of dancers. "When you first came I had hopes that we might…i….don't know," he paused.

"Yes?" urged the princess.

"I had hoped we might….be a couple."

Mitzi didn't know what to do. She just looked embarrassedly around. Her princess lessons had failed to ready her for this. "Neal…"

"But I understand that since you're a princess….we just won't work together. And I understand about your betrothal to Roald….you two will make a brilliant pair of rulers. Both independent, educated….beautiful."

Mitzi took Neal's hand. "You know, Neal. There's another person who would very much enjoy a dance with you."

"Really?" he asked dully. "Who?"

"A very special girl," Mitzi said. "A girl who won't let you down, who can put up a fight." She gently took Neal's shoulders and turned him around, until he was facing the column that Kel was leaning against; she was watching the dancers with an expression of seclusion on her face.

"Kel?" he asked, surprised. He studied the tall girl, as if seeing her in a different light.

Mitzi gave him a gentle push and the green-eyed joker moved forward and he walked away, needing no further urging.

Mitzi smiled, and looked around. She was still in the middle of the dance floor- stuck. Suddenly an arm snaked around her waist, forcing her to twirl around. It was Joren and he was leering at her.

"I know your secret," he said, drawing her closer. She tried to resist him, but he was much taller and there was something commanding in his icy blue eyes.

"W-what secret?" she asked, as composedly as she could, trying to free her hand from his tight grip.

"I've been following you, and have figured out why you have gotten special treatment: the teachers don't punish you for late work, you sit out of training practices, you never have extra chores. I….I….think you are a witch and a spy from Norwestia, bewitching the king and queen! I've heard of strange magic from Norwestia and I have half-a-mind to tell them!"

"You're crazy! You must be drunk!" Mitzi protested. She was worried for a moment that Joren had guessed the truth –though it didn't really matter- but he was so far from the point it was insane!

"And I will tell them," he continued. "Unless you give me something."

"What?" Mitzi asked curiously.

He just looked her up and down.

"Ewww! Never!" Mitzi struggled even more, but it was like she was stuck in an eternal dance; the music just wouldn't stop. She was trapped, by a man who was obviously a little drunk, and couldn't escape him without raising a fuss, and raising a fuss just wouldn't do; nothing was to be out of place on her special night. But how was she to get away without drawing unseemly attention to herself?

Suddenly she saw her savior; he came in the form of a dark blue-eyed prince who grabbed the shoulder of Joren.

"I believe it is quite rude to out-stay your welcome," he said, voice dangerously calm. "And this lady seems to think that you've quite out-stayed yours."

"This is none of your business," Joren snarled.

"Well, it is my birthday, after all." He swept Joren aside in a very kingly manner and took Mitzi's hand. She leaned on him.

"Thank you," she said after a while, slowly. "That was very chivalrous of you."

"Don't mention it," he replied with a lopsided grin. "But the real reason I was trying to find you is that it is time….if you know what I mean."

Princess Mitzi looked up at him. "Now?"

"Yes."

"Well….i guess I am all set. Is my hair alright?"

"It looks fine," he said with a laugh. He led her to the table with the queen and king; both were dressed in fine clothing. King Jonathon was the one to stand up. He put out his arm and the orchestra in the alcove stopped playing. The people stopped dancing and the people at the tables stopped eating; they all gave their fullest attention to their king.

"Good people. We are here to celebrate the 16th birthday of my most beloved son and heir Prince Roald. He is a boy worthy of all the praise I could ever muster and I have much pride in him. However, we have another duty to announce, hopefully one that will clear up many things. I have heard the rumors and know your doubts and fears about the inevitable war with Norwestia. And to settle those fears I would like to introduce someone…..someone who many already know. However, I would like to introduce this person as someone else, for she has a story to tell and hopefully this story will clear things up."

He turned towards Mitzi, she and Roald stepped in front of the table, which rested on a high platform. Mitzi looked down at the faces of the people, expectantly. She felt exulted, elated, this was HER moment.

"I introduce to you," King Jonathon announced, raising his arms. "Princess "

Suddenly he was interrupted by a loud crash and screams of people. Something had burst through one of the nearest stain-glass windows of the ball room, shattering the glass everywhere. The unhindered wind suddenly swept in, blowing out all the candles and the fires. It was suddenly cold and dark. People were screaming and Mitzi could hear the sounds of swords being unsheathed. But she couldn't see who the new attacker waas until she felt herself being lifted up…

Next time: duh Duh DUN!