Spellbound

Being a princess was tiring, especially as the eldest. I had been promptly rushed to the huge fitting room well before sunrise, and now the sun was about to disappear out of the top corner of the window I had been staring out of the past few hours as I stood as still as possible.

Balls were tiresome to prepare for.

First, they had scrubbed me until even the thought of dirt had been removed from every inch of me. Charities, the third oldest daughter, then came and brought me some left-overs from their enormous breakfast. Normally one of my maids would have brought me the food, but they were busy making final touches for tonight's ball. Every able-bodied person, including my father and most of my sisters, were down preparing for the arrival of hundreds of guests. A few had already arrived and were staying at the castle, but they all kept to their rooms except for a tour of our castle and the occasional stroll.

After the food, I was covered in moisturizers and cleansers, making me smell like fruit and flowers of every variety. Then a woman whom I only saw during the dance season came in to make me look the part of the crown princess. She applied powders and creams that were supposed to make you look beautiful with perfectly fair skin. I personally thought they made me look like a child's toy, but fashion is fashion.

"And if it isn't my favorite crown princess," a welcomed voice echoed through the room.

"Mr. Eli!" I would have run to hug him if I wasn't strapped to a wicked device that was currently tightening my corset.

"I came to see how well my gown compliments your astounding figure."

"You are much too kind, sir."

He pulled my hand to his mouth, which tickled because of his long mustache. "A beautiful woman deserves to be respected. Especially if she is about to be the queen, and complimenting her would mean I get to keep my job."

He chuckled as I rolled my eyes before walking over to examine the gorgeous dress he had designed and handmade for me to wear tonight. A small figure slipped through the door he had left open.

"That looks ugly."

Everyone turned to see Juno, my 4-year-old sister with her hands placed sassily on her hips. "Ardeen's hair looks ugly."

The woman who had done my hair look appalled at my sister's forwardness.

Mr. Eli examined it before looking at Juno. "And what would you propose, my little princess?"

Juno gave a few suggestions with her limited vocabulary and the woman promptly stormed out, screaming that she would not stand being told what to do by a child.

Mr. Eli did not care. "That is a fantastic idea! In fact, if you were not a princess, then you might have made a fine apprentice."

After a little while longer, I was done. Juno had left after she was satisfied that I looked good enough, and Mr. Eli then leads me to the enormous full body mirror so I could admire his handiwork, in his words.

I could not believe it was me in the mirror. Once again, his work had paid off, and Juno's suggestions turned out better than I thought they would. The dress was a beautiful shamrock green, complemented with dark blue stitching around the skirt and a matching blue ribbon that went around the waist. But the breathtaking thing about it was the ornate gold pattern that flowed over the skirts of the gown. It didn't take a particular shape or form, but it was mesmerizing nonetheless; almost like a stunning maze had wound itself into the delicate outer layer of the dress. Very appropriate for tonight's ball.

As I stared, a golden chain was brought out to weave through my dirty blond hair. I almost squealed in delight, but the princess inside me refused to allow that, so I smiled happily instead.

* * *

This was the first ball where I would have to greet the incoming guests by myself. The staff had once again lost Diana and my father was the only one who had an idea of where she may be – leaving me alone. I was more nervous than I should have been, my father never did much but stand there anyway, but his presence was always comforting.

The first guests who walked through the main entrance were announced by Sir Sneddon before making the journey down the stairs to where I stood. "Welcome, I am so pleased you could attend my ball this wonderful evening! I hope your journey was well?" Lord and Lady Pimberly were always the first people to arrive at every event, even though they never obtained a room in the castle beforehand.

"It was very pleasant-" Lord Pimberly started to say, his plump cheeks red as he spoke.

"Do not lie to the girl!" Lady Pimberly interrupted, hitting her portly husband with her fan. "The journey was terribly long and bumpy, and the coach was frightfully crowded! We just hope your little rendezvous was worth all the trouble," and with that, she walked away with her chin up with her husband trailing behind.

I shook my head and smiled, their greetings were always interesting. But the egotistical Lady Pimberly and her short husband soon left my mind as more guests began arriving. I greeted them all with a smile, and my cheeks began hurting before long, but I continued to do so because I knew that my father would be disappointed if I didn't treat every guest with the same amount of respect. Rich or poor, as long as they were older than 13, all were welcome to the palace ball. After the last guests began trickling in, I began to become hopeful. Maybe Lord Tweedle was unable to come this year! I knew it wasn't a very princess-like thought, but that man did not know when his presence was no longer wanted.

Ever since my first ball, when I was eleven; the age mother picked for us to start having balls, Lord Tweedle had been trying to win the last dance, and thus far has never succeeded.

For each of our balls at the palace, there is always a competition and the winner gets the last dance with the princess of the night. For my balls, it is always a maze because I was named after the goddess of mazes and passion. All twelve of the daughters in my family are named after a goddess because my mother loved reading and the mythical books were her favorite, and we are also in alphabetical order because my father always says things should be organized and in their proper place. Although my mother always teased that it was because he wouldn't be able to keep our names straight otherwise, especially as more and more of us came into the world.

"Milady," the next guest greeted, interrupting my thoughts, and I cursed myself for the earlier thought, but put on a smile anyway.

"Lord Tweedle." I curtsied. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it."

"I would never miss her Majesty's royal ball," he said with a bow.

"Of course."

"I also came to inform you that I will be most honored to have the final dance of the evening."

"You sound confident you will have it?"

"Indeed I am. Mazes are my new specialty!"

"You say that every year," I replied.

"Indeed! But this year I feel I am truly ready."

"Lord Tweedle, I apologize for the interruption, but more guests are arriving and I must see to them."

"Ah, yes. Of course. I bid thee farewell, for now, my lady," he said bowing once more than walked away.

I sighed after he had gone and someone to my left chuckled. I turned and saw dark brown eyes filled with amusement looking at me. "What's so funny, my Lord?" I asked him and his grin widened.

"Just that your favorite Lord has once again managed to capture your heart," he said mischievously nodding toward Lord Tweedle.

I glared at him. "You know full well my thoughts towards that man, and that was nothing close," I whispered to be sure the other guests couldn't overhear.

"Dear me! Is this the one and only Princess Ariadne, forgive me for I mistook you for my sister," he said bowing very low before coming back up.

"Is it, and though I don't know your name, I believe you to be careless and troublesome, I think I should have the guards teach you a lesson."

I put my hand in the air as if to signal the guards standing just a few feet away, but he quickly snatched it up and placed a kiss on the back of it, leaving me speechless for only a moment.

"You don't know who I am? Why, my fair lady, I am none other than the great and wonderful Peter Fairborne!" He bowed again.

"Sorry, the name doesn't ring a bell," I said, not able to refrain from grinning.

He looked around with his mouth open. "Doesn't... doesn't ring a bell? Everyone's heard of me! How could you not have?"

I grinned. "It does sound familiar, I'll give you that."

"Here, let me trigger your memory," he put his arm on my shoulder. "Picture this: two kids run into each other in the middle of the market, both were running away from their parents because they couldn't have something they wanted. They start talking and become instant friends-"

"That's only because I offered to buy you a pie!"

"That is beside the point, little lady. They are still friends today and I'm pretty sure they would be, with or without the pie."

I smiled and pushed his arm off my shoulder. "You think so?"

"I do," he said nodding honestly.

All of a sudden the ground seemed a lot easier to look at than the intense look in Peter's eyes. Only he had the ability to make me feel comfortable one minute and nervous the next. "How's your family doing?"

He rolled with my subject change easily. "They're fine. My parents are trying to insist they make it on their own, but they never argue too much when I help them out. But Julie has fallen ill, or else she would be here as well." I gasped. "But the doctor said she will be better within the month," Peter hurriedly explained.

"Oh, that's good! I always loved Julie! I had just thought she snuck away from you and was already off dancing the night away."

"You know Julie alright. She told me to send you her best wishes," he said.

"Well, I'm glad at least one of you could make it! And be sure to send Julie my best wishes as well!"

He nodded. "Well, I'll leave you to your ball then," he said bowing.

"Wait," I said, then wondered what I was doing. "Promise you'll save at least one dance for me?"

He grinned. "I will, even if I have to break a few hearts doing it."

I smiled as he walked away, remembering the first time he told me that; when we were children and I had asked him if we could play the next day. It didn't make much sense to me then, but I had giggled and ran off, happy that I had made a friend.

Then music interrupted my thoughts and I saw Lord Tweedle making his way through the crowd towards me. I tried to find Peter, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"My lady," a breathless Lord Tweedle called out. "Could I have the honor-"

"Princess, may I have this dance?" Lord Milford asked taking my hand.

"Of course," I said gratefully as he led me to the dance floor, passed a red Lord Tweedle.

It was a light dance, but still required a lot of concentration if you hadn't done it many times. I knew Lord Milford had danced this more than a few times because he was the one who had taught me. He was an excellent dancer but a quiet one as well; only responding with one or two words to my questions until I gave up trying to have a conversation entirely.

The next three dances were just as boring, some of my dance partners said something occasionally, and one of them kept stepping on my right foot during one of the faster songs. Afterward, the orchestra started playing a very fast pace song and I pulled myself away from the throng of men begging to dance with me and walked over to the refreshments table. I filled my glass with water then sat by a very beautiful and large plant so I could watch the dance.

"Ardeen?" A small voice whispered.

I jumped and then saw two small beautiful brown eyes looking at me from inside the bush. "What are you doing in there Iris?"

The 6-year-old giggled, "I just wanted some food. Sometimes it's gone by the end."

I sighed, "What would you like?"

"My favorite cookies."

"I will be right back, don't move." I hurried over to the refreshments, grabbed a handful of cookies and turned around to hurry back before anyone noticed me.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" A very handsome man with a silver suit and blue sash said.

"I was just going to sit down and rest for a second," I stammered.

"I'll go with you," he said and we walked back towards the seats by the bush. "A beautiful girl such as yourself must have a lovely name."

"I am Princess Ariadne," I said and curtsied, trying to remember if we had been introduced earlier. I hadn't heard any others announced while I was dancing.

"Oh! I apologize, your highness! I didn't know-"

"It's quite alright," I said realizing that we must not have been introduced, or he at least would have remembered me.

"I am Prince Wilson Mears Worthington II of Credarus in the 8th Realm," he said with a bow.

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance." I turned my back against the bush and put my hands with the cookies behind me. I quickly felt Iris's little hands fold around the cookies and soon they were gone, leaving me with a bunch of crumbs.

"The pleasure is all mine," he said taking my cookie crumb hand and kissing it. "Would it be too bold to ask if you would give me the next-"

"My lady! I believe you promised me the next dance," Lord Tweedle interrupted grabbing my other hand with surprising strength for his thin frame.

"No, I-" I said looking back and forth at the two men.

"It's alright, as long as I can have the one after," Prince Wilson asked.

I smiled. "Yes, of course."

Then Lord Tweedle pulled me back to the dance floor to do a very complicated dance I'd only done twice before and tired us both very quickly.

"You... are... a marvelous... dancer," he said between breaths.

"Thank you, but you seem to be quite taken. We should take a seat."

He nodded and we walked back over to the refreshment table, then to a bench where Lord Tweedle told me about the time he rescued a dog from a stream, but I wasn't paying much attention because I saw Peter dancing with Lady Layton, but quickly looked away when his gaze came close to the spot I was at; not that I thought he would notice me, not while he was dancing with the most beautiful lady in Glendowin.

"There you are, I thought I'd never find you," Prince Wilson said with a smile when the song ended.

"I'm glad you did," I said and smiled back.

"Shall we?" He asked extending his hand.

"We shall," I said following him to the middle of the room.

The music started, and we began doing a nice slow dance.

"Ah, this is one of my favorites," the Prince said leading me through the steps very professionally. I felt as if I was a feather drifting through the wind, with my skirting flowing around me.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"

"Many times," I replied, remembering all the men and Lord's who had tried to start with that line.

He looked a little disappointed, and I took pity on him. "But I believe you are the first prince to have told me that."

"Well, I am delighted that the pleasure is mine. I do not know how any man could not. You are like a beautiful rose in full bloom, or a magical sunset creating a peaceful bliss over the land."

I felt my face redden even more. "I don't know what to say-"

"A simple thank you would do nicely," he said with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Prince Wilson."

"You are most welcome, Princess Ariadne."

I smiled as we continued dancing.

"So, is there a trick to beating the maze? I would so love the dance with you again," he whispered in my ear and I stopped dancing at his boldness.

I forced a laugh as the song ended. "You would not be the first man to ask me that tonight. And you will also not be the first that I deny having the information you need to complete the maze. I have not been inside the maze yet myself."

"Excuse me," Lady Layton interrupted. "Have you seen Lord Fairborne? I appear to have lost him."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, maybe try the refreshments."

She huffed. "Men and their food."

I watched as she stomped away, wondering why Peter would have left her. Then the prince escorted me to the center of the ballroom, where Sir Sneddon was calling everyone's attention.

"As most of you know, the final dance is a special one. And only the quickest and smartest man is worthy to dance it with Princess Ariadne," as Sir Sneddon said my name I felt everyone's gaze turned to me. "The man who can find his way through the maze first gets the last dance with the Princess. Now, I will explain some rules while Harriet, our beloved housekeeper, directs Ariadne to the previously designated position."

Suddenly Harriet was beside me, leading me out the back doors towards the maze.

"I will see you soon, Princess," the Prince said assuredly.

I nodded as Harriet pulled me back outside, and we began our journey through the tall maze. As we speedily walked to the destination, through the eerie silence, I began noticing a pattern; though a strange one. Every year they had a different pattern so none of the men would remember the one from years previous, not that many of them noticed there was a pattern to all the twists and turns.

We finally made it to the center of the maze where some guards were waiting. Now all I had to do was wait for Harriet to return and tell the palace guards that the men could begin searching now. I prepared myself for the long wait by gathering some fallen twigs and sticks; which was a challenge because our caretakers were very efficient. Once I gathered all the sticks in the little area I was in, I went to go find a few more outside of my designated area, under the watchful eye of my guards.

I had gathered two armfuls of twigs and sticks when I heard the sounds of loud footfalls and men yelling. I smiled - they were all going the wrong way.

I quickly ran back to my spot through the only entrance and exit, and set the sticks down in the pile I had made earlier. What should I do first? I wondered, thinking about previous years waiting alone in the dark. Most of the guards didn't care what I did while I waited, so I had come up with a few games to entertain myself while I waited for the men to come to find me. There was: throw the stick, guess that drawing, or stick toss. Even though it was childish, stick toss seemed fun at the moment.

I gathered up the smallest sticks and twigs and threw them into the air above me, but their flying days ended when they started falling back to the ground where I began jumping up and catching them. "Just three?" I said looking at the three little sticks in my hands. "I can do better than that!"

I picked up the sticks again and tossed them back into the air, this time I used the folds of my dress to assist me in catching the free-falling twigs.

"Ha! Eight this time!" I said after I counted them. "New record!"

I smiled as I gathered up the sticks for a final round of stick toss. Once I had them all I threw them up as high as I could and held out my arms as they fell back down towards me.

"Ouch!" I heard someone yell. "What was that?"

I covered my mouth in an attempt to quiet my laughter, I guess throw the stick has started a little earlier than planned.

I gathered up a few more sticks and began throwing them over the high maze walls, waiting to see what the winning reaction would be this year. Last years was "Ow, my eye!" I felt bad about it, but Lord Burland healed quickly, so now it was just something my sisters constantly teased me about. Plus, the guards always enjoyed that one as well. I even caught them tossing a few when they thought I wasn't looking. After a while of doing that, I got a lot of silence, quite a few screams, an occasional comment about witchcraft, and a few ow's as it hit them in the head. "Witchcraft wins for the second time in the past five years."

I then picked up the biggest stick and began drawing the outline of a very uneven castle. When I finished the details with a smaller stick and put a big cloud around it just for fun, I laughed. It was a terrible drawing, but it was fun!

"That looks like a fun place to live." I dropped my stick as the voice sounded behind me.

I turned around and found myself face to face with Prince Wilson.

"Prince Wilson! You frightened me!"

"Oh Princess, I do apologize. I just could not help but admire your work," he said as he advanced closer as if to inspect my drawing.

"Ah ha! I have found thee-" Lord Tweedle said but stopped when he saw the Prince. "You! How did you get here so fast?"

"Actually, this is the longest I've-" I tried to interject.

"I guess today was my lucky day," Prince Wilson said putting his arm around my waist and smiled at Lord Tweedle.

"We will see about that," the skinny man said and put his hands up. "Fight me and we will see who really gets to dance with the princess."

"I am not fighting you, I already won the challenge."

"Or are you just afraid you'll lose to someone of a lower class than you, your highness?"

I stared at Peter as he entered the enclosed space as well. This was more drama than I wanted to deal with.

The Prince laughed. "I am not afraid of losing to a, I'll be it, well-dressed stick. I just do not see the point of fighting for the princess when I have already won."

I looked at the guards to see if they might intervene, but they were talking amongst themselves and appeared amused by the whole situation.

"There will be no fighting," I said, stepping between the men and they all looked surprised to see me there. "As the prince has stated, he already won. No duel would change that."

"Unless he became too injured to dance," Peter murmured under his breath.

I gasped at my friend. "Lord Fairborne! I would expect that from any other Lord in the whole realm, but not from you. Why do you care anyhow? You were the third to find me here tonight."

Lord Tweedle giggled and looked at both of us. "He didn't tell thee?"

"Tell me what?" I asked Peter, but he wouldn't look at me.

"Isn't that amusing?" Lord Tweedle said grinning and I glared at him.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Peter breathed in deeply and looked at me. "I'm not Lord Fairborne anymore, my family's title got taken away," he looked back at the ground and turned away from me.

I stared at Peter in shock. That couldn't be true! Peter's family was the most loyal family to the crown in the kingdom! How could it have happened?

"And," Lord Tweedle interrupted. "He's been the talk of the whole town, getting his title away because he stole a very expensive-"

"That's enough," Peter snapped, and I looked at him in shock. I'd never seen Peter get this angry before.

I stepped towards Peter, but he backed away. "Is it true?"

He just looked at me with his mouth open. "I'm sorry Princess," and with that, he walked away angrily, leaving me alone with the other four men.

"And he brought me here because he's not worthy to have you anymore."

I glared at Lord Tweedle. "Please leave."

"I will escort you back if you would like," Prince Wilson asked holding his arm out; I took it.

"Thank you," I whispered and he nodded.

The first half of the walk back went by in silence, which I was grateful for so I could put everything together in my head. I couldn't wrap my head around everything that had just happened. Luckily, the rest of the time Prince Wilson was trying to cheer me up, and by the time we got back to the castle, I could laugh again. It was a good distraction from my pounding head.

"Prince Wilson Worthington has returned with the Princess! Sound the horn!" Sir Sneddon announced when we walked into the ballroom, and it was followed by a low moan that sounded through the valley to let the other competitors know I had returned with someone.

Sir Sneddon then approached me and asked which dance I would like to do.

"You do not have to dance if you are not feeling well," the Prince whispered to me.

I smiled at him for his kindness. However, the last dance was tradition, I did have to do it. "I wish to do the 'Blind Trust.'"

"Alright, everyone needs to have your sashes ready in hand and line up across from your partner for the 'Blind Trust' dance!"

Prince Wilson escorted me to the center of the room for the second time that night, then bowed and kissed my hand. "Ready?"

I nodded and smiled, he really had been very kind throughout the whole evening.

"Can I have your attention? I will explain the rules for all of those of you who have never done this dance before, all you that have many times just be patient with me," Sir Sneddon said, receiving a few laughs. "Now, if you have a sash take it and you will use it as a blindfold. Take it and tie it around your eyes; you will probably need your partner to help you, and the staff and I will come around if you need further assistance."

I handed Prince Wilson my sash and he took it as I turned around, and he tied it gently but firmly around my head. Then he put his sash in my arms and guided my hands to his head, where I then tied it in a decent knot.

"Good job everyone!" Sir Sneddon said a few minutes later. "Now you and your partner must dance without bumping into anyone, or you will be taken out of the dance. Any type of dancing is allowed. Good luck! And have fun!"

I smiled as the music started as a light, easy dance, but I knew that it got faster and harder as it went on: if you got that far.

"Would you like to try a spin?" Prince Wilson asked and I nodded, but then remembered he couldn't see me.

"Yes," I answered and he lifted one of his hands over my head and stepped behind me, as I spun the opposite way and ended up back in the position we started without hitting anyone. We stayed in the position for a few minutes until he whispered again. "Waltz?"

"Yes," I whispered back and we went into a simple waltz to the rhythm of the music.

Every few minutes he would whisper our next move and then we would complete it a second later. We never bumped into anyone else dancing, which surprised me for how many different moves we tried, although a few times I felt my dress brush a few other things – most likely the legs and dresses of the other dancers. But Prince Wilson was an excellent dancer, and I found myself never wanting the dance to end.

Then I heard the music stopped and I reached up to take off my blindfold. When I did I saw that Prince Wilson had done the same. Then we clapped for the orchestra with everyone else and Sir Sneddon stood in front of my father, who was on his throne. "Thank you, everyone, for attending tonight's ball! And as many of you know, there will be another ball tomorrow, with Princess Bellona and Princess Charities as our hostesses. We hope you will all join us, but until then we must bid you farewell unless of course, you wish to stay the night here, then arrangements will be made. Thank you once more."

"Do you mind if I stay a little longer?" Prince Wilson asked.

"That's entirely up to you," I said, but my heart wanted me to say yes. "I'm sure we could also find a room for you since I'm sure you have not yet made arrangements."

"Actually, I do have arrangements somewhere nearby. But may we take a stroll around the garden?"

I nodded, biting my lip so I didn't say anything stupid.

"Let's go."

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