Penelope’s relief made her almost dizzy as they ran the length of the carpeted balcony, dashing past portraits and tapestries, and climbed a set of steps to the balcony above. Steph then guided her back around the other way, towards a door set directly above the one they had just fled.

Two armed Rangers wearing cowls and carved masks stood guarding the door.

“Prince Steph! There you are! The King was looking for you earlier this evening. Did he give you your instructions?” The guards noticed Penelope and bowed low with formal greetings.

Penelope curtsied and glanced at Steph in curiosity.

“Instructions? Oh, yes, my Father was... quite direct.”

“Excellent!” The Ranger exhaled in evident relief and ushered the pair into the room.

“Instructions?” Penelope whispered as the door closed behind them with a snick.

Steph shrugged and rolled his eyes. “Oh, just the usual lecture. Don’t pull faces on the podium, do everything your mother tells you, do everything I, your FATHER and KING tells you, no silly impressions, no fake accents, no stealing all the pastry plates and hiding in the alcoves... No fun, in short.”

“Well, I didn’t hear anything in there about the cheese platters, so I wouldn’t rule it out entirely.”

Steph beamed. “See! I knew we were destined.”

Their smiles faltered as they stared at each other, the silence suddenly awkward and charged.

Steph cleared his throat, his voice tight. “Ahem, sorry. Anyway, I didn’t expect there to be guards up here, I thought this balcony was to be empty...” Steph clasped Penelope’s hand, his touch tentative, and lead her further into the room.

It was the exact shape of the lounge below, semi-circular with a long, solid wall behind them, and a large set of curtains forming the wall opposite.

Unlike the space below, which had been furnished with clusters of comfortable lounge seats, this room was empty but for an enormous crystal sphere of milky white mist. Its soft light illuminated the dark velvet walls and the thick iron chains from which the sphere was suspended.

As they approached, the orb flared brighter, and Penelope let out a breath of wonder. Steph halted, staring open-mouthed at the sphere.

Something about the sphere seemed familiar to Penelope.

“Oh! I’ve seen this before!” she exclaimed. “When I was last in the Village, I visited Whistleweather’s Emporium. He had a sphere just like this one in his workshop. Though it wasn’t glowing at the time...”

Penelope stepped forward, captivated by the watery tides of light spilling from the sphere across the plush carpet.

She placed a hand against the quartz, jumping back when she felt the sphere pulse, almost like a giant heartbeat.

“It’s warm,” Steph murmured, as he too stepped towards the sphere.

“Is this why you brought me up here? You wanted to show me this?” Penelope asked.

Steph gave a little shake of his head. “No, I didn’t know this was here. I have no idea what it’s even for... No, this is what I wanted to show you.”

Steph lead Penelope around the crystal towards the drapes. Peeping through, Penelope found herself looking at the landing of the uppermost ballroom balcony, a broad protruding crescent overlooking the hall below.

“Oh,” Penelope breathed.

“I thought we could watch the ball from up here for a little while, until you’re ready to go down. Or we could stay up here all evening if you wish.”

Penelope smiled at Steph and inched forward, dragging the drape with her to shield herself from the view below.

“Strange,” Steph frowned. “There’s usually a railing around this platform... I thought we could sit behind it and watch through the gaps without anyone seeing us, but it’s been removed...”

Penelope also thought it was strange that the platform opened to the air. One small stumble and it would be all too easy to fall right over the edge into the crowd below.

“Well... That would certainly be quite the entrance,” Penelope mumbled. Steph stifled a snort, but he nonetheless circled a protective arm around her, as though afraid she would take a running leap.

“It’s alright, we can still see half the floor from behind here.” Penelope drew back, widening the gap in the drapes just far enough for them to both peer through.

Together they watched the crowd, many of whom were dancing to the flutes and strings of an orchestra. They remained silent, though Penelope could feel tension building between them. She didn’t quite know how to break the silence and contented herself for long moments watching the figures swirling far below.

She felt an ache in her chest when she spied the Sisters standing together in a far corner, whispering and looking frantically across the crowd.

“Oh, no...”

Steph followed Penelope’s gaze and gave a guilty hum from the back of his throat.

“They’ll be so worried about me,” Penelope sighed. She continued to search the crowd until she found her family. Clarity was dancing with the youngest Grimwood prince. Her parents watched from the edge of the dance floor, beaming as their daughter twirled across the dark marble. They weren’t looking for her. They didn’t appear concerned at all that Penelope hadn’t been announced into the ball with the others.

“I wish I could stay up here all night, but I should go down and put the Sisters’ minds to ease at the very least.” Penelope winced as Sister Rosin continued to look around, appearing increasingly distraught.

“I’ll escort you down,” Steph promised, squeezing Penelope’s hand. “But first, I owe you an apology, if you are willing to hear it.”

Penelope gazed up into Steph’s face, his expression earnest with remorse. She nodded, and stepped back from the curtain, turning to face him.

“Penelope, I am so sorry that I didn’t tell you who I was. I should have told you, if not when we first met, then certainly later when I had every opportunity to share the truth. It wasn’t fair to you, it wasn’t fair to Sisters Rosin and Heely, and it wasn’t fair to your House. To put you in such a position...”

Steph blew out a breath and looked away. “I realised myself when I returned home that I had made a mistake, not telling you the truth of who I was. Then Marmalade... well, suffice to say for a very small witch she can be really quite frightening, and she made it quite clear how poor my judgement had been.”

Steph broke off with a grimace, before continuing.

“I was being selfish, and immature, and I’m sorry. As Scion of Royal House Grimwood, I formally apologise for not only taking advantage of your hospitality by withholding my identity, but for potentially compromising the integrity of House Starwood. More than that, personally, as... as someone who cares about you, deeply... I’m sorry for lying by omission. For breaking your trust.”

Penelope let out a heavy breath, and inclined her head. “Thank you, Prince Steph. I admit... it was such a shock when we realised who you must be. I felt so foolish for not having realised it earlier. I won’t lie, Steph, I was hurt. I felt so... so embarrassed. The things I said, the things I told you...” Penelope sighed, cheeks flushing as her stomach twisted. “Why did you not tell me who you were?”

Steph ran a hand through his curls, ruffling them as he considered his words.

“At first, when Ivy was taunting you in the garden that day, I realised no one recognised me as a Grimwood Scion. Particularly not covered in jam and flour.” Steph smirked. “I’m not in the habit of announcing myself beyond the Fort’s gates... I like my anonymity, and people show you their true colours when they think you are beneath them.” Steph sneered at the memory of Ivy’s scorn.

“Then, well, you took off racing after Marmot through the streets, and there was no time to introduce myself correctly.”

Penelope scrunched her nose in mortification and Steph chuckled.

“When I returned to the Upper Concourse with your belongings, looking for someone who might have known you, the Sisters accosted me almost immediately. They recognised your coat and thought I had done something awful to you. Sister Rosin was on me before I could even begin to explain.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Penelope groaned and Steph laughed.

“The guards were involved, and everything became chaos. I was busy trying to explain what had happened at the river, dodging the Sisters’ bags as they tried to smack me with them, while also trying to convince everyone that Marmalade was neither a kidnapper nor a danger to your life so they wouldn’t execute her on sight and... well, everything got a bit away from me.”

Penelope pressed the heel of her palm to her brow. “What a mess I caused.”

“It was impressive, even by my standards,” Steph grinned.

Penelope huffed and motioned him to continue.

“I originally wanted to go out with the Rangers to search for you, to ensure you were safe, and to also make sure they didn’t imprison Marmalade... or worse. But Ranger Steven threatened to rat me out to Ethan, and, well... my brother hates me going too deep into the forest—for reasons I now better understand,” he added with a bitter huff, “and then Ethan would have locked me in my rooms, or at least tried to—” Steph shook his head.

“Anyway. When I overheard the Sisters saying they would search the Faewood for you themselves, I snuck off after them and begged to help. Even offered myself as hostage, and... Well, I didn’t think they would have quite gone for it if they’d known I was a Scion of Grimwood so... I just didn’t mention it. Sister Rosin threatened me all the way back to your cottage, but by halfway through the journey I don’t think she really meant it.”

Despite herself, Penelope couldn’t help but giggle.

“When we got to the cottage, it was too dark to go stumbling about in the woods, though Sister Rosin wanted to. Put up a real fight about it, too. Sister Heely convinced her to wait until morning so we didn’t all break our necks tripping over tree roots, but then you just showed up on the doorstep, covered in flowers, and passed out.” Steph smiled, his face fond, as Penelope grimaced.

“I wanted to make sure you were alright before I went back home. But the longer I stayed, the more I wanted to stay... And if I’d told you all who I was, the Sisters would have marched me back to the Fort gates by the scruff of my neck, I’m sure.”

Penelope nodded in agreement.

“I was being selfish, I should have told you. But at the time I thought, what harm could a few more days do? My family is used to me sneaking off. It’s really only Ethan who even kicks up a fuss about it anymore. Even my father is mostly resigned to it.” Steph grinned, all boyish mischief.

“Then... you were telling me your dreams of finding a prince to marry and live a royal fairy tale...”

Penelope buried her face in her hands with a groan, but Steph tugged them away.

“No, don’t, it sounded... So lovely. Your dreams were so sweet. They reminded me so much of what I used to dream of when I was younger...”

Steph averted his gaze with a wistful smile and Penelope cocked her head in question.

“Ethan... he used to tell us all bedtime stories when we were little. My brothers loved the ones about monsters and heroes the best. But I... well, I loved the ones about princes and princesses, and adventures in the woods, and falling in love. I treasured those stories.”

Steph sighed, wistful, and Penelope smiled as their eyes met.

“But as I grew older, the fairy tale dreams fell away as I saw the realities of royal responsibilities. My mother, she’s from Wildwood. I’ve never known such a free spirited person as her. I’ve seen how... caged she’s become, by marrying into Grimwood House. By all her responsibilities and duties as Queen, as mother to seven sons...” Steph’s mouth turned down and he tugged against the pearls at his throat.

“Don’t get me wrong, I know she truly loves us all, and my father. And she’s so wonderfully graceful in her role. She’s amazing, truly.” Steph glanced towards the curtains, eyes filled with admiration. “But... sometimes. I think she encourages me to run so wild because she can live a little vicariously through my freedom.” Steph’s smile fell. “Or perhaps because she knows once I’m married off and settled, I won’t ever have quite as much freedom again. I’ll have too many responsibilities.”

Penelope nodded in sympathy, filled with a deep curiosity about the Queen of Grimwood and feeling moved by Steph's clear love for her.

“Truth be told, I’ve been dreading this ball since it was planned. I knew I’d be expected to find someone to marry. To make a strong political match.” Steph pulled a face.

“I’ve never wanted that for myself. I’ve always hated the scheming and the politicking and all the stifling scrutiny... So I chased adventure, and romance, on my own terms. I wanted to run free in the woods, and bake cakes with mysterious witches, and explore catacombs and forgotten libraries, and not have to apologise for stomping grave dirt across the silk carpets in the drawing room, again—”

Penelope burst out laughing at that. “How many times did that happen, exactly?”

“Too many, though it’s not my fault that’s where they built the secret entrance to the tunnels.” Steph shook his head with a grin, eyes bright at Penelope’s laughter. “Point is, I knew I’d be expected to find a match tonight, or else have one made for me.”

Steph’s face pinched with dismay and Penelope’s heart clenched for him.

“But then... I met you. You who dreamed of fairy tale love, and royal life, and ruling with grace...”

Penelope glanced away, feeling self-conscious at her own naivete. Steph reached up a hand as if to cup her cheek, yet seemed to think better of it and dropped his hand to his side.

“But who also went on bare-footed midnight escapades through dark and dangerous woods. Who lived in the Faewood and thought nothing of it, as though it weren’t a place of fabled terrors.” There was a naked wonder in Steph’s voice that made Penelope meet his eye.

“You, who chased mischievous critters through the streets and then dove into rivers to rescue them, and I thought. Maybe... maybe there’s a way to have both. Both freedom and a fairy tale sort of love.” Steph lowered his eyes, suddenly bashful as his cheeks flushed pink. Penelope's chest thrilled with affection.

“I just... I held back from telling you who I was because I wanted to see more. To understand what was possible, and because. I really liked you. I do really like you. You fascinate me, Penelope. And I wanted you to like me, too. For who I am, without the obstacle of titles. At your cottage, everything felt so free and easy between us... so simple. Like we were in our own little world where rules and responsibilities didn’t matter. I thought, if I told you who I was... that would have changed. I just wanted a little more time like that... I’m sorry.”

Penelope chewed her lower lip, nodding slowly. “I can understand that.” The ache in her chest, the anxious doubt she had carried for weeks, began to loosen, replaced by a renewed sense of kinship and understanding.

Where she had striven her whole life to measure up to the impossible standards of royalty, making every effort to get away from the woods, Steph had shied away from the trappings of those same standards, instead seeking the freedom and thrill that Penelope had once been so desperate to leave behind.

Yet now, Penelope’s breath froze in her lungs at the thought of being forced to leave the life she knew, and the Sisters, behind. No longer free to spend her days roaming the woods, or long afternoons in quiet privacy, or tending their absurd little garden through all its seasons... She understood completely Steph’s desire for freedom.

“Then... well... what we saw in the woods,” Steph continued with a shudder. “I’d never seen anything like that. I’d never seen Ethan like that.” Steph looked distressed, his face crumpled with heartache.

“Then I was poisoned, and it was all so confusing. So terrifying. I felt like I couldn’t make sense of anything. That so much I thought I had known, especially about Ethan, was wrong, or some kind of lie... and I was so afraid that if you knew who I was, after what we’d witnessed... I thought you would want nothing to do with me.”

Penelope's heart twinged with guilt and sorrow, that Steph had felt so alone, so certain of her rejection. She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head.

“I could see the fear on your face when you thought I was only a Ranger... I tried to tell you, I really did, but... I was scared and I froze. That wasn’t fair to you. I made the wrong decision. I should have told you...” Steph grimaced. “And I’m sorry that I didn’t.”

Penelope was quiet for long moments, digesting his words, thinking through all their conversations at the cottage from his perspective. Her heart ached for his misery, his confusion. He sounded as lost as she herself had been feeling.

“Yes...” Penelope started, “Yes, you should have told us who you were. It was downright foolish not to.” Steph nodded, looking pained. “But, I’d be a hypocrite to hold foolish decisions against you when I’ve made so many myself.” Penelope squeezed her eyes shut and huffed a self deprecating laugh.

She looked up at Steph’s face, his expression hopeful.

“Thank you for explaining the truth now. I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. I understand, and I accept your apology.”

Steph let out a shuddering breath, his eyes shining with relief.

“Thank you, Penelope.” Steph reached his hand up again, and this time Penelope caught it, cupping his palm to her cheek as she pressed their foreheads together with a wide smile.

Penelope felt as though they were standing on a precipice, about to fall together into a new possibility, a shared desire for adventure and wilderness. For a life that balanced responsibility and freedom.

Penelope yearned for it. She could envision it suddenly, so clearly. She ached a life made on their own terms, rich with adventure and romance. Free to explore the wild expanse of the Faewood, and to whirl through the royal courts as they pleased. She yearned to love Steph with abandon, and to spend their days laughing together under the gold of forest canopies.

With Steph by her side, with the Houses of Grimwood and Starwood united through them, they would surely have all they would ever need. No one would scorn her again. Even if her parents continued to withhold from her all the wealth of Starwood, in union with Grimwood she could surely free the Sisters from their obligations. She could provide for them, and ensure they had any opportunity they wished for themselves.

Penelope’s heart burst with hope at the thought.

And yet... would her parents truly approve? Would they deny her this? Even if they embraced her choice, could she offer Steph the freedom he craved, standing by her side? She was First Scion, after all. There were duties, responsibilities, expected of first born heirs, and their consorts.

Yet, her parents clearly favoured Clarity...

And Penelope had her own convictions to keep.

As Penelope’s doubts surfaced, so too did a barrage of wretched memories. Recollections of bloodied vines and poison crowns... Of violence, and fury, and a grief deeper than all the waters of Edenwood.

Penelope faltered, face falling, as she drew back.

“Penelope?” Steph’s voice wavered. As he searched her face, his brow creased with worry. The spark of hope in his eyes waned.

“I’m sorry, Steph... I don’t know that I’m meant for fairy tale dreams anymore.”