Ehrhart

The Prince's Ball

Casper invited Anastasia, the huntsman, Snow, and the seven dwarves to the Charming Annual Ball in his palace in Lohr am Main.

Anastasia teased with her hair just beforehand, and with the money given to her by the Charming family for helping destroy the Queen, she bought a beautiful violet ball gown with shiny gold slippers.

Snow White, on the other hand, wore a black dress with the Evil Queen's ruby pendant- because the dress matched her hair and the ruby (which she'd taken from the Evil Queen's neck before they left) matched her lips. She wore glass slippers to represent her time in the glass coffin, which now sat on display in the Charmings' Great Hall.

Finally, it was time for the ball to begin. Anastasia headed inside the palace. All of the wealthy civilians were there, and most of the peasants, too, though the general atmosphere was happy and the two groups didn't seem to mind being in the presence of the other.

She downed a glass of nonalcoholic cocktail, but purposely didn't eat any of the apples sitting in the bowl on the huge dining table.

Dopey danced with the dwarves, who were trying to teach themselves how to waltz, and really was quite entertaining if you watched them. And, of course, Casper danced with Snow White.

Anastasia felt a pang of jealousy, then scolded herself for feeling it. Everything was turning out exactly how it was supposed to. Her emotions working hard to contain themselves, Anastasia headed over to a cushioned seat by the serving table and sat down, feeling very bittersweet and awkward. It seemed that everyone was dancing except for her. Maybe she shouldn't have come here anyway. She had understood this would happen. She just hadn't thought it would be this painful. As if on cue, the music changed to a bright and cheerful tune, as if mocking Anastasia.

"I hope you don't mind my asking, but may I have this dance?" The voice, eerily familiar, startled Anastasia, and she jumped, then looked up.

A boy was standing there, his hand held out. He wore the clothes of a prince and a warm smile. Anastasia smiled back, then pushed her braid over her shoulder. "Why, yes, of course," she said, took his hand, and stood.

The two danced in silence for a while, Anastasia feeling extremely self conscious and awkward, but after the song ended, they both felt more comfortable. The boy smiled. "You're a great dancer," he said. "And your dress is beautiful. What shall I call you?" The question seemed, somehow, insincere, fake. Almost as if-

"Anastasia."

A gentle smile. As if he already knew.

Anastasia gazed at him curiously. "May I ask... what is your name?"

The boy laughed, his eyes becoming misty. Then he spoke once more. "Ehrhart," he said softly. "My name is Ehrhart."

Tears began to flood Anastasia's eyes but she was able to blink them away. Somewhat shakily, but mostly eagerly, she whispered, "Thank you, Ehrhart."

And then Anastasia received her first true love's kiss.