Lara lifted up her spell book to see her finished product in the sunlight streaming in through her round window. With a nod of approval, she admired her work. Izzy would be the most beautiful person at the ball. Well, they were already beautiful, but Lara intended to make them stand out above anyone who had ever attended any of the palace balls.
As she carefully closed the large, leather bound book, Lara heard her name being called in the distance. Ray was looking for her again. Well, good thing she had finished just in time. The ball was tomorrow! But, since she was done, she would not leave her dear prince hanging. Lara placed her spell book on its stand next to her wand and flew out the nearest window in a twinkle of white light.
She found Ray laying on the ground next to her favorite bleeding hearts. He had an unconscious smile on his rose-colored lips. A far-off look graced his green eyes. Though he usually was very quick to see Lara’s twinkling light, today he didn’t notice her approaching as he was gently flicking the dangling, pink flowers back and forth. Once Lara was close enough, she heard him quietly humming his own little tune. She hadn’t heard him doing that in years!
Lara grew to human size in a flash and settled in next to Ray, making him jump.
“You called?”
“Lara,” Ray exclaimed as he quickly sat up and crossed his legs. “I met the most wonderful woman!”
“Oh?”
“She was amazing!” Ray threw himself back onto the ground. “She was so very kind. And not in the fake way. You know, when someone is trying to look better in front of me because I’m the prince?”
Lara nodded.
“She didn’t seem to have the best relationship with her family, yet whenever she let something slip, she was genuinely sorry. And she didn’t even say anything mean, really. It seemed like she was annoyed more than anything.”
“Where did you meet this lovely lady,” Lara asked.
“A few towns out… Natasha and I got a little carried away with racing our horses.”
Lara giggled. Those two had a bad habit of getting sucked into their own little world when they were together.
“But, Lara, it wasn’t just that she was kind! She was smart and funny and confident and so eloquent! We only talked for a short while, but I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“You seem quite smitten, my little Raylan.”
“I am,” Ray replied with a goofy grin.
“I take it you don’t need my help with the ball, then?”
Ray’s smile faltered as if he had totally forgotten about the ball. A cloud seemed to come over his face and he looked up at Lara with large, confused, saddened eyes.
“She doesn’t want to come to the ball. I didn’t ask her name because I didn’t want her to change how she was talking to me when I told her mine.”
“But you took her home. You know where she lives.”
“How am I, the crown prince, supposed to show up at her home and ask to court her when she explicitly said that she has no interest in becoming queen? It would be like I was completely ignoring her. I can’t do that.”
Ray pressed his palms to his eyes and took a deep breath.
“So she’s a royal, then,” Lara asked. This young woman was starting to sound familiar.
“Yes. Her father was a baron.”
“And she’s a few towns out?”
“Yes. How would I even tell Dad about her without getting Natasha in trouble for wandering too far from home? This is hopeless.”
“I’m curious to hear more about this young lady,” Lara pried. She was almost certain they were Izzy.
“Well, not only is she so very smart and charming and witty, she is also the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen! She has the most piercing blue eyes and beautiful, dark skin, and her hair is just this mess of curls that she is not very good at taming…”
Ray continued to describe his mystery woman, but as soon as he mentioned their hair, Lara knew. He had met Izzy. The perfect person for him. She smiled as her plans fell into place.
“Lara…Lara!”
“Oh, I’m sorry I must have zoned out. What is it, sweetheart?”
“You’re old, right?”
“It is rude to ask a lady’s age,” Lara replied with a wink. Ray just rolled his eyes.
“Have you ever been in love before?”
“Once, a long, long time ago.”
“What happened?”
“I found out he wasn’t anything like I thought he was. I was a young fairy then, only a couple hundred years old. I was silly and blinded by his good looks.” Lara paused, frowning. She quickly replaced her frown with a beaming smile. “That’s why I just love helping you young people get together. I can help steer you clear from mistakes.”
“You just like being nosy.”
“That, too.”
“Lara, what am I going to do about the ball? Tell me, did you find someone like you promised?”
“Oh, yes, I did. Are you sure you still want my help, though?”
Ray took a moment to think. He slowly began nodding his head.
“I’ll give your girl a chance,” he solemnly said. “If she’s as good as you think she is, maybe she’ll be able to remove these thoughts of that woman from my head... How will I find her?”
“Oh, I don’t think I’ll tell you,” Lara flippantly said. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Lara! That’s not fair! How on earth am I supposed to just figure it out when more women will be present than at any of the previous balls?! Lara!”
Lara flashed into a twinkle of light. She flew in teasing loops as Ray attempted to get her to give him instructions. Soon, she was out of sight of the frustrated prince and on her way back to her hidden, little cottage in the tallest tree.
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