Destiny is like a dance that carries you away to the rhythm of its music. The same rhythm you can neither fully understand nor stop your body from moving to its beat.

That was what happened to Prince Charming. His destiny caught him unawares and left him breathless, gasping for air. It showed him new emotions foreign to him in the past, feelings he thought he could never have about another human being.

"Father, is this ball necessary?" Prince Charming had asked his father earlier that day.

"Yes, it is crucial for you as the future king to choose your queen. You have had enough time for trifles. It is time for you to accept your destiny," the king had said firmly.

The fact that his life path was prewritten by others wasn't something Prince Charming was pleased with. Especially since he wasn't interested in ever marrying. He believed that marriage was supposed to be about love and companionship. Since he had none to offer to any of the women he had met, he thought it would be cruel to marry any of them.

The ball itself was a bore. The same people, having the same conversations, dancing the same dances, only this time with the added pressure of choosing one person to share the rest of his life with.

Just when he thought he would go mad, a woman appeared, looking different than the others. That was when he realized the truth about himself. That he could never love a woman.

What lay behind his realization was that the girl was as kind as she was beautiful. She was as wise as she was gracious. Yet, he felt nothing for her but a deep friendship, a connection of two souls who understood each other, a kindred spirit.

"So, I hear that the handsome prince is about to choose his bride?" she said in a joking fashion of familiarity that no one used when addressing him.

Charming didn't mind the ease with which she addressed him. Furthermore, even though they had just met, Charming felt like they had known each other for a long time.

"He should," he said.

"But?" she asked.

"My lack of interest in anyone is stopping me from doing so," he said honestly. "Besides, if my heart didn't sing for you, it would never sing for any woman."

"Are there any men who strike your fancy?" she asked perceptively.

"No," Charming said, but then he saw him. It was just a glimpse of a strong jaw with a few-days-old stubble and impossibly dark hair. It made his heart skip a beat. "Maybe."

"Oh? Who is he?" the girl asked, trying to follow the prince's gaze.

"I am not sure yet," Charming said, trying to catch a glimpse of him over all the lavishly decorated dresses and extravagant hairdos.

Raising on his tiptoes in the middle of dance wasn't the wisest move, but it bored fruit. Charming spotted the man just as he was leaving the castle to get some fresh air or to disappear, never to be seen again.

"Can you get me outside quickly without it appearing as if I was attempting to escape my own ball?" Charming asked his dancing partner with hope burning bright in his deep brown eyes.

"Nothing easier than that. Follow me and attempt to appear as if something precious was escaping you," the woman said.

Confused, Prince Charming nodded his head mere moments before she dashed off towards the door.

"Look at the time, I have to go!" she exclaimed loudly enough for many to hear as she rushed towards the door.

"Wait," Charming said, hurrying after her.

At first, he didn't understand what they were doing. However, when they escaped the palace and all the dancers effortlessly, Charming saw the brilliance in her madness.

"There is your beloved," she slowed her pace to whisper to Prince Charming.

"Thank you," he said, coming to a sudden stop. "I don't even know your name."

"It's Cinderella," she said, smiling gently at him. "And here, take this shoe so you can tell them some tragic story about losing your beloved before even learning her name."

"Cinderella, I really appreciate this, and I wish for us to remain friends," he said.

"Of course, now go get your man!" Cinderella said encouragingly.

Only then did Charming realize he had no idea what he was doing. All he knew was that something was pulling him towards the handsome stranger, something that he had never felt before.

The man was standing next to a vase of red roses, apparently admiring their intoxicating scent. Charming put the shoe on the stairs as he started approaching the striking guest.

"They are marvelous, are they not?" Prince Charming asked, desperate to start a conversation with the beauty before him.

"Oh!" the man jumped as if he was caught doing something forbidden. "I was just getting some fresh air."

The embarrassment in his voice and the unassuming grace of his face had Charming spellbound. Though his name was Charming, he believed that there was no being more charming than the man standing before him. Even as he shifted from foot to foot, utterly unaware of how stunning he was.

"I do that myself often enough as well. The castle is a great place to live in, but sometimes it can restrict one's freedom. Enjoying small beauties of life helps me feel liberated from all the obligations," Charming said.

"I apologize. I did not realize you were Prince Charming," the man said, confused.

"Do not fret. For tonight I am just a guy admiring a beautiful view," he said, hoping he wasn't being too obvious. That he wouldn't be rejected. "And you are?"

"Prince Philip at your service," he said, bowing slightly, unsure if Charming was the type of man who cared about formalities.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Charming said, smiling brightly at the flustered man.

In a move of both courage and utter insanity, Charming approached Philip with slow, deliberate movements. He expected Philip to step back, but he surprised him by standing his ground.

"These flowers do have a divine scent, don't you think? They are like a perfect woman, beauty in shape and fragrance," Prince Charming said.

He tested the waters as his body angled closer to the distinctive smell that drew him in. And that was most definitely not the soft fragrance of the roses.

It was a powerful scent of forest and pine, of pure masculinity. It was all Charming's senses could focus on. Prince Charming wanted nothing more but to stay trapped in its intoxicating haze for an eternity.

"I do believe that roses are like women. They are both beautiful but far too thorny to be worth the effort," Philip said impulsively.

"You think so?" Charming asked, looking deep into Philip's dark brown eyes, looking for something he wasn't sure he would find.

The longer their eyes held each other, the more Charming felt as if he was melting in the fire of those deep enchanting eyes. Those were the eyes that spoke of mystery, intrigue, and power.

Before he knew it, Charming was inches away from Philip. His gaze left the enchanting orbs of pure beauty and traveled to the perfectly shaped lips, calling to him in a way he thought impossible.

He slowly licked his dry lips, feeling like his throat was so parched that even if he tried to speak, he wouldn't be able to. It was a torturous pleasure being so close to Philip, feeling the power radiating from his powerful body that it left Charming stunned.

"Yes. I know so," Philip said, with more confidence in his voice.

Before Charming could think of a good retort, Philip's lips were on his, passionately devouring them. No other word seemed fit to describe the powerful way in which he was kissed. There was no thought left in his mind, only the intoxicating taste of Philp and the wine he had consumed earlier in the evening.

His breathing was ragged, and it became even more erratic as Philip pulled him in, holding on to him like Charming was a dream that could escape if he didn't hold on tightly.

The moment felt like an eternity but at the same time as a second. When their glistening lips parted, all Charming could think was that he wanted more. His hunger was nowhere near satiated, and he wasn't sure it ever would be. He had finally met a person he wouldn't mind kissing for the rest of his life.

"One thing is for sure. You know how to kiss," Charming said breathlessly.

Philip chuckled at the statement, but neither one of them pulled back. They both knew that what they found was too precious to destroy with doubts and traditions.

"I am serious. You could wake up someone from the dead with just the power of your kiss," Charming said dazedly.

Philip blushed at the unexpected compliment but didn't make any further remarks. He felt as if no words would be enough to describe how good it felt to kiss Charming. Thus, he chose not to attempt to explain it.

"Dance with me," Charming said.

"Pardon?" Philip asked.

"I've been stuck all night dancing with women I did not wish in my proximity. It would be my honor to finally dance with someone whose closeness is not only acceptable but desired," Charming said.

"Very well," Philip said, taking his hand.

They started dancing in the moonlight with the soft music wafting from the castle. It was the most magical moment in both of their lives. And though they knew that there would be many challenges to face, for the time being, they chose to simply enjoy each other's company and the most precious thing they found, love.