"Are you ready, Char?" Ellis asks from behind. He is the palace's most respected guard, my friend, and honestly, the weirdest guy. Only he can find amusement in working during a ball.

"I guess." I answer, not entirely sure that’s what I would have said has this been any other occasion.

This is yet another party I will be attending yet not seeing. My father invited all the women in age of marriage to the ball that is meant to change my entire life, to choose my future ―and forced― queen.

"Please, stay with me during the night. I can hardly see a thing today. I couldn’t even tell madam Mary had left the room when she brought the tea this afternoon" I say, finishing the last touches to my suit. I look like a Christmas adornment, but this is the life of the wealthy.

"You shouldn't say that aloud, Prince Char. You know a prince is meant to be perfect," he reminds me. I try to give him an annoyed look. I know he’s smirking at me although his face is blurry. "but I will gladly be your eyes tonight, sire."

The ball is dull as expected. I’m no fun, I resign to welcome everyone that comes close to my spot and wait for them to finish their meaningless greetings to get into the real party. I feel more like decoration than the actual  'Mighty' Prince. Well, even less, considering Ellis soon will  send me whomever he thinks me fit to dance with.

It’s always the same gist: he’ll finnd the most beautiful women, they’ll be blunt pointing out where I'm doing something wrong and I’ll keep smiling.

I let a groan escape. I better get some fresh air if I intend to continue the lie.

The only hideout I can manage is the balcony. It costs me enough to reach it and it's already occupied. There’s a girl, I can tell because of the big shape her white dress makes. I bet it’s beautiful and she paid all attention to every detail of its making, maybe wishing for an opportunity with the prince. Just great.

I bow, as polite as I know I must be, for I am a Prince. However, the girl doesn’t say a word. Her gaze continues to explore the view; but nods, perhaps in agreement to my presence. For some reason, I find her silence to be very comforting. And so, I imitate her.

I know the palace too well to be able to see it even when it’s blurry. Sometimes, though, I wish I could take part of its beauty. It used to be more; now all I see is a bunch of strokes of colour, painted stains in the black canvas of the night.

"I'm sorry, um... can we dance, your highness?" her voice is soft, almost like a whisper, but sweet and innocent. She is nervous, maybe embarrassed by her own bravery. I wish I could make out her expression.

"It would be wonderful," I offer a hand to show her the way into the ballroom. Her hand is warm, and a bit sweaty, but I don’t mind at all.

We dance, and she lets me lead for a change. It was incredible how easy it feels to be with this girl. She is light, and eager to discover the next step. This must be her first dance, but she is gracious, and her hand fits in mine just perfectly. I’m so comfortable teaching her that I fail to notice when the song is over, if not for the fact that she’s clapping, like the rest of the crowd that somehow had disappeared amid our dance.

"Thanks, your highness," the girl whispers, as beautiful as the very first time she spoke.

I like her. I want to really meet her, to have a proper conversation. I open my mouth to ask for another dance when a cough interrupts and I get washed away from her by a wave of people around me. People wanting to dance, talk, or maybe just eager to stop anything that brings me joy. In a minute, I’m alone again, and the girl is nowhere to be seen even if I had better sight.

"My lady," I greet her in my most regal voice when I finally reach her. It took me a while to escape —Ellis had to use all his tricks to help me— but we meet at the entrance. Outside, yet again. "I knew I would find you here"

The girl shifts her weight on her legs and tries to hide something in her hands. The movement makes a light come out of one of the objects she is holding and I feel drawn to it without realizing. I take it from her. They are... shoes? But who on Earth wears shoes made of crystal?

I bring them closer to my eyes and feel amazed. I... I can see her. I can see everything through the wonderful shoe. I see the confusion in her almost black eyes, the frown on her delicate blonde eyebrows, the half-smile in her thin lips and the pale face of a beautiful young woman. But also, I can now see the sky, the moonless canvas filled with tiny sparkling dots. I had never seen the stars before.

"I'm sorry, your highness, but..." she starts, though loses her courage amid sentence. She looks away and blushes, but I can see her hand is still pointing at the crystal shoe.

"R-Right. You want this back. May I ask why crystal for heels? Aren’t they hurting?"

She makes a funny face, but I know it’s time to give the shoe back. That precious heel that just made this the best night of my entire life.

"I... I made them, your highness. My father used to make things with glass. He taught me."

"A skilful man."

The girl nods, clear enough for me to see without that marvellous crystal.

"He passed away a few years ago. And now I have no one left"

I don’t know how to answer. I may be a prince, always surrounded by people who would die for me; but I’m completely alone, even in the most crowded party. I know how she feels, although I at least have Ellis by my side.

"Forgive me, your highness. This is a celebration, not a place to cry over the past" she firmly says, and moves her free hand around her face, cleaning the few tears she must have carelessly let escape. "You danced marvellously there, my lord.

"I bet you were the centre of attention. The prince is always expected, but you came out of nowhere." I smile at her, hoping she’s smiling too.

"I really just wanted to dance " her voice sounds like she’s still embarrassed, but I hear happiness too. 

I want to ask what she’s really thinking. Just as I open my mouth, the girl freaks out. The bells of the clock must have scared her.

“Oh no… it’s that late already?” she complains, frustrated “I-I’m sorry. Apparently, this is all I can say. Oh dear, I must go on my way, sire.”

She’s fast, more than any guard in the palace, but she is also a bit clumsy. She leaves, and no guard can reach her even with the best training. Still, there is one gift she drops behind. That marvellous shoe, the one that enables me perfect sight. I take it and press it against my chest. The wind rushes and I know I must find this woman. She knows how to make miraculous crystals, most of all, she understands me. It's clear to me, I'm going to find her and as my father wants me married, I'm going to choose her.