As much as he tried to pretend, he knew the lady with the wings attached to her dress was the princess. Many other courtiers noticed as well, some trying to play along while others simply couldn't help themselves but to treat her like the princess she was. He had to admit, ignoring the princess and letting her pass as another courtier was hard to do. The young lord had seen her from afar, seeing a faint crowd circle her. It was almost silly to try to render her invisible. He knew that if she took a step forward, the people before her would take a step back. Isaac, though, had to squeeze through the crowds while trying to keep his mask balanced upon his face.

He acted as if he was interested in the Great Hall's decorations, staring up at the ceilings and upon the walls. Between his glances, though, he peeked at the princess from behind his yellow and purple mask. It wasn't a look of love or admiration. If anything, he was curious about her. Through the rumors he had been dubbed the princess's favor. As much as he knew rumors were mostly false, he wondered if this particular one was true. He was invited to ride with the royal family before, the princess flirting with him and all. Never did he think that she would like him so. He didn't dare to question his position. His mother was thoroughly ecstatic to hear the rumors. Still, he wondered what he could ever offer her, the gem of the Sapphire Realm.

This is me for forever
One of the lost ones
The one without a name
Without an honest heart as compass

A delighted smile upon her lips, the Gem of the Sapphire Realm floated through the Great Hall, carried along by the merriment and music that pulsed through the air. Laughter exploded about her like flowers blooming in the warmth of spring and Anna drank it all in, adding her own tinkling laugh to the bouquet as she gave a particular man that had seemed to have consumed too much wine a wide berth. Her gown winked and sparkled, a beacon of expense and excess, diamonds and pearls encrusted upon the ivory silk. Her breasts swelled temptingly over the low neckline, her smooth skin shimmering almost as palely as the cloth clinging to her form. She moved like a woman in her element, swaying her hips slightly as she walked, and smiling to herself as she felt the eyes of many a man follow her progress, hoping she would take them for a dance partner. But she did not stop to talk to any of them. One song started up as she walked and lords and ladies about the room paired up and swept themselves across the polished floor in a pretty little set, skirts swishing, masks flashing. But Anna only watched, her head turned coyly upon her slender neck, her sapphire eyes flashing brightly behind her winged mask.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the gaze of another and held it for a few moments before looking away. It had been a man. A man in a yellow and purple mask. There was something familiar about him. In the quick twinkle of his eyes, the way he held himself. Her signature seductive smile unfolding itself across her lips, Anna began to make her way slowly closer to the nameless lord, though she did not glance in his direction again. Instead, she watched the twirling dancers, or at least she appeared to.

Finally, she came to a halt quite close to where the masked young man was standing. No longer could she pretend she didn't see him. Fixing the other with her piercing blue gaze, Anna smiled sweetly upon him before dropping her eyes demurely. "My lord was watching me from afar?" Her voice was melodiously sweet, dripping with innocence, though if her face had been raised, Isaac would have surely seen the mischievous flicker that had passed across her features. "In truth, I was watching my lord as well."

As much as he tried to tear his glace away from the princess, he couldn't. All the other courtiers swept to the side with their partners, leaving him with a clear view of the dear princess. It was like she unintentionally trapped him in a gaze once more, but this time it wasn't due to a seductive dance. She was walking right toward him. Like a deer caught in the headlights, he didn't move and kept on staring. Part of him panicked, his heart thumping strongly against his ribcage. He wasn't sure what to do, if he needed to do anything. He noticed that she was looking off to the side and wondered if she was just passing by. Straightening up, he offered her a friendly smile as she stopped before him.

Her eyes were much more striking that he had noticed. He never was able to see them at the distance he was at. The mask highlighted her glance fantastically. He knew now how many gentlemen of the court could become lost in her eyes. When she asked the question, though, his heart leapt into his throat, his mind racing to answer her question. Even when she had the sweetest tone of voice, the question still made him sweat. He didn't want to lie to her; it wouldn't go very well with her or her dear brother, the king. But before he was able to stutter out a response, she admitted that she was watching him too. He was both shocked and relaxed; feeling a bit flattered all at the same time.

"I'm merely just a boy looking at an angel," he replied with a clear voice. "And I'm glad that she's looking back, Your Highness." He dipped into a low bow, his hand pressing against his chest. With a leap of faith, he stood back up and asked, "Would Your Highness like to honor this lord with a dance?" He raised his hand before her, waiting for her answer.