To say that Seth was nervous about the ball would be an understatement, considering he had a dislike for social events of this magnitude in general. As he stood there in his suit staring at his neatly combed hair and tidied up appearance, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

"That face you're pulling looks familiar," Melody giggled as she walked around to Seth's front and looked up at him. "It's almost as if you're not excited about this."

Seth sighed and adjusted his tie.

"If you'll recall, the last time I went to one of these things, a lot went wrong..."

"True, but that was then and this is now. You're at the halfway mark and given the terms you and Allie started on, this is no small feat. Going from having a mutual dislike for one another to being interested in each other is quite the accomplishment wouldn't you say?" Melody replied smugly, giggling at the frown forming on her brother's face.

"I guess there's no point in denying it, especially not after I made things plain to her during our date," Seth replied while fidgeting with his collar. "Now all that's left to do is get through this ball and get back to business..."

"This is part of the business, Seth. It's going to determine who gets to keep going and who doesn't. This isn't something you can just 'get through.' You'll need to pass everything with flying colors if you want to stay in. I don't think I need to remind you but Allie is looking for a husband. And since you've pretty much established that you're interested in it more than you were at the beginning..." Melody trailed off.

Feeling her brother's hand on her shoulder, she looked up and smiled.

"It's a little strange you know," Seth paused, meeting her eyes as he spoke. "If someone told me a year ago that I was going to be be competing for a princess, I'd have told them they were nuts. Now, for whatever reason... I'm curious about how this will play out if I win."

"Why don't you worry about the ball first before you think about how you'll propose to her after winning this thing?" Melody snickered as she placed a finger over his lips.

Seth placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair a bit, causing her to giggle and then swat his hand away. "Seth! I just finished combing that," she grumbled cutely.

Seth laughed and took a deep breath, taking one last look at himself in the mirror. Catching sight of Melody in the mirror holding his rapier, he cracked a smile. Melody handed it to him and he secured it on his waist. He'd thought of leaving it behind, but after the discussion with his parents about Allie and her being targeted, he decided that he ought to bring it after all.

Allie could be just the beginning. There are several distinguished individuals with ties to the royal family that could be targeted at any time as well. And from what you've told us, you've meddled in their plans on several occasions meaning you are just as much a target as they are...

Seth narrowed his eyes as he reflected on his father's words.

I know that, Dad. It's better this way. As long as I'm a factor in all this, they'll have no choice but to be careful whenever they plan to make a move. And when they pull another stunt like they did before... Seth clenched his fists as the memory of Melody lying unconscious crossed his mind, I'll crush them...

"You okay Seth?" Melody asked, concern evident on her face upon seeing her brother's serious expression.

"Yeah, I'm alright. I'm just a little nervous, that's all," Seth reassured her. "Anyway, I need to go soon. I told Serena I'd pick her up at six. Our ride is due to arrive in half an hour and I don't want to keep her waiting."

"Oh yeah, that's right! I still need to get a picture of you two," Melody exclaimed, rushing out of the room to grab her camera.

Seth rolled his eyes and took one last look in the mirror before exiting his room and closing the door.

Grace was beaming with pride as she looked at her daughter in the mirror. Serena was garbed in a flowing, dark blue and gold ball gown. Her hair was done up in a twist-tuck bun. Two gold earrings hung from her ears.

"Who's that gorgeous woman?" Grace laughed, nudging her daughter playfully. "It's been so long since I've seen you all dressed up like this."

"It's been a while since I've needed to be dressed like this. It's not every day you're asked to a ball thrown by an actual princess. I'd be foolish not to look my best," Serena replied chuckling.

"Well, when you put it that way, I can't argue with you now can I?" Grace mused, her eyes shooting to the door as she heard the doorbell go off. "Looks like he's here! I'll go down and let him in."

Grace left Serena to her own devices, heading downstairs to open the door for the young man who would take her daughter to the ball. Opening the door, she greeted Seth with a cheery grin.

"Good evening Seth, come on in!" Grace exclaimed, opening the door wider for Seth to walk in. "Serena's finishing getting ready upstairs, she'll be down in a minute."

"Thanks," Seth said appreciatively as he entered their home.

"Serena's really excited about this as I'm sure you already know. Then again, it's all she could talk about for the past week. But I'm sure you knew that already," Grace laughed.

"Trust me... you have no idea," Seth replied nervously, recalling how much his mother and sister were talking about it after finding out about it.

Hearing footsteps by the stairs, Seth turned his attention to the woman that was now descending into the living room. Radiant was but one of the words he could used to describe how she looked. Serena, when one looked beyond the hotheaded temperment and impulsive attitude, was more than meets the eye. She carried herself with ease down the steps, the length of the dress not bothering her in the slightest. Seth didn't need to see to believe that she was as good a dancer as he was informed she was.

Serena stood in front of Seth, her eyes glued to him as she took note of how he looked. She'd seen him in his casual wear, and even in a suit, but never with his hair styled as neatly and professionally as it was. He wasn't kidding when he mentioned his sister being an expert when it came to styling hair. He was indeed a stunning male specimen.

"You look phenomenal," Seth spoke up, causing Serena to blush, taken slightly aback by his words.

"Thanks, you look pretty sharp yourself Seth. Although," she started, her eyes trailing down to his waist upon spotting his sword, "is the sword necessary?"

Seth shrugged. "I feel kinda naked without it, if that's what you're asking..."

"I guess that makes sense. It would look weird seeing you without it," Serena replied casually, glancing over at the clock on the wall as it neared the hour they were due to be picked up by. "I guess we should wait outside. Our ride'll be here in five minutes."

"Hold on you two, I need to get a picture of this before you go," Grace called out as she came back into the room with her camera.

Seth and Serena linked arms and smiled as the camera flash went off. Grace lowered the camera and looked at the picture she'd taken. It was one that would definitely go into the photo album. The sound of Rapidash snorts and hooves approaching drew their attention to the door.

"Sounds like they're here, you ready?" Serena asked, giving Seth a playful nudge and a wink as she linked arms with him again.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Seth replied with a confident smirk as he opened the door to step outside with her.

Waiting just outside the door was Melody, along with Collette and Harbin and an elegant-looking carriage that was drawn by two all-too-familiar Rapidash. Seth identified it as the exact same carriage that took him to the palace the first time. The driver further confirmed his suspicions after sticking his head out the window and waving to him.

"Hey Seth, Serena, look over here!" Melody called out, directing their attention towards her and her camera as she prepped for the perfect shot.

Seth drew Serena toward him and smiled with her as his sister took the photo.

"Thanks big brother!" Melody exclaimed, grinning happily.

"You two look so nice! I'm almost jealous that I don't get to attend," Collette said with feigned envy as she made her way up to her son and his date and drew Seth into a hug. "Have fun, and be sure to tell us all about it when you get back," Collette added, placing a kiss on his forehead before letting him go.

"Don't worry, I'll give you all the details once it's over," replied Seth as he glanced from his mother to his father who met his eyes with a calm yet serious expression.

Seth didn't need him to speak to know what he was saying. His words were still ringing in his ears even after a few days. While he was there to have fun and present himself well, he also needed to be on the lookout for any potential threat to Allie's life. The two nodded, as if coming to an unspoken agreement on the matter.

Seth and Serena got into the carriage and closed the door, waving to their parents out the window as it pulled away from Vanville Town.

Charles sat across from one another inside their carriage as they drove off toward the palace. Jacqueline wore a bright emerald ball gown with gold trimmings. Her dark hair was braided and over her shoulders. Charles wore a gray tuxedo with a red tie, his blonde hair neatly styled as well.

"So... this plan of yours, you sure it'll work?" Jacqueline asked, crossing her arms, knitting her brow as she reflected on the conversation they had prior to being picked up.

"Of course it'll work, why wouldn't it?" Charles replied casually, his gaze directed out the window as he spoke.

"Oh I don't know... maybe Seth's the reason why it won't?" Jacqueline replied sharply. "The guy's not someone to mess with. You saw the shape Enzo was in when I brought him back..."

"Which is precisely why this will work. The whole point of this plan isn't to get on his bad side, it's to establish rapport with the man... make him believe me to be an ally of sorts. If we seemingly see eye to eye, that makes one less target for him to go after."

"Let me guess... you want me to 'help' is that it?" Jacqueline inquired, a smirk forming on her face as she saw Charles meet her eyes.

"Of course... that is the purpose for which I asked you to come with me after all..."