Magnus moved around the massive foyer area, greeting different people. The elusive Tristan wasn't a stranger to a few of the people who were so far in attendance, causing Magnus to wonder even further who exactly he was? It was a great mystery even Tristan seemed to keep from his family.

A few folks had already moved into the ballroom. His mother had done away with the big announcements, only reserving those for other royals or very special dignitaries and guests. It had become somewhat of a thing, to witness who was special enough for one of Queen Esperanza's announcements.

Slowly the crowd dissipated, and very few were left, including the Royal Family. Magnus and Cossette entered hand in hand, and the King and Queen followed shortly after.

The orchestra was playing, and Magnus did his best to try to find Freya, but she was nowhere in sight.

He continued making small talk here and there until he finally reached Tristan who was in quiet conversation with another more famous and recently married Royal. The Prince’s new wife was not in attendance, speculation of her being with child run rampant, but who really knew? And he wasn't one for gossip. What Magnus did want to know was who this Tristan was? How on earth was he so comfortably acquainted with the other Prince?

"Aww! If it isn't my famous counterpart. How are you?" He reached over with a firm hand as they each patted each other on the shoulders.

"You seem to mistake me for my older brother. You know, the heir to the throne?" He laughed.

"So, I'm curious, are you two acquainted? You look quite familiar with each other," Magnus inquired.

"We are, indeed, Your Royal Highness. I met His Royal Highness about two years ago when he was still wild and free," Tristan laughed, "and we've maintained contact since then."

"I see."

Just then the orchestra quieted down the way it did to announce the arrival of a special guest. Even Magnus turned his attention to the grand staircase. He swore he'd reviewed the list himself. After his parents, there was no one else listed.

The majordomo spoke in his distinct tone as silence fell over the room. "Miss Freya Marie Sinclair of the United States of America."

A vision in white stepped into the open at the top of the stairs. He could see her take in a deep calming breath before ascending down the stairs.

People around the room quietly whispered, all agreeing with what he already knew - Miss Sinclair is utter perfection.

Unfazed by the presence of the other Prince and even her brother, Magnus made his way to the bottom of the steps to receive his lovely girlfriend.

He had eyes only for Freya as she smiled and curtsied before taking his hand.

"You look…," words escaped him. Nothing seemed to match her beauty. "You are so beautiful, Freya. And I'm thankful you are part of my life."

She smiled graciously but didn't speak a word.

Magnus held her hand proudly as he escorted her to his parents.

"Your Majesties," Freya curtsied, "thank you so much. Everything is perfect."

"Miss Sinclair, we are grateful to have you with us during this extraordinary time," the King responded.

"You are gorgeous, Miss Sinclair," Cossette said as she approached the small gathering. "Look at you." She smiled as the Queen joined in the compliment, causing Freya to blush.

"You are all too kind." She said, "Pardon me. I'm going to find my brother. I'm excited to see him all dressed up. I can't say I've ever seen him in a tuxedo." She smiled.

"I'll take you to him. Your Majesties, if you'll please excuse us," Magnus said.

Both his parents smiled and nodded in agreement while Cossette joined him and Freya.

"Princess Cossette, you look like an angel." Freya smiled as she took in the high-waisted ball gown in a shimmery silver. Her accent pieces were blue sapphires as was the center stone to her diamond encrusted tiara.

"Thank you. I wasn't sure about the high-waisted part, but it works. I like it."

"Ooh! He does clean up quite well," Freya teased as they approached Tristan who was standing alone. She leaned in as they pecked each other on the cheeks.

"Sister, the same can be said about you," Tristan teased jokingly. "Seriously, you look amazing. Are you going to be okay?"

"I am now." She smiled. "The Queen had a tea sent up to me, and I feel tons better."

Both Magnus and Cossette laughed, causing those next to them to turn at the outburst. Magnus didn't care; he ignored them as did Cossette.

"So, our mother had you drink the calming tea?" Cossette inquired as she placed emphasis on the calming part.

Freya nodded her head, a bit worriedly, wondering what the inside joke might be.

"Don't worry, she didn't give you anything bad. In fact, none of us know what is in the tea. Magnus believes it is purely a placebo effect. But he still drinks it when he needs to. So, I'm not entirely sure how valid his theory is. I personally like a night time tea she makes. It puts me right to sleep."

Freya smiled. "Yeah, I had that last night."

This time, Freya and Tristan joined in the laughter, and not one of them cared what those around witnessed.

After all, enjoying oneself at their own ball was hardly a crime.

The evening had gone quite perfectly. Magnus introduced Freya too many of the guests, and they danced. Oh, boy, did they dance. He'd never had a dance partner so light on her feet before.

When they waltzed, those around them disappeared as they moved like one, almost forgetting where they were, lost in each other gaze.

"I've really enjoyed the evening. Thank you. This has been an experience like no other," Freya said as they strolled down a hall to get away from the crowd.

"I'm so glad you are here. I can't recall ever enjoying myself so much." He paused. "Well, there was that time when Cossette and I were much younger. We'd masterminded a plan to crash the ball. Of course, it was late, so we were already in pajamas. By the time we'd reached the top of the staircase, Cossette was so tired, she curled up and laid down. Those in attendance thought it was so cute, but I was embarrassed for about a minute. The feeling quickly went away when Gerard came to fetch me. I decided running down the stairs and through the crowd was the best option." He laughed. "It wasn't."

"Oh my gosh! Tell me you got a good scolding from your parents over that," Freya teased.

"My parents laughed it off. But they did have a nice talk with me. I don't know if you've noticed? They love Cossette and me a lot."

Freya smiled and said, "I've noticed."

They walked quietly until they reached a back terrace. Magnus led the way out toward the balusters and turned to Freya. "Have I told you how absolutely beautiful you are?"

"Only about every fifteen to twenty minutes."

"Oh. Well, allow me to repeat myself. You are beautiful," he said as he leaned down to kiss her.

Someone cleared their throat, causing Magnus to snap his head toward the noise.

"Who goes there?" he called sternly.

Giggling ensued, and he still couldn't make out who was lingering about. "Make yourself visible, or I'll find myself forced to call for my guards," he asserted.

"Chill! Your Royal Highness."

The laughter of many erupted.

Magnus slowly walked in the direction of the merriment as Freya cautioned him from behind to wait. But he held his hand up for her to give him a moment.

When his eyes adjusted, and the group of people came into view, his guard went down completely as he embraced each person sitting at the bistro tables.

"Freya, come here. I want you to meet my dearest friends. I was wondering why I hadn't seen any of them."

Freya approached, and Magnus could see they were all strangers to her, but she seemed to have recognized Grant Patterson.

"Friends, this is my girlfriend, Miss Freya Sinclair. I believe most of you have something in common with Freya as she too is from your home state of Washington," Magnus said as he stepped back to allow Freya her space for a proper introduction.

"I'm Cali, and this is my husband, Reginal Chevalier. It is so nice to meet you," Cali said as she reached in to give Freya a hug while Reginal shook her hand.

"My goodness, what a small world. Something must be in the water over there. Right?" Patricia winked. "I'm Patricia, and this here is my husband Grant, and this little one in here, well, we don't know yet." She smiled. "I don't want to find out the sex, and neither does Grant."

Patricia and Grant together embraced Cali.

"My dear, allow me to say, you've stolen the show. I don't typically like attending these events, but I'll go to just a handful a year, and this is one. You are stunning. I can only remember one other making such an entrance and catching the attention of all in her presence, and it is this mademoiselle right here, Cali," a heavily accented woman said. "I am Angela Roussos. A good friend of your sweetheart right there."

She got up and kissed Freya on the cheeks. "Simply stunning," she said.

"Wow! Thank you all for the kind greetings, I'm really touched and honestly, here I was nervous about meeting you since Prince Magnus has spoken so fondly of you all.”

"Oh dear, in the privacy of our presence, he is simply Magnus. No formalities among friends. How stuffy," Angela said.

"I think we need to seriously send Angela to Seattle longer than a day or two. She's sure to find her Prince Charming over there as well." Grant teased, "You know if we can ever peel her away from work."

Angela waved her hand as if ignoring him.

"How are you holding up? You looked like you were doing great in there," Cali asked.

Freya took a deep breath and looked at Magnus for some form of approval. He tried hard not to melt into her arms and agreed. "She looks like a natural."

It caused the group to quietly look back and forth between Magnus and Freya, but they didn’t say a word.

Freya looked to the group and back to Magnus; he felt a tad nervous. He was head over heels in love with her but wasn't sure if telling her so would scare her away.

Angela was quick at picking up awkward situations, Magnus knew this much about her, as she made a point to change the topic.

"Freya, dear. Come join us over here. It's chilly out but look." Heaters surrounded the entire bottom part of the terrace. "

"You know, I've very well acquainted with your brother, Tristan. I hold him in high regard."

The comment caught Magnus by surprise. For Angela Roussos to say that it meant something. It added more to the mystery shrouding Tristan.

"Really? I don't know much about my brother and his travels. Or business for that matter." Freya smiled. "But it's nice to know you esteem him. That makes me happy."

"Yes, well. I don't discuss other’s affairs, at least not unless they are in front of me. But he's very respected in the circles I run in. In fact, I know many wouldn't mind calling him family. But he doesn't seem too eager to settle down." She let out a throaty laugh.

Magnus could see Grant carefully studying Freya. It seemed almost a tad odd. And not in the jealous type of way, but more in a peculiar or curious way.

"Patricia, if you don't mind me asking? When are you due?" Freya inquired.

"Not soon enough!" She laughed. "March thirteenth is my written due date. But this baby will come when it is ready." She smiled as she massaged her belly.

"Do you have children, Cali?"

Magnus could see the sadness in Cali's eyes. But she did well in concealing this to someone who didn't really know her. "No. Not yet, at least. Maybe one day."

"My younger sister just had a baby. I'm a first-time aunt to a little niece. She was born while I've been over here." The sadness in Freya's tone could be felt by all, as Magnus moved a chair to sit beside her.

"I sense a strain in your tone, a sense of unhappiness. Is everything okay?" Angela asked.

"Angela is very perceptive. If her bluntness bothers you, don't be afraid to tell her it is none of her business," Grant said, poking fun at their friend.

"Oh shush, you. Freya is now one of us. If we can be of help, we should be."

Magnus gave Freya a reassuring squeeze to her hand, attempting to let her know whatever she chose to do, he would be right with her.

"My other siblings are not like Tristan. Our relationship is a bit different. I'm just shocked you could sense the strain." She smiled. "My family, except for Tristan, and maybe my dad on some level, is not happy that I am dating Magnus. But it really isn't about Magnus. The relationship was already fractured. I was just too scared to do anything about it. When I finally stood up to them, they hassled me over Magnus, and it became evident the matter was worse than I'd allowed myself to believe." She looked down to hers and Magnus' hands that were entwined. "I guess in a way I'd never wanted something for myself in a way that forced me to see them for who they truly were. Of course, I love them. They are my family, but I can't allow them to hurt me anymore. You know it’s weird. I'm just meeting you all, and here I am opening up like this. I'm so sorry."

"Sorry? No. Don't be. We are your friends now, too. Nothing leaves this trusted group of friends," Cali said.

"I feel bad because now Tristan is caught in the middle of this family feud."

"Oh, darling. Don't you worry about your brother? He can handle his own. And the fact that he is here at your side, supporting you through this sea of spectators, well, it is very telling of what a priority you are to him," Angela said.

Magnus stared at Angela wondering how he would get information out of her regarding Tristan. It was evident that she and Grant knew more about him than met the eye.