I looked at the castle, lite up in glowing golden lights and ornated with fresh flowers. Townspeople were dressed in their finest clothes; women in beautiful ballgowns and men in tuxedos.

Marina was pulling at my arm, ready to walk inside the enchanted castle to dance until her feet ached.

I studied myself, my crimson red dress and light gold shoes. I had a rose pinned in my hair, hoping I’d find the man sending me letters and roses.

“You look perfect, Lavina,” Marina said with a lovely smile.

We walked into the castle together and shared an ‘awe’ as we walked through golden corridors filled with expensive, beautiful objects.

Paintings and statues were everywhere, as well as garlands and potted plants.

When we reached the staircase that would bring us down to the ballroom, I could see everyone.

I stayed near a refreshment table, watching Marina waltz with many suitors. I tried to find the Prince, but many said he’d probably not show up; he never did.

I walked near a window, looking out at the gardens beyond.

This place was beautiful, right out of a fairytale.

“May I have the next dance,” a low, soft voice said from behind me.

I turned around and made eye-to-eye with the Prince.

He was tall, dressed in fine red, matching me. His dark brown hair almost glittered gold in the lighting and his smile was charming as he awaited my answer.

“Yes,” I breathed, not believing the Prince asked me for a dance.

Soon, the music whisked us into a dance.

Our bodies were close as our feet matched the rhythm.

“You are the most beautiful lady here, Lavina,” the Prince remarked.

He knew my name!

“You know me?”

“Who do you think gave all those red roses?” He laughed.

And suddenly it all connected.

The Prince was the man who wrote me silly letters and gifted me roses!

“One day when I was walking down the street, assessing how the kingdom was doing, I saw you,” he said. “You were looking at the roses outside of the flower shop and you had this look of yearning.” He twirled me. “When I saw you with that rose in your hair I knew I’d found you.”

And so, the whole night we danced and talked. I could feel love brewing its spell and casting it upon us.