60 Crisis, Averted. Fights? Chances Non-Existent.

"Your girlfriend who'll you be seeing soon at the ball which starts quite soon," Lily reminded.

As soon as she said those words, James' eyes widened, his gaze immediately landing on his state-of-the-art watch, before looking back up to speak.

"You're right. We've got to go. Emma awaits," he said before rushing out the door.

"Boys," Lily muttered to herself before following suit, walking not too quickly as to not wrinkle her fragile gown.

As they entered the grand doors of the palace ballroom, a herald announced their arrival.

"The Prince of Amaris and the lady-in-waiting of the soon-to-be Countess has arrived!" He exclaimed to everyone in the room with all the gravitas of a sermon.

Guests gasped and whispered to themselves as both Lily and James walked beside each other, thinking they were a couple, even though the truth was that they were just close friends.

The arrogant Prince of Amaris was never known to attend events, so the fact that he was there was a shock on its own. The news that he was dating someone hadn't reached anywhere outside ZALE yet, so no one other than the alumni of ZALE knew why he was here. The other guests had assumed that he was here by the order of his parents, King and Queen of Amaris, who were off signing a treaty at another kingdom, meaning they'd unfortunately have to miss the ball.

But what was the main talk of the guests was the ballroom itself. The ballroom looked different in the bougiest and fanciest way possible. The finest silverware and china were displayed and laid out on each and every table for guests to use, the dance floor was sparkling, waiting to be danced on, and the wine fountain was immaculately stacked, waiting to be filled with priceless wine that had been aged just for any occasion this important.

The guests were all dressed to the nines, no casual wear in sight, the staff being no exception, the waiters and waitresses wearing suits and simple gowns that enabled them to look stylish yet also able to do their jobs and serve the guests.

Everyone that was anyone was invited. The most important celebrities, high-ranking royals, the alumni of ZALE which included Emma's classmates and friends, and many others that were just as important in the kingdoms, with some being important people in Emma's life as well. Emma's mother Chloe was already there, mingling with the guests and chatting. She now had a royal title, even if it was a lower rank than her daughter's. King William had bestowed it upon her, giving her the title of Viscountess, which was a result of making it up to his dear friend by treating the remainder of his family right. And something that was quite the surprise was how Emma was given her royal title before the ball started by the two monarchs of Zenovia.

Of course, the identity of the guest of honor, who was Countess Emma, was kept secret from the two princes of Zenovia, so the guests were also tasked to keep the name of the countess a secret.

As more and more guests piled in, James and Lily mingled with the guests, talking to their friends from ZALE, and debunking any rumors about the two of them dating from the elite that were invited.

It was when Lily saw Prince Michael walking towards her and James' direction that she panicked.

'What am I going to do?! I can't let the two of them meet. He's going to ask about Emma,' Lily thought, panicking on the inside.

If Michael was to talk to Lily and ask where Emma was, and try to find out more, James would get jealous. And eventually, there was a high chance that it'd all end up in a fight. Especially if Emma isn't there. Knowing James, he'd be provoked at the mere mention of her name, especially if it came from another handsome prince that was their age, and knew Emma.

She turned to James, thinking of a way to get the two as far away as possible.

"Hey James, I have a question I forgot to ask you," she said on a whim.

"Shoot," James replied.

"Is Connor going to be arriving anytime soon? I don't see him here," Lily asked, not needing to act worried since she genuinely was. She hadn't seen Connor all evening, which she previously didn't worry about because she assumed that he'd be coming later.

James pursed his lips, trying to figure out what to answer.

"Yeah, he'll be here soon. He had something to do, so he's probably arriving late," James explained, clearly hiding something.

As he was focused on trying to keep whatever he was hiding a secret, Lily slowly steered him away from Michael, walking him the opposite direction Michael was so as to not start anything.

"Oh, I hope he'll be here soon," Lily said as her small plan was a success. Crisis averted, for now, at the least.

"He will. I'll make sure of it," James said solemnly, right before the booming voice of a herald echoed throughout the palace ballroom, signalling the arrival of the most important guest of the night, and the moment that everyone awaited for.

"THE COUNTESS, EMMA AMELIA KENNEDY GREY HAS ARRIVED!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice still solemn although he was shouting as everyone stopped whatever they were doing, and all attention went straight to the balcony with a grand staircase leading down to the ballroom.