Ella hoped she didn't appear nervous, that their intent to break so many rules did not show on her face. That she looked as casual as she always had when making a request of her godmother. She hid her nervously clenched fists within the skirt of her red gown and her brown eyes pleaded innocently. She was just a girl who wanted to spend a day with her friend, and nothing else.

Cassandra seemed hesitant. "I don't think my father will be bothered. He would be more than happy to welcome Princess Avril to our home, in fact it would be his honor. I'm sure the household staff would be honored by her presence, as well." She smiled, biting her lip hopefully. Cassandra lamented that Ella called Godmother, and it was true that Ella was rather formal in public gatherings such as a ball. But at other times Ella had called the Queen by affectionate and less formal names. Aunt Cass in particular was her favorite. 

She hadn't noticed Avril speaking with her father until the King addressed the Queen. Ella glanced over to meet Avril's eyes and she discreetly crossed her fingers. It took a bit of coaxing from Avril and her father, but at the promise of a guard and Ella visiting for tea in a few days Cassandra relented. Ella looked at Avril excitedly for a moment before moving to Cassandra. She wrapped her arms around her godmother and higged her tightly. "Thank you so much, Aunt Cass. This truly means a lot to me."

"Ella!" Lord Thomas called gently, and she pulled back from hher hug a little to see her father standing slightly behind Avril, waiting for her. 

"Just a moment, Father? Please?" At his daughter's smile Thomas returned it and nodded. Ella turned to smile at Cassandra again. "Thank you, again. I'll see you soon for tea." She kissed her godmother's cheek lightly, and then nodded respectfully and gratefully to the King. "Thank you, Your Grace." Then she said goodbye to Avril. Ella hugged her friend, and whispered, "See you tomorrow, before nodding to all three members of the royal family again and joining her father.

Thomas swept a cloak over his daughters shoulder before taking her arm. "Beautiful ball, as always."

"It was," Ella said agreeably, though she was thinking about the next day's adventures. "I'm looking forward to the next one."

"I saw you dancing with Prince Edward," Thomas commented, and looked over at Ella. "I must say the two of you made a quite a fine couple. You danced so gracefully with him...it was almost as though he was meant to be your partner."

Ella smiled at though and laughed a little. "Oh, Father, you don't believe all that. Edward and I just...have known each other for so long, that's all it was."