Penelope smiled at Steph and inched forward, dragging the drape with her to shield herself from the view below.
"Strange," Steph frowned. "There's usually a railing around this platform... I thought we could sit behind it and watch through the gaps without anyone seeing us, but it's been removed..."
Penelope also thought it was strange that the platform opened to the air. One small stumble and it would be all too easy to fall right over the edge into the crowd below.
"Well... That would certainly be quite the entrance," Penelope mumbled. Steph stifled a snort, but he nonetheless circled a protective arm around her, as though afraid she would take a running leap.
"It's alright, we can still see half the floor from behind here." Penelope drew back, widening the gap in the drapes just far enough for them to both peer through. 
Together they watched the crowd, many of whom were dancing to the flutes and strings of an orchestra. They remained silent, though Penelope could feel tension building between them. She didn't quite know how to break the silence and contented herself for long moments watching the figures swirling far below.
She felt an ache in her chest when she spied the Sisters standing together in a far corner, whispering and looking frantically across the crowd.
"Oh, no..."
Steph followed Penelope's gaze and gave a guilty hum from the back of his throat.
"They'll be so worried about me," Penelope sighed. She continued to search the crowd until she found her family. Clarity was dancing with the youngest Grimwood prince. Her parents watched from the edge of the dance floor, beaming as their daughter twirled across the dark marble. They weren't looking for her. They didn't appear concerned at all that Penelope hadn't been announced into the ball with the others.
"I wish I could stay up here all night, but I should go down and put the Sisters' minds to ease at the very least." Penelope winced as Sister Rosin continued to look around, appearing increasingly distraught.
"I'll escort you down," Steph promised, squeezing Penelope's hand. "But first, I owe you an apology, if you are willing to hear it."
Penelope gazed up into Steph's face, his expression earnest with remorse. She nodded, and stepped back from the curtain, turning to face him.
"Penelope, I am so sorry that I didn't tell you who I was. I should have told you, if not when we first met, then certainly later when I had every opportunity to share the truth. It wasn't fair to you, it wasn't fair to Sisters Rosin and Heely, and it wasn't fair to your House. To put you in such a position..."
Steph blew out a breath and looked away. "I realised myself when I returned home that I had made a mistake, not telling you the truth of who I was. Then Marmalade... well, suffice to say for a very small witch she can be really quite frightening, and she made it quite clear how poor my judgement had been." 
Steph broke off with a grimace, before continuing.
"I was being selfish, and immature, and I'm sorry. As Scion of Royal House Grimwood, I formally apologise for not only taking advantage of your hospitality by withholding my identity, but for potentially compromising the integrity of House Starwood. More than that, personally, as... as someone who cares about you, deeply... I'm sorry for lying by omission. For breaking your trust."
Penelope let out a heavy breath, and inclined her head. "Thank you, Prince Steph. I admit... it was such a shock when we realised who you must be. I felt so foolish for not having realised it earlier. I won't lie, Steph, I was hurt. I felt so... so embarrassed. The things I said, the things I told you..." Penelope sighed, cheeks flushing as her stomach twisted. "Why did you not tell me who you were?"