After she left, I contemplated following after to tease her further. However, I didn't want to return to the loud obnoxious peacocks that flocked around me like a noxious gas.

Vaguely, I considered unsheathing my sword– simply to see panic fill their horrendous eyes.

Why do I have to be here? I ran my hands down my face, suppressing the urge to leap off the balcony and return to my room. If that old snake hadn't insisted on my appearance tonight, I wouldn't even have shown my face.

"When's the next war?" I asked, out loud– scanning the garden. "Or the next attempt on my life?"

The night air was oddly silent– not assassin in sight. How pitiful. I turned and walked back inside, brushing aside several women who ran toward me, mouths gaping and flapping.

If one more woman approaches me to improve their station– I'm going to slaughter everyone here.

I glanced around– spotting Tyrine standing alone by a punch bowl– sipping from his glass.

"Why do you always look so miserable?" I asked, coming to a stop beside him. I grabbed his drink and took a deep swallow– ignoring the dirty look he shot me.

If it wasn't the court mage –and less importantly my maternal cousin– I'd never bother associating with him.

"I don't know what you mean." He shrugged– eyes locked somewhere across the room.

I glanced over my shoulder to see a woman in a faded dress that looked as though it was about to rip from sheer anger at having not been recycled. Ah, so it's her.

"If you keep staring at her, you're going to ignite that rag she is wearing." I motioned for a servant and set the empty cup on the tray they were carrying.

"If only." Tyrine muttered. "She's a problem."

"You think everyone is a problem." I pointed out, reaching for another glass of wine. I need someone heavier than this to be here for the next few hours.

"You don't understand." Tyrine sighed, pinching his nose. "I don't know why someone like her was even invited to the ball."

"Is she not a noble?" I asked, not actually caring.

"She's the bastard of house Thornevale." Tyrine grumbled. "And her personality is trash."

"Bastard or not, everyone with a drop of noble blood is here." I swirled my wine absently.

Tyrine sighed again and changed the subject. I half listened to his inane rambling but found myself looking at the woman– not obviously though.

If someone noticed it would cause a headache that I didn't want to deal with.

Tyrine's dribbling continued on so long that I had to actively resist the temptation of hitting him with the hilt of my sword. Gods, I hate this man as much as I hate parties and balls.

A quick shift of movement caught my eye and I saw Page Westwood– another annoyance– walking inside with a small woman that looked like lost deer.

He spoke to her quietly and walked off. The woman crossed the ballroom, scanning the crowd like she was looking for someone.

How strange. I thought, sipping the wine. Yet another face I don't recognize.

Suddenly the woman stopped and narrowed her eyes toward where house Thornevale's bastard stood.

Oh? I narrowed my own eyes– sensing something was amiss. What is that woodland creature going to do?

The deer beelined toward the bastard and did something unexpected and extremely childish. While Thornevale was trying to manage a falling tower of drinks from an inept servant– the creature wobbled and bumped into her.

Not a deer after all. I sighed, handing my drink to Tyrine. Rather a snake.

"She's at it again." Tyrine grumbled. "I'm going to-"

"You're going to shut up and not move from this spot." I interrupted walking away. "I'll handle this myself."

The sight I saw, when I reached Thornevale, the snake, and Page was comical. Page was being an ass as usual. The snake had crocodile tears streaming down her face. Thronevale looked like she wanted to bolt.

This is a pain.

While I questioned the girl– and rudely was interrupted by Page– the lies the girl was spewing had my blood boiling.

I hate nothing more than a liar.

After I dismissed Kyla Thornevale, I commanded the dipshit duo to follow me to an empty room.

"Continue the ball." I called.

Moments later the sound of music and light chatter filled the air.

I stepped into the room and walked toward the lone chair and sat. Page and the woman walked in closing the door behind them.

"What is your name, girl?" I asked, propping my elbow on the chair's arm and resting my chin in my hand.

"Paulita Vance is her name, your highness." Page spoke quickly.

"Is she unable to speak for herself?" I arched an eyebrow. "She seemed fine earlier when she rambled nonsense."

"I-"

"Leave us, Page." I cut him off. "Your existence right now is pissing me off."

Page stiffened and looked over at Vance. She sniffled, patted his arm, and murmured something about how she would be fine on her own. Page hesitated for a moment, promised to wait outside for her, bowed to me and left.

"Do you make a point in staging 'accidents'?" I asked once the door closed.

"I-I don't know what you mean." She gasped, covering her mouth. More fake tears welled in her eyes.

"That's your stance, hmm?" I pushed off the chair and walked over to her– stopping inches from her person. "This world is full of lions and sheep. The strong and the weak." I smirked– satisfied to see genuine fear enter her eyes. "Everyone has their place, but you Lady Vance, will be nothing but fodder."

I brushed past her and walked toward the door. Her voice gave a moment's pause.

"I…don't mean to be so scared. Lady Kyla truly signaled me out." She sniffled. "This is my first ball and-"

"Come now, Lady Vance." I glanced over my shoulder. "You and I both know you're being less than truthful. I'd watch my back if I were you. Women like you don't last very long."

I opened the door and stepped out. Page rushed past me as the girl's sobs reached our ears.

How pathetic. I walked across the room, heading out of the ballroom.

I'm finished with this gathering of animals.

I pushed outside, heading toward the training grounds.

Some physical activity will do me well.

Still, as I walked through the night, my mind circled back on Kyla Thornevale.

I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time I saw her.

If only I had known just how accurate I had been in my assumption.