Breathing was starting to become difficult, so I had to do something before he kills me. I could have used my throwing stars but I didn't want to blow my cover yet, so I opted for another option completely. My knee met with his nether regions, and he had let go almost immediately, stumbling back a little. While he had left himself wide open and vulnerable, I noticed his weapon on his belt. Quickly, I reached and unsheathed it. I could recognise it almost immediately. It was a cutlass sword. The handle was golden and cool to the touch. The blade was long, and it shone in the light.

I held the blade to the prince's neck, taking deep breaths in. "You dare lay hands on a noble woman. A guest in your humble abroad. Shame on you."

The prince was frozen to the spot, stunned. Neither of us said a word to each other, our eyes locked at each other's. Footsteps were heard in the distance, but I didn't budge. The steps didn't stop until they were beside us.

"Elliot Lockbell," the King said with a hint of anger. "What is the meaning of this?"

From the corner of my eye, I could see the king's fists clenched and his eyes furrowed together. He was furious.

"Father, I... I haven't done anything wrong. This wasn't my idea," the prince spit out, his chest rising and falling with every shaky breath he took.

The King of Frostbourne had grabbed his son's hair and yanked at it, making the prince take a few steps back. He grabbed his father's arms, pain seeping on his features. Due to the commotion a few of the soldiers who were previously training had come and stood near us.

One of the soldiers had stepped forward. "Your highness, I am Lieutenant colonel, Marvin." The man was a lot taller than I was, a majority of his facial features were hidden underneath his helmet, hair had enveloped their way around his arms. He was quite a burly looking man, not someone you'd want to pick a fight with.

"Marvin, allow me to express my utmost delight in making your esteemed acquaintance. I am Princess Layla of Sandshore," I said as politely as I could. It was a struggle for me to speak so formally but I had to do it.

"Would you like me to take that from your hands, your majesty?" Marvin had asked then bowed.

"Please. That would be amiable." I lowered the sword and held it out to Marvin.

My hair was surely messed up after the commotion from earlier. I looked towards the prince and his father.

"I defended you! All those times women have had allegations of you groping them. You have embarrassed me greatly." The king had tugged harder on the prince's hair, his voice raising with each sentence. It was quite rare to see a king so angry.

"Dad, please. I haven't done a single thing wrong. Ple– ow." The prince seemed to be in a great deal of pain. "Princess Layla, please, help me."

I crossed my arms across my chest, raising an eyebrow. "I am disinclined to offer assistance to individuals of such distasteful nature. Pardon my departure but I must attend to pressing matters that require my immediate attention." Quickly, I turned around and walked out before anyone could say anything further. The prince could fight his own battles, he didn't need me to vouch for his inappropriate behaviour.

On my way to get inside, I was met face to face with the Queen. A gentle smile invaded her features. "Allow me to offer my most sincere apologies for how my son treated you. I have a hair stylist in at the moment, please, let me show you to a room where you can stay. I'll have her come up and restyle your hair."

"Please, your highness, I couldn't trouble you like this. You have been very generous thus far," I said, walking alongside the queen.

"Nonsense." The queen headed towards the stairs. "Please, this way."

I followed her back up the long stairway, my hand resting against the cold railing. It was a wonder the royal family and anyone working in this castle was so fit. These stairs were enough exercise for a day. We had reached the second floor and were on our way to one of the bedrooms. I really just wanted to sit down for five minutes.

Ten doors down, we finally stopped at a navy door. Counting the doors from the staircase was the other way for me to ensure I won't get lost. The Queen had pulled out a set of keys from her purse. She quickly looked through them and fished out a navy tear drop looking key, inserted it into the keyhole.

Once the door unlocked, she pushed the door open then turned to face me. "After you."

"Thank you," I said. I didn't know what to expect when I entered that room, but one thing was for sure was that this place was fancy. It was a lot different to what I was used to.

As soon as I entered the room, I didn't know what to look at first. A canopy bed was the first thing I noticed as soon as I entered, its navy curtains with blue snowflakes caught my eye. The bed had a duvet with a quilt cover that matched the curtains of the bed and the window. A navy rug wasn't laid in this room but a white fur one. A desk and chair sat on the far left corner, a large wardrobe unit on the other corner. A large crystal chandelier hung from the pristine white ceiling. It was a stunning room. Admittedly it looked a lot better than my own bedroom back home.

"Allow me to grant you freedom to pursue the chamber at your leisure. Furthermore, I shall station a pair of sentinels outside your quarters as an added measure of security," the Queen said as she then slipped out the room, closing the door behind her.

I looked around some more, a white dresser with a mirror rested on the right corner of the room. Everything in the room just fit perfectly and the blue and white colour scheme was apparent. It definitely screamed Frostbourne.

–

A knock sounded on the door, jolting me from my thoughts. Swiftly I stood up from the chair in front of the dresser. It couldn't have been the hair stylist, she just left not even a couple minutes ago.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"Prince Elliot. I came to talk and apologise," he said.

I didn't believe him and quite frankly I didn't want to be in the same room as him alone. Not after what happened earlier. If bossman had let me, I would have killed the prince where he stood but I wasn't allowed.

There were very few polite ways I could tell him to get lost. "You may speak to me from behind that door. If you wish to speak face to face you must bring a guard stronger than yourself. I do not want to risk being attacked again."

He was silent for a couple seconds before he spoke again. "I had a feeling you would say that, my lady. I have come prepared with two guards."

I sighed and closed my eyes for a few seconds. The man was adamant, props to him for that. Slowly, I walked towards the window, staring out at the night sky. "Come in."

The door creaked open, so I turned out to look at the prince and his guards. He wasn't kidding. The guards looked like they could squash someone with just their hands. They were very muscular. My eyes landed on the prince who was shirtless. His skin was the perfect shade of tan. He still had his black trousers and a matching belt on.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Why are you shirtless?" My eyes fell to the bleeding cuts on his chest and abdomen. "What happened to you?"

"That isn't important right now. I'll be fine." He could barely look up into my eyes. Suddenly the rug was interesting at that moment. Your Royal Highness, Princess Layla of Sandshore, I come before you to express my deepest remorse and offer my most sincere apology for my behaviour earlier. I acknowledge my wrongdoings and hope to see forgiveness. My actions were unjust and clearly lacking for someone of my position. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me and if not, I'll forever be in your debt to gain your trust again."

I crossed my arms against my chest. The princess would probably be naive enough to forgive this douchebag, and I know I need to act like her, but I'd like to walk this man like the dog he is. "If you treat me well during the banquet, I may forgive you. The ball is in your court tonight. Don't let me down."

–

It was almost 8pm. The time for the royal banquet has come and I was feeling nervous. I was standing outside my room, awaiting the prince to come down from his room to walk with me to the grand room where the ball was held.

A part of me was hoping that the prince would be on time. The mission was looming on my mind with the potential punishment if we aren't successful stressing me out more than it should have.

My hair was done in a lace braided bun. I had also changed into a navy off shoulder ball gown. It was floor length and sparkled in the light. I kind of felt itchy in it but I held off scratching in order to not ruin the dress or sequence.

"Princess, it is a pleasure to see you again," the prince said from behind me.

I turned to face him, and I curtseyed. "Likewise."

He gently picked up my hand, and gently kissed it. "Shall we?"

This moment was in many books I had read at home, and I was actually living in it. No amount of practice could ever prepare me for this. We walked down the hall, then down the staircase. My heart was pounding, the more we walked.

A row of guards stood on either side of the hallway, leading to a large open room. I wasn't a fan of big crowds but for this event I knew I had to just keep pushing. My heart started to pound harder the closer we got to the ballroom.

"It'll be ok princess." He squeezed my hand gently and smiled.

I nodded and took a deep breath in. When we walked through the doors, the entire room went silent, and all eyes were on us. I wanted to just crawl into a hole and die at that very moment.

"Good evening, everyone," the prince said in a high voice. "Your presence here is a gracious gift to my family, and I'd like to extend to each and every one of you my sincerest appreciation. I am truly humbled by your noble presence and the honour you bestow upon this occasion. May our time together be adorned with mirth, merriment, and cherished memories. Thank you, one and all, for gracing us with your distinguished presence on this enchanting night."

Everyone in the room clapped and cheered. I found myself clapping with them. The prince definitely had a way with words and captivating the room.

"Please, everyone, don't let us stop you all from having fun. Continue as you were," the prince said once more before he turned towards me. "Fancy a drink, my lady?"

I smiled. "Of course I would, my lord. Lead the way, please."

He entwined his arm with mine and slowly started walking forward, down the middle of a crowd. I felt a little awkward. The prince knew everyone, and I barely knew some of the people in the ballroom.

The room was enormous. Golden curtains were pulled open exposing the windows that viewed the land outside. Large chandeliers hung low on the black and white checked ceiling, giving a dim light to the room. The floor matched the ceiling above. Round tables with chairs decorated the floor near the walls. A long rectangular one rested opposite the entrance, three large vases with roses were spread out across the table. The round tables had candles on tall candle holders. It was quite a simple but sophisticated layout.

I continued to follow the prince until we reached a waiter in a black suit walking around with a tray of champagne. Prince Elliot picked two off the tray, thanked the waiter then held one out towards me.

"Thank you." I smiled, taking the glass. "The atmosphere is exquisite."

The prince only smiled and offered his hand. "Let's go to the table. My parents will be here any minute now."

I took his hand and walked with him. His touch was soft and gentle. There was an overwhelming mixed scent of perfume in the air. The prince guided me around the rectangular table and climbed the three steps onto the platform, then walked to the seat on the end, leaving me to sit beside him. From our spot on the platform, we could see the hundreds of heads crowding the ballroom.

The main doors opened, the chatter of the ballroom dying down almost immediately as the king and queen entered the room. The king wore his usual Frostbourne crown with a blue tailcoat suit. The queen wore a burgundy ball gown that was off the shoulder. The sleeves were adorned with diamonds and sequins. Everyone on the ballroom floor moved aside, neatly down the middle to leave an aisle way for the royal couple. The king and queen held a big smile on their faces. Everyone that had attended bowed and curtseyed as the couple went past them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, I humbly extend my sincerest appreciation for gracing us with your presence this splendid evening. Your presence has bestowed upon us immeasurable joy and honour. I implore you to indulge in lively conversations and grateful dances, as we anticipate the forthcoming feast. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude for your esteemed presence, and I entreat you to revel in the festivities that lie before us," the king announced, holding up a glass to the room of people, his smile never leaving his face.

Once again, the place lit up in chatter, left right and center. Prince Elliot and I were silent. I didn't know what to say on occasions like these. I much preferred to be in a silent room, mauling over my own thoughts, planning attacks, studying my victims, training, pushing myself to be the best I could be.

"Care to join me in some conversations with the guests, my lady?" the prince asked with a smile.

"It would be a pleasure, your highness," I said, meeting his gaze.

This was going to suck.