"I knew you would come darling", someone whispered roughly into my ear as they put their hand on my thigh where my dagger was strapped.

'I knew that voice from somewhere, but where?' I thought as I tried to pull away from their grasp.

"Who are you?", I confidently asked, but in reality I was freaking out inside. No person has ever put their hand on my thigh, let alone a man.

"Ah, Aloia you wound me? Can't even remember the man that you are in love with?" the man said into my ear knowing he was wearing a smile. I felt his lips against my ear and I knew I was turning redder by the minute. Thank God I was wearing my mask.

Then it hit me.

"Caspian, what the hell? I thought I was in actual danger!" I said pushing away, but he grabbed my hand.

I faced him and I suddenly forgot how to breathe. He wasn't dressed in uniform as the other guards but rather leather pants, a white blouse, and a brown vest. His face was seen except a black bandana across his eyes. Although it was simple, he looked handsome and I'm sure all the women at the ball were ready to prance at him. So why was he here with me?

I realized I was staring at him for too long and feeding his ego, I quickly looked away and cleared my throat.

"Like what you see?" he said as he kissed my hand. I quickly pulled it away.

"I have things to do, and talking to a child predator isn't one of them," I told him as I tried to walk to the door, but he blocked my way.

"You know Aloia, I'm actually 20 and you're 18, which I checked in the kingdom's records after last night. Which means, I am not a child predator" he took a pause and looked into my eyes, "I qualify as a suitor."

I coughed out a laugh.

"And what makes you think that I would be so interested in you?" I questioned knowing this would be interesting to hear.

"I will make you be. I am quite charming" he said with a wink.

I tried to make a run for the door again. But I was pulled into a tight hug. I looked up and met his eyes which were deeply staring into mine.

At that moment I could tell, he wasn't joking about his last statement.

Suddenly, the door swung opened and we both turned to look who it was.

"Oh, sorry I thought this was the powder room, silly me," said a lady who looked to be in her forties.

"It's quite all right", I told her as I pulled out of Caspian's grasp and finally make it through the door. I'll need to thank that lady some other time. If it wasn't for her I would have forgotten what I was here fore tonight. Which was not staring to Caspian's eyes all night, it was the Pinkerton's boy who I was for.

"Excuse me miss?"

I turned to face where the voice came from. It was a young boy with an overcoat, it was visibly worn out and threads were coming undone at the bottom. But this was unrecognizable unless you looked for it. Perfect.

"Yes" I said as I did a small courtesy. I might be ruthless when it comes to fighting but that doesn't mean I don't have manners.

"Would you care to dance?"

I turned to the circle in the middle of the hall. Father made us take dancing lessons when we were younger. I knew of most dances, but that doesn't mean I could do them well.

"Oh, it would be my pleasure!" I told him. He took my hand and walked me to the center. I saw from the corner of my eye Caspian staring me down. I quickly turned away before he could notice.

He led me to the circle forming in the center of the ballroom, he moved to my right and I spotted Caspian across the room with a lady in hand. That sneaky bastard. Must he follow my every move? I met eyes with him and a devilish smirk grew across his face.

The dancer was a mixer, which means I have to switch partners every few minutes. I pray that I won't have to dance with Caspian.

The boy took my waist and started to dance.

"I'm sorry but I never got your name." I asked him trying to seem flirty with him.

"Oh, of course, my name is Gilbert"

"Fuck" I muttered under my breath. It wasn't the Pinkerton boy.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Gilbert in front of me. His eyes twice the size they used to be.

I forgot that men weren't used to women using vulgar words. But honestly, I couldn't care less.

He lifted me in the air, as part of the dance and I knew it was time to switch partners. Perfect no time to waste.

I spun and turned to face a gentleman in a blue vest with a brown overcoat. He was definitely not who I was looking fo

I let out a groan and quickly turn to face him to see if he heard it.

"Sorry if you were invested with your previous partner, but I am sure he will be here when the dance is over." He told me with a smile.

"No, I wasn't too involved with him. Actually, you saved me from him." I said with a laugh.

He smiled and I noticed his beautiful blue eyes. They seemed so familiar.

"Have I met you before? I think I remember your eyes from somewhere." I said trying to think.

"No definitely not." He said loudly.

"Oh, sorry if I have offended you. It's just I am looking for someone" I told him. Maybe he had seen the Pinkerton boy somewhere.

"Maybe I can help" he offered

"Have you seen a boy from the Pinkerton family?" I asked

"You mean the family that's been rumored to..abuse-"

"Yes them. They have a boy by the name of Richard. I am looking for him." I said cutting him off.

"Mhm, I'll tell you if you tell me why you are looking for him." He said with a raised eyebrow

I let out a low growl.

"He might be engaged to my sister. To make sure that doesn't happen I have to teach him a lesson." I explained.

"Okay, that's understandable but you forget that you are just a girl. What can you do to a man twice your size?"

"You don't have to worry about that plus someone should teach him a lesson. I would be more than happy to. And never..." I said looking into his eyes "underestimate a lady with a goal. Men use their fist, women use their minds"

He lifted me into the air with the song and I twirled once again.

"Shit" I mumbled as I landed in Caspian's hands.

Thankfully the song ended and I pulled away but he held on to my waist.

"Where do you think you are going?" he whispered into my ear.

I knew if I didn't leave soon then the next song will start and I knew it was a waltz.

"Let me go Caspian." I told him trying to push him away from me but he didn't move.

Then the song started.

The song started softly and he pulled me into his arms. We were closer than necessary for a waltz might I add.

I felt his breath on my neck as we started to dance in a circle. I forgot how to breathe. His scent of mint evergreen was overpowering and delicious.

"What were you talking about with your other partners?" he asked into my ear. He knew it drives me crazy.

"Why do you care?" I asked. Who was he to dictate whom I could and couldn't talk to?

"Because you are mine." he whispered roughly into my ear. Tinglings flew down my spine also he spun me out and caught me in his arms once again.

I knew time was running out and I had to kill the boy soon.