He beamed at her, patiently waiting for a reply. To think that his night would have turned out this way with him finally meeting her once more—after months of being in battle, he gets to see her. Happiness spread through him like a comet—being close to her, he felt something that he could not explain. Was it joy, perhaps?.

Cedric would have arrived at the same time with the rest of his family but he didn't due to a certain mess he had to take care of. Luckily, he had dealt with the sent assassin and left the clean up to Ronald. Here he was, thinking that his dear mother would let her enormous goal of killing him slide for that night. It seemed that he was dead wrong.

He almost didn't want to attend but. . . a tiny convincing did the trick.

“Your Majesty perhaps, you should attend the Royal ball. It is in your honor after all!” Ronald stated.

Cedric ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it's perfectly combed nature. A few locks fell, framing his chiseled features.

“I do not feel like it!” He replied grimly.

“. . . But not attending, would make one of Her Majesty's wishes come true. You wouldn't want that, would you?”.

He sighed. The annoying chipmunk had a point. The last thing he wants is—his dear Mother winning tonight.

At present—he is more than glad that he did, because finally he gets to see her and dance with her, if she'd let him.

Can I have your first dance, Lady Rosalind? That question swirled in her head for a moment. It didn't seem right to her. Dancing with him? No, that's not logical. It is not meant to be her. It had to be with Adeline, the female lead not her.

She sighed! Knowing the right reply to give him, wishing deep down that she would not hurt his ego.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty but I cannot!” She said slowly, staring at him. Her voice though steady bore the weight of discomfort.

His smile faltered, slowly ebbing away at her reply.

The music abruptly stopped! She turned to the orchestra. The musicians bore an eager look as they stared at her direction adding to her newfound predicament_ the mumbling from the guest began once more, making her situation much worse.

Rosalind wished for the ground to open so that she could fall in and never come out. If that was what would get her out of this situation, she would happily accept it.

He let out a chortle, surprising her. The Lady before him fascinated him in more ways than one. This was the first rejection he had ever received in his entire lifetime but the funny thing was—he was not enraged, Not one bit, however the amusement inside of him grew because of her.

“And may I ask, why?” He asked suddenly.

Rosalind blew out her cheeks—pondering on a reasonable excuse to give him. She could not tell him the actual reason, it would make her look insane.

“Well. . .um. . .it is because. . .” She paused thinking of what to say.

“. . .Because she agreed that her first dance will be with me!” Edward said from a distance, coming to her rescue. He drew closer to them with confidence that was a stark contrast to the drama unfolding in the room.

Rosalind beamed at him, grateful for his quick save. Relief washed over her as she met his gaze.

Cedric squinted his eyes at him, he was not convinced by his words.

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“Is that so?” He asked, his brows furrowed as he stared at him with a thoughtful mien.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Edward replied.

“I want to hear it from the Lady herself!” Cedric stated, staring at her.

Rosalind felt like he could see through her, deep into her soul.

“Yes, that is the truth!” She managed to say, almost in a whisper—avoiding his piercing gaze.

“I am sure you would not mind me stealing her first dance, would you?” He asked Edward, emitting an intimidating glare.

Edward gulped nervously, “Well, I. . .uh. . .”

“Is it okay if I dance with my sister first, Your Majesty?” Leopold’s voice drew their attention. Edward let out a breath glad that Leo arrived right on time.

Cedric let out a chortle. It seemed that he was outnumbered by them. He felt like the odd one among them and indeed he was.

The guests including the Royal family watched the scenario, enthralled by the drama that was unfolding before them.

“What do you think is wrong with Cedric?” The older of the two Princes asked no one in particular.

“I have no idea but it seems that he has an attraction for the Everhart Princess!” The other replied, watching the drama with great enthusiasm.

The Queen narrowed her eyes at Rosalind. She looked like an interesting young lady. Perhaps, she was the missing piece she needed to end Cedric once and for all. A dark smile plastered on her lips at the thought.

“Leopold, I am surprised to see you here!” Cedric said, his brows twitched_irritated by the situation.

“Well, I can not just leave my sister here all alone, can I?” He asked, ignoring Edward's presence. The two men glared at each other, not backing off.

“This is what you both get for abandoning me!” Rosalind spoke with gritted teeth to Edward.

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously as guilt rushed in.

“Sorry! It was not my intention!” He said.

Rosalind rolled her eyes at him. What mattered to her was getting out of this sticky situation.

“You know what!” She said, grabbing their attention. “I do not want to be a part of this!” She yelled, fed up with the drama.

She turned on her heel and left the trio. They stared at her, shocked at her outburst. Cedric smiled, his admiration for her elevated to a level that was immeasurable. The way she spoke with not an atom of fear in her eyes, enticed him.

Rosalind was halfway across the room—a few feet from the door. She walked swiftly whilst ignoring the looks she got from the muttering guests. Without much warning, he grabbed her hand—twirling her around to the surprise of everyone present as the orchestra began to play.

Before she could realize what was unfolding, Rosalind found herself in the arms of the least person she expected.

“Great! What I just needed!” She uttered in a sarcastic tone “More drama!”.

The corner of his lips quirked up, wearing a mischievous smile. She stared at his silver gray eyes and sighed.

“What are you doing?” She asked, glaring at him.

He winked flirtatiously at her “Dancing with you. What do you think?” He asked casually.

He held her waist firmly as they danced around the ballroom.

“Can you let go of me?” Her eyes blazed with fury.

The stares she got from everyone made her uncomfortable. But what gave her more of a fright was the sinister stare of the Crown Prince, it frightened her to her bones.

“I can't do that, you see. . .” He paused, she stared at him demanding an explanation. He inched closer to her—their faces were inches apart, “. . .If I do that they will kill me!” He admitted in a whisper, referring to the Crown Prince and her brothers.

Rosalind stared at him like he was dumb “Then why did you do it in the first place?” He could sense the anger emanating from her.

“I didn't think much of it when I did it!” He said slowly.

She inhaled and exhaled, trying to prevent herself from exploding. “Just let go of me, now that I am asking nicely!” She seethed.

He took a deep breath and did as she demanded.

“Good!” She said with a steely edge and stormed off from the room. Her blood boiled with rage. So much for her first social gathering in this world.

Alexander stared at her silhouette in the hallway, a light smile decorated his lips. She was feisty, very feisty and he was allured by her.

“Stay away from my sister, Alex!” Edward said standing beside him; he did not look pleased, angered by his friend’s action.

Alexander sighed. Of course, Edward will be enraged by his recent action but he couldn't help himself. His sister was different from any woman he has met before and he was attracted to her more than any lady he encountered.

“You don't need to worry, Edward! I will not hurt her!” He said with a pat on his shoulder.

Alexander walked towards a group of Noble Ladies. They giggled at his antics.

Edward stared at him, his face twisted with rage. When it comes to Rosalind, he doesn't take chances.