It was now four in the afternoon, so I had an hour to prepare for the party. I had an idea of what dress I was going to wear. I still had to be presentable, but I didn't have to be a total royal snob at the party. I opted for one of my newest additions to my wardrobe, a silk black well-fitted dress off the shoulder and a mesh corset. The corset was a bit see-through but nothing too severe; Caroline told me it would pass the checks of the council's eyes. But I hadn't intended to wear this dress around them.

Caroline had also made a striking pair of black heels to match. The heels added an extra four inches to my height and were absolutely stunning, as the straps fell seemingly in place against my foot. She even made a matching clutch with the leftover fabric.

What do you think? I teased as I stared at myself in the mirror. I definitely will turn a few heads tonight.

I don't want you out in that.

That was his jealousy talking. When can we be together in public like this?

You're going to make it difficult for me not to drag you to a room, are you?

Perhaps. Give it a few drinks, and it will take little time.

Maria, please behave tonight. For anything good, please behave.

Yeah, we will see.

Maria. What am I going to do with you?

I didn't respond to him; instead, I just headed out. There was no way I would miss a party at The Phoenix Tavern. That was my favorite place, after all.

I was one of the first to arrive, twenty minutes early. I sat at the bar top and started a tab. "Elven wine Princess?" the male bartender asked.

"Definitely." He poured me a half glass and slid it to me.

"Is this going on the Captain's tab for tonight?"

I nodded. "I see he got the word out early this time."

"Considering the last time he did this, the tavern was a mess for days. Thankfully, the boss could hire a few more people to staff the tavern tonight."

I looked around and noted a few new faces:

* A dirty blond

* A cheeky redhead

* An annoyed-looking jet-black-haired man

* A short-statured woman with brown hair

Four new faces along with the usual staff. "Probably a good call. It's not often the Captain pays for the Elite guards tab."

"That's what the boss is afraid of. He knows those guards like to drink, and they like to drink heavy."

"Don't blame them. They have it rough."

"True that, Captain I have heard can be a hard ass, but he has a soft spot for you, Princess."

I almost choked on the wine. "What now?"

"A few people have talked, rumors. One of them is that the Captain has his eyes set on you."

"I highly doubt that a man of his stature would not go for a woman like me."

He looked at me as if I slapped him across the face, "Why not? You're beautiful and Royal."

I couldn't help but blush, "thanks, um…what is your name?"

"Jeorge."

"Well Jeorge, thanks for the compliment."

He nodded and went back to washing glasses. I noted that he had a ton of glasses already lined up and ready to go. I laughed, "You are getting prepared for this."

"Got to be on top of things if I am to get a good tip out of all of this." He winked at me. Wait a minute…was that compliment a tool to get a tip? I narrowed my eyes and turned around, sipping my wine.

Are you flirting with the bartender already?

Please. He was filtering with me. Completely one-sided.

Then why do you seem hurt that he was using that to his advantage?

I'm not.

You are.

When are you getting here?

Give me five more minutes. I am just finishing up my round. Well, make it fifteen. I want to change. They should start showing up any minute now.

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Great thanks.

Just as I spoke those words, the door opened, and thankfully, it was Quinn. "Maria! He said you'd be here." She ran over to me and hugged me tightly. "Drinking already?" She glanced down at my half-finished glass.

"He's paying, so why not?"

"Fair, hey Jeorge! Pour me what she is having."

"You got it, Quinn!" He poured her a glass and slid it to her. He was marking it down on the tab.

"How often do you come here?" I asked, as I didn't even know the bartender's name.

"A couple of times a week." I tried not to react. "Don't give me that; guard duty is tough."

"Fair enough. Is everyone coming tonight?"

"Oh, you know it. When the Captain offers to pick up the tab, all the Elites will show, regardless of whether they drink. A free meal and a drink is that, a free meal and a drink. Not to mention a room if we need it."

"How badly do you think he will regret this?"

"Oh..by far, this one will hurt him hard. I plan to rack up ten to twenty gold at least myself."

I heard him sigh heavily through the bond. I'm starting to second-guess this now.

You can't take it back now. Let's have a bet.

I'm listening. Whoever is closest to the final tab tonight will get rewarded.

What's the reward? Other than a depletion in my bank.

That has yet to be decided. So you in?

Count me in. I'm hoping for no more than five hundred gold. But knowing my guards it will be around eight hundred.

Ha! I'm thinking higher, like one thousand.

He dropped his belt. Don't wish that on me, Maria.

Just get your ass here, and Quinn and I won't rack up fifty gold worth between us.

You wouldn't.

Oh, you know I would. I've already started. I took a big gulp of the wine.

Damn it, Maria.

I let him be. "What does the Captain have to say?"

"Oh, he will be here soon. I guarantee it." I finished up the glass I had and motioned for another one, which Jeorge was happy to pour.

Quinn glared at me. I could tell that she was slightly concerned that I was drinking this much already. "There's the man of the hour!" She shouted as Jasper and a few other guards walked in together. Jasper's face was beat red already, so I knew the guards were giving him hell about leaving the ranks.

"When he said he could get you out of the castle, I almost didn't believe it," Jasper spoke, bringing me in for a hug.

"I wouldn't miss your goodbye party for nothing."

The guards were quick to order two rounds of drinks between all of them. "So, Maria, how often do you leave that castle nowadays?" Henry, an older male guard, asked.

"Often enough. Traveling to the other kingdoms less often."

"We heard what happened at Summer Crest, and it's hard to believe that you are still tolerating that bastard," Julus said.

"Patience is key." I took another swig of my wine.

"Is that why you are already on your second drink, Princess?" Henry spoke up.

"Nope."

"She's on her second drink because I'm paying," Theo said as he entered the tavern, and ,ten more guards filled in with him.

"Bout time you got here, Captain," Quinn spoke.

"Please, I must ensure you don't run me completely broke."

"First round!" A guard shouted at the bartender as they all waited for their first rounds of drinks. At the same time, I was almost done with my second.

Even Theo took a glass and sat at the bar top with me. He leaned in and whispered, "Remember to take it slowly. We both feel it."

I rolled my eyes, "Slow, please. There are spells for that."

"You're lucky I have that prepared today. But that's no excuse for you or me to get hammered."

I sighed softly, "Please, just one damn time, can I get wasted?"

"On my watch, no."

I elbowed him, causing him to spit out some wine. I motioned for the bartender to pour me a third as I gulped down the rest of my second glass. Theo's eyes narrowed as he let out a deep sigh of disapproval.

"Captain!" Brienne shouted over the large crowd of guards now. "Come play darts with us."

"Darts?" I asked, "Can I play?"

"Can you walk?" Theo questioned me.

"Yes," I spoke firmly as I hopped off the bar stool and almost fell flat.

"No, you can not. Quinn, watch her for me, please."

Quinn and I sighed, "I do not need a babysitter."

"Yeah, and Captain, as much as I love Maria, I don't want to be tied down with her all night."

"Quinn." His voice got more firm, deeper, even, and authoritative.

She sighed in defeat, "Fine, Captain, but you owe me."

She helped me back up as he walked off to play a round of darts with the guards. "Sorry, you are stuck with me." I felt bad for Quinn being stuck watching me.

"Please, I'd rather hang out with you than that rough house of boys any day." I watched her stare as it lingered on the boys. They arm wrestled, played darts, and tackled each other in the middle of the tavern, which was like a freestyle pit but without the pit.

"You're lying to me." It was almost a pout. Damn, the wine was strong tonight.

"Sorry. Another round?" She asked as she motioned for the bartender to pour another two glasses.

I nodded and accepted the glass before my third was finished.

Maria, you want to know something?

You were an ass to Quinn?

No. That isn't where I was going with this. I don't have to drink tonight; I'll siphon the alcohol away from you and still get the same effect.

Won't that be suspicious? Do you get buzzed without drinking?

That's a fair point. I do have a stronger tolerance than most. Have the bartender pour me another glass, and I'll let Quinn have some fun.

"Hey Jeorge! Another glass."

"Already?" He looked concerned.

"It's for me," Theo spoke as he approached us. "Quinn, go take your turn with the boys. I got her for a while."

Quinns face lit up. "Thanks, Captain." she gulped down the rest of her glass and went to the pit where the boys were roughhousing.

Theo sat on the stool beside me and healed some of his wounds. "Don't look at me like that."

"I thought you were playing darts."

"We did. Then Jasper pouted about losing, so I challenged him. I wanted to see how fast he could pin me. He failed."

"You couldn't let him have just one, could you?"

"Nope. Not even at his party."

I elbowed him harder this time. "I can take you."

"Please, of all things? And half wasted at this point?"

"Is that a challenge, Theo?"

Theo's eyes widened. He knew what he walked into. "For fuck sake. Here?"

"Why not? They are."

"Let me get this straight. You want to brawl. With me. Here. In front of everyone?"

"Why the Hell not?"

"Think about it."

"Still don't see a problem."

He rolled his eyes. "A princess fighting in a tavern won't be popular with the council or Marcel."

I glared at him with the use of Marcel's name. "Fine." Even buzzed, I got where he was coming from. But I was satisfied with the matter. It looked fun in that "pit," where the guards were going rounds with each other. And all I had to do was sit back and watch the action. Well, at least I still had my wine. I think I am on my fourth glass now. Eh, I lost count.