^^ Eve 10 years old

The ballroom is packed with nobles, and my countless lessons memorizing trivia about all of them is now being put to the test. Various people come up to greet me, and I exchange niceties with them. Honestly, faking a smile and talking to all these people is starting to drain me.

"Congratulations on your debut Lady Callisto," says a middle-aged women with curly, greying hair.

"Thank you so much for attending, Countess Elspeth. I know this must have been a far journey from the south," I reply.

"Please, how could I miss the debut one of society's most influential figures?" she says with hungry eyes, "Be sure to save a dance for my son, I think he's about your age."

Yeah, if about my age is 34. I also hear he has a horrible temper and is a womanizer. I smile and deftly dodge her offer.

I turn to Nyx and Finn, who haven't been more than ten feet away from me this whole party.

"I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be back soon," I say. I think I just need to get away from everyone for a little bit.

"Do you need me to come with you?" asks Finn. Honestly, I need a little break from them too since they're being a little too clingy for comfort right now especially when I accept people's offers for dances.

"I'll be alright," I reply. I leave the ballroom, and wander around the imperial palace. Eventually I find a garden with beautiful fountains and plants growing in it. I sit down on one of the edges of fountain, and look at sculpture of the first king and the first queen dancing in the middle of the fountain.

I suddenly get the feeling I'm being watched. I tear my eyes away from the statue and see a boy a couple feet away from me.

He seems to be about my age and is dressed in rags. His hair seems to be light brown, but that could just be due to the dirtiness of it. His face also has patches of dirt on it, but the feature that jumps out to me are his blue eyes that look like two sapphires. It reminds me of Finn's eyes except these ones are a little darker.

"Please, could you spare me some change?" he pleads.

I'm about to answer, but something feels off.

He looks too well fed, and even though the dirt obscures it a bit, his skin still has the glow nourishment provides. That's not even mentioning the fact that it would be impossible for a beggar to just wander into the imperial palace.

Could it be an assassin?

Now would be the perfect time to try to murder me. I'm all alone.

Still, I'm pretty good at fighting so unless they're really good, I'm sure I can take them.

I'm about to attack, when it suddenly dawns on me what's happening. Anger swells up in me, but I keep a calm composure.

"I wonder which trait you want to test in me, your highness... my kindness or my stupidity?" I say.

He's taken aback, "How did you know?" he asks.

"We're in the middle of the imperial palace, there's no way security would allow a beggar to be wandering here. But, that was very dangerous, what if I thought you were an assassin? I would have attacked you if I didn't realize you were the crown prince!" I say.

I'm barely holding back my anger, but it's seriously pissing me off. What gave him the right to do this? It's not like he's ever had to worry about money before. He's probably never had to skip a meal in his life, and here he is impersonating those who do.

But I can't yell at the crown prince. He's my main death flag, and I'd be a fool to make an enemy out of him. I sigh, "It's fine. I hope that answered any questions you wanted to find from your little test," I tell him.

I turn and start walking back toward the party.

"Wait, I'm- I'm sorry!" he calls out. I wave my hand as if to tell him he doesn't need to worry about it.

I walk back to the ballroom, and step back inside.

Ugh, that was probably not okay. I just chastised the crown prince! That might come back to bite me later.

Multiple nobles are already eyeing me, and I can tell they're going to approach me soon.

I scan the room for Nyx and Finn, but I can't find them.

Finally, I spot Finn stuffing a macaroon in his mouth.

I told him he can't do that! The nobles will gossip about that.

It's one of the stupid traps they've laid out. For some reason, it's improper to eat the food at a dance. Don't look at me, I didn't make the dumb rules.

Oh well, he looks so happy right now, that I don't have the heart to stop him.

I start walking toward him, but someone walks in front of me.

"Lady Callisto, would you grant me the honor of dancing with me?" he asks, offering me his hand.

I look up at him, and the blood drains from my cheeks.

In front of me is the face that has haunted my nightmares. A boy a little older than me with violet hair and eyes the color of a ripe plum.

The Dagger King.

He's wearing a crown made of some kind of black metal and gold. His black shirt seems to be made from some kind of silky material, but on closer inspection it's actually tiny metal fibers.

He seems different from that day I met him. Yes, still composed looking on the outside, but I can see cracks in his facade.

Faint dark circles are under his eyes, and the smile he has paired with the look he has in his eyes, somehow deeply unnerves me.

Every cell in my body is telling me to get away, but too many people are watching.

Who is he? Why is he here? Can I reject his offer?

My eyes catch my mother's, and she nods at me. Looks like I have no choice.

"But, of course," I respond, and put my hand in his.

He puts his hands on my shoulder and waist, squeezing too hard for comfort. I feel like I can't breathe, like that collar is on my neck again.

"It's been so long since I've seen you. You look so beautiful today, almost as pretty as that day I first saw you," he says quietly so that only I can hear him.

I feel like I'm going to be sick.

"You shouldn't have run away from me. But don't worry, I'll get you back," he says picking up a lock of my hair.

I swat his hand away, "What's stopping me from arresting you right here? You were a fool to reveal yourself. Do you have any idea how powerful the Callisto family is?" I reply.

He chuckles, "You really have no idea who I am," he answers, spinning me before bringing me back to him.

"And who would that be?" I spit back.

"I'm King Casein Silvius of the Thetis Empire. I'm sure you've heard of me before," he muses.

The Thetis Empire... a wealthy nation in the South. I knew they had a young king, but I didn't know he was this young.

He leans in and whispers in my ear, "You should come back with me. If you just follow me out of this ballroom, I can have you headed for the Thetis Empire before anyone notices," he says tightening his grip on me.

I really feel like I'm going to throw up. I hope he doesn't see me shaking. I don't want him to have the satisfaction.

"You're crazy," I respond, pulling away from him.

A dark look crosses over his face, "Trust me it will be easier this way," he threatens.

He reaches out toward me again, but a hand closes over his wrist.

"You're making Eve uncomfortable. I suggest you leave her alone before things get violent," says Nyx.

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