Pierre waited as patiently as he could, reminded by his advisor that he had to win over the princess. He thought the man was a fool if he thought that winning Ana over was going to happen. Pierre knew that the path ahead of him was filled with spiteful words and cold glares.

If he wanted to take that path with Ana, Pierre would do it, but it didn't interest him. He knew it would take months for her to even look at him without seeing the bloody past dripping from his hands.

He didn't care what Ana thought about him or what she wanted. She served a purpose, and that was to solidify his leadership and to produce an heir for him. One child would be enough. After that, she could sit in her room and sulk for the rest of her extremely long life. He'd lock the door if needed, not that it really mattered. Once he was the king and she'd given him an heir, Ana could walk out the door and never come back.

Pierre hummed with amusement. In his opinion, it was a great idea. If it worked out like that, he could push Ana out the door in under a year. Once she'd popped a kid out, she would be inconsequential.

The advisor gently cleared his throat, shifting his head slightly. Pierre turned to see Ana and her lady-in-waiting approach. She was a sight, one that he could not turn away from. Anarameha bore a striking resemblance to her mother, aside from the pink hair.

He'd always admired the queen for her beauty and could see many similar features in Ana. Frolicking with her would be fun, in Pierre's opinion. It would only be necessary until the pregnancy was confirmed, and then he wouldn't need to darken her door again. That is unless she liked his company. Then she might not be booted out the door after the birth.

Pierre was uncertain as to the way that this would turn. The derisive stare that Ana shot him told Pierre that at the moment, he'd get nothing but cold and hateful words from her. That was fine, but she'd learn to behave and to prove how little say she had in this place now, he decided to start with her appearance.

Pierre turned to the lady-in-waiting.

"See to it that a hairdresser is brought in to rectify the colour."

Leearin's mouth opened in shock, warily she glanced at the princess who was seething under the veil.

"Touch my hair, and I will gut you when you sleep."

Reaching forward, he grabbed Ana by the elbow and dragged her closer.

"I wasn't planning on doing anything myself. If you'd listened, I told the maid to bring a hairdresser in. Queens do not have pink hair."

Ana yanked her arm out of his grip. Before Pierre could move, Ana pulled the gun from his side and pressed it to his neck. In the anxiety laden silence, the hammer clicked.

Laughing, he gently moved her hand out of the way.

"Do you really think that I'd have a loaded gun at my side when you're around?"

Ana pressed the trigger.

"Shame. I was hoping to coat the walls with your blood. Better lock up the knives."

Slamming the gun against Pierre's chest, Ana moved out of the building. Leearin scuttled after her, wary of the man that was watching her. The amusement on his face seemed far too deadly for either of them.

"Forgive my boldness, my lady but your words and actions risk enraging the leader."

"He is not the leader."

"Of course, I meant,"

"I know what you meant, Leearin." Ana interrupted. "And I welcome his dark and angry moods. It means that I can learn everything about him. If he hides it from me, then I do not know my adversary. Is he following?"

Leearin looked back and saw Pierre. He still had that smug look on his face.

"Unfortunately, he is."

Her steps were twice as many as the princesses. Despite the heavy dress, Ana still walked with a hurried pace. She wanted to run but figured that would draw the wrong kind of attention.

"I know that you do not want anything to do with him, but may I point out that he is quite handsome? He's young and when he's in a reasonable mood, he can be quite friendly."

Ana raised an eyebrow at the maid, earning blushed cheeks.

"Anyone would think that you want him, Leearin. For the record, you can have him. I have someone."

"Please do not tell him that. I have seen the darkness in his heart. If he learns of your love, he will ensure that the poor man dies a most painful death."

Ana stopped and smiled at Leearin.

"And what if he's a vampire?"

The maid stared while wondering the possibilities for that scenario. Vampires were a hidden race, often hiding in full view of the public. The king created the Sovereignty Corps because vampires were almost infallible. They were the kind of guard that the royal family needed.

Leearin remembered the dark days that haunted her memories. The death of all of the guards was shocking to all of the staff. No one expected them to fall so easily.

The pair followed as Ana, and the maid walked through the garden. There were guards everywhere but Pierre was not prepared to let Ana out of his sight when they were outside. He knew that anything was possible in this city and an open space like this was a great place to land a helicopter or similar. The guards maintained respectful distances and if someone approached on a speed bike, they'd have no chance of catching the rider or Ana.

The maid glanced at Pierre as he approached. When he frowned at her, Leearin scuttled after the princess. Once her back was turned, Pierre turned to his advisor.

"When the princess has retired for the evening, and the maid's duties are done, have her report to my office. Without the princess knowing."

"As you wish."