Clarissa Wains, come noon of the next day is pacing down the castle's halls anxiously. A fancy dress isn't something she wore regularly because every such ball she's attended to was her showing up uninvited and armed.

The navy blue dress hugs her figure, her shoulders bare of any cloth. She wondered what Astaroth would think, and it was an awful realization to her now that his opinions meant something.

"You look lovely Clarissa." She jumps at the sound of a voice sneaking up behind her. How dull she thinks she has grown to not notice such heavy steps.

"Vixen." She turns around and notices he isn't dressed for the event.

"I hope you have a great time at the party." Vixen walks past, looking back once more before she's out of view. "You truly look stunning."

His lips tasted bitter, and his mind couldn't help linger at the thought that it is the blue haired man who caresses her skin.

And that's how she knew Astaroth was becoming more than just a person in the castle to her. She couldn't care that Vixen was not going to the ballroom later on, but had that been Astaroth she would've chased after him and asked.

She imagines him standing there dressed in a fancy white suit in contrast to the blue of his features. Something away from his usual dark earthy choice in clothes.

I shouldn't be thinking of him with a halo of roses over my head. Clarissa continues to walk back and forth endlessly.

Should I go to the ballroom? Have the guests gathered yet? But Astaroth told me to wait for him.

Waiting irritably she's found herself vexed over her toned arms looking big and exposed. What if my big arms being out in the open make me look unappealing to him?

Some people liked muscular women in the real world anyways.

"Sorry, did I make you wait long?"

"No, not at all." She watches his gloved hand greet her cold shoulder. To her disappointment, he wears an awful combination. "Wine red? Who let you put that on."

"Is it bad?"

"Horrible on you."

"If you showed me a frown then I'd be so appalled I'd run back to change."

"You'd have to be wearing rags of your horse's shit for me to frown."

Astaroth laughs with a hint of worry in his voice. "You on the other hand, look stunning. I would have wished you wore my color though, not shades darker." He takes her hand and kisses it softly.

Clarissa turns her face away from him, an impossible attempt to conceal redness from her cheeks.

"Shall we?" Her partner for the night gestures her to lock arms with him and she does so.

"You would've looked better in white." She says softly as they walk in a rather slow pace to the ballroom.

"Next time I shall wear white then. I have a poor sense in fashion."

"If there will be a next time." Clarissa leans in, saying this in a more secretive hush.

"What do you mean? No one will be dying any time soon."

"Not even the strongest fighter is safe from disease."

The doors to the ballroom are open, waiting for the guests to enter. Most wonder how Freya's army of guards are going to fit inside. Or how they are going to fit inside if the army of guards are there before them.

By the time Clarissa and Astaroth make it to the place, the princess is yet to be present with her tiny army.

Music is playing, guests are snacking on small pastries. Katherine and Orias have yet to appear.

"Would you like to eat while waiting, or dance?" Astaroth asks.

"Eat. The rat-napper's people will devour all the pastries before Orias says his greetings."

She parts from Astaroth and hurries to fill a small platter with snacks.

"You'll bloat and have an uncomfortable night in that dress if you shove all that into your mouth girl."

Clarissa peers down and sees Josie with her three kids hugging her sides.

"But..."

"Go on, put half of what you got onto another plate for me. Your stomach will thank me later."

She sighs and does as Josie tells her. The kids excitedly take the pastries and start nibbling, almost instantly finishing the snack just as small as they are.

"I got lucky enough to have three not picky eaters with big appetites."

Everyone turns their heads as the princess appears with her people all around her, the sound of their steps overpowering the music. Some guests muttered in complaint, most watched silently.

"The princess seems to be in a foul mood."

"When is she not."

"Shh! If she hears you she's going to spill wine over your head!"

"I'm glad you know. Guard, get me two glasses of wine."

The three stiffen their posture. Her ears are as sharp as the rumors say. Every bad thing about her she hears, and if she doesn't- it will get to her. No matter how long it takes.

Given her demands, she lifts both glasses up and pours the wine over the two simultaneously, sparing the one who gave her the idea.

They run off in shame.

"See that? Anyone else who speaks gossip of my name will receive more than wine over their bodies." She hisses at the crowd and they all look away.

Clarissa catches the princess giving her an evil glare, but nothing more. Today is not for bloodshed.

"Welcome all! And thank you for coming to my engagement party." Finally, the Duke Orias Viertel and his soon to be wife Katherine Horak show up.

The duke always wore lavish clothes, nothing was new for him. Katherine this time wore a big, brilliant sparkling red gown with embroidered roses.

"And a big thanks to our very special guest, Princess Freya Golden. For coming in place of her father, his majesty the King."

"My father appreciates your kindness, duke Viertel." Freya almost gags on her words.

"In honor of our intention to become wed, we will have food, dancing, and a troupe performance and uh... Hold on Peter what else did I have planned again?" He turns around to ask the rat who stood at his side to make sure he doesn't mess up.

"That is all, duke."

"Yes! That is all. I will also have my newest painting out on display till the end of the party. It cost quite a fortune to have the kingdom's best artist paint a nude portrait of me."

"It looks stunning, my love." Katherine adds, her face twisting into a warped smile.

"He probably had that poor artist do a million revisions." Astaroth sighs. "Oh his dick is flaccid this time."

"And I wonder how he found space in his self-love filled heart for the Horak girl." Josie turns her kids' attention away from the painting.

"Go on, and have a fun evening!" Orias and Katherine sat on big, fancy, decorated seats facing the audience. The music continued to play and everyone started to dance.

"Shall I have this dance, my lady?" Astaroth extends his hand.

"What if I say no?"

"Then my little man heart will be broken."

She places her hand on his, and they begin to dance as they have practiced. He'd already gotten used to her rigidly neutral face, and it didn't feel awkward at all dancing with her even if she had no smile to offer.

Though, she did seem more relaxed.

"Do you never feel the urge to smile?"

"Only ever the temptation to cringe."

"Do you want to smile?"

"I haven't thought about that."

He twirls her around, and holds her again, stepping forward as she steps back, careful not to bump into others.

"You should, I bet you'd put a maiden on her knees with your smile."

"I don't want to put any poor maiden on her knees."

"Of course you don't, unless she hates animals then you'd want her on her knees and without a head."

"Yes."

"You could have me as your willing slave if you smile."

"I don't think I want any slaves. But how about this? I challenge you to make me smile."

"I've been trying to make you smile since I first met you. You've smiled at me once, but I don't think it was a happy smile."

"I haven't smiled in joy since I was a child in my first life. A young child."

"Was life so cruel to you it stripped a child of her smile?" His hand pulls away from her waist and reaches to her cheek, their faces close enough to feel the warmth of each others breath.

Clarissa pushes back and lowers his hand. "Enjoy the rest of the party, Astaroth."

She leaves the ballroom.

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