I felt out of place.

I kept receiving looks.

Usually I would have received looks for being a female in a guard's uniform, but tonight I was in a dress. Girls sent dark and curious looks. Men shot looks I was not accustomed to be shot in my direction.

Trumpets ran as the prince and princess were announced. Suddenly the doors opened as the two walked in side by side. They looked magnificent. Like a powerful duo. The future king and queen. They made their way down to the middle of the ballroom before each giving a little bow. Music began to play as the two had the first dance.

One by one, others had joined.

"May I have this dance?" asked a stranger. He was an older man, around my father's age. Maybe he was a lord.

I gave a little nod before taking his hand. He led me to the middle where we began dancing. My eyes searched for the prince. A small part of me wanted him to see me like this, looking pretty.

I felt the man's hand begin to drop a little lower. Without hesitating, I dug my fingers into one of his pressure points. The man winced.

"You've got quite the grip," he said through clenched teeth. Any second now...

"Yes, I need to be careful. I am known to leave wandering hands paralyzed," I threatened in a sweet tone.

His hand shot up immediately as his face paled. He began coughing before excusing himself. I smiled to myself. My father would have been proud.

I saw a worried face emerge from the crowd. It was Sebastian. His eyes widened upon realizing me before he burst into laughter. I raised a curious brow as he came my way. "I saw a lord looking awfully petrified I thought there might be a threat. I am assuming you had something to do with it. He is known to like younger woman."

I gave a small shrug. "I guess now he won't underestimate us younger woman."

Sebastian shook his head with a small chuckle. He was in his guards uniform, probably working.

"You can't get a few minutes off duty?" I asked him.

"Why?" He asked.

"So I can get a dance? I can use a friend, I am awfully bored," I admitted.

This earned another laugh from Sebastian. He motioned something to one of his men on the side who nodded his head. Sebastian put out his hand for me to grab before we made it to the dance floor.

We danced, laughed, gossiped. It was fun, there was nothing expected of us. Just two friends dancing. Sebastian spun me making me bump into someone. I turned to apologize before gasping.

Finally!

Mathew's eyed me from my head to my toes in shock and awe. "Clary?"

"Hi?"

"You-you are mesmerizing," he said earnestly. He looked down at my dress with a frown. "Sinful."

"Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing?" I asked feeling slightly worried.

"So good that it's bad," he said in a breathless voice. His eyes then shot behind me before turning cold. I guess he'd seen Sebastian.

I put a hand to his chest to calm him. "Save me a dance?"

Mathew looked down at my hand before he met my eyes. I did not know how long we stared into each other's eyes until a cough sounded behind me.

"I need to get back on duty, thank you for the dance," said Sebastian before giving us a small nod and leaving.

"Can I have it now?" Mathew asked now that we were alone.

"Yes," I said suddenly feeling out of breath. The way Mathew was looking at me was enough to make me lose my mind.

Mathew pulled me closer as we began dancing. One of his hands grabbed a strand of hair laying on my shoulder. "Your hair is down. I like it on you."

I felt blood rush to my cheeks. "Maybe I'll let it down more often then."

"I like the sound of that," he said, something changing in his eyes.

"You've kept your beard," I pointed out. I remember telling him I liked it... did he keep it for me?

"Yes, I hear the ladies love it," he wiggled his eyebrows teasingly. I let out a small laugh shaking my head.

"Would the ladies appreciate me dancing with you tonight?" I asked. If it was up to me I would dance with Mathew the whole night. Just having him close to me, sharing jokes and small conversations. It felt wonderful.

"I guess they will have to learn to deal with it because there is no way I am letting you go," he said in a low tone turning my insides into a mess.

"People will talk, you need to entertain the princess and talk to a few lords and officials," I reminded him.

He shook his head looking a bit defeated. "It's not what I want to do right now."

"What is it you want to do then?" I asked curiously.

"This very moment?" He asked. I nodded. His eyes turned darker. "I really want to kiss you."

A small gasp left my lips before I looked around to make sure no one heard him. My cheeks felt like they were on fire. But god, I wanted to kiss him too. "Mathew! Not here!"

He let out a low laugh stirring my insides. "Shall we leave then?"

I gasped again. "No! Definitely not now!"

He bent his head closer to mine. His breath brushing my ear. "It sounds like you are insinuating a later."

My cheeks burned red. I tried making some distance between us without drawing too much attention. "Stop teasing."

He shook his head, a playful smile on his lips. "As fun as it was to see your reaction, I really do want to kiss you."

I looked around again in pure fear. This man was insane. "You are crazy! You are going to get us in trouble. I am going to put some distance between us since you can not be tamed."

He gave a small pout. "Don't. I'll behave."

I gave him a look as if asking seriously?

He tried to remain neutral but he ended up sighing in defeat. "You make it so hard."

My cheeks felt like they were melting off from how hard I was blushing. He couldn't speak to me like that without expecting a physiological reaction.

Finishing the dance, I left the disappointed prince to watch from the sidelines. He danced with another girl, maintaining small talk but every once and then he would look at me with a mischievous look. He looked like he was up to trouble. I needed to stay away from him. I knew he had no self control but only god knew how much longer I'd be able to control myself. Finishing the dance with her, Mathew made his way towards the sidelines or more specifically towards me. My eyes widened in fear. At the last second, the prince winked before turning left towards a small group. They all welcomed him, someone passed him a drink, another patted him on the back. Every once and then he would shoot me a look. Was his goal to keep me on edge the whole night?

I was approached by another man for a dance in which I agreed to. I danced with the man as he held small conversation. He was quite respectful, his hands staying in place, his eyes never dropping, he seemed decent. I felt as if someone was watching me only to find Mathew glaring from the sidelines. Two women and a man were conversing with him but he didn't seem to be paying them attention. I tried as best I could to contain my laughter. He got jealous way too easily.

The song came to an end before the man and I parted. I went to get myself a drink, sipping from the glass as I watched the dancers.

"I don't know whether you drive me crazy on purpose or if you even know you're doing it," said Mathew's familiar voice from behind me.

Without turning around, I brought the glass to my lips so no one would think I was talking to my self. "I think you seem to forget I could take care of myself."

I heard him grunt.

"Oh I know that for sure, my bruises speak for themselves," he said.

I bit my lip to keep myself from laughing.

I caught a blue blur in the corner of my eye. Alana came into sight. "Mathew, I need you to help me escape."

I felt out of place listening into their conversation, but then again I was right next to them.

"Oh!" Mathew said as if understanding something she said. Could she be meeting up with her mystery man? "But people would notice if I return alone."

"Take Clarissa with you. Will you help me Clarissa?" she asked. So she did know I was there.

Feeling sheepish, I turned around giving a guilty smile. "Of course."

"Good," a relieved smile covered the princess's face.

Mathew held out his hand in which Alana linked hers in. They made their way outside looking as if they were going on a midnight stroll. I waited a few seconds before following them, keeping a distance between us so that no one would be suspicious.

The two made their way to the stables. Wouldn't Theo catch Alana and her mystery guy, unless.... Dear god! Alana was with the stable boy?! No wonder it was such a secret! And I thought Mathew and I were in a tricky situation.

Alana slipped into the stables, whereas Mathew had turned around and made his way towards me.

As soon was a few steps away I began to ask, "So what do you want to-"

Before I could finish the question, Mathew had his hands tangled in my hair and his lips crushed mine. My surprised gasp gave him the perfect opportunity to deepen the kiss which I very quickly gave into. He was intoxicating.

He pulled back to lean his forehead against mine. "I've been waiting to do that the whole night."

A wide grin took over my face before I brought my lips to his.

Truth was, so have I.

I felt Mathew smile through the kiss as he continued to kiss me. That was how the night went. For a moment, all the reasons I couldn't be with him slipped out my mind and I enjoyed what little moment we had.

We were sitting against a tree, telling each other embarrassing childhood stories, it felt like we were in a world of our own. Away from everything and everyone. Just us and the silence of the night.

Mathew suddenly ran his finger along my neck. I recognized the spot. It was one of my minor scars.

"Four," he said.

"What?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"Four, it's the fourth scar I've counted. I want to learn all your scars like the way I've loved every freckle on your face," he said softly.

Tears filled my eyes at the sweetness of the situation. I always assumed my scars would scare people away, not how Mathew was treating me.

I leaned over and placed a passionate kiss on his lips.

He looked dazed when I pulled back.

"What was that for?" He asked breathlessly.

"Because I--" I love you. "Because I sort of hate you."

I knew with these words he would know what I meant.

A brilliant smile crossed his face accompanied by a small chuckle. "I sort of hate you too."

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