FAINA FELT MULTIPLE PAIRS OF EYES ON HER AS THEY ENTERED THE CASTLE OF CINTRA.

She wished to cover more of her skin, but there was nothing she could cover it with.

"Right, so stick close to me, look mean and pretend you're a mute." Jaskier stated as they came across the feast, "Can't have anyone finding out who you are."

"As if the hair and eyes don't give that away." Faina commented,

"Geralt of Rivia, the mighty Witcher!" A man exclaimed and everyone turned to look at them,

"Shit." Jaskier sighed,

The man approached, "I haven't seen you since the plague."

"Good times, Mousesack."

Mousesack laughed, "I've missed your sour complexion. I feared this would be a dull affair, but now the White Wolf is here, perhaps all is not lost." He placed his hand on Geralt's shoulder, "Why are you dressed like a sad silk trader?"

Geralt turned to glare at Jaskier and Faina struggled to hold in a laugh. Mousesack then turned to her, "And who is this?" He reached for her hand and placed a gently kiss on her knuckles, "If the tales are right, you're the guardian angel that looks over the dear Witcher? I must say, you're even more beautiful than the tales tell."

Faina gave him a small smile, "Thank you."

Mousesack turned back to Geralt, "Come, walk with me."

The two left and Jaskier sighed, "Great, my bodyguard just leaves me alone with-"

"Oh, please, I can protect you just fine." Faina rolled her eyes and link her arm through Jaskier's, "Come on, I need a drink."

He led her over to the table where mugs of ale were placed along with food. Faina grabbed some fruit and took a bite, careful not to spill any juices on her dress.

"My, I don't believe I have seen anyone more exotic or beautiful." Faina turned to see a man holding a mug of ale, a smirk on his handsome face, "I'm Esterad of Kovir."

She knew who he was. King of Kovir and Poviss. He already had a wife and children, but probably wanted a decent shag for the night.

"Faina." She answered, placing another grape in her mouth,

"A beautiful name to match a beautiful face. Tell me, Faina, where are you from?" The King asked, taking a sip of his drink,

"No where special, Your Highness." Faina smirked,

"What gave it away?" Esterad asked, his own smirk planted across his lips,

"The crown, Your Highness." She answered, taking her own sip of her ale,

"Someone as beautiful as you must be here with a date tonight, Faina of Nowhere." Esterad assumed,

"I'm here with a friend." Faina glanced over his shoulder to see a man cornering Jaskier, "Who is in dire need of assistance." She set down her drink, "Excuse me, Your Highness."

The King grabbed onto her wrist before she could leave, "Would you do the honour of saving a dance for me?"

Faina gave him a small smile, "How could I refuse a King?" She gave him a curtsey before leaving to help Jaskier,

"Something about you remind me of a scoundrel I once saw fleeing my wife's chambers!" The man pushed Jaskier back against a wall,

"Uh, well..."

"Drop your trousers." The man ordered,

"What?" Jaskier questioned,

"I didn't get a proper look at the little shit's face, but that pimply arse I'd remember anywhere!" The man explained,

Faina stepped in, placing her hand on the short man's arm, "You'd have to excuse him, my lord. He has that face... and arse... that many people think they know, a face of a coward. It happens all the time, believe me. But, truth be known, he was kicked in the balls by an ox when he was a child."

They both stared at Jaskier who narrowed his eyes at the woman, "Well, that's... t-true."

"It was a truly horrid situation. Some boys never learn to leave animals alone. He deserved it, if you ask me. Never bothered the cows again, I'll have you know, and his balls never got to know the sweet, sweet relief of pleasure." Faina smiled sweetly at the man,

He nodded, "Apologies." He turned to Jaskier and handed him a coin, "Here, drown your sorrows on me, eunuch." The man bowed to Faina before leaving,

"Thank you so much." Jaskier stated sarcastically,

"You handled that well." Geralt stated, coming up to them,

Faina hummed, "Looks like we didn't need you here after all." She stated coldly,

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Geralt questioned,

Faina never got to answer as the trumpets were blown. Jaskier moved to grab his lute as the herald spoke, "All rise for Her Majesty, the Lioness, Queen Calanthe of Cintra!"

The woman walked in, covered in blood, holding her helmet beneath her arm. He tossed her helmet to one of her servants before picking up a mug, "Beer!" She exclaimed and everyone cheered,

Jaskier walked away from Faina and stood on the stage with the other instrument players,

"Apologies, noble sirs. A few upstart townships in the south needed reminding who was queen. I find it's good for one's blood and humours. Ready your suitor's tales of glory, good lords. My daughter is eager to have this over with. As am I." Calanthe stated, "Bard, music!"

Jaskier bowed to the Queen before he began to sing, only to be interrupted, "No, no, no! A jig! You can save your bloody maudlin nonsense for my funeral."

He started playing a more upbeat song and the Queen went up to the royal table where her daughter sat.

Geralt grabbed Faina's arm, "What's wrong?"

Faina rolled her eyes, "Nothing, Witcher." She ripped her arm from his grip and began walking away,

"Lady Faina." She paused and looked over at King Esterad, "Care to dance?"

"Of course, Your Highness." Faina curtseyed, giving Geralt a look before placing her hand in the King's before he led her towards the dance floor.

Geralt narrowed his eyes on the pair as the King placed his hand on Faina's lower back, too close to her ass for his liking.

She gave the king a stiff smile as they began to dance with the others. He could tell she didn't want to be in that position.

He watched as the King spun her around, the skirt of her dress floating around them. She was truly a sight.

All eyes were on them, as if she was the princess that everyone was fighting for.

"I didn't realise you were acquainted with The Witcher." King Esterad commented,

"We travel together." Faina informed the King, "Have been for the past few years."

"You must be very strong to be travelling with such a hunter. I could use a woman like you in my kingdom. In my castle, perhaps." Esterad suggested,

"I'm honoured, Your Highness, but I'm not meant for a quiet life in a castle. I prefer to travel than to stay somewhere for too long." Faina replied,

"A shame, really." King Esterad pulled her close and ran a finger over her cheek, "You could be of use to me."

Geralt had enough and walked up behind them and cleared his throat, "Mind if I step in?"

King Esterad stared up at the Witcher for a long moment before letting go of Faina and stepping back, "I don't think it would be wise to stand up to a Witcher." He looked at Faina and bowed, "Until we meet again."

Faina curtseyed and they watched as the King walked away.

"I had it handled." Faina told Geralt as he stepped closer to her back,

"Thought it was my turn to save you." He stated, running his fingers over her shoulder blade, lifting her arm and trailing his fingers down her biceps and to her fingers. Faina's breath hitched her in chest as he gently grabbed her hand before twirling her outwards, extending his arm.

He pulled her back into his chest and wrapped an arm around her waist, "I didn't know you could dance." Faina smirked, staring into his golden eyes,

"When you're around for a long time, you begin to pick things up." He responded.

The music began to slow down and Faina glared over at Jaskier who grinned at them. She turned back to Geralt as they began to dance once again,

She began to think about his words back at the inn.

"Is it true?" Faina whispered as Geralt twirled her around,

"Is what true?"

"You want nothing nor do you need anyone?" Faina stared into his golden eyes as they followed in step everyone around them,

"What do you want me to say, Faina?"

"Nothing," She sighed, tears filling her eyes, "Nothing that you haven't already said." She paused and stepped back, "If you excuse me, I'll be retiring back to the inn-"

Geralt grabbed her and pulled her back into his chest, "Faina-"

"Don't do this, Geralt." She whispered, "Not here."

She began to walk away and Geralt followed, only to be interrupted, "We have a renowned guest here tonight. Perhaps our guest would like to entertain us with how he slayed the elves at the Edge of the World?"

The lords and kings cheered, but Geralt kept his eyes on Faina, and she stared back, "Go on, Witcher." She whispered, but he could hear her perfectly,

"There was no slaying." Geralt stated, his eyes still connected to hers, "I had my arse kicked by a ragged band of elves." People groaned in disappointment, "I was about to have my throat cut when a woman convinced Filavandrel to let me go."

"But the song!"

"At least when Filavandrel's blade kissed my throat, I didn't shit myself. Which is all I can hope for you, good lords." He turned his gaze to the men, "At your final breath, a shitless death. But I doubt it."

The lords laughed and King Eist Tuirseach spoke, "It would have been your blade at Filavandrel's throat had you been there, Your Majesty. Not that any elven bastard would crawl from their lair to meet you on the field."

Queen Calanthe smirked, "Any man willing to paint himself in the shadow of his failures will make for far more interesting conversation this night. Come, Witcher. Take a seat by my side while I change."

The Queen left to change into more fitting dress and Geralt turned back to Faina, "You shouldn't keep the Queen waiting." She told him before leaving the room.