Erin Lindsay stood in front of the tall, gold-crested mirror in her luxurious bedroom, turning her body from side to side to examine the massive dress that she was forced to wear for the night. To call it tight-fitting would be an understatement; she felt as though her lungs were being crushed under the weight of the suffocating fabric. Nevertheless, she would suffer through it. Not because she wanted to, of course. Half of what Erin did these days wasn't anything that she wanted. But when you're inevitably placed under the protective care of someone as respectable as Hank Voight, Head of Royal Security, then you pretty much have no choice when it comes to following orders.

As Erin fiddled with the ribbon criss-crossing down the back of her dress, she tried to remember everything that Sergeant Voight had done for her, to ebb her frustration. She didn't remember all the details, of course, but she remembered enough.

As a child, Erin grew up in a relatively poor family. Her mother was a mere peasant who had to work long days harvesting in the nearby fields in order to make ends meet, and sometimes that was barely enough to get them by. Erin's father had left before she was born; he hadn't wanted the commitment of caring for a child he knew he couldn't afford. Growing up without much stability, it seemed only natural for Erin to rebel, and so she did. She began to stay out late and to get involved with reckless children her age, until finally she decided that she wanted to make a life for herself and run away from home. She bounced from place to place over the course of three years, until finally, when she was fifteen years old, fate dealt her a much nicer card that it ever had before.

One night, when it was pouring rain and icy cold, Erin sat shivering under a tree on the side of a winding road, trying desperately to think of a place where she could find shelter. She didn't have to think too long, however, because the prince's Royal Security came galloping along the road only moments after she had sat down. Before she realized what was happening or had a chance to hide, the guards had stopped to see who she was. The one in front dismounted his sleek, black horse and approached her carefully. When Erin tried to explain her situation and who she was, the guard could see that she was all alone and had nowhere to go, so he decided on the spot to take her in for the time being. He did not know at the time, however, that he would end up becoming her legal guardian and initiating her into the palace life.

So that was how Erin came to be under the care of Sergeant Voight. As if her thoughts and memories were audible, a deep, husky voice filled her room abruptly.

"Erin?" It was Voight himself, dressed sharply in a black suit trimmed in gleaming gold. Erin's dress was made in the same colors, the colors of the Royal Family.

Erin turned around and straightened her posture as she faced the man who she had come to think of as her father. He walked over to her and examined her in the dress.

"You look beautiful," he said, the hint of a smile vaguely present on his lips. "I'd imagine you'll be ready soon? The guests have already begun to arrive."

Erin nodded sharply. "Yes, I'm almost ready. Give me five minutes and I'll be right down."

"All right," said Voight, and he turned to leave. As soon as he was out of the room, Erin sat down in front of her vanity table and stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was pinned up and drawn back with a golden headband. Not her hairstyle of preference, but it she had an appearance to keep up. Golden earrings dangled from her earlobes. A faint shade of pink colored her lips. The smooth black corset of her dress accented her figure exquisitely. She felt that she looked the part, but even after living under the guardianship of Sergeant Voight for nearly five years, she still didn't feel quite like she belonged so close to the Royal Family.

After another long gaze in the mirror and a deep breath, Erin rose from her seat, smoothed the front of her black gown, and made her way to the door. She pulled it open and walked down the winding spiral staircase from the top of the northeast tower to meet Voight at the foot of the stairs and walk into the ballroom where the festivities were taking place.

The room was decorated ravenously for the occasion; banners and colorful drapes hung from the walls, the floor practically gleamed from its spotlessness, and there was an orchestra nestled in the corner of the room playing music while the guests waltzed around in the center of the floor. At the head of the room sat the Queen and King, surveying their guests with happiness in their faces. Usually once a month, they decided to open their castle halls up to the public and invite the village in for a ball. They maintained a consistent relationship with the villagers and wanted to make sure everyone felt welcome.

In spite of this, however, Erin continuously felt alone. No matter how grateful she was for what Voight had done for her and for the amazing opportunity she had to live in the castle and be given luxuries that some citizens couldn't even imagine, she felt out of place and detached. From what, she didn't know, but she knew that there was more out there for her than palace life. After all, she wasn't even a member of the Royal Family, and living inside the restrictions of royalty pained her enough.

Erin stepped back to the edge of the crowd and watched couples spin around on the dance floor in an array of colorful, flowing gowns and laughter. Her eyes scanned the room, and her gaze rested on beautiful dresses and suits worn by party guests, laughing and talking groups of people, and tables laden with a delectable assortment of treats. Everyone seemed to be enjoying herself.

Erin's eyes then found the far wall of the room, where the Royal Guard stood and surveyed the event. As she saw them standing there in their jet black uniforms, adorned with golden stripes and badges, she wondered for the hundredth time what it would be like to live a life like theirs. Uniform-clad, protecting the Royal Family, watching over the city…if only she were able to do that. But it was impossible, and she was perfectly aware of that. Not only had there never been a female member of the Royal Guard, but Sergeant Voight would never allow for her to be put in potential danger under his watch. He had made a promise to her—and to himself—to protect her, and letting her become a soldier was the last thing he would do.

As she continued to observe her surroundings, Erin's gaze fell on the face of someone who made her heart skip a beat, although she would never admit it to anyone. She could hardly admit it to herself. But there he was, standing in the center of the lineup of the Royal Guard and looking as handsome as ever. Jay Halstead, the Captain of the Guard.

His hair was in its usual style, combed back and parted gently along one side. His blue eyes pierced right through her, even though he hadn't yet noticed that she was staring at him from across the room. He was so handsome, and so respectable within the Royal community. They knew each other well enough to hold a conversation, but they had only ever spent time together under strict circumstances. For instance, if she happened to be around during his patrol shift of the castle, or if they met up in one of the courtyards by chance. They were friends, in the loosest of terms, but nothing more. Still, that didn't change the fact that the very thought of him could make Erin's heart race. Of course, that was a complete secret. Other than some of the maids and a few of the guards, Erin didn't have too many people to talk to or confide in. There was always Voight, and there always would be Voight, and he would never approve of her affectionate thoughts toward Captain Halstead, which is why she had no choice but to keep them a secret. If Voight ever found out, he would be furious. If Halstead ever found out…well, that was another story, but Erin was hardly ready to admit her true feelings to even herself.

Suddenly, Captain Halstead's eyes met hers, and Erin felt a warm blush creep onto her cheeks. From across the room, she saw him smile and look down at the ground with faint sheepishness before striding across the room to meet her.

"Good evening, my lady," said the Captain, offering a bow in front of her.

"That's awfully formal of you," said Erin.

Captain Halstead shrugged, a sudden wave of a calm demeanor enveloping him. "It's a royal ball and I'm the Captain of the Guard. I'm expected to follow formalities."

"So am I," Erin replied. "Doesn't meant that I want to."

Halstead laughed and a wide grin spread across his handsome face. "That I already know all too well."

Erin laughed with him and was in awe of how simple this was, this kind of relaxed conversation. If only every interaction in her life could feel like this.

"You look beautiful, by the way," Halstead added. He was looking straight at her, which made Erin feel both intimidated and intrigued.

"Thank you, Captain," she responded.

Halstead cocked his head to one side and smirked. "That's awfully formal of you."

Erin grinned. "I might as well be Rapunzel locked away in a tower at this point. I'm expected to follow formalities."

Halstead shook his head, seemingly bewildered and amused at the same time. "Well then. If the tower is getting too much, maybe a walk outside might do well for a change of scenery?"

He offered Erin his arm and smiled gently down at her. Without thinking, Erin went to grasp it, but then quickly glanced around the room, searching for disapproving eyes.

"Relax," the Captain whispered. "He's not even in the room right now."

Erin looked up at him with gratitude and slid her hand around his arm. She felt her stomach clench with knots, but also felt the thrill of rebellion at the idea of sneaking around outside with the Captain behind Voight's back. It wasn't as if they hadn't talked before, but maybe it was just the nerves that made her feel as though she had to be sneaky. Regardless, the butterflies in Erin's stomach would not disappear as Captain Halstead led her out to the veranda and the warm evening sky.