Lupin woke up the next morning, to the sound of running water. He got up and followed the sound to hear singing. He walked closer to the door, before realizing Clarice was the one singing.

Shiawase o tazunete watashi wa yukitai

Ibara no michi mo itetsuku yoru mo

Futari de watatte yukitai

Tabibito no samui kokoro o

Dare ga daite ageru no

Dare ga yume o kanaete kureru

Honoo to moesakaru watashi no kono ai

Anata ni dake wa wakatte hoshii

Kizuna de watashi o tsutunde

Kooya o sasurau anata o

Nemurasete agetai no

Nagareboshi wa anata no koto ne

Honoo to moesakaru watashi no kono ai

Anata ni dake wa wakatte hoshii

Nazomeku kiri mo harete yuku

He could see her, amid the steam rising from the porcelain tub, although he couldn't see her naked fully. She kept singing to herself ,unaware he was listening and watching her. How he wished he was in there watching her.

Bad Lupin! Yes, you love her, just not in that way.

He heard her get out of the tub and quickly made his way to the bed.

"You sounded lovely.''

"You heard me?'' she said looking up surprised. She tightened her grip on her robe instinctively. Lupin grinned.

"Relax, I saw nothing inappropriate.'' Lupin lied. The look he gave her, made Clarice nervous, and he noticed.

"Why so nervous?''

"I don't know.'' Clarice said before looking out the window. Lupin hugged her rubbing her back causing her to let out a shaky breath.

"I guess I'm worried about tonight's party. Some of m distant relatives are coming. They're said to be bringing me a surprise. I'm more worried about the dancing. I'm not used to being the center of attention.''

"Relax, you'll dance divinely.'' Lupin said rubbing lower than he had intended, causing her to moan softly. He backed away immediately, causing Clarice to blush.

"Well princess, I'd better go and let you change.'' Lupin said leaving before she had time to object.

He walked out to find Goemon of all people sitting over by the ruins. His body was on fire. He wanted was her.

"Did you sleep well?'' Lupin asked his friend.

"I was going to ask the same thing. Did you enjoy sleeping with the princess?''

"Wait how did you-'' Lupin said surprised.

"Everybody in the castle knows, with the exception of the guest coming today. The nurses saw you holding her, when they entered.'' Goemon explained, causing Lupin to groan.

"Damnit! Well at least nothing else happened.''

"Really? You weren't naked?''

"I was wearing my boxers and she was in a nightgown. Nothing happened. Although I wanted something too. I can't stop thinking about her. I want to treat her like the beautiful woman she is, but just when I think I am, I can't.''

"Don't worry about it. You're escorting her to her party, that's more than the rat of a count would probably do.'' Goemon muttered. Lupin nodded before walking ahead to clear his mind.

He wanted to talk to Clarice, but she was probably finishing the decorating for tonight's party. He was actually looking forward to tonight.

"Mr. Lupin. These are the clothes you will be wearing for the evening.''

"Thank you ,Miss.'' Lupin said smiling warmly at the maid. She quickly left, leaving a black tuxedo on his bed. Lupin smiled before trying it on. He smiled, pleased at his appearance, before rummaging through his pack, to find a sapphire silver engagement ring.

"Nice, tux.''

"Thanks.'' Lupin said as Jigen and Goemon walked in.

"Was that one of the swiped rings?''

"No. I bought it. I'm gonna marry her. If she'll have me.'' Lupin said calmly.

"She'll have you!.'' Jigen and Goemon said in unison before dog piling onto Lupin.

"Hey! Cut it out! You'll ruin the tuxedo!'' Lupin yelled before pushing them off him.

"Well Goemon lets get ready.'' Jigen said handing Goemon a ceremonial kimono.

Jigen, and Lupin stood against the marble wall of the huge ballroom. Goemon had been asked by a young Japanese woman in a bright pink kimono to dance with him. Jigen smiled at their tall samurai friend enjoying himself and the lady.

"This is quite a party.''

"Yeah.'' Lupin agreed, drinking some champagne. Even Fujiko had been invited. She was dancing with a blonde haired fellow named James, in her lavender sleeveless ball gown. Lupin smiled after hearing the trumpet fanfare.

"Well, gotta go.'' Lupin thought as he snuck out the side door and back up the top of the stairs. He stopped at the sight of Clarice. Jigen followed,wanting to catch his friend. Lupin stood there gaping,causing Clarice to blush.

She was wearing a light blue off the shoulder sleeved dress, tand a matching pair of pumps. Her hair was down, unlike the usual bun she had worn for the last two days, with a pair of sapphire earrings, a blue teardrop choker and a matching blue sapphire hairclip.

"Wow. Clarice you look beautiful.'' Lupin said,finally after snapping out of his thoughts.

"Thank you.'' Clarice said smiling.

"My fair lady, may I escort you?" Lupin asked bowing. Clarice giggled, before curtsying. She took his hand as the presenter announced their arrival.

"Princess Clarice and her escort, Arsene Lupin the third.''

"You look very handsome.'' she whispered.

"Thank you.'' he said kissing her hand as they walked down the stairs. Clarice blushed before whispering, " It seems Himeko likes Sir Goemon.''

Lupin smiled noting his friends loveable expression after the woman whispered something in his ear.

Jigen as usual was eating ,than is until he got asked by a woman in peach to dance with her. They descended the stairs as the conductor signaled a waltz to be played.

"May I?''

"I'd love to.'' Clarice answered, before they began to dance. Neither of them seemed to notice anyone else.

"Did I tell you look absolutely beautiful?'' Lupin asked, as he spun her around.

"Yes, Lupin.'' she said. She smiled at the sound of her own voice pronouncing his name. She still wasn't used to his name, but then again she couldn't exactly call him Mr. Thief anymore now could she?

"I really want to kiss you, you know that?'' she said catching him off guard. He looked at her surprised.

"Sorry, I shouldn't-'' she said quickly, before a grin appeared.

"Don't worry. I like when your straight forward. It shows you have a mind of your own, and it's a side of you not a lot of us get to see.'' he said leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek, just as another trumpet sounded. Lupin looked up to find a blonde skinny woman in a burgundy dress(Picture milady from anime San jushi with blonde hair), along with two other girls, both blonde haired. One wore a dark green dress, the other a dark pink.

"Clarice!''

"Oh, Lupin these are my cousin Beatrice and Emelia. Also my aunt Anne.''

"Pleased to meet you ladies. Clarice was telling me how wonderful it was of you to come and celebrate her birthday.'' he said bowing, causing the girls to giggle. Something about them was off. He couldn't put his finger on it.

"Yes. We also have a surprise. However it will wait until tomorrow.'' She said calmly. A young man with black hair and green eyes appeared from behind her aunt when her cousins started to leave.

"May I cut in?'' he asked. Lupin, despite not wanting to let Clarice go, he agreed. Clarice reluctantly agreed as well, a hint of disapproval showing slightly.

"I thought you were going to dance with her all night?'' Jigen asked as he saw Lupin come this way.

"Another guy wanted to dance with her. Besides the night is still young.'' Lupin said leaning against the wall. He watched Clarice dance, trying to figure out who the man was.

"Jigen does that guy dancing with Clarice remind you of anyone?''

"Not really.'' Jigen said before being dragged onto the dance floor by another young lady.

"Wow. I'm going to sleep tonight a happy man.'' Jigen said to Lupin. Lupin laughed before watching his friends enjoy themselves.

Something about that guy was gnawing at Lupin,but he put it out of his mind,due to the occasion.

Clarice finally came back, long enough for Lupin to take her to the terrace and down to the roman ruins before that guy could take her back onto the dance floor.

"I needed that. Thank you for getting me out of there.'' Clarice said.

"I figured you did. You look tired.'' he said sitting down. Clarice followed, dipping her feet in the water, after removing her shoes.

"Lupin, how long are you planning on staying?''

"Lupin?'' She looked over to find him dozing off. Clarice smiled, kissing him on the lips. He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her as he fell back into the grass.

"Well, Ms. Bride, I'd better get you inside before people start talking.'' Lupin said getting up. She started walking, when she hit her head, laughing.

"Almost forgot my shoes.'' She said turning around. Lupin bent down, and put each one on her feet, trying hard not to kiss her legs. Clarice smiled, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you, Lupin. Could we stay out here? I don't want to be near my cousins.' Clarice said.

"Why not? They seem nice?'

"They aren't. They're materialistic. They care only of status.'' Clarice said , a hint of anger in her voice.

"Ok, but I have to have you back inside by twelve.''

"Why?''

"Because if I don't, I'll end of losing control and I'll end up making love to you in this place.'' Lupin said grabbing her from behind. Clarice laughed.

"Well then, lets make sure we get back inside, my thief.'' Clarice said kissing him, before walking back inside. Lupin grinned. He snapped back to reality, once he felt the small black box in his pocket.

He knew he wasn't going to propose to her tonight, but he was going to make her his.