"Rosalind!" There was no sign of my daughter at the lower levels. So, I climbed straight to the top floor where the big bells that never fail to facinate my daughter every hour they are ringed, are set.

I can't even remember how did I climbed. All I remember is that I was completely out of breath and panting like a dog when I reached the top.

The top floor of the Bell Tower was illuminated by moonlight reflected from smooth white marble walls and golden rays coming out from large bells fitted above. The place is simply magical. And at the end of the hall, completely opposite to me, I saw a figure. A man, wearing a half-mask and dark cape like everybody else, was struggling with something. I slowly walked toward him, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and funny feeling in my stomach. I squinted my eyes. And what I identified, I have never wanted to kill someone so much like that.

My daughter, my Rosalind, was struggling in his arms, her face covered in tears. Her white dress was crumbled and one sleeve slipped off, her hair messy.

All I could see was red. Rage came to me like tidal waves, that seem to only increase. My steps faster, my hands tightened in fists, my mind only filled with how to beat that bastard down.

As I got closer, I shouted my daughter's name. She heard me. Her tear-filled eyes lit up. "Mommy!" She called out. My daughter called out for me.

Her captor, turned his head to see who's the mother was. He released Rosalind, who ran straight to me. I hugged her with great eagerness. But I didn't look away from the man. He seemed to notice 'Murder' in my eyes as he slowly backed away, hands in front of him, palm front, in a defensive manner.

But that didn't stop me going for his throat. "Miss. That's a mis.." Before he could say a thing, I was already on him. I tried to claw his face, kick his legs. But he was a tall and strong man. He easily fended off my attacks and he tried his hard not to hurt me, which I failed to notice in my period of rage. "Bastard! What did you do to my daughter! I'll kill you." I screamed and kicked and hit him. He only released me when I bit down his hands that held my wrists.

"Woman!That hurts!" He swiftly leaped away from me. I think I would definitely attacked him again if not for my daughter to hug my waist from behind.

"Mommy! Don't hurt him. Please." Her pleading voice slapped me woke up from my raging murderous mental state. Don't hurt him?

"Yes! Kid. Tell your mother not to attack like a rabid cat." The man said with a wary voice. He held his hand that I bit.

"Shut up." I shouted him, to which he responded with a shrug of his shoulder. Then I knelt in front of my daughter, with my hands on her shoulders, I smiled reassuringly."Tell Mommy everything. Will you?" She nodded.

Ten Minutes ago

Rosalind finally reached the top of Bell Tower. The place is very magical and beautiful. Although she had asked Mommy to take her here first, she was only interested in the gowns others wear, and didn't pay much attention to what she had asked. So, she sneaked out alone. Since she was very little. Rosalind had an unique talent of finding ways. She got to the Bell Tower without asking anyone, although this was her first time in the Palace.

As she was looking about, something shiny caught her eyes. She ran to the rails and dugged her head below them and reaches for the small button near the edge. As her hands finally grasped the button, with a delight, she raised both her hands to inspect her prize under moonlight and in doing so, she finally noticed the vulnerability of her position. She was sitting not an inch away from the edge and the height, everything is tiny down there.

Fear made her tremble. Trembling costs her balance and losing her balance made her sway enough to fall. She screamed her heart out, but she was not falling. Someone drew her up from her dress and threw her back onto the floor. Although she was safe, she couldn't help but cry and she wanted her mother, badly. Althought the man tried his best to calm her down, she kept struggling to run away from the place, back to her mother's arms.

"Ohh." I said after listening to what had happpened. I could feel my face flushing with embarrassment, but I could pass it as from the anger I had recently. "Is that true?" I asked the man, although I believed my daughter.

He shrugged. "She's lucky that I was around." He said nothing after that, but staring at his hand, rubbing the tender spot. I felt guilty so much that I wanted to dig a hole and bury my face . How could I attack a man who saved my daughter.

"I. ah..I am sorry. I was so caught up in my worries." He held up his good hand, and stopped my tongue. "Don't bother explaining. I know exactly how you felt under the situation like that." He looked at me and eyes, the only things visible on his uppee face, lit up with kindness. I was caught up in the warmth of his chocolate brown eyes. How could a man have such soulfull eyes.

Before I could say another word, he bowed in a refined manner and strode off, quickly. I looked down at my daughter and I couldn't describe how much relief I felt to see her safe and sound. I just scooped her up, showered her with hugs and kisses and with her in my arms, I climbed down the tower.

When we met with Harrietta in the ball, she couldn't stop herself from hugging and kissing my daughter. "Thanks god! Ohh. Rosalind. You little devil! We were nearly dead from heartattack."

"I was just out adventuring."

"You are a girl and a kid. You can't go off alone like that." I scolded her. The worries nearly made me mad. Rosalind looked up me. "I won't do that again. Please don't be mad." Who would get mad at her, when she can soften anyone to butter with her big round grey eyes.

"Anyway. You stay with Harrietta and don't go off again. Mommy have to drink something from all those running." Rosalind saluted and wrapped her arms around Harrietta's legs. I turned away toward the food counters, laughting softly with relief.

Prince Henry

Henry caught a glimpse of the beautiful red head he had seen earlier. He slowly approached her as she was choosing wines. She didn't notice even when he stood beside her and faking a cough.

"Hello." He started . She turned around, her eyes widened with surprise, attacking his heart with her close up beautiful face.

She had violet eyes, he failed to notice earlier. Her lips were pink and natural .unlike thepainted ones of court ladies. And also, she looked very very exquisite. He instantly fall in love at first sight of her beautiful face.

"Hi. Please say a word if you have introduced yourself." Her words made him realize how much of an idiot he made of himself in front of her. Great I am the future King and I am sweating in front of the lady I like. He thought. He also silently cursing his godfather who escaped from his promise to help him communicate with ladies better.

"Do you like running?" "What?" She puzzled.

Are you an idiot! He mentally screamed himself for his stupidity. But her giggle numbed all his anxiety. "Did you see me run around like a mad person?" She asked between her laughter.

"Yes." He stumbled, "No!"

His words made no sense now. "I mean. Yes. I saw you running but No. You do not run like a made person. You are beautiful and may I have your next dance."

Her eyes narrowed a little. "Dance?"

"Yes. There will be a slow dance in a minute." He offered her his hand. "So, may I have the honour of dancing with a beautiful lady like you?"

The music started when she was thinking. The other couples started to dance but he held his ground. He didn't move his hand away or avert his eyes from hers. She looked over his daughter for a second and as if someone urged her, she shyly took his hand and let him lead her away.