Hello again!

It has been... a while.

Happy New Years!

I know I might have disappointed a few of you. I am sorry. I did not mean to take this much time updating... and ugh. I have no excuse what so ever. School is hard, my last year and I am stressing like hell. I need to apply to university, my life sucks and yay. Same old.

Anyways, soo.. this story. Here is the next chapter, it is kind of short but it is relevant. I was planning to end the story with the next chapter but I think I might be adding an extra chapter so a total of 6 for this story.

Now as for my other stories, I have no idea when I will be updating. Anywho.

THANK YOU. Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, adding this story to your faves... just thank you! I really appreciate all this!

Please enjoy this chapter.

-o-

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-o-

"Wish that I could turn back time, to take the pain that we both feel"

-Vic Mignogna

Seeing people everywhere dressed so elegantly and hearing all the sound from the music and the talking was making Rashel feel uncomfortable. She hated reunions like these. People always dressed to impress as they made sure their eye sight worked perfectly so they could study and judge every foreigner or poor excuse of an aristocrat.

Any normal day, Rashel would avoid events like these. She would refuses to go, stay home, and then make a poor excuse whenever someone questioned her absence. It's not like anyone ever really cared if she was there or not.

After all, it was always about Keller.

Keller is the eldest, therefore Keller is the heir. She is the one that will inherit everything once their grandfather dies. Keller is the perfect child. The one that knows how to do everything and is willing to do anything for the family. Keller is the one their father chose to marry the heir of the Drache's, and the one their mother always loved. Keller wasn't the one trained to be an assassin by their father neither was she the one given the cold shoulder and hateful glares by their mother.

Now Rashel understood her mother's behaviour. She knew why the word 'love' never left her mouth when talking to her. She knew why she never came at night to pray for her just like she did for Keller. She knew why when someone asked her how many children she had she would always say one. It was simply because Mrs. Antoinette Jordan never gave birth to her.

Rashel was the reminder of her husbands infidelity.

Now, Rashel's father loved her, she was certain. He might have made wrong decisions, but he is human after all. He cant be perfect, so Rashel always forgave anything wrong he ever did.

And maybe that was naïve of her.

But at the end of the day, Rashel couldn't bring herself to care.

"Lost in thought I see,"

"Good evening Hannah," Rashel smiled as she turned to meet her friend. "How are you on this fine evening?"

Hannah smiled before rolling her eyes. "You can drop the act."

"Qu'est-ce agir?" Hannah raised an eyebrow as Rashel allowed her smile to fall. "Fine. When will this be over?"

"When the job is done" Hannah simply stated as the smile on her face never left.

"In other words; not soon, qui?" Hannah nodded causing Rashel to sigh.

"The ceremony has just started Rashel. You cant possibly be jaded." Hannah said doubting her own words. She didn't know Rashel that well, but she did know she rather be somewhere else.

"But I am."

"Try talking to a few people"

"Non. I dislike-"

"Good evening." Rashel and Hannah turned in unison to meet the presence of two gentlemen. "I hope we are not interrupting any important discussion."

Rashel smoothly crooked an eyebrow as she got ready to gladly explain how they did in fact interrupt an important discussion, however before she could get a word out, Hannah who was standing behind her, moved to greet one of the gentlemen.

"Guten Abend Morgead" she spoke German as she kissed the cheek of the one that had spoken.

"Ja, Guten Abend indeed." Morgead smiled slyly as he gave Rashel a polite nod. "You must be Mrs. Drache's sister…" Morgead guessed as Eric kissed her hand lightly.

"Qui, Rashel Jordan" Rashel introduced herself finally understanding who these men were. She recognized Eric as one of the gentlemen who helped her sister and herself get to Germany, as for the other guy, she assumed he was Hannah's escort. Fake one of course, just like Eric was hers'.

"We are attracting the attention of quite some people, non?" Eric casually informed as he placed a protective arm around Rashel.

"Hm…" Morgead mused. "Must be my good looks,"

At that, Hannah giggled lightly, "You are such a comedian, dear"

Sensing how well Hannah was playing her role, Morgead tagged along and soon enough excused himself with his 'beloved' to walk around the ballroom. He had to get familiar with the room, and what better way then walking by every corner?

"It is not that bad…" Eric mused as he watched Hannah and Morgead walk away.

"Working with Germans?" Rashel guessed.

"Qui," he stated before noticing the curious gaze of a couple young ladies around him. "Interesting… do they perhaps know we are French?"

"I assume so, they have been looking this way for a while," Rashel stated gesturing towards the ladies. "They are probably wondering what we are doing here."

"And what are we doing here?"

"I'm just a diversion,"

"Hm…"

"A simple diversion, and you," Rashel pointed an accusing finger. "You, mon ami, are here because you seek revenge, non?"

"Qui."

-o-

She could hear the music from her room, and even some chattering. It sounded rather nice, enjoyable even. The rich laughs, the romantic songs, the gay claps… every noise she heard added a little bit more excitement within her- and at the same time it made her want to simply die.

The maids where knocking outside her door as they kept reminding her she had to join the party soon. Actually, she was an hour late. The guest were obviously starting to question her absence, and her parents were definitely furious. Not to mention the Queen was probably disappointed.

"Milady, you must assist. Please open the door."

"Milady, unlock the door please"

"Milady, please!"

"Milady…"

Eventually the knocking stopped and Gillian simply assumed that the maids gave up, meaning they were going to get reinforcements.

Gillian did not need to be forced to her own party.

Quickly and silently Gillian made her way to her balcony and just like she had done so many times before, she jumped to the balcony right next to hers. It was the study room, and for Gillian, it was her escape room.

She fixed her dress and hair as she made her way towards the door to make sure it was locked. She heard talking, making her assume the maids were back and once again standing outside her door.

Gillian sighed knowing well that it would probably take a few minutes until they realized she was missing. Then they would go search for her and that's when Gillian would take the time to consider actually joining her guests.

Irritated and slightly tired, Gillian took a deep breath in and out before turning around, and to her surprise, meeting the eyes of a stranger. "Oh my" were the words that escaped her lips before the stranger spoke slyly.

"Interesting," he mused. "Lady Descouedres," like a perfect gentlemen, he bowed his head in greeting, "fancy meeting you here."

"Who are you?" Gillian asked coolly causing the stranger to laugh.

Already amused having witnessed Gillian jump from balcony to balcony the stranger smirked slyly. "Quiet bold, are you not?"

"This room is off limits for strangers-"

"I am not a stranger."

"Only family members are allowed-"

"Well I am here, aren't I not?"

Gillian gulped silently before standing straight and blandly stating; "you are no Descouedres." The stranger smiled and Gillian couldn't help but to consider his smile rather charming- in all honesty, as her eyes finally dared to study him, she couldn't help but to think he was quite attractive.

His hair was combed back elegantly even though he was wearing a fedora that covered most of it. His clothing was all black, from the shoes and pants, to the dress shirt and coat. The red rose he had on the right side pocket of his coat was the only colour in his attire.

Gillian definitely decided he looked quite handsome.

"You have caught me," the stranger admitted, "I should not be here."

"Then leave."

"Nein" Gillian blinked shocked. "I can not leave."

"German?" She questioned

"French?"

Gillian could not help but let a gasp escape her throat as her eyes widened "How did you-"

"Shh…" Gillian blinked, shocked that he would dare 'sh' her, before finally letting a frown appear on her lips. She was sick of this guy. Her eyes shined with anger as she opened her mouth to speak, however the words died in her throat as she heard a loud scream coming from the room next-door.

Her room.

"Where is she?"

"I swear I did not let her out!"

"So she just disappeared!"

"This is ridiculous! Call the guards!"

Gillian's breathing stopped as soon as she recognized the voice of her 'father'. She never though the maids would have the nerves to bring him to get her to go to her own party.

"I want you to find my daughter and have her brought to me immediately."

His voice send chills down Gillian's spine, and before she knew it, she was walking towards the door ready to apologize to her father.

"Gillian" the stranger had other plans, however. He grabbed a hold of her hand and roughly pulled her towards him. Her hands shot up immediately towards his chest putting space between them. She blinked surprised as she felt an arm wrap itself around her waist, her mouth opened to yell for help however the words died in her throat as she looked at the silent message the eyes of the stranger were giving her. Be quiet.

More sounds were heard coming from the hall as she silently stood gazing at the stranger. Just like her, he hadn't moved an inch as he kept his eyes locked on the lady he was holding. As a few minutes passed and the hold he had on her waist loosened while the noise outside the room faded. Gillian's hands that were pressed against his chest stayed as they were even though the space between them was wide enough for her to let go.

"They are gone" were the words that broke the silence. Gillian blinked trying to make sense of his words. "Thank you for not screaming" Gillian blinked once again, this time feeling the weight of his words.

She had been stupid. She had allowed possibly her only chance of escape slip from her fingers. Why hadn't she screamed? Why hadn't she yelled for help the second he put a hand on her? He hadn't even covered her mouth or threaten her- dear god, all he had done was give her a look that asked for her silence.

She was mad. That was the only conclusion she could think of.

"Listen…" the stranger spoke catching Gillian's attention. Gillian pushed herself away from him as she straightened herself while he tried to form the right words in his head. "I want to-"

"Who are you?" The stranger nearly winced at the coldness in her tone. "You are no Descouedres, of that I am sure. Yet you know a secret only a few Descouedres are aware of. You are also German, making it hard to believe you are one of the few aristocrats that know of my real background. In fact, if I dare say, you are not even an aristocrat- at least not one I should be aware of."

The stranger smirked admiring her observations. "And you milady have just proven my image of a royal female wrong." Gillian raised an eyebrow. "You are right in every word you said- although I dare say I am an aristocrat- one that you should not be aware of that is." His smirked turned into a cunning smile as he quickly took her right hand and before she could stop him, he kissed her knuckles before looking up to meet her eyes.

Gillian gulped as he pulled her close just like the last time. However, he did it in a much faster way preventing Gillian from pressing her hands on his chest to create space between them. Within seconds the birthday lady found herself staring at the eyes of the stranger as their noses gently touched.

"My name is David Blackburn." he whispered as Gillian felt his breath touching her lips, then without warning David pressed himself against her as he captured her lips.

-o-

"You worry too much" were the spoken words meant for comfort.

"And you worry too little" were the accusing words hissed back.

Thierry raised his eyebrow, "There is nothing to worry about."

"Gillian has not arrived yet, lad" was the remark Delos used to prove his point. Thierry scowled knowing very well where this would lead the conversation as Delos tried to hide his amusement.

"She is not my problem."

"Who are you trying to convince?" Delos asked expecting an answer however all he got was a grunt in response. "I see I am not the only one suffering family problems."

-o-

That is it!

Hehe...

Short, I know, I am sorry.

Next one should be longer.

I wont make any more promises... so I have no idea when I will be updating..

but do hold on. I will finish this story.

Sorry if any spelling mistakes.

Review?

Please?

=D?

-Maria

God Bless!