I looked around in wonder. After what felt like a half a day's carriage ride we had arrived at a beautiful estate in the countryside. It was nearing dusk and the sky was a beautiful shades of pink and orange. We are standing outside the carriage. King Christian was whispering something to our driver that I could not hear. The driver nodded and climbed back onto his seat. Christian turned to me.

"Are you ready?"

I glanced up at him nervously. I was still in shock from that kiss.

"For what exactly?"

The King smirked at me and held out his arm for me to take.

"For the ball."

The ball?

I couldn't believe my ears. Did the tyrant King of Ireland serious say we were going to a ball? Looking straight ahead at the beautiful estate made me believe it. There were torches lining the long walkway to the front door of the estate. Two guards stood on either side of the large door. Christian started to lead the way down the walkway of torches but I stopped in my tracks. I pulled on his arm to make him stop. He turned around and scowled at me.

"What is the problem?"

I released his arm and wrapped my arms around myself.

"What kind of a game is this? Why would you take me, a slave, to a ball?"

The King glared at me and sighed.

"I took you with me because as King it is my obligation to attend. I couldn't find a date at such short notice. Believe me- I would rather be here with anyone else. However I'm not. As fate would have it you're here with me. If anyone asks who you are you let me do the talking. You do not talk to anyone. Do you understand?" He was glaring at me. I felt like a piece of garbage.

"Yes." I said in a small voice. I was livid. No doubt he couldn't find a date. After all- who would want to be in the company of such a monster. I took the King's arm again and let him lead me inside. The kiss was long forgotten.

The guards opened the doors and what I saw next brought wonder to my eyes. A big white ballroom with a few dozen people dressed in their best dancing around to beautiful music. There were tables lining the walls where a few men and women sat taking breaks from their dancing. Everyone stopped once the King and I walked in. The music stopped as well.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, announcing his Royal Highness, King Grey." Everyone bowed to the tyrant King. He nodded and the music began again. He led me through the wide eyed crowd. All the men were staring at me in wonder and all the women were scowling. I could hear their whispers.

Who is that with the King?

She's beautiful!

So lovely!

I don't like her!

I kept my head bowed focusing on the floor as he lead me through the crowd of people and their whispers. He stopped in the middle of the dancefloor. I looked up at him confused.

"Can you dance?" He whispered to me.

Of course I could dance. My mother taught me well. We used to go dancing in our village during festival season.

I simply nodded and that was all the King apparently needed to hear because suddenly he pulled me into his embrace and we were off. One hand was on my waist and the other was holding my hand tightly as he spun me around the room. Nobody else was dancing. They were all stock still watching us. The King's eyes were burning into me. It was like he didn't notice anyone else in the room. I have to admit- dancing with the beautiful King at a ball was definitely something. I would prefer this over cleaning his dank castle any day.

The King eyed me skeptically as we danced.

"What are you thinking about?" He half smirked at me, showing minimal curiosity.

"I'm wondering why everyone is staring at us.

The King laughed.

"They staring at you, not me. I suppose they are trying to figure out who you are and what you are to me."

I peered up at him curiously.

"Are you going to tell them who I am?"

The King chuckled.

"Oh yes, this is Anastasia the peasant I plucked from her village against her will. Don't be ridiculous. I said I will handle it. Now will you quiet your smart mouth so we can finish this blasted dance?"

I released his hand to pretend to zip my lip. He scowled at me but I could swear I saw the hint of a smile on his lips.

After five minutes of dancing he led me off the dancefloor to a set of chairs to the corner of the ballroom.

"Sit" he ordered. I obliged and sat down. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and it was making me anxious. The King took a seat down beside me. Suddenly a group of people flocked over to us.

"Your Majesty, whom may I ask, is your lovely date?" a blonde haired middle aged man dressed in a dashing black suit asked.

"Ah Welch, hello. This is Anastasia Steele. She's has recently arrived here from London."

I looked at Christian as if he'd grown two heads.

So he's given my real name to this man- and has said I'm from London. They aren't going to believe that when they hear my accent. I suppose I should attempt an english accent. It would have been nice if the bastard had warned me this is what he would be saying.

"Anastasia, this is the Lord Welch O'Reilly. He's the owner of this grand estate."

The Lord took my hand and gave it a small kiss.

"Lady Steele. How do you do?"

I nodded to the Lord Welch O'Reilly.

"My Lord."

After a few pleasantries shared between the King and Lord O'Reilly he disappeared with his group to leave us once again alone. It was a curious thing. The King is usually rude to most people I have seen him speak with but not Welch. I eyed him speculatively.

"What is it?" He muttered.

"Nothing." I turned my head and looked away. Christian stood up suddenly and grabbed my hand, pulling me up with him. He lead me out of the ballroom to a doorway.

"Where are we going?" I tried to keep up with him. He was walking quite fast.

"I want to show you something. Come. Keep up peasant."

Oh so we're back to that. So much for being Lady Steele.

Christian led me out onto a balcony. It was stunning. Ivy hung from the big marble railings. There were beautiful flowers lining every part of the balcony. It took my breath away.

"It's so.. Beautiful."

The King smiled.

"Yes- it's my favorite part of this estate. I like to come out here to escape when I have to attend these dreaded things. I'm glad you like it." He added.

He was looking up at the stars lost in thought. I felt like I was intruding on some conversation he was having with himself.

"Would you like some privacy?"

The King twitched and looked down at me.

"No." He looked surprised at himself when he said it.

"Why share this with me? None of this makes sense. You despise me. You ripped me away from my father and promised me a life of torture and slavery. Yet here I stand, in a beautiful dress enjoying a ball with you."

The King sighed and glared at me.

"You are insufferable. You know that?"

I glared right back at him. In that moment I honestly didn't care anymore. I was done being cautious. My life for all intents and purposes was over already.

"Well you're a tyrant." I spat at him.

His eyes went wide, almost feral like. Suddenly he grabbed me and planted a forceful kiss on me for the second time tonight. This kiss was different. He wasn't pulling away. It's hard to describe this feeling of being kissed passionately. The King is the only man to have ever kissed me. Despite my hatred for him, his lips on mine were not full of hate. I felt something alien. I think this is what lust must feel like. Suddenly I flung my arms around his shoulders and he dragged me to the balcony wall. He pushed me up against the wall and continued to kiss me. All too soon it was over.

"Enough!" He screamed and pushed himself away.

After a moment he turned to look at me.

"What the hell are you doing to me?"

I gave him a shocked look. He turned around and stalked off the balcony leaving me standing there feeling like I was nothing.

Why? Why let him do this to you? He's practically the devil. He's using you! He doesn't care for you so do not care for him.

This was becoming too much for me to bare. I needed to get out of here now. I wanted to find my father and flee to England like we planned, far away from the evil King. My eyes darted to the ivy hanging off the balcony. It looked fairly thick. I glanced down at the ground. It was only about a fifteen foot drop. Even if I fell I wouldn't be too hurt. I climbed up onto the railing and clutched onto the ivy.

"Anastasia!" I turned quickly to see Christian staring at me wide eyed. Before he could run to me and pull me back I let myself drop the fifteen feet. I landed on my knees. The beautiful dress was now grass stained. My legs and feet were throbbing but I didn't care.

Fight the pain I kept reminding myself. I kicked off my shoes and darted across the lawn. To my right I saw the walkway lit by torches. I passed the carriage and suddenly stopped in my tracks. I couldn't leave.

He'll kill my Father. He'll burn down my village. He'll probably kill Gail.

I never realized before that he had me. I couldn't flee even if I wanted to. I felt tears streaming down my cheek. I turned and headed back to the carriage. The driver was eyeing me curiously but said nothing. I opened the door to the carriage and climbed in. It took me a moment before I saw the King standing in the torch walk way just staring at me.

My heart was pumping with anxiety stricken thunder. I kissed her not once but twice. She jumped off the balcony and could have fallen to her death. When she jumped I felt helpless. I was terrified she would be hurt. Why do I care? She's nothing. She comes from nothing. She could have escaped. She could have run home to her father and I probably wouldn't have stopped her. Yet here she is, climbing back into my carriage. This girl is a mystery. A mystery I must solve.