Day Before the Ball-

Rogue and Jean were in the garden when Raven, Julien, and Scott walked in. Jean immediately saw Scott and went to great him while Rogue just continued to admire the irises and roses. Julien walked up to her before grabbing her hand and kissing it. She grimaced and looked to Jean for help. Jean was so caught up in showing Scott her orchids that she didn't even see Rogue's distressed look. Turning back to Julien, she put on a fake smile before standing. "Y' look belle, Roguey."

"Um...thank ya." Rogue said as Julien led her further into the garden.

"Y' know...y' hurt moi when y' kicked moi de ot'er day."

"Ah'm sorreh 'bout that, Julien. Ya...ya jus' shocked me and ah did the first thang that came ta mahnd. Defendin' mahself." Rogue said with a shrug as she tried to free her hand.

Julien pulled her closer while stroking her knuckles. "Y' know...Madmosielle Raven expects us t' go t' de ball toget'er tomorrow. It would be an 'onor f'r y' t' go wit' moi."

Rogue was about to reluctantly agree when Remy's question ran through her head. "Ah...ah'll have ta think 'bout it. Thank ya f'r the offeh." Rogue said while turning to go.

Julien pulled her into his chest and held her hair in his other hand. He smelled it and whispered in her ear, "It wasn' an offer, Roguey. Y' WILL have moi escort y' t' de ball and y' WILL dance wit' moi de whole night."

Rogue rolled her eyes before whispering back, "Ah don' lahke bein' pushed around OR bossed around, frenchie. Here's a proposition."

She turned around until she was mere centimeters away from him and said, "Ya don' mess with me and ya won' lose yar balls." (Interesting princess, huh?)

She yanked herself out of his grasp and heatedly walked back outside. Julien followed her until they reached the ballroom. There he grabbed her wrist and twisted it behind her back. "Let me go, Julien." she said as she struggled to free her arm.

"Non. Y' belong t' moi, Rogue. Dere is not'in' y' can do t' get outta it." he said with a smirk.

Rogue grimaced as she felt him twist her arm father. "Stop it, Julien." she said as she reached for the door and slammed it into his face.

"AW! Y' crazy little-" he said as he released her and gripped his nose.

She ran inside and to the other side of the room before turning to him. He removed his hand to find blood covering it and she backed into a pillar. "I'm gonna marry y' and den I'm gonna KILL Y'!!" he shouted as he made his way over to her.

Rogue kept on walking away from him until she had circled the ballroom two times. When she reached the door again, she opened it and ran outside while slamming the door in his face. "AH!!" he screamed.

She turned and ran into the woods while Julien struggled with his injuries. As she continued to run a shadow seemed to follow her, but she paid no attention until she tripped and fell on a rock. As she turned around to examine her foot a hand was placed over her mouth and another was wrapped around her arms and waist. "MMPHMHMMH!!!" she screamed.

"You should keep quit, miss." a gentle russian voice said as it picked her up.

"Oy say! That has gotta be the bonniest sheila Oy've eveh laid eyes on." said a lanky australian as he came into Rogue's view.

Rogue's eyes widened as the man played with a torch and brought it extremely close to her face. "John, stop! You'll scare the girl." the man that was holding her scolded.

"You're the one that is crushing her, Piotr." John said with a chuckle as Piotr set her down.

She gasped for breathe and stared at the two. John was about half an inch taller than her with blonde and orange hair. He had sky blue eyes and a medium build, but was nothing compared to Piotr. Piotr had black hair and was a good foot taller than her. He had a HUE build, but looked like he wouldn't hurt a fly. "Um...whah...whah were ya followin' me?"

"We saw a bloody fool staggering to the woods as if he was after somethin' and...well...Piotr ya tell her." John said with a gesture of the hand.

"We followed you because we thought you were what he was after. We didn't know that you were in trouble." Piotr said gently.

Rogue blushed before smiling and turning to go. "WAIT, SHIELA!" John said before running in front of her.

"Yeah?" Rogue asked with a questionable look.

"Well...we could escort ya home, shiela." John offered as Piotr brought out two paints from behind the trees and offered one to her.

"Ah...ah guess that's alrahght." Rogue said as Piotr got on one horse and John helped her up before mounting it as well.

"Who exactly are you?" Piotr asked as he took in her royal clothing.

"Princess Rogue." she said with a smirk as they rode back to the castle.