A/N: Here is the start of the latest (and longest) formal affair featuring a ton of new characters! I've had fun making up these royals; I only wish they got bigger parts outside of these few chapters. Thank you all so much for your continued support! I know things have been slow as of late, but I promise, these next few chapters are going to change the game as we know it. I love you guys!

Chapter 34

The sun was setting over the Angeles sky, which meant that the party was just starting inside the royal palace. The grounds were lit up with thousands of lights, a beacon to light the way for all of the guests that were pouring into front gates. Limousines and Aston Martins lined the driveway, the glamorous royals within reaching to take the hands of their drivers, having their servants lead the way into the polished marble estate. All the while, the King of Illéa stood at the end of the main hall, shaking hands and smiling, doing his best to try not to think of the millions of ways this could all go wrong.

"Stop fidgeting with your cufflinks. You'll tear a hole in the tux," Heather leaned over to whisper to Kaden before the Swendish princess could reach them.

Kaden forced his hands at his sides and took in a deep breath, remembering to exhale this time. He had seen so many royals in the past hour alone that he could no longer distinguish faces. He was glad to have Heather with him; she seemed to be more at ease than he was, and she was sure as hell better at associating names with faces. He didn't really know how she got herself on door duty - Lady Brice was supposed to be the one next to him - but he wasn't surprised. She even looked like she belonged at an international peace summit, with her periwinkle blue sari draped over one arm and matching accessories. Kaden supposed she wore the traditional dress for her family, who had yet to show up.

They both smiled as Princess Elsa approached them, followed closely by her translator and a few other diplomats. Kaden inclined his head politely - royals never fully acquiesced to each other, as they were all on the same level of the hierarchy - while Heather dipped into a curtsey.

"Your Highness, welcome to Illéa. Thank you so much for coming," Kaden greeted her.

She smiled widely, mostly to cover up the fact that she had to stall for time as her translator relayed his message in Swendish. The princess was always amicable, if not shy, and her eyes were unnervingly blue as she refused to break contact. "Like the ice that coats the sea in the dead of winter," he'd been told by the Illéan ambassador to Swendway. Up close and personal, Kaden had to agree. Kaden was also wondering how her pale skin wasn't burning in the Angeles sun - even in the chill of autumn the sun could be brutal. But that was a question best saved for later. She had finished her reply to her translator, and now it was Kaden's turn to pay attention.

"Her Highness wishes to thank you for your hospitality, and looks forward to the next three days."

"The pleasure is all mine. Please, enjoy the festivities," Kaden continued to smile and nod, the only gestures the princess could really understand from him at least. She curtseyed shortly as she took her leave, her entourage following close behind her.

That wasn't so bad, Kaden said to himself for the tenth time that day. No matter how many royals he met, the nerves refused to go away.

"You did good on that one," Heather complimented him, and Kaden appreciated it. He really was trying to stay cool.

"Thanks. Who's next?" Kaden asked, but he had his answer as soon as nearly a dozen people rounded the corner. His heart nearly stopped; that many people was...overwhelming. However, as he turned to Heather for his usual support, he found that she too, was holding her breath. That was strange, but as the people neared closer to them, Kaden understood her apprehension.

It was her family.

Her family and half of India, it appeared.

Queen Riya was a short, portly, stern faced woman whose forehead was creased with wrinkles and her dark eyes were lost between the crows feet and sagging eyebrows. Her hair was a startling shade of silver-white plated back in a meticulous braid studded with gems that matched her colorful sari. She walked slowly and with a limp, escorted on the arm of a servant dressed in traditional Indian robes.

A taller woman followed closely behind the queen, but it was obvious that she was older as well. This woman also had her hair back in a braid, but she wore a tikka studded with sapphires and emeralds that matched her sari. As soon as the woman saw Heather, her face broke out into a smile, and she picked up her pace to meet her sooner.

"Heather," the woman greeted Heather, opening her arms wide.

"Auntie," Heather greeted her back, hugging her aunt tightly.

"Look at you, so much bigger since I saw you last," Princess Janki said when then parted, admiring Heather as she held her back at arms length. "You are beautiful my child."

"Thank you Auntie. I hope you've been enjoying your stay here so far."

"Yes, yes, it's been wonderful," Princess Janki said, turning to incline her head in respect towards Kaden. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for hosting us."

"It's my pleasure," Kaden insisted, returning the gesture with a slight bow. "Any family of Heather's is family of mine. She does so much for me, I don't think I could run the country without her."

"It seems that she is just like her mother then. And you have her eyes," Princess Janki smiled widely down at Heather, who had to look away at the mention of her mother. It was then when Kaden realized that this was her mother's family, and that they probably knew more about her than Heather did, something that must've been hard for her to deal with.

Suddenly, a flurry of color and noise approached them and drew their full attention. Three elegant young women, older than Kaden and Heather but not by much, were standing in front of them, each dipping their heads down in respect.

"Heather, you remember your cousins, my daughters, Naina, Hemali, and Ananaya," Princess Janki introduced the three, each of the girls smiling wider when their names were mentioned. The one who stood in the middle of the group in a bright green sari, Naina, seemed to be the leader of the three, the other two girls standing slightly behind her, their eyes wandering where hers did - which were mostly on Heather.

"Of course," Heather replied easily, giving each of the girls a brief hug.

"I'm sorry that my husband and brother could not attend, but someone had to stay behind and run the country," Princess Janki joked, and everyone laughed. "They send you their love and gratitude regardless."

"How is grandmother?" Heather asked, looking around for someone who wasn't there.

"As well as can be expected at her age. I'm afraid her mind isn't what it used to be, but she wanted me to tell you that she loves you," Princess Janki assured Heather, who nodded firmly. Kaden knew nothing about Heather's relationship with her extended family, but he could tell that she was disappointed that her grandmother was not there. It was in the tight set of her jaw, like she was trying to swallow back words before she said something she regretted.

"Child, where is your father?" Queen Riya asked, her voice raspy and clipped. She had only just managed to hobble her way to them, and was already aching to leave, something Kaden didn't know if he should take personally or just chalk up to old age.

"He's out in the gardens, Your Majesty," Heather replied formally. "I can escort you there if you want."

Queen Riya nodded sharply, and started walking forward. Everyone shifted to make plenty of room for the queen to pass, all attention on her to make sure that she didn't stumble and fall. Heather moved to go follow her relatives, and Kaden started to panic. She couldn't leave - he needed her to help him!

"Heather...," Kaden trailed, catching her by the arm, a bit terrified about taking on the line of other royals lining up to meet him without her to guide him.

"I'll take care of them and be right back. You're the king, you've got this," Heather replied quietly so no one else could hear, taking Queen Riya's arm from her servant. That's the last piece of advice he got from her before she switched languages, the entire party conversing in rapid Punjabi.

He watched Heather move away from him until she was lost in the sea of people. Then, he was truly alone, just himself and the butlers standing at the front of the hall letting the guests in and announcing their presence to the crowds. It was intimidating to stand at the end of the red carpet all by himself. Kaden started wondering where Osten was and if he would be willing to take over greeting for a while.

"Kaden!" Came a loud voice from behind him. He wondered who would be bold enough to address him by his first name, but as soon as he saw the tall, dark haired Italian beauty wandering his way, he was glad to see a familiar face.

"Nicoletta, you look beautiful as always," Kaden greeted the family friend. Just over forty years old, and there wasn't a wrinkle on her sun kissed skin. She didn't look a day over thirty, and she was already starting to get jealous looks from the women and long stares from the men in the room.

"Oh stop, you'll make me blush," she replied, pulling Kaden into a giant hug, foregoing any sort of royal protocol. Kaden didn't mind. This was the woman who cooed over him as a baby and told embarrassing stories about him to his relatives when she was invited over for state dinners. "But look at you, so fancy! The kingship looks good on you."

"If only it felt as good as it looks," Kaden said wryly, earning a grin from Nicoletta.

"Well, I wouldn't know anything about that," she replied, waving her hand like it was over her head, and Kaden supposed it was.

Princess Nicoletta had yet to take over her parent's throne, something that Kaden knew she was quite fine with. She loved the life of a princess, and though he knew from the stories his parents told that she was more than capable of ruling, she loved to have fun more. She was the life of any party. In fact, Kaden was hoping that she would work her magic and be the glue that bound most of the guests together, because God knows he wouldn't know where to start.

"Are Noemi and Orabella with you?"

"No, just me this time," Nicoletta put on a sad face for effect. "They're busy being mothers and governors and have no more time for fun these days."

"The Italians have no time for fun? I find that hard to believe," Kaden joked.

"If fun is watching children and hosting tea parties, then yes, there is lots of fun," she replied sarcastically. "Maybe I should find out what all of this is about. Find myself a husband, settle down. It would please my parents. Or maybe I should throw myself a Selection. It works so well in your country."

"I'm sure none of the single diplomats here would mind. You could start one right now. I'm sure you'd be married by the end of day three," Kaden played along, but Nicoletta was no longer paying attention. Her eyes had widened when she mentioned the Selection, like she had forgotten about it and then remembered, looking at Kaden with a whole new light. It was the look that everyone gave him - the look that wanted every single little detail about his love life and made him inwardly flinch because he knew the invasive questions were coming next.

"My love life isn't important," she shook her head. "Now tell me, where are your lovely ladies? Have you picked one out yet? Are you in love? I've been keeping up in the news, and I'm rooting for the small blonde...Selina, Sabrina...?"

"Serena?" Kaden corrected, trying to keep up with all of what Nicoletta was throwing at him.

"Yes, that's the one!" she held onto Kaden's shoulder, coming in closer as if he was going to share as secret with her. "So, tell me everything. I want to know it all."

"There's nothing to tell," Kaden replied, shrugging. "They're all great, but I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I've only known them for a few months, and the Council expects me to marry one of them. It's a lot of stress."

"And there isn't at least one that stands out above the rest?" she pushed, and Kaden shifted in her grip. His discomfort grew as he refused to answer her question, which turned out to be the wrong choice, because a grin crept up her face in victory. "Ah, so there is someone."

Kaden shifted again, trying to compose himself. A blushing king did not bode well for a strong first impression.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me who," Nicoletta conceded, pulling back and smoothing out her bronze gown and straightening her matching tiara. She then reached out to pull Kaden into a side hug. "I just want what's best for you. I want you to be happy."

"Thank you," Kaden smiled leaning into the hug. He didn't know how to continue conversation after that, so he changed topics entirely. "Has Josie been by to say hello?"

"Why would she come to say hello?" Nicoletta asked, smiling but confused.

"She and her family went on vacation to Italy. They've been there a few weeks now."

"Really?" Nicoletta asked, her surprise genuine. "This is the first I've heard of this."

"That's strange..." Kaden trailed off, now confused as well. "She loves you guys."

"Perhaps she's been traveling along the southern coasts. News there is always slow," Nicoletta suggested.

"Perhaps," Kaden sighed, thinking that had to be it. "Her letter came for me a week or two ago. I haven't had the chance to read it, but I'll make sure to."

"You know Josie, always up to trouble," Nicoletta sighed with a wistful smile. "She probably ran off with a boy."

"I wouldn't put it past her."

"Your Majesty, the French have arrived and are waiting on your call," a butler came up and spoke in his ear.

"Send them in," Kaden said, bracing himself for another awkward reunion with his brother.

"I'll get out of your hair. You have babies to kiss and hands to shake, and I have a date with the cocktail bar," Nicoletta said, and Kaden snorted. She squeezed his shoulder and smiled. "I'll see you later."

As soon as Nicoletta left the hall, Kaden was put face to face with half a dozen men in blue suits. Kaden had half a mind to ask them who the hell they were, but each man had the royal Fleur de Lis so there was no mistaking their nationality.

"The Royal Family of France sends their deepest apologies for not being able to attend the Summit, and ask that Your Majesty, in his kindness, accept this small group of advisors in their place," one of the men apologized as he bowed so deeply that his nose practically scraped the ground. And right he should, because as much as Kaden did not want to see Ahren, his absence was even more infuriating.

"May I inquire as to why they could not attend?"

"With the Princess in her condition, the family decided it best to keep everyone close to home. Surely Your Majesty understands the need to keep family safe."

"I understand completely," Kaden said through closed teeth, his blood boiling in his veins. However, he kept himself in check even though that was the last thing he wanted to do. "Please, enjoy the party."

Kaden stepped to his side, letting the man and his fellow diplomats enter the festivities. That was the shortest time he had spent with a envoy all night, but he had limited patience when it came to Ahren and his incredible ability to get himself into even deeper shit. The diplomats were lucky Kaden didn't tell them to pack up and go home. But, that wasn't what the summit stood for, and it wouldn't bode well for him to write off an ally just based on personal problems.

A tap on his shoulder turned his attention to one of his butlers alerting him that it was time to make his appearance in the ballroom. Kaden nodded and left greeting duty to the council members who arrived to take his place. He was slightly relieved that was over, but now he had a whole different set of obstacles to tackle, the main one being his opening speech. He'd rehearsed this speech for hours in his mirror, having the Council and even his manservant revise it. It had to be perfect if anyone was going to take him seriously.

Kaden took a deep breath before walking through the crowded ballroom and stepping up on the platform created specifically for giving his speech. It was somewhat pretentious, but it got the job done. From this elevation, Kaden could see over the heads of his guests, and he took a glass of champagne and clinked against it gently with a spoon. There were microphones set up around his platform, so the sound reverberated out around the room, drawing everyone's attention to him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, kings and queens, and all of the sovereign lords gathered here, I would like to welcome you all first and foremost to the twentieth International Peace Summit," Kaden was interrupted by a polite applause, and he waited for it to die down before continuing. "This is a tradition that is celebrating its centennial year, and I for one am honored to be a part of it, and even more so to host it. Over these next three days, we will make history. We will change the world on a unified front in order to achieve one goal: lasting peace. I look out upon the faces in this room, and I see life long friends, trading partners, and allies that have helped my nation through the darkest of times. By standing with you, I know that I have put my country's future in the right hands, and by standing with me - along with each of the other countries represented here - you may know the same."

Kaden stopped to breathe and held out his glass, watching as the crowd all raised theirs in response. "To five more years of peace."

"To five more years of peace!" came the overwhelming response, followed by raucous applause and cheers. Kaden felt triumphant. He had done something right for once.

One person was cheering louder than the rest, and as Kaden focused on the familiar face, he felt himself break out into a wide smile. The young woman standing a few feet away from the platform was only two years his younger, but she looked as sophisticated as the rest of the royalty assembled around her. Kaden hopped off the platform and placed his champagne flute on table as he passed it, now focused on making his way to the princess in the sparkling gold dress. She was positively radiating sunshine, her simple golden circlet gleaming in the light in contrast with her reddish brown hair and hazel eyes. She looked so different than when he had seen her last, but at the same time, she was still five years old and covered in mud and scabs instead of jewels and a ballgown.

"Princess Allegra."

His best friend, his better half, his partner in crime - other than Osten of course. Kaden smiled and bowed at the waist with flourish. In response, she giggled and dipped into the deepest curtsey she could.

"Your Majesty," she replied, drawing his title out exaggeratedly in her lilting British accent. "That speech was truly inspiring."

Kaden knew she was teasing him, and he mock-elbowed her in the side. "Hey, my advisors tried really hard on that one."

"Oh, so you don't even write your own speeches?" Allegra asked, pretending to be taken aback. "Next thing I know you'll be telling me that Santa Claus isn't real."

Kaden laughed at that, and she laughed with him. He didn't realize how much he'd missed his childhood friend until she was right in front of him. It had been too long since they'd last spoken face to face - a few years at least. But there and then, it felt like no time had passed them at all.

"I've missed you Al," he said, getting himself back into check. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes as she pretended to wipe away tears of joy.

"I've missed you too, you idiot," she replied, pulling him to her for a hug and kissing him on both cheeks as was the European fashion. Kaden swore that he could hear flashes go off, the cameras that surrounded every inch of the palace for the summit going wild at the idea that there was a random woman clinging to him, but he wasn't concerned. Anyone who was anyone knew that he and Allegra were close friends and nothing more. Of course, there had been a time when he had a raging crush on her, and had the events of the past few months not happened, who knows what could've become of them. But that wasn't his reality anymore, and friends was what they would forever be.

"I meant to call after the funeral," her smile slipped, her fingers fumbling with the lapels of Kaden's jacket as she tried to straighten the fabric out. It was her nervous tick; she always did it when she didn't know what to say. "I wanted to come by, see how you were, but mum and dad said that wasn't proper."

She gestured her head to the side, and Kaden followed the movement to see the King and Queen of the British Empire chatting amicably with the German Chancellor and his wife, Dame Bianca. Kaden had greeted all of them earlier, and Luka, the Chancellor's son, was very amused to hear that Josie was not around to kiss him this time. However, that didn't stop him from flirting with every princess that passed his way, something that made Kaden frown seeing as though his wife was nowhere to be seen. Kaden pulled his mind out of that drama; it wasn't important, and Allegra was.

"It's okay Al. I know you meant well. I got your letter," Kaden's lips pulled up into a semi-smile, more for her sake than his.

"Yeah?" she asked, mimicking the same smile, not quite sure all was forgiven. But Kaden knew there was nothing to forgive.

"Yeah," Kaden nodded, not breaking eye contact with Allegra until she was back to her bright and cheery self. When she appeared to accept Kaden's response, he extended his arm to her. "Come on, I want to introduce you to some important people."

"Your girlfriends!" Allegra gasped, her smile curling up mischievously. "They'll be so jealous! Look at me, I'm a home wrecker. Forget princess, this is the crowning moment of my life."

"There's hardly reason for them to be jealous," Kaden replied, and immediately regretted his choice of words.

"Kaden Schreave, I am offended," Allegra stopped dead in her tracks, her hands going straight to her hips as she pursed her lips.

"That's not what I-" he tried to rectify the situation, but it was too late. Anything he said was only going to dig himself further in a hole.

"Just for that, I'm telling them the cotillion story," Allegra replied, a smirk crawling up her face as she took in Kaden's horror.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Just watch me."

"Allegra-" Kaden called after her, but it was too late. She was already bounding up to the ladies in stride, clearly catching them by surprise. Kaden watched with bated breath as Ladies Freya and Azalea immediately went to dip into their curtsies even though they were flustered. Ladies Ayana and Serena stood off to the side, still being polite and curtseying, but managing to catch Kaden's eye, giving him confused looks. Kaden took that as his cue to intervene, and walked up to his friend.

"Ladies, I believe you've met Princess Allegra of the British Empire," Kaden formally introduced her to the group. There was a murmur of agreement as the ladies looked Allegra up and down, then moving to Kaden, analyzing their close proximity and the way Allegra sidled up next to Kaden and nudged his shoulder.

"Kaden, you never told me that they were so pretty," Allegra teased Kaden, making him blush slightly. She rolled her eyes in the ladies' direction and not so subtly whispered, "Men!"

"You two seem very close," Lady Ayana commented, not afraid to state what the rest of the ladies were surely thinking, if their shared looks and expressions were anything to go by. Allegra, on the other hand, just laughed it off.

"Oh, us? We've been friends for ever. I could tell you stories..."

"Stories that are best saved for another day," Kaden intervened, not sure if Allegra was serious about the cotillion story. He gave her a pointed look and she stuck her tongue out at him in response.

"Please, tell us more," Lady Ayana egged Allegra on, ignoring Kaden. "We're curious now."

The rest of the ladies gave a collaborative nod, now looking at Allegra with interest instead of suspicion. Allegra looked torn between staying loyal to Kaden and telling everything she knew. The conflict was plain on her face, and she bit her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Maybe some other time ladies," she conceded, and the ladies looked bummed. "There's still three days left for me to spill the beans."

There was a collective flurry of chatter, and in that conversation somehow the ladies had decided that Allegra was definitely someone they wanted to befriend. Kaden was promptly cut out of the circle, the ladies turning to focus on their new friend.

"I love your dress!" Allegra gushed to Lady Freya, whose cobalt blue gown was layered in ruffles so the skirt looked like a giant waterfall.

All of the ladies looked lovely in their dresses in Kaden's opinion. Lady Rose looked like pure sunshine in her bright yellow dress with embellishment that glittered in the light. Lady Azalea's gown was like cotton candy: puffy and a pale blue that made her look like a real life Cinderella. Lady Serena's gown was a surprising choice for her: a blush colored dress that clung to her curves until it hit her knees and fanned out into a train that followed her as she walked. Lady Ayana's dress was a simple purple gown with a lighter pop of purple around where the fabric gathered at her waist. All of them looked like royalty, and Kaden was proud of his ladies.

"Thanks," Lady Freya replied humbly, swishing the skirt around. "I actually designed it myself."

"No way," Allegra gasped, and Lady Freya nodded. "That's incredible! Do you do commissions, because I have this event coming up in the New Year..."

Kaden couldn't hear any more of the conversation, the other ladies jumping to talk about their dresses and upcoming social parties. The usual girl stuff that Kaden was somewhat glad to be spared from, even if this was an interesting turn of events. It was probably for the best that he was left out. Now he had time to do more socializing with the rest of his guests.

"What a coincidence seeing you here, all alone," Lady Katrina teased, sauntering up to him with purposeful seduction, but she wore it differently than Lady Angelina. She didn't try to disguise it, her honesty plain, and for some reason, Kaden didn't mind being flirted with when it came from her.

"You look stunning, my dear," Kaden replied as he remembered their pet name. Lady Katrina preened under the compliment and stuck her chest out with pride, her bustier amplifying her cleavage.

"I know," she twirled in a slow circle, the flowers on her gown coming alive in a rainbow of pastel watercolors. "My maids really outdid themselves."

"And I see you found the champagne," Kaden commented as he pointed to the half finished glass in her hand.

"You know me too well," she said as she raised the glass to her lips, taking a sip. "Speaking of knowing me, I just realized it's been so long since we've had a little one on one time."

"Like a date?" Kaden asked, knowing that was exactly what she meant. He just found it amusing that she was so forward as to ask for one.

"Well, if you're offering to take me out..." Lady Katrina replied coyly, batting her eyelashes.

"Lady Katrina," a butler came up and addressed her, interrupting the moment. "A letter came for you."

"For me?" she asked with a surprised laugh, taking the letter off of the silver plate the butler extended to her. As she read the return address, her face pulled into a frown for just a moment, before straightening out into a smile. She looked at Kaden apologetically.

"Who's it from?" Kaden asked, not to be nosy but to make conversation. Plus he was curious, as the sender seemed to intrigue Lady Katrina immediately.

"A lover," she teased, just to get a rise out of Kaden, and he hated to say it worked. She laughed at his scowling face before reaching over to touch his arm, running her fingers up and down his jacket sleeve. "I'm only joking. It's an old friend that I haven't talked to in a while...but I should probably go and see what they want."

"Of course," Kaden nodded. He understood completely. "Maybe we can finish our conversation over tea sometime after the summit? Just the two of us?"

"It's a date," she winked at him before turning to follow the butler to a more quiet space where she could read her letter.

Kaden sighed and looked around the crowded space, alone once more. However, that wouldn't be the case for long. One lady in particular captured his attention immediately. She was dancing like no one was watching on the fringes of the dance floor, a little buzzed from the champagne and getting a little too close to the people next to her. She wasn't with any of the other ladies, but then again, that wasn't her style.

"You look like you're having a good time," Kaden teased Lady Lalaine as he walked up to her, who only shot him a dirty look and continued dancing. "How did you get that past Sylvia?"

Kaden gestured to Lady Lalaine's dress, which looked almost exactly like her others: loud tribal print, bell sleeves, and flowing shape. However, this one was completely backless, a few chains of amber beads keeping the whole thing together. Lady Lalaine rolled her eyes for a second time, looking off into the crowd, blatantly pointing at Lady Angelina in her fire engine red dress that clung to every single curve. However, the dress was so low cut that it was a miracle that it covered anything in the front, and Kaden's eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets as she turned to face him and he could see it head on.

"The same way Angie got that approved," Lady Lalaine replied, and clapped Kaden on the back. Kaden had to give that round to her. However, he had bigger problems now. Lady Angelina had caught him staring and was making a bee-line straight to him. Lady Lalaine snickered and looked over to Kaden sympathetically, saying, "Looks like she's found her prey. Good luck with that one."

Lady Lalaine left Kaden to face Lady Angelina alone, her boho dress disappearing into the mass of people. Kaden cursed under his breath, not quite sure what he was going to say when the model approached him. They hadn't really talked since their make out session, and Kaden didn't want things to be awkward.

"Your Majesty," Lady Angelina curtseyed deeply, probably on purpose so that Kaden could get a look straight down her cleavage. Not that he did that, his eyes trained right in front of him until she rose. "You've been avoiding me."

"Have I?" Kaden played dumb, reaching back to scratch his head like he was stumped.

"It's fine, you can pretend all you'd like. It doesn't bother me."

"It doesn't bother you that you think I've been avoiding you?"

"No, because that means you've been thinking about out little encounter and are flustered enough that you've put the effort in to avoid me," she replied easily, seeing through Kaden like he was transparent. Kaden frowned, his cheeks reddening against his will, and Lady Angelina laughed like he was being ridiculous. "Don't be embarrassed. I'm not."

"I'm not embarrassed," Kaden insisted, even though he knew it was a lie, and a weak one at that. He knew he had no reason to be, but that didn't stop the feeling from happening.

"You're cute, and so hopelessly lost," Lady Angelina shook her head and smiled, taking a sip of her drink. "I'll be waiting for you if you decide you want to be honest with yourself."

What the hell did that mean? Kaden was wracking his brain for a response, but words failed him. Instead, Lady Angelina only huffed out a sigh, a pitying smile on her face as she curtseyed her farewell, giving Kaden a good show of her backside as she sauntered back into the crowd. Frustration bubbled in his throat, and he let out a string of grumbling curses under his breath. He didn't like how she always got him so flustered; it always sent him in a tailspin. But as much as he hated feeling like his emotions were out of his control, it was also the most exhilarating sensation he'd ever experienced. Maybe one day he would get himself sorted out, but not today.

Not when the orchestra was picking up and the dance floor was clearing out for the traditional "first dance". Kaden was expected to lead, but he was without a partner, none of the ladies coming into his line of sight. He toed his way up to the edge of the dance floor, hoping that someone would appear before he was forced to make an awkward decision with a random stranger. Thankfully, the person he wanted to share the dance with most was the one he happened to find.

Lady Maddy was standing across the way, her arms folded behind her. She was rising up and down on her toes, clearly nervous, and she nearly stuttered and fell when she realized that Kaden was coming straight for her. She looked perfect in her blush and white dress, her dark hair parted to the side and curled so that it fell softly over her shoulder. Kaden smiled wider as he noticed that she was wearing the necklace he'd had delivered to her earlier, the aquamarine sitting on her clavicle on a delicate silver chain.

"I see you got your present," Kaden commented, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed and her gaze lowered to the floor.

"It's beautiful. Thank you," she replied quietly.

"It's a jewel fit for a queen," Kaden replied as he gently took his hand and placed it under her chin, raising her head up so he could look at her. "Dance with me?"

Lady Maddy nodded and Kaden smiled. The whole world was watching them, and for once he was glad for it. Let them all know how happy he was. It was a welcome change from all the doom and gloom that usually surrounded his name.

Together they walked out into the center of the dance floor. Lady Maddy was trembling, but Kaden kept his eyes on her, gesturing for her to just breathe. He knew that she wasn't very confident, or very skilled when it came to dancing, but he had faith that she could do this. And if worse came to worse, they would just spin circles on the dance floor, out of time with everyone else but it would be just as fun.

A few other couples walked on to join Kaden and Lady Maddy. Everyone was waiting for the orchestra to start. Any moment now the music would start... and Kaden would completely lose his track of everything.

Because Lady Finnley was staring right at him.

Her eyes were pinning him in place, causing him to temporarily forget what he was supposed to be doing. It had been so long since he had seen her that he forgot how much of a sway she had over him. The song was going to start any moment. He needed to move, and his arm automatically moved to Lady Maddy's waist, taking her other hand in his at the starting position, but he was still focused on Lady Finnley. Lady Finnley who looked like she stepped out of a storybook with her hair done up in an elaborate twist, her cornflower blue gown skirting out around her in a train. She looked regal.

However, someone else had noticed Lady Finnley's beauty as well, and unlike Kaden, invited her to dance. Kaden watched closely as Luka bent at the waist and offered his hand to take hers. He clearly wanted to dance, but the real question was if Lady Finnley would take him up on his offer. Surprisingly, she did, which was not in her shy nature at all. Still, Kaden watched as Luka led her to the dance floor, picking up with all of the other couples as the music started.

Lady Finnley's eyes never left Luka's as they spun in circles to a waltz. Kaden could tell that she was unsure of how to feel, her expression tightly controlled and slightly anxious. However, the fact that she wasn't breaking eye contact meant that she was feeling confident enough not to let her self consciousness about her eyes stop her. She didn't even acknowledge Kaden's gaze, if she registered it at all, and the closeness between she and Luka made something primal in him rage. They shouldn't be that close. She was his Selected, and Luka had no right to touch her.

But that didn't stop them from dancing. And that didn't change the fact that Kaden had chosen to dance the first dance with Lady Maddy, who was looking up at him curiously, wondering what was stealing his attention. Kaden forced himself back into reality. It wasn't right of him to be so possessive, and it especially wasn't fair to Lady Maddy who was dancing with him. He needed to focus on the now.

Kaden flashed a winning smile to Lady Maddy, who smiled more confidently. Her dancing skills had improved since the Halloween Ball, her feet rarely missing a beat. She wasn't up for doing anything fancy, but that was fine. Kaden was happy to just twirl her in circles instead, her skirt swishing up to surround her when she spun. She was the center of attention, and Kaden was glad for it. She'd spent too long in the shadows and deserved her time to shine, her time for everyone to see her like he saw her.

Soon enough, the dance ended and everyone was clapping politely for the dancers. Kaden bowed to Lady Maddy, who curtsied before walking off the floor. Kaden was going to follow her until he caught sight of Lady Finnley and Luka again. More specifically, he caught Luka being a little too friendly, bending down from his towering height, getting closer and closer into her personal space until he could place a kiss on her cheek. Lady Finnley immediately tensed up as his lips touched her skin, her eyes growing wide and lips parting in surprise. It was clear his affections were unwanted, but her discomfort didn't stop him.

Kaden could've ripped him limb from limb.

"Excuse me," Kaden stormed over, and Luka abruptly took a few steps back from Lady Finnley. Her eyes darted back and forth between the men before fixing on the ground. Her chest was still rising and falling too fast, and Kaden narrowed his gaze on Luka.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. Have I done something to offend you?" Luka asked, his voice smooth as butter and filled with a bored contempt. Everyone knew that Luka was somewhat of an asshole, and Kaden was starting to understand that reputation very quickly. Everything about him screamed smarmy.

"Can't you tell that the lady is distressed?" Kaden asked him pointedly, ignoring Luka afterwards and focusing solely on Lady Finnley. He kept his distance but placed his hands on her shoulders, grounding her. "Are you alright?"

Lady Finnley looked up at him, piercing him with her gaze. She nodded deftly, and Kaden nodded just so that he could confirm it for himself. When Kaden looked back up, Luka was nowhere to be found, and that only set Kaden off more. But he wasn't worth the trouble, not when he had to take care of Lady Finnley first. He was going to go and escort her to the tables personally when, of course, something else came up. Instead, Kaden tapped on the shoulder of the closest staff member he could find.

"See to it that Lady Finnley is seated far away from the Germans and given some water," Kaden instructed the server, who nodded and immediately went to Lady Finnley, explaining the situation and leading her towards the tables.

With that squared away, Kaden let himself be directed towards the latest catastrophe. He didn't expect the summit to go perfectly, but this was getting to be a lot of drama for the first night. This time, the trouble came in the form of a royal, and she was not being moved without a fight. As he neared one of the parlor rooms near the back of the first floor, Kaden could smell the repugnant scent of tobacco and ash. He had had to waft it away from his face as he entered the parlor, coming face to face with the offender.

"Your Majesty, you are not allowed to smoke within the palace walls. Please, I am more than willing to escort you outside," one of the butlers said to the old woman sitting down obstinately at the table. She clearly knew she wasn't allowed to smoke, but she did anyway, taking an exaggerated drag from her cigarette, the smoke curling up and around her lips before she blew it out in the butler's direction.

Kaden wasn't quite sure which royal this was, but it didn't matter. Smoking was prohibited in the palace walls, and royalty or not, that was one rule he would not budge on.

"Madam, you are a guest in my house. Please respect my rules," Kaden told her politely. She looked at him with beady eyes, wrinkling her nose in distaste. Clearly that wasn't working, so Kaden would have to resort to more forceful means. "Please, put out your cigarette or I'll have to have you removed, and that would not be in the friendly spirit of the summit."

Still, the old woman only stared, not budging. Kaden sighed - as best he could without getting a lung full of smoke - and gestured for the security guards to come over. Two large men approached either side of the old woman and gently took each arm. They started to lift her up, but she immediately protested to that.

"Gah!" the old woman shouted, followed by a stream of what sounded like curses. She shook off the hands that were trying to guide her, glaring that all the butlers and Councilmen as if they had offended her. However, she seemed to get the message and got slowly out of her chair of her own accord. Then, she set her furious eyes on Kaden once more, narrowing them into suspicious slits. "You lie in a den of vipers, and they will eat you as soon as you give them the chance."

"Queen Athena, perhaps you should go and lie down. You've had a lot of excitement for one night," Sir Bloomsdale stepped into the room and intervened, for which Kaden was grateful. The old woman scoffed at him, her disdainful sneer never leaving her face as she hobbled out of the room. Kaden walked over to Sir Bloomsdale, who was watching the queen as she left, telling someone to go and get her granddaughter, Princess Sofia, to collect her.

"What was that all about?"

Sir Bloomsdale sighed annoyedly, pinching the skin between his eyes. "Queen Athena is a paranoid woman, and her old age has only made it worse."

"What has she got to be paranoid about?" Kaden asked. Last he knew, Greece was a prospering country on the coast of the Mediterranean, nothing to worry about and nothing to want for. Sir Bloomsdale let out a laugh and rolled his eyes, so Kaden knew he was in for one hell of a story.

"History says that early on in her reign, Queen Athena's brothers served as her advisors. They were her elders, but her parents did not see them fit to rule, and rightly so. One of her brothers was a brute, and the other a gambler. However, they were both greedy for power. They tricked her, turned her allies against her, and tried to take her crown."

"How did she manage to stay in power?" That was not what Kaden was expecting, and he was curious as to the outcome of the story.

"She didn't," Sir Bloomsdale continued, and Kaden's eyebrows rose in surprise. "After they overthrew her, the brothers fought each other to the death for the crown. The gambler died, and that night as the brute celebrated his victory, Athena hired a loyal assassin to kill him. Unfortunately for the brute, the poison didn't kill him; it only made him sick, so Athena had him executed the next day. She hung his head in the palace for weeks after so that everyone would know what would happen should they try to take her throne. She hasn't been challenged since."

"And you believe that?" Kaden asked, not believing that tall tale in the slightest. All the scheming sounded like it belonged in a bad political thriller or day time soap operas.

"Well, it's not sure how much is truth and how much is fiction, but it would explain a lot," Sir Bloomsdale smirked as he glanced off into the direction Queen Athena had taken off in, and Kaden chuckled.

"Your Majesty, a letter for you," a butler came up, a manilla envelope extended towards Kaden.

Kaden and Sir Bloomsdale exchanged confused looks, but Kaden just shrugged and took the letter. This was the second letter of the night; first Lady Katrina and now him. Was there some sort of overflow in the mail room?

Sir Bloomsdale had work to do and took off down the hall, moving on to speak to more people. Kaden stayed behind in the parlor room and tore at the plain wax seal - no emblem to give away who the sender was. However, as he lifted the flap, his confusion grew. There was no letter inside, but instead three playing cards, at least that's what they looked like, with red and black swirling designs covering them. However, he sucked in a breath as he flipped them over.

They weren't playing cards. They were tarot cards.

The Tower, The Lovers, and Death.

The same three that Lady Lucilla showed him not too long ago before she left the palace.

Kaden searched the envelope, looking for anything else that could give him a clue as to why he was receiving such a disturbing message. A smaller scrap of parchment fell out of the envelope, and Kaden's heart nearly stopped as he read what was on it.

Written in scrawling cursive was a simple but damning message: To Your Future - LD.