When Sofia and Gunther entered the hall, they were met by stares.

Sofia hid slightly behind Gunther. "I feel like I'm overdressed or something."

He chuckled. "That's not why they're staring, pretty lady knight." He muttered, guiding her towards Jane, Smithy, and Rake. Pepper would come later after the feast was finished, since she had to cook it.

"Sofia, you look like a goddess." Jane squealed, hugging the girl.

Gunther looked around the room. He found his father talking to a few men.

The merchant kept glancing towards Sofia before answering the men.

Gunther suppressed a growl before leaning in to talk to Sofia. "I'm sorry, I need to go to my father." He said.

She frowned, glancing towards the merchant.

He met her gaze, he smiled politely, raising his glass.

She gave a curt bow of the head before returning her attention to Gunther. "If you need to get out of it, give me a sign of some sort. Like a code word. I'll hear you."

He smiled. "You'll know what the word is when you hear it." He brought her hand up and kissed it. "Have fun, pretty lady knight." He weaved through the crowd of dancers towards his father.

Jane stood beside her. "So, what did he say when he saw you?" She whispered.

Smithy and Rake were in their own conversation.

Sofia blushed.

"He didn't kiss you, did he?" Jane cupped her mouth.

Sofia shook her head. "He had to fasten the back of my dress..." She hissed.

Jane giggled. "I bet he liked that."

"It was so embarrassing." Sofia whined. "He looked so nervous, I feel terrible for putting him through that, but he was my only hope."

Jane dragged her farther away from the boys. "Here's a 'are you in love?' question. Would you let Smithy or any other court boy do that?"

Sofia thought, then shook her head. "It would feel weird. I feel comfortable about Gunther."

"You love him. Regardless of your reservations with the immortality thing."

Sofia sighed and nodded. Admitting defeat.

Jane grinned. "This is exciting." She moved them to Smithy and Rake again.

A few minutes of chatting amongst each other. A dashing young man made his way to them. He looked like a lord or a son of one. He had chestnut brown hair and dark eyes.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if I can borrow this dark beauty and ask for a dance?" His hazel eyes met Sofia's.

Sofia glanced towards Gunther, who was talking to his father still, then back to the man. "One dance shan't hurt." She smiled and curtsied.

He grinned and took her hand, leading her to the floor.

"Someone's not going to be pleased." Jester popped up behind Jane.

Jane looked to him. "Got a break?" She asked.

He nodded. He took off his hat and put it under a table for safe keeping.

"You're right though, this may push our knight in shining armour over the edge."

"Good he needs a good shove." Jester chuckled. "Someone gave me one."

Jane smiled. "Our miracle maker." She muttered.

Jester stood in front of her. "Now, my fair beanstalk, may I have this dance?" He asked, holding out his hand.

She nodded and took it.

Gunther was lingering with his father's group. He was sure they were talking about Sofia.

"Oh look, Gunther. You friend is dancing with the farmer's son. You know the one I trade with?" He asked.

Gunther looked around to see Sofia... his pretty lady knight, dancing with a brunette boy, who had a grin on his face.

She was smiling too, but Gunther didn't recognise this one. It wasn't the natural dazzling smile that she had shown him for the past week. It looked more forced.

He glared at his father. "Did you set this up?" He demanded.

His father met his eyes. "I'm sort of testing her. If she likes you the way you obviously like her, this will mean nothing, Gunther." He chuckled. "Why do you like her anyway?" He asked, curiously.

Gunther swallowed thickly. "She is everything I need in my life. She's strong and smart and quick witted. She challenges me every day. Especially my capability to stay away from her, I can't fight back the urge to smile or laugh anymore. I feel so comfortable being myself with her." He blurted out.

The merchant snorted. "You've gone soft, lad."

"It's her fault." Gunther smiled. Then he went serious. "So, don't you do anything that will cause her heartache. Don't you ever try to use her... against me, the court or for your own profit. You can't put a price on a girl like her." At that he walked away, back to where Smithy and Rake were.

"Gunther, are you alright?" Smithy asked.

Gunther shook his head. "I just practically told my father that I'm in love with Sofia." He muttered.

Smithy choked on his drink. "What?"

Gunther met his eyes. "I said that I love her."

Smithy felt his heart ache. "Oh... well it's been obvious that you were sweet on her for the past few days, but to say love after a short amount of time..."

"You're sweet on her too..." Gunther stated. "Do you want to fight for her or are you just going to let me take her?"

Smithy looked into his glass of wine. "I like her, but I think it's more feelings of protectiveness. Like a brother would have. So, she's all yours... just don't break her heart." He warned before taking another drink.

Gunther exhaled. "That's if she even wants me."

Smithy patted his back. "Well you can start by stealing her from that goof ball." He pointed the two out in the crowd.

Gunther nodded. "Thanks Smithy, for always being there for her." He smiled and then went into the crowd.

He tapped the man on the shoulder. "May I cut in?" He asked.

The man realised who he was. "Sir Gunther Breech? Yes, dance to your hearts content." He kissed Sofia's hand before going away.

Gunther smirked, taking the man's place. "I love being me sometimes." He said.

Sofia laughed. "Thank you for saving me! He smelled of onions really bad, and he was telling terrible jokes. Jester would be appalled."

He laughed with her. "You're such a lovely person, aren't you?"

She rose a brow. "Hey! I am an honest person. It's better than putting perfume on a cow."

"This is why I like you. We are so alike." Gunther grinned.

She was an exceptional dancer, he couldn't deny, but his eyes were trained on her eyes. "You realise that you have the most beautiful eyes in the world?" Slipped out of his mouth.

She looked down and smiled slightly. "Thanks. Most think they're strange."

"I could stare into them forever." Brain...? Could you work properly please?! He cleared his throat. She smells so good...

She rested her head on his shoulder.

Her hair was tickling his cheek, it smelled like roses.

His eyes caught Jester and Jane dancing not too far away.

Jester shot him a wink when they made eye contact.

Gunther smiled back, squeezing Sofia's hand slightly.

Sofia looked up at him, to be met by his stormy gaze. "Gunther?"

He touched her forehead with his. "Thank you." He whispered.

She frowned. "Whatever for?"

"Existing." He breathed.

She moved her head and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for accepting my existence." She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder.

He had both of his hands on her small waist. He was enjoying dancing like this until she stiffened. "Sofia?" He pulled back to look at her face.

It was pale and her eyes were wide.

He looked over his shoulder to see his father talking to one of his associates, a foreigner from across the sea.

His eyes were locked onto her.

He met her eyes again. "Sofia?"

She blinked then met his gaze properly. "It's him..." She breathed.

He frowned. "Who?"

"The dragon-slayer I fell for." She stated. "I have to go and get some air... alone." She added when he offered his hand.

He nodded, understandingly.

She backed into the crowd before turning and running for the exit, leaving Gunther standing there, not knowing what to do.

"Oh, dear sir?" A blonde girl tapped his shoulder. "Would you care to dance with me?"

He blinked, and looked to her. "Um... a small dance. I'm waiting for my date to return."

She nodded and put a hand in his and a hand on his shoulder. They began to dance. "Your sweetheart is beautiful, sir. You're lucky to have such a stunning girl." She stated.

He nodded.

"Why do you look unhappy, sir?"

"Because I love her... but we barely met... I am afraid to tell her... also afraid not to." He confessed. "My heart feels like it's going to burst."

The girl smiled and nodded, understanding. "Then why are you dancing with me for? I just saw a man go the same way as she did. You should go after her, sir." She pulled away. "And make sure she knows just how much she means to you."

"A man?!"

"Yes, he went through the exit, maybe he likes her too. Go get her, sir. Go get your sweetheart." She pushed him towards the exit.

He didn't have to be told twice. He ran through the crowd and out of the door.

Could that man be the farmer boy... he's pretty harmless... but if he's that dragon-slayer... oh Sofia! He sprinted outside and searched the grounds. Smithy's forge?! He headed towards the blacksmith's workplace.