"You're a fool, Karlheinz."

Conner cackled, "I think he should do it."

Sampson was not amused, his lips a thin line as he spoke. "He says that only because he wants the Kingdom to fall."

"Shame on you, Marcellus. As a Shiroyama it's my duty—"

"That duty lies with the Sampsons and the Sampsons alone."

"Touchy~" Conner poked Sampson's cheek, "Struck a nerve, did I?"

Sampson's eyes flashed.

"Please," Karlheinz sighed, the epitome of distress, "I will have to introduce her soon."

"Ey, Vampire," Conner nudged Sampson, "I say the Queen murders him before the King gets to pull out his sword."

Sampson smirked, "I had my money on Richter."

"I'm quite glad you all find this so amusing." Karlheinz's voice was primp.

"You so obviously haven't bedded the woman," Conner said, "How can you possibly intend to marry her?"

"There are more important things!" Karlheinz practically screeched, "I want her to be comfortable—"

"A woman's comfort is of no consequence to men like us. Especially when said woman has human blood running in those veins. Do you truly intend not to bite?"

Karlheinz swallowed, becoming noticeably pale as he closed his fists. "Until she is comfortable…"

Conner and Sampson burst out laughing at that, in a rare moment of shared sentiments. "I give it one fuck!" Conner blurted, wiping the tears from his eyes, "He won't be able to hold back."

"You are both dismissed," Karlheinz said hotly, beginning to pace around the room.

The laughter stopped, upon which Sampson nodded to Conner, and the Vibora knew enough to leave the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Karlheinz," Sampson began.

"I understand it well enough, Charles. This may all be a—a blague to you. But this is the woman I've chosen. Surely you can respect at least that much. You yourself have Amelia—"

"Ah, yes, Amelia." Sampson sank down into one of the chairs, propping his legs up, "Will spend the night with any man but her own husband. Such a peach that one."

Karlheinz wavered. "I want something real."

Sampson chuckled. "Real? I do wonder what that means."

"Charles—"

"Don't you Charles me, Young Prince. If you haven't figured it out by now then I wonder if you ever will."

"Figured what?" Karlheinz crinkled his features.

Smirking, Sampson tapped his own nose. "That woman's scent. Haven't you noticed anything peculiar?"

The prince frowned. "I am aware of her past."

Sampson scoffed, smiling to himself. "Yes, well, I won't spoil the fun then," he said, standing up.

"Charles—"

"You are as spoiled as you are impatient. You'll realize it soon enough. As I said before, I won't be here to pick up the pieces."

"You have no faith in me, do you?"

Sampson bowed lowly, making a show of throwing his hand over his chest, "None whatsoever, Your Majesty."

…

It went without saying, that not a single person approved of Lisa.

And Karlheinz thought it was rather cunning of his parents, to respond in such a way, setting up a ball as grand as this one, so that all of nobility would be obliged to attend. It gave Lisa such a stroke of terror that she had hidden herself away in her room, Karlheinz completely unable to coax her out.

Because the dance was in his honor, he had a duty to his people, and therefore as much as he loved her, could not stay by her side. He understood her fears perfectly well, his poor angel of a girl.

It weighed heavily on the young prince that his parents did not approve of his choice. That they had gathered all of his possible suitors in one place for this very reason. Because according to his father, a girl like her was less than dirt.

It stung, naturally. But thankfully Richter had taken it upon himself to try and talk Lisa out of her worry. While she may not be a princess, she was the one Karlheinz had chosen. Surely, she could take confidence in that? But she was fragile, his flower. He took the opportunity to tell Sampson as such.

"Oh yes," Sampson sneered, "Delicate things, women."

"Yes," Karlheinz nodded eagerly, "Yes, that's exactly it."

"In the meantime," Sampson slapped Karlheinz's back in both irritation and encouragement, "Don't you think it's unfair to leave your potential wives unattended?"

"I have no interest—"

"Cordelia is here, did you know?"

"She's but a child!"

Sampson couldn't help the smirk that slid across his face, "That may be. But children grow up, Karlheinz. And that particular child happens to be the Demon King's daughter."

"As advantageous as a union of that sort might be, Charles, I—"

A group of children ran by just then, chasing a young girl with purple hair, teasing and squealing and giggling. "Octopus—Octopus—Octopus!"

Sampson clicked his tongue. "Such cruel little things, children are. Karlheinz, I don't suppose—"

Charles didn't have to say anything, for Karlheinz's legs to already be moving on their own. In a moment, with a single wave of his hand, the children surrounding the young girl were gone. Cordelia looked up at her savior, with a bright blush to her cheeks, before she smiled pleasantly up at him.

"Thank you very much, My Lord, but we were all just having fun. You scared my friends away!" She giggled girlishly, her long locks bouncing around her face.

Karlheinz bent down slightly, giving her a knowing smile. "Friends do not make friends cry, Cordelia."

She averted her eyes, touching her hair subconsciously. "They don't like my hair.

"Why ever not?"

"Because it's purple." She whispered.

"Well, what they think doesn't really matter. Do you like it?"

She noticeably chewed the inside of her cheeks, shaking her head as she looked at the ground, but even still Karlheinz could see the fire that burned in those eyes. "I hate it. I wish I could just chop it all off!"

The Young Prince's eyes widened, rather shocked at the sudden tone of her voice. "Oh, don't say something like that," he urged, suddenly completely aware of the fact that he had no idea what to say at all, "Women are so lovely when they grow their hair out."

Cordelia felt her cheeks grow even hotter, looking at the prince with rather shy eyes. "Do you like women with long hair, My Lord?"

"Well yes, it's quite comely don't you think?" He smiled, tucking some hair behind her ear, "And you're quite pretty yourself, Cordelia. Don't let those other children say otherwise."

The young girl smiled broadly. "Then, My Lord, if I grow my hair out, won't you dance with me?"

He chuckled at that, promising her a dance now if it meant she continued to smile. Cordelia agreed happily.

From the far corner of the room, Sampson watched with crossed arms and a satisfied smile. For once, the young prince seemed to be doing something right. In a few short years the demon girl would be of age. There was no greater advantage than that.

"The Humberts are here."

Conner's drunken breath was nauseating. "I've no interest in Scarlett. She is a potential wife to our lord. Anything of the sort would be betrayal, Shiroyama."

Conner cackled, wagging his fingers, "Not her. Henrietta."

His interest was caught, admittedly, but currently, Sampson had to watch over Karlheinz.

Because Karlheinz was an idiot.

"If you wished to be stripped of your money then so be it."

Conner grinned. "Aren't you curious?"

"Not in the least."

He moved away from the Vibora, hands clasped behind his back as he observed the room. Events like these were always so full of people. It allowed for rather honest expressions, granted by the anonymity of the crowds. To him, it was simply fascinating.

Given that he was a rather curious man himself, he did find his gaze lingering to one particular corner of the room, in which a beautiful young woman sat, laughing and surrounded by some of the most eligible bachelors of the demon world.

What sort of game was she playing, he wondered.

He was taking quite a bit of joy in it as well, in his many observations, until something collided against his legs.

"Oy, watch where you're going!"

Sampson hid his grimace behind a smile. "I believe that's my, line, isn't it—" he bit his tongue, realizing it wasn't just any child, "Young Master Tsukinami. Having fun, are we?"

The young boy stuck his tongue out, pulling down on his eye and letting out a 'blegh' sound. "I'm not a kid, old man."

A sudden urge to kill trickled down his spine. "No," he continued charmingly, "Why, you must be seven whole years old."

"I'm thirteen you piece of shit."

By the grace of whatever gods were watching over this little brat of a child, Sampson did not strike his pathetic face. It did not matter in any case, because the orange haired boy had run off.

It was not yet morning and he was already exhausted. The sight of Richter only made him more so.

"Unaccompanied, Sakamaki?"

Richter seemed slightly startled, but quickly regained composure. "The young lady refuses to come out of the room."

Sampson smiled. "Yes, I suppose that didn't stop you from going in, though, did it?"

"Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong, Sampson."

"If it involves the Young Prince then I am inclined to question, Richter."

"Don't call my name so casually. You're below me—"

"And you are below Karlheinz. Though I suppose you always were stealing his toys—"

Richter faltered a bit, despite the fact that he laughed. "So? Will you oust me, then?"

At this, Sampson smiled honestly. "Only when it becomes convenient for me."

Richter scoffed. "You talk too much, Sampson."

"Words," he said, bowing humbly, "Are my specialty."

With that he excused himself, finding the second brother to be too much of a headache, and the entire ordeal too much of a problem. Regardless, it would fix itself soon enough. To be told not to bite…

Not even Sakamaki Karlheinz would stand being defanged.

In an attempt to calm himself, Sampson turned his gaze back to the corner of the room that held the Humbert's second daughter, keeping his eyes on her as he walked idly through a crowd.

It had been quite a while, since he'd played any games. And more than anything else, he was curious.

So with calm strides, he entered the intimate circle, Henrietta's laughter cut short as he stood before her.

"Would you care to dance, Lady Humbert?"

Though her eyes widened, she hid her smile with her fan, stroking the air slowly. "I was having fun here. Won't you join us, Sir…?"

"If you wish to know, you'll grant me a dance."

Her eyes flashed, and her fanning slowed, until she closed the device in its entirety, handing it off to one of the men by her side. "Won't you hold this until I return?" The gentleman agreed, naturally, one of them giving off a whistle or two as Henrietta stood up.

She smiled pleasantly, curtseying politely before Sampson, upon which he held out his arm, and she placed her palm over his hand, allowing him to guide her to the dance floor.

"Well then," She began, "Your name?"

"Marcellus Sampson. But you may call me Charles."

"I think Marcellus suits you just fine. Age?"

"Not an hour over twenty-three."

She hummed at that. "Single?"

"That is entirely up to you, my lady."

"I do so hate dishonest men."

"We've only just met, and already you accuse me of lies? Women are truly incredible."

"You are quite married, Sir Sampson."

"So you do know me after all."

"You're rather famous, Sir."

"Your name precedes you as well, Lady Humbert."

She scoffed, "I do wonder what they say about me…"

"I'm sure you're already more than aware."

"Perhaps," she shrugged, gliding gracefully as he spun her out, and then pulled her back in, "But then there'd be no fun." Her eyes gleamed, the closer he brought her against his chest, and Sampson couldn't help but think that something like this might very well be dangerous.

He expected at least a few more dances from her, but was surprised, or rather, not quite so surprised, when she pulled away after just one.

"Thank you kindly for the dance, Sir Marcellus Sampson."

He took her hand, feeling as if she might slip away if he didn't do so. "Would you care for another?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Am I not a satisfactory dancer?"

"On the contrary," she mused, "You are perhaps one of the best partners I've had in a while."

"Then? Your reasoning for refuting me?"

"I've no interest in this sort of thing, Sir Sampson."

"Do make yourself more clear, Lady Humbert. I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

Henrietta batted her lashes, "If it's fun you're after, a Vibora is more your tastes. However, if it's a wife you seek, I do not fancy second place."

Sampson gave a chuckle that was more of a scoff. She seemed…serious. But she was the second daughter, was she not? Where did she get such gall?

"If it were fun I were after, Lady Humbert—"

"Henrietta," she corrected, with a rather lamenting expression.

He leaned in, "I think Lady Humbert suits you just fine."

She laughed at that, rather honestly from what Sampson could tell, shaking her head and closing her eyes. "Yes," she whispered, "I suppose that's fair."

Enchanting was the only word that came to mind. To her it could hardly be considered a game, if she won so easily. Because despite his own instincts, despite knowing full and well that he should simply let her walk away, he insisted once more.

"Shall I ask you again? Another dance."

"And I will tell you again. I've not interest—"

"You've interest in money, do you not?" He generally did not speak so quickly, and without thinking. But she was beginning to irritate him, in a very poignant and unique sort of way.

Her features hardened, though she was good at hiding it. "Ah," her lips teased into a smile, "So that is what they say about me," she giggled, "Will you pay me to dance with you? Surely you're not so lonely."

"Men like me are never lonely, my dear."

"No," she hummed, "I suppose you wouldn't be. Well then, Sir Sampson. All this insisting and you've yet to compliment me."

"I shall leave the compliments to your boys over there," he returned, "Though I will say I admire your candor."

She stared at him, breathing softly. "You mock me."

"That is up to you in it's entirety."

She glanced over to the group of men she had been with, before looking at him again. "Beatrix Evans, do you know her?"

"Naturally."

"Then it's only logical that you're aware of Scarlett as well."

"Logical indeed."

"They will be meeting with the Sakamakis more frequently. As her sister I will be obligated to attend."

"Yes, I would assume as much."

"By then, won't you be terribly bored of me, Sir Sampson? And I of you?"

He brought her hand up to his lips, kissing the back of her palm politely. "Once again, Lady Humbert, that will all remain entirely up to you."

…

Karlheinz knocked timidly against his beloved's door, upon which she opened it with perhaps more shyness than his own.

"I'm so embarrassed."

"Balls are not for everyone," he soothed, "You do not have to do anything until you are more comfortable."

"Already, I'm failing you."

"No, please don't say such things—"

"Karelheinz," she breathed, opening the door just a tad more, "Won't you come in? Somehow I'll be more at ease, if you're by my side."

The young prince swallowed, swaying slightly where he stood. "That…that would not be appropriate of me, Lisa."

She gave a soft nod, lowering her head with downcast eyes. "…won't we be married soon enough?"

"Of course—"

"Then?" She looked at him, those eyes full of tears, "You've grown disillusioned?"

"No," he panicked, "Never—"

The door opened fully, though Lisa still stood behind it. "Please? For me?"

With a shaky breath, and even shakier legs, Karlheinz stepped through the door.

A/N: Guess who's back...back again...

Hoooooo boy am I so fucking ready. YOU GUYS. The fucking links between the other two stories. Finallyyyyyy. Gaaaahhhh. So ready. I accidentally fell in love with my own OC woops. *swoons for Sampson*

I can't wait until Karlheinz snaps. As much as I love innocent baby boy I'm kind of ready for Daddy Sakamaki ;D Let me know what you think!