Elizabeta

"We had to look for what?" I nearly shouted. This was completely insane.

"The water amulet." Feliks repeated calmly while looking for dirt under his nails. He was trying to act casual but I knew he was just as nervous as I was.

All colour drained off my face.

"The water amulet, as in the water amulet of the royal family!? And how does this idiot expect us to get it? Those Beilschmidts have the most powerful army and fortification in the six kingdoms." I tried to gain my breath.

The blonde stared out of window while rubbing his chin with his right hand, trying to form an idea in his head. After all, he was the mastermind of our crew.

"We could try to dress up as one of the soldiers and sneak in? You know that I am good at those things and I can find the perfect outfit for us."

"I don't know… We-"

The door clashed against the wall with Natalya standing in the doorframe, red-faced and completely out of breath. I was still asking myself who in his right mind would give us rooms and for the night in this inn. We were a 'special' group besides being pirates.

"Those bastards… I nearly killed one." She swung her knife in her hand, trying to calm herself down.

"Nat, are you okay?" My voice showed a great amount of concern, but I knew she was all right; she was a strong woman after all.

"Well, I am, but those Idiots outside aren't." She grinned mischievously. Feliks stood up observing the men outside the window lying on the ground.

"Good Work, Nat. Now everyone is going to find out about us."

Her face did not show any of her emotions even though a ton of thoughts were ranging through her head. Knowing her for years now; we knew that she was sorry for our sake, not for hers. She was glad to have those men's arses kicked by herself.

"They deserved it.", was all she had to say.

Just as I was on my way to the looking glass, loud noises and a woman's scream was heard outside the inn. I turned around abruptly and ran to the window to witness an unpleasant scene. A huge crowd was gathering around the injured men. Great.

"Ehm Feliks, I think we may have a little problem."

"Aw man. Like seriously? Karma isn't on our side today." he commented.

We took our stuff – the few things Feliks and Natalya could save before the ship burnt down- and ran downstairs. We were rushing down the stairs but I still had important information I had to get from Feliks.

"Feliks? I had forgotten to ask earlier, but what happened to the rest of the crew? You said half of it disappeared. What about those who survived?"

"Eliza, don't worry about them, we separated to be less conspicuous. If we are spread, people won't be afraid and suspect us of being members of a pirate crew", he almost fell over his own feet but continued," we three are the only ones in this area of the town. While they others try to get a ship, we have a mission to fulfil."

I almost snorted at the mention of us being less conspicuous. We were on the run, not even 24 hours after the loss of the ship.

We reached the last steps of the stairs as Natalya stopped dead in her tracks and pulled us to the side.

"Guards." She whispered.

She pulled a hand mirror out of her trousers, hold it in an angle that allowed her to look behind the corner to see the guards rummaging cupboards, opening doors of other guestrooms and looking under tables.

"They described the girl as a stunning young woman with flawless skin, dark blue-violet eyes and long light blonde hair. Did you rent a room to her, sir?" One of the town guards asked the owner of the inn.

"Yes, along with another girl with brown hair and green eyes. But there was also a third person, a young woman or man with blonde chin long hair and green eyes. They insisted to be put in one room." He answered nervously.

Feliks rolled his eyes. The owner must have been confused with Feliks' unique style just because the blonde pirate cared about his looks. He was fabulous after all.

The angry voices grew louder.

"We have to find a way out." Feliks was normally a calm lad, but upon seeing the guards, he got a little nervous.

"We need to get to the kitchen." Natalya added steadily.

"And where is the kitchen?"

Shortly after Natalya showed us the kitchen door with a tilting head, a big black shadow showed up behind her. Well there goes our chance of running without being seen.

"I have them!" He screamed.

"Run." Natalya whispered darkly, surrounded by a creepy aura. Feliks and I sprinted towards the kitchen, thinking that I would never want to start an argument with Natalya. That girl could be very creepy.

Her frame wasn't tall nevertheless she was strong and knew how to fight. She took her knife into her right hand, while blocking the guard's hits with her left arm. Swinging her knife, she cut his throat, bringing him to fall on the floor; his hands clutching on his throat to stop the bleeding. Natalya wasn't done yet, she could have left and run towards us but knowing her, she would injure all of the guards who meant to harm us. And so, she did just that; fighting off all of the guards as if they were some flies.

Feliks opened the kitchen's door, pulling me inside with my hand.

"Darn it." He muttered.

One of the guards was standing in front of us, watching us with careful eyes. I was a fighter; well if I had a blade or sword I could fight him but to hit a guy almost as high as a wardrobe with my bare hands was a hard task; especially when my body was still affected by the previous day.

"Found you." He singed, running towards us.

I reacted by grabbing the nearest object on the table and hitting him with it. To my luck, he was knocked out instantly. I watched the object and smiled upon seeing what it was, looking at a surprised Feliks.

"Seriously? With a pan? Well at least it worked out."

Just as we were about to leave the kitchen through the back door, Natalya joined us with only one little scratch on her arm, leaving a bloody mess in the hall.

"Girls, I just got a fabulous idea. We are totally going to go the castle tonight and steal the amulet." Feliks exclaimed happily.

"Eh?" Natalya and I were stunned and too speechless when we saw at what he was implying to. On the wall was a notice saying 'Ball for the Prince Beilschmidt. Tonight's soirée will be held in the castle. Peasants will be granted to join the night, under control of the royal guards'.

A Ball which allowed peasants to join the royal family?

"This is going to be great." Feliks shouted screamed enthusiastic while I whispered to myself how awful this is going to be.

Gilbert

It was in the late afternoon and every servant prepared the ballroom for tonight. A few of the royal guests were already here thinking they could talk to me and heighten their chances for their daughters to get chosen for my bride. My father wanted me to meet the 'important' guests before the castle would be filled with the 'unroyal' visitors. The so called peasant ball was held once in a year and was a unique soirée in the six kingdoms.
I was glad to have the possibility to exchange the conversation partners for one evening and be able to talk with people who didn't care about the latest fashion of the rich or how the new handsome Duke Edelstein was being seen dancing with another boring lady on a ball. I didn't care about those particular things let alone that foolish Duke.

I was sitting on my awesome throne, waiting for Ludwig to come down from his room. At least he was allowed to be in the same room until the sun will go to sleep. He was too young to stay up so late, but as long as the daylight was streaming inside, he could join us.

"Bruder." Ludwig's little frame ran up to me. He was smiling and happy to see me, just the way I loved to see him. Father came back from his conversation with the other princes of the neighbouring countries. Thankfully Edelstein wasn't present.

"Gilbert. I think it's time to strike a conversation with one of the lovely ladies and save a dance with them for tonight." He ordered, knowing fully well that there were only royal women in the room. It wasn't a secret that he favoured a promising match for me, in form of royalty, money and power.

It wasn't worth to start an argument with him, he was still very angry from yesterday; when I left him alone to deal with the guests. I strutted with a confident stance across the room, my head held high, trying to recognise some people I was acquainted with. Someone tapped on my left shoulder; turning around I couldn't wipe off my smile upon seeing who it was.

"Bonjour, mon ami."

"Francis, you old chap. How are you?" I was so happy to finally have someone found in this room who I had befriended years ago.

"Ça va, et toi?"

I wasn't fluent in French, but I understood some of it.

"Well, as you can see …"

"Oui quel dommage. I heard of it, being forced to marry someone in order to save the royal bloodline. I am glad, my father isn't pushing me to fulfil his wishes, but I am not the one, whose country is depending on marriage."

I sighed, it was all hopeless.

"Ja, I hope one day, he will understand me. I don't want this."

"Have you met my cousin? She's also attending the ball. Her name is Lady Emma Van Haegen."

Oh yes, that girl. Well she was lovely, had grace and elegance although her appearance didn't let my heart beat faster.

"Yes, I heard of her -"

Francis sprinted to his cousin, pulled her with him to introduce her properly to me.

"Voilà. Here she is."

So much for 'properly introducing'; at least I could try and save a dance with her, only to satisfy my father and to do a favour for Francis.

"Hello." She said shyly after she curtsied. Her bright green eyes were searching for mine.

"Guten Tag. Would you like to have a dance with me tonight?"

There are two groups of women, those who fear my strange looks and those who find me fascinating and attractive. Watching her reaction after my question confirmed that Lady Emma belongs to the latter group. She nodded, clearly affected by my awesome looks.

At least my father wouldn't bother me tonight.

I was left alone with Francis as she made her way back to her companions.

"That's the spirit." Francis smirked and clapped his hands together.

"Want some ale?"

"Mais bien sûr." He smiled his charming smile, making the present ladies melt.

If I had to be stuck here all night in this stuffy room then alcohol would be a great companion along with talking to Francis.

[A/N: Belgium hasn't an official name (well there are several suggestions. Sometimes I read in a fanfic the name "bel" or "bella" but I don't think it really suits her. Well that's more a matter of taste), so I decided to name her 'Emma Van Haegen'. I really like that name and my Belgian great grandmother was called Emma. So it's kind of an headcanon :3.]

Translations
I know most of you know the translations, but I will write them either way :3

Bruder - Brother

Bonjour, mon ami – Hello, my friend
Ça va, et toi – Fine and you?
Oui quel dommage – Yes, what a pity
Ja - yes
Voilà – Well/so
Guten Tag – Good afternoon/Good day
Mais bien sûre – But of course