"Oh my goodness, don't tell me you didn't know who he was?" Snow White said as her eyes widened. I think I could see a little bit of fear in them, because the Craza Kingdom had its own reputation of unpredictability, just like its prince. There were rumors that he punished random nobles based on his moods, and there was no rhyme or reason to it. I looked back to see him staring right at me, before he lifted his wine glass at me, like he was toasting it to me.

"Well, its a good thing that they will be gone by tomorrow, right?" I laughed nervously, but that still didn't ease the nerves on Snow White's face.

"Anyways, who was that guy you were dancing with? I didn't know anyone caught your eyes like that," I said to break some of her nerves.

"...Emperor Ryland, Celina. That was the emperor of Xenia," Snow White said slowly almost in shock.

"I really need to start paying attention in class," I said, trying again to laugh it off. "But, how was he? You know that I've been interested about his band of mercenaries! Did he say anything?"

Snow White just looked like she mentally slapped herself.

"You know what, Celina, I think its best if you just kept to yourself for the rest of the ball? It feels like this is one day of bad luck for you."

"I agree. I will be right by the food table, maybe with a few drinks as well," I said quickly before leaving her.

As I was over there, I had a hard time thinking about what treat I wanted to get, because the whole situation couldn't get out of my mind. It was like this ball and a series of me attracting a series of unfortunate guests, and I was not having a good time. My plan was to spend the rest of the evening avoiding any potential guests that were trying to make contact with me, and I partially succeeded, until there was a high-pitched scream coming from the hallway. Everyone had turned to try and take a look at what was happening, but it was pretty hard too. The knights were deployed, and everything happened in such a blur. The most information I could get was coming from people's whispers, but what was most concerning was the panic on some people's faces.

The scream belonged to a servant, and no matter what the guards did to hold her back. Everyone had seen her, and despite her tears, she managed to say, "Baron Morris is dead!" There was a shock and panic that started to spread throughout the ballroom.

"What? What do you mean the Baron is dead?"

"Who did this?"

"Liar! How can he be killed in all this security?"

Every noble was saying something like that. Everyone was screaming over each other in disbelief.

"Everyone, calm down! My men are getting to the bottom of this! Please rest assured, and the murderer will be brought to justice! I am just asking for your cooperation! If anyone has any information or noticed anyone suspicious, I ask that you come forward! It can be done in a more private setting, if you wish! Please see me or my Captain of the Guards, Sir Derek! However, due to the nature of this injustice, I ask that everyone leave and have a chat with one of the knights so that we can get all the information as soon as possible" the queen shouted.

I downed the rest of my drink. It looks like I wasn't the only one that was having a bad day. The knights had started to usher everyone out of the ballroom, and into some of the more private guest rooms, most likely so they could get a story from each person. I was thinking about how impressive it was that it was moving so fast, before our Captain of the Guard, Sir Derek grabbed my arm. "Princess Celina, the Queen has requested your presence."

"Of course, Sir Derek, just lead the way," I responded while shrugging my arm out of his grip. I was led into one of our larger guest rooms, and the queen was waiting right behind a desk.

I curtsized, "Your Majesty."

"Princess Celina, please don't address me like that. You are always like a daughter to me," the queen spoke, her voice unusually sweet.

"I could never, your majesty. You have never expressed that desire. What has changed?" I responded.

"Princess Celina, you were the prime reason why Baron Morris began to act crazy. As your mother, I just want to get to the bottom of this. I would never want to see something bad happen to you"

"He made accusations, one that I believe the Crown Prince of Craza had cleared up." I was starting to get suspicious of this turn of events, and this new concern coming from the queen.

"Even so, I do find it quite odd that he chose to blame you for the matter, despite Prince Kael's presence with him at the occurrence."

"Then perhaps you should ask Prince Kael's opinion on the matter." I started to shift a little. I knew that Prince Kael had covered for me this time, but with Baron Morris's death, I wasn't sure if he would continue this facade.

"But the more interesting part is that you had made it quite clear at your introduction to the Baron, you were quite displeased. As your mother-"

"Step-mother," I corrected. I was starting to really dislike where this conversation was going, but the queen just smiled, "As your mother, step or not, I could tell you were quite displeased. And I know that you tend to get quite violent in those cases. On top of that, after his outbursts, people have noticed that you had disappeared. Some say to your room, others say to another room. Some even say you stole some of the sweets as well. It's just a curious matter." I remained silent, I was looking into her eyes to see what she was trying to imply, and I did not like the evil glint that had appeared.

I swallowed and chose my words carefully, "Your Majesty, I have been quite close to the sweet table, but I have never left the ballroom. I would never choose that disrespect to the ball that you have given your time and effort into hosting."

"That makes me very happy to hear, Celina," her voice went down an octave, before continuing, "and don't you worry, I will be getting to the bottom of this. I just wanted to let you know. You are dismissed," she finally said, giving me a very wide smile.

I slowly stood up, before leaving the room. That was very odd, and that had also made me very nervous. I looked around to see if there was a familiar face around, but the only familiar face I noticed staring at me, was that older man from before. It's like I was supposed to get creeped out tonight. Once we had made eye contact, he walked towards me. There were still guards by the rooms, and I didn't want to draw more attention to myself, so I started to make my way back to the ballroom, which served as a waiting room of sorts during these rounds of interrogations. And that older man followed.

"Princess Celina," he said once he managed to catch up to me. I smiled at him to be polite.

"Let me finally introduce myself. I am Duke Endymion of Zeoshite." My eyes widened. What is up with me today speaking to people that have the power to ruin a nation?

"Your Grace, it is a pleasure to meet you. I apologize if I haven't properly greeted you," I replied quickly, hoping he wasn't going to get too offended.

"Not at all, I just wanted to introduce myself, and establish a friendly connection with you. I am afraid you might need it in the near future," he said, taking one of my hands and kissing the back of it.

"Until then, princess," he finally said before walking away. I was getting tired of this. All these implications, and none of them are clear for me to understand. I looked around again. I wanted to see Snow White, a familiar and more friendly face, but she was nowhere to be found.

At this point, I was planning to just sneak out of the ballroom and go to my room. This whole night has started taking a toll on my body and my mind. The hairs on the back of my neck had been standing for a while, and there's a nagging feeling that someone is about to go wrong. I searched around the ballroom again, hoping that at least Snow White was okay, and there was nothing happening. There was just a murder, and I hope it wasn't some distraction for something greater. I still couldn't find Snow White, but I would assume that would be a good thing, because then the queen had come out, holding a servant girl with her face clear in anger. She dragged the poor girl with her as she walked up the stairs to her throne before she threw the girl a few feet from the throne. The queen stopped right before her throne and declared, "my citizens, please announce to our guests what you have just confessed!"

The poor girl was still trembling, as she quietly muttered something that none of us in the back could guess, but it was enough to make those near her gasp.

"For those that didn't hear, apparently, due to her anger, Princess Celina had ordered this poor girl to poison Baron Morris! She threatened her and her family if she did not obey! All because she was interested in obtaining his territory! For this act of violence, Princess Celina will be stripped of her title as a royal princess and forever banished from the Kingdom of Germania."

The blood drained from my face.