"Keep a weapon with you all the time. Just because we are going to a ball doesn't mean we can lower our guards, someone can use it to their advantage. Try not to engage in long conversations with anyone we don't get along with; keep it short and to the point and don't try to antagonise them. We don't want any unnecessary problem."

It's not our first time going to a huge event and it's not the first time dad gave us so many instructions. We are not stupid, we know what to do when we go out in public. We try not to do things that might harm innocent people. We only deal with those who mess up with us, not everyone. We were not that cruel.

"Jezebel." Dad addressed me, leaning against his desk in his study. "What weapon are you carrying?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Dagger as always. I prefer it over guns."

"Yeah, so that you can get shot by the time you reach close enough to stab them." Dane rolled his eyes and loading his gun tucked it in the holster around his waist.

"Please, at least it doesn't run out of bullets when you need it the most." I mocked.

Nikolas chuckled at that, standing at the corner of the room making Dane scowl at him. "You are finding this funny, huh? Wait till I am the boss, I will make you pay."

Nikolas raised his hands in surrender even though amusement was etched over his face.

"Can I go get ready now? I don't wanna be late." I asked dad and he nodded. "You may."

"Thank God." I muttered and moved out of his study and to my room to get ready. I was dying to wear the ball gown I purchased a few days back.

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An hour later, I was set to go as I stood infront of the full length mirror in my bedroom and gently twirled around in my gown. It was perfect.

The only thing missing was the silver mask lying on my bed which I picked it up and wore.

Checking myself once again in the mirror, I finally walked out of my room and down the stairs where Nikolas was waiting for me.

Dad and Dane left already, Dane even asked the woman he says to have fallen in love with to be his date and she agreed. I am yet to meet her.

As I walked down the stairs, Nikolas's eyes raked over me in appreciation. Just as I reached near him, he grabbed my waist pulling me closer. "My, my, my, you look breathtaking." And he pecked my lips careful not to mess my lipstick.

"Thank you. You look dashing yourself." I told him, running a finger down the side of his face, his white black tuxedo and black bow tie looking perfect as always.

He removed his hand from my waist and intertwined his fingers with mine leading me out the door where a limousine was waiting for us and opened the door for me, gesturing me to get inside.

He slid in beside me and took my hand in his again, his thumb caressing my knuckles. "How about we spend the night at my home after the event?"

"If you say so..."

"Jezebel." He said softly, lifting my hand upto his mouth to press a kiss there. "It's not about what I want, do you want it too? I am not going to force you to do anything against your will."

I smiled at his thoughtfulness and the respect he has. "Nikolas, I guess we have slept with each other many times, so, yeah I don't have any problem with it. If I had, I would have refused your offer."

"I know. Thanks."

And the rest of the ride was spent in silence.

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It was a huge event, every business tycoon plus all the feared men and women of the country was present there. It was a very dangerous event at the same time.

One small mistake, one single word that might piss them off and it's a fucking war.

Except with the Weylyn's cause we had a peace treaty with them and besides that, I don't think their leader is present here or anyone from their side.

My fingers were wrapped around Nikolas's forearm as we moved from people to people, meeting everyone, making acquaintance.

Only the people I have seen before could be recognised considering they all wore a mask, but still I can remember faces well so it wasn't that hard.

As we were done meeting Ms Cassandra, Nikolas leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Why do I have a feeling you are looking for someone? Who is it, babe?"

Sometimes I forget how good of an observer he is.

I don't know why I was even looking for him. "Have you seen Zale Weylyn? I thought he would attend this event."

"Zale? He hardly attends any of the events, he isn't a very public loving person, I have noticed. But why him?"

"I don't know...I was just wondering."

"He should be the last person you should be wondering about. He is not worth your time."

"Is it jealousy in your tone?" I teased.

"Jealous? Please. He would the last person I would be jealous with."

"You are right." I sighed, running my eyes all around the ballroom one last time. "He's a villain and I am not a big fan of them."

That man intrigued me. He was mysterious and dangerous. And not be messed with. But that didn't mean I was afraid of him. I don't care how dangerous he is, if one day he pisses me off, I won't go down without a fight.

Right now, I had this weird feeling of being watched constantly but both Dane and dad were busy and Nikolas was with me. If not them then who was watching me and why?

A slow, soft music started to play and Nikolas gestured to the dance floor. "You wanna dance right now or later?"

I noticed the other couples gathering on the dance floor and nodded. "Let's dance. I'm getting bored."

And he lead me to the dance floor, pulling me closer, my hand wrapping around his neck, his hand around my waist and our fingers intertwined as we swayed gently to the music.

A few minutes into dancing and Nikolas looked around saying, "Oh, we are supposed to switch partners. You okay with that?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Okay, see you soon." And he twirled me around as another man pulled me into his arms.

I smiled at him, I remember meeting him earlier so it was comfortable dancing with him.

We danced for a while before we had to switch partners again and I landed in another man's arms. A stranger this time but I gave him smile which he reciprocated.

Minutes later, we switched partners again and I was looking forward to see who I would pair up this time.

The moment I went into another man's arms, my body tensed. I was not expecting him.

His grip was firm around my waist pulling me close to his body, close enough to feel his body heat, his long, gloved fingers intertwined with mine, his hand was covered with a black, leather gloves.

Black pair of pants, black shirt tucked inside them neatly, the top two buttons opened giving view of his chest, and a black suit jacket, a black mask decorated with gold designs over it and I had no doubt, it was real gold.

He didn't care that his dress was not completely formal, he didn't wear a bow tie or a tie. He didn't button up his shirt properly. His almost black, blond hair wasn't neatly made instead a strand of it fell over his forehead.

He looked dangerously beautiful. "Hello, princess." His deep, low voice reverberated through my body.

"Zale Weylyn." I breathed out.

I noticed his calculating greenish blue eyes through the mask, there was something familiar about them. I have seen them before. And his voice sounded familiar too.

My brows furrowed subtly. "You were there day before yesterday. You are the man who helped me."

His lips curled up into a smirk. "Don't usually get many opportunities to be a hero. I took one when I saw it."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why did you help me?"

"I think I told you the reason already."

"That's not an answer."

"But I consider it so."

God, this man is annoying! I had this urge to stab him but I remembered our peace treaty.

"Why are you here?" Nikolas said he doesn't usually attend much events.

He twirled me around suddenly and when I faced him, he had pulled me even more closer making my breath hitch. His body pressed up against mine perfectly.

"I don't remember you deciding where I get to go and where not."

I once again fought down the urge to stab him. "That's not what I meant. You don't attend events then why this one?"

"Oh, I was getting bored and thought of coming here and see the Iyan princess, heard she was beautiful."

I gritted my teeth and squeezed his shoulder in a warning.

His eyes glinted with amusement. "What? I thought we were both supposed to say stupid things."

My body started to tingle as his eyes roamed my face, settling on my lips for a second before moving down the length of my neck and lingering on my cleavage before down my body. His eyes soon found mine again. "Well, I have to admit you look rather ravishing tonight."

No. He is just messing up with me and I can't let him do that.

"Can't say the same about you." I retorted.

That's a lie. Not the time conscious.

His lips twitched. "I don't need your opinion, princess."

"Neither do I."

"I like the fire in you. And would love to water it down."

Was that a fucking threat?

I couldn't help but asking it aloud. "Was that a threat?"

"A warning." He stated and he suddenly leaned closer, his lips slightly brushed my ear as he whispered, "Tell your father, I want Alaska. Or else, you, princess, are in danger along with your whole family."

"You can go tell him that yourself." I spat.

"Yes, I can but I don't wanna waste my time on him. He's not worth it. Don't forget to convey my message though."

And he twirled me around and once again I found myself in Nikolas's arms. "Are you okay? The hell was he doing here?"

My nostrils flared, my gazed fixed on his back as he walked through the crowd, as if he owned them, owned the whole world, his hands in his pockets. The crowed automatically parting for him, whispering among themselves but he didn't care, he held his head high, careful not to let his crown fall.

He thought himself to be a king. A king of villains. That's what he is and that's what he ever will be.

Chapter completion on: 4/6/22
Published on: 24/6/22