Today was the day. All the royals had been here for a day now and had settled in. It was strange knowing so many of them were here. I didn't know them all by face either. It'd be so much easier to have them wear name tags to identify themselves.

It was strange how I was both excited and nervous for this ball. I was excited to dance, have fun and hang out with everyone at a formal event. But yet, the idea of not knowing who you're talking to until they decide to tell you, it was like entrapment. The reminder of pushing Davis against the wall still sat in the back of my mind.

By the time I had my dress on, my hair calmed and not looking like I just went through a wind tunnel, and shoes on, the ball had already begun. Let's be honest though, I wasn't about to be the first one there. There wasn't any sort of introduction to anyone. People just came and went how they pleased.

Thomas had sent for Michael to pick me up and that I was happy for. He sat waiting downstairs in my driveway, listening to music and observing around him. That man was always on edge.

"Thanks for driving me." I smiled, getting in the backseat and put my seat belt on.

"Not a problem. You look good." He smiled at me in the rear view mirror.

We drove the couple minutes it took to get there, pulling into the front of the palace and not the typical garage. Before I could open the door to get out, Michael turned around, resting his hand on the passenger seat.

"So, Charlie, I have to tell you this and I know you're not going to like it. While at the ball here, Thomas has asked me to keep an eye on you. So I'll have to be close. He doesn't want any mishaps with the other royal families. How about we make a deal? I'll stay mostly invisible and keep a decent distance but you don't get to hurt anyone no matter what they do?"

I groaned out, anger rising in me. Another attempt at treating me like a child.

"Fine."

Michael got out and opened my door for me, giving me his arm to hold onto as we approached the doors. People around us, all from my own sector, were still entering and all dressed up. When walking into the main ballroom, my jaw dropped.

As much as I had watched them bringing in everything, I never imagined it to look this good. King Pierce really did a good job. Gold trim lined everything. The lights were dimmed in sections allowing for spotlights and different colors to shine on the dance floor.

"This place looks amazing." I whispered.

We walked over to our table and I set my small purse down.

"You look great, Charlotte." I turned around to find King Pierce standing there along with two other older men. I had no other guess to who they were besides being royals.

"Thank you, sir." I smiled.

"Oh, yes, Charlotte, this is King Astor and King Valencia." King gestured to each of the men next to him. I nodded my head to each of them, smiling slightly.

"You must be the Charlie my son was talking about. Nice to put a face to the name!" I could feel my face paling wondering if Davis told him about me hurting him. King Pierce looked at me with narrow eyes.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm not entirely sure what he told you."

"I guess you two had a great introduction." His smile told me everything. He knew. What would happen now? Would I be punished? "Sounds like you two would get along great! He needs someone to keep him on his toes!"

King Pierce continued to look between us, clearly confused. As soon as he heard Astor's last part, he stepped closer and put this arm around my shoulders.

"You will have to visit more!" He smiled, somewhat proud, or so it seemed. "Well Charlie, we'll let you have some fun. Enjoy the party. I think Thomas is over by the drinks."

All three of them walked away and I sat down, calming myself down. Michael sat next to me, watching everyone around him still.

"Interesting interaction," he laughed. "I guess Davis likes you." I shook my head looking down at my hands. I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable being here. Royals were everywhere and I didn't know who they were unless they introduced themselves! It was a vulnerable feeling.

"I feel like this was a bad idea..."

"Nonsense. Go dance and hang out with Thomas. He'll take care of you." Michael sat forward saying. "Remember, I'm here if you need anything. I can let you know who royals are and aren't."

"You know every single royal in here?" I asked turning back to him.

"I actually know almost everyone in here. Obviously not like friends, but I know everyone's name and title."

"Hmm.... Who is that guy?" I pointed at a tall male in the room. He was intimidating and stared at me from a distance. His hair was slicked back with gel and his eyes narrowed. Everything about him scared me.

"The guy that's just older than you? His name is Derek Valencia."

"Royal..."

"Very good. Yes, he is a royal, the next in line for the throne. I would keep some distance from him. His family is known to be very ruthless and dangerous. The man next to him is Wesley. You're best to follow that for both of them...Enough waiting, go have some fun!"

I slowly stood up and he followed me as I made my way around the room towards him. It was strange that Thomas hadn't tried to find me yet.

Soon I found out why quickly. He was standing around with 3 other guys. I'd recognized Davis standing to his immediate right with his familiar smirk and a drink in his hand. His eyes darted right to me and he started to smile.

Thomas was nudged and he looked over, also having a drink in his hand. His smile was sly and seeming to be drunk.

"Hey, there she is!" He shouted. The rest of the guys looked over staring at me.

"Hey, I didn't know you were already drinking..." I smiled nicely. Davis was in front of me holding a second drink towards me. "Thanks, least you get a hint."

Thomas, and all his drunken emotions, rolled his eyes. It caught me off guard. He had never been drunk around me, or at least didn't let me see him this way.

I could still feel Michael standing close and keeping an eye out on me. It was obvious he could see the tension rising.

"If it's okay with your bodyguard over there, would you like to dance?" Davis asked downing the end of his drink and shaking his head towards Thomas.

My eyes looked over to Thomas, ignoring Michael behind me. Thomas looked slightly irritated and his eyes had narrowed.

"Sure," I smiled and spoke still staring at Thomas. If he was going to be a drunk jealous idiot, I could play that game too. Davis wrapped his arm around my waist, brushing his hand against my back, and guiding me over to the dance floor. It was a slow song which made for very close proximity to each other. Before we could dance, I downed the drink he gave me and handed it off to the waiter.

"Easy there, that's a royal drink." He whispered close to my ear.

"Psh, I can handle myself." I smiled.

His hands wrapped around me and held me close as my hands wrested around his neck.

"You're so different than all the other girls I've met, you know that?" He asked. I looked up to him. "You drink royal drinks. You clearly aren't afraid to square up to someone who pushed you around even with a higher title than you."

"I'm sorry about that. I really didn't know who you are!"

"No, no, I enjoyed that. No one ever tries to fight or just mess around with me because they're afraid of my dad. Why do you think I was laughing?" I looked down, my cheeks flush and embarrassed. "Don't be embarrassed. I'm sure you and Thomas mess around all the time."

"Actually, lately we don't. I think when his dad broke his back, he was angry at me. His dad only did it because I got a few hits on him with the bamboo stick. He's changed since then. Hell, before, I don't think he would have even let you dance with me."

"Well, I'm happy because I'm not a huge drinker. I see he's already pretty drunk." We both turned and looked over at the guys and he was intently watching us, still drink in hand. His head nodded us over.

"I guess I am being summoned." I whispered. Davis sighed, seeming to know something I didn't. We walked over and I could see Michael hovering close by. As I got closer, I could see Thomas swaying slightly.

The others stood around him, laughing and talking loudly. They were intoxicated as well but not as drunk as Thomas seemed to be.

"You never dance with others... why now?" Thomas slurred out, seeming to be angry with me.

"He asked me to." I knew my tone was coming out challenging him and with attitude. He picked up on it right away and stepped closer, looking straight down at me.

"Ohh, royals fight!" I heard one of the other royal sons yell. I glared over at him, not caring that I was challenging him either.

"Oh, don't you know? She's not a royal." He spat down at me. I took a step back, creating distance between us. I could feel my back brush against Davis who stood behind me.

"Man, I think you've had a bit too much to drink." Davis said, stepping in front of me. "I get she is your girlfriend and that means you need to show her some respect."

"No," Thomas spoke, pushing past Davis back to me. "She's not my girlfriend. It's my father's plan to marry her, despite all she does is fuck up. You know what," I watched him raise his hand in an attempt to smack me.

My head tipped to the side, waiting for the pain that never came. I could see Michael stepping closer, almost in slow motion. Davis held Thomas' hand in the air, holding him back. King Pierce, along with the two other Kings also started from the other end of the room towards us. King Pierce looked pissed. Was it at me for causing the scene?

"This should have been done days ago. You never attack a royal!" He finished.

I could feel many emotions inside me. Rage, anger, embarrassment, and hurt spiraled inside. Everyone watched, the royal sons had dropped their mouths in surprise. Davis was pushing Thomas back away from me. I stepped back, looking around, tears in my eyes.

I could see Sutton walking in through the double doors, confused at what was happening before her. She was the only one who hadn't seen the whole ordeal.

Michael was holding Thomas back from getting closer to me as I turned and ran. I ran out of the ballroom, past Sutton as she entered the room and King Pierce as he called my name. Ripping off my shoes, I continued to run into the forest where I know I would have complete and utter solitude away from all royals.