Ruspin sips his wine whilst staring at me.

"You're not legal."

I smirk at him, "Not in the US. But the age here is eighteen." To prove my point, I sip my own wine. "And FYI, this tastes just as good as when I drink it illegally."

It's undeniable this time, his lips twitch into the beginning of a smile. If I could dance atop this table right now, I totally would.

"I've always wanted to try body shots." I muse.

When I glance at him again, I see him waring with the smile and I shake my head, grinning obscenely.

"Have you ever considered-" his phone chimes, and hence, I'm deprived of whatever he wants me to consider.

Resting the phone beside the glass of wine, he grips the thin stem of the glass and takes a sip.

"What would I consider?" I prod.

He grips the stem, still swirling the sublime liquid, "Us."

"As in what?" I demand.

"Never mind. I found that Kalvin is a prince of Asia and was engaged to the princess of England. I believe that she's the one I need."

"But, I told you about the project, what possible use could you have for her?" my voice quavers.

"I intend to ransom her."

I gasp.

He continues, obliviously, "She was engaged to him, until he died on... a ship..."

He trails off and stares at his glass. Oh god, was he poisoned? But my concern is washed away when his head rises and his gaze, occupied by new-fangled understanding, connects with mine. The thin stem snaps, as though it can't support the burden of the revelation: "Princess."

I sit there, barely daring to blink at him, while his thumb further embeds itself onto the broken glass.

"Sir, let me help..."

Ruspin glances away.

I run.