Protector

Chapter 2

As I walked down the hallway and long corridors towards the ballroom I could feel guards watch my every move. It has always been like this, but not as extreme. I walked down through the open entry way into the ballroom. My eyes scanned around all the people that were entering until I spotted my father speaking to Richard and noticed several men sitting around the table that my father and mother were sitting in. Dances were being held and I couldn't help but smile. My family always knew how to have the best parties. I made my way through the crowds, spotting my brother Peter running around with the other noble children. Rosaline appeared on my right grabbing my arm by surprise and I spun around to meet her gaze until she whispered in my ear.

"Isn't this lovely?" She smiled down at me as I watched her eyes scan around.

"Of course, they always are. Is the Duke Andrew here?" I ask.

"Yes, but he is being very pushing about an engagement, but I wanna have a little more fun before I have to stick myself to him forever." She shrugged and I raised my eyebrow.

"But you like him don't you? You're always talking about him, his body, his eyes, his muscles." I giggle teasing her and she quickly shoves my arm.

"Shut up would you?! Yes, I do like him, but I also love flirting and teasing other men. You wouldn't understand." She scoffed, like always acting as if I didn't know anything. I rolled my eyes at her comment before she walked away to grab herself some wine. She is right when she says acts like I am not experienced with men. Growing up we always were around the guards or the other people that work at the palace, but it was always innocent. I only had a few crushes, but I just always had to remind myself that I am to save myself for my marriage like my mother taught us and I shouldn't focus on any of that until my father found us a suitor.

I walked around the party greeting the guests and speaking to a few friends that came. A few noblemen asked me to dance, and I complied joining them. One was the Lord of Piana, Stephan, he was not married and he ruled over the city well. His family had always been in close relations with us since I could remember. As we danced my eyes gazed and smiled at him. Though he was around 10 years older than me, I did find him attractive, but he was more suitable for someone like Rosaline.

After we finished our dance, I grew bored. I look around and then escaped through one of the exits of the ballroom. I walked down the long hallway and looked to my right looking out at the gardens and I smiled to myself, until I heard footsteps follow behind me.

"I believe you are headed the wrong direction to the party." I listened to the man's voice. It was quite deep and I had not heard it before. I turned around quickly and my oh my. My blue eyes widened as I looked at the armored man. My eyes began at his face, his hair was dark brown, but it could almost pass for a dirty brown, short. His intense gaze with his piercing blue eyes caught me off guard as I gazed probably looking like a fool.

"I-I just needed fresh air." I fumbled out, mentally slapping myself in the face for being so lost on words by this man. He was truly a god as I continued to look at him. He was wearing the soldiers armour, but I definitely did not spot him when we were introduced to the soldiers.

"Very well... Maria." He paused softly before saying my name in that deep heavenly voice of his and I nodded before turning around slowly as I continued to walk slowly. Knowing that I hadn't seen him when we were introduced to all the soldiers I did have slightly uneasy feeling about him. As I was continued walking I could feel his eyes on me and his footsteps following behind, but he kept his space. I turned around quickly seeing him almost in the shadows of the hallway.

"May I ask how you know my name?" I say biting down on my bottom lip, "and why are you following me?" I ask softly, not wanting to come off rude, but I was curious.

He let out a low chuckle before looking back down at me, "Well you are Princess Maria, third child of King Edgar and Queen Tatiana." He smirked slightly, "I, Edward am here to make sure you don't get into any trouble or danger." He finished keeping his eyes on me.

"Well, Edward I did not see you earlier when we were introduced to all the soldiers, so how do I know that you are not the 'danger'?" I said questioning his words. He had to be around his mid twenties, maybe like 24.

Edward nodded "There were other things I needed to take care of at the time." He paused. "and Maria, you may not know it but you are surrounded by danger, outside these palace walls are angry people and I am the last person you want to question." As he finished I saw Peter running down the hall.

"Maria! Maria! Come on you are going to miss the Dance of Fools!" He yelled quickly grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Edward. Edward gave me a nod and continued standing there as I followed Peter feeling his eyes watching my every move.