BLOODBATH

AU: KNIGHT ZACK [2]

Ballroom parties made you nervous.

But then again, any party that had its eyes on you made you nervous. Being seen as only a trophy to be won would push away anyone with standards; and after all, didn't you have high standards as a princess?

Your father says you should lighten up.

You try, but after prince after prince, you find that they are all the same – all of them leading boring, drab, lavish lives. There's not a drop of personality within them, and you feel as if you were cursed to be stuck with such average individuals.

Zack laughs when you tell him about the latest prince.

Zack – the knight who had stolen your heart. You rarely call him Isaac, for Zack had fit him better. He was a knight with a rough exterior and a heart of gold, truly capable at his job: protecting you.

He had been assigned as your personal guard after the incident occurred with the assassin. Your father had become strict with your outings after that, and Zack had made you feel protected as you travelled through the paths of neighboring kingdoms.

The good thing about this new development was that he sometimes accompanied you in the carriage – giving you ample opportunity to share a few lingering kisses and soft touches.

With the new ball coming up in the later week, you'll no doubt have a good time with Zack. He mentioned off-hand that he never had a pastry made by the royal bakers and pastieres, so you had made it your mission to get him one, no matter how much he told you he didn't mind.

Of course, you didn't account for him not being there.

As soon as you found out he was to be posted out for patrols, you had pouted and complained to your father, who didn't fall for your cutesy princess charm. His talent had been recognized, and so it should serve his kingdom well.

Many of the kingdoms from farther lands are coming here. Maybe you'll find yourself a nice prince. He said, waving you off to your lessons.

Too bad your prince would be strolling the halls for trouble instead of keeping away any princes who got too close to you.

This party was gonna be a long one.

****

Four hours into the party, and you're already waiting for it to end.

Your father was famous for having lavish parties that lasted into the late hours, leaving you more bitter as the time slowly ticked by.

I wish Zack was here. You miserably thought, exchanging pleasantries with a few nobles here and there. Maybe then this party would go faster.

"Where's that handsome bodyguard of yours, hm~?" A princess you know well, Catherine, asked.

"Patrolling the halls." You replied with a smile, trying to resist the urge to smack her pretty, obnoxious face. Although, you still held onto the satisfaction that Zack had chosen you and not her.

"He's so cute." She sighed, fanning herself with the fan clutched delicately in her gloved hands. "Too bad he plays hard to get."

Maybe it's good that Zack isn't here. You think, a hint of a frown on your face as Cathy continues to speak about Zack in such a vulgar way. You briefly wonder if you could get away with pushing her.

You two speak for a moment before exchanging short goodbyes. Your eyes scan the floor of the dance hall before wandering to the door.

Over the course of this party, you had collected small treats that you were sure Zack would love. They were hidden away in your pocket, and all you had to do was get out of here.