"Henri!"

I couldn't help it; I flinched. Something in Mother's voice did that. Maybe it was the way she stressed the 'ee' sound longer than necessary. I put my polite smile back on, and turned to greet my parents.

"Mother." I curtsied. "Father."

I didn't officially greet Knight Commander Havork where he stood behind my parents, but our eyes met. His face was impassive.

Keith reached a protective arm around me, settling his hand on my back and giving me extra support. "Good evening King Simon, Queen Thalia."

"Do not speak to me, Monfort." My father snarled. "I’ve had enough. We’re here to bring Henrietta home, and there’s nothing you can do here to stop us. Get over here, Henri."

King Simon gestured for me to stand beside him, but I didn't move. "I apologize Father, but I won't be going with you."

"You dare!" Queen Thalia snapped her fan with a force that usually signaled an unfortunate evening of discipline for me. Honestly, I needed to stop glossing over the unpleasantness; it signaled physical and emotional abuse. "Henri, come here this instant."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Julia grab Chloe and hold her still. Our conversation had drawn other people's attention as well. Bastian stepped forward, frowning - the Sumbrian noblewoman still on his arm. Lady Cress sneered, laughing at the commotion we were causing.

Grand Duchess Calisto arrived, drawn by the commotion, and stepped up beside us. "Excuse me, Your Majesty. Henrietta is a guest at my ball. And as an adult she is free to make her own choices."

Queen Thalia laughed. "My child will obey or suffer the consequences. She'll want to join us, as we have something very important to tell her. We are her elders and she will respect our age and wisdom."

My father waved at someone in the crowd. To us he said. "We have good news, Henri. If you hadn't failed so utterly to complete the simple task you were assigned, we wouldn't have had this wonderful opportunity."

A man with lanky features stepped forward. He was wearing a green suit of straight trousers and an overly long waistcoat. If I had to guess I'd say he was in his forties, but it was hard to tell with his clean shaven sharp features. He looked me over with an appraising eye, taking longer to assess my hips and feet. I almost regretted my ankle-high dress, but the boots would be perfect for kicking him in the -

"Princess Henrietta." His voice dripped honey, with a stickier undertone, as he bent at the waist.

I thought he was giving a customary bow, but his arm whipped out and caught my hand. Startled, I almost attacked on reflex.

As it was, I did not break his fingers. Though when he dragged my hand to his face and planted a wet kiss on my palm I wished I had.

"Let us introduce Marquis Chadwick Dorset." Father announced.

When the Marquis didn't let go of my hand and instead breathed heavily on my skin, I snatched my hand back firmly. As was expected, the man couldn't compete with my strength. I’d never met him before, but something about the name sounded familiar–

"He's your fiance dear." Queen Thalia told me.

My mind froze. A wash of Keith's royal intent burst out behind me, hitting my parents and the Marquis. He controlled it well; no one else close by batted an eyelash.

"No." I breathed the word, then stronger I repeated. "No. I refuse."

"It's not up to you Henri." Mother said slyly, casting a side eye at Keith - my parents Titles countering his own. "We drew up the contracts while you were still a minor. Any chance you had to argue was lost when you didn't come home."

"She isn't a minor now." Keith spoke over my shoulder, hard and angry. "You have no power over her."

"She has been promised by magical contract to me, Your Viciousness." The Marquis was sweating and failed to resist Keith's Title effect as he was driven to one knee. Despite this, his voice rang loud and clear. "Attack me all you want, there’s nothing you can do about it."

A murmur arose amongst those close by. I cursed. It was unfortunate that we were so close to the refreshments table.

I stuck up my hand to get people's attention. "I could kill you?"

"And I could feed your body to the sirens of Lake Loria. Or use your flesh to feed my roses." Keith told the man, matter of factly, as if he were speaking of no more than the weather.

The Marquis laughed a sickening giggle that made my skin crawl. "Destroy me and you will only show the world how untrustworthy the Dark Enchanted Forest truly is, and it would still do nothing. The girl is promised to The Marquis Dorset - whoever that happens to be. If I fall, others will simply take my place."

“I could exterminate your entire line… It would be effortless, like squishing bugs.”

My parents just stood there, looking for all the world as if everything was falling into place. My stomach dropped out front under me. There was something else going on here.

"Monfort," the Grand Duchess whispered to Keith behind me. "While I understand, I need to ask you to move elsewhere."

"If Your Grace would allow us-" Keith's voice was drowned out by my parents.

"There are some twenty in line for the position of the Marquis' wife." My father told me. "It would be a shame if you became a second wife - or a concubine."

Queen Thalia tsked, "Just another way to embarrass us."

"I refuse!" There were too many people talking. I couldn't think of anything else to say or do. The words were ripped from my chest as every fiber of my being screamed at me to run or stab. Jacqueline stirred on the bed upstairs and it was all I could do to prevent her from ripping a line clean towards me. I took a deep breath and stated, "I will never marry you, or any other Marquis Dorset. Not ever."

"Oh really?" The Marquis managed to stand back up as Keith paid mind to the Duchess and drew in his kingly aura. The man patted his clothes a few times and said, "If you’re so inclined, Princess. Then I would be happy to give you an option to withdraw your suit."

That wasn't what I’d been expecting to hear. "Really?"

He nodded, smiling a too-wide smile that made me unconsciously lean back into Keith's chest.

"That is," the Marquis held out his hand. "If you’d allow me just one dance to try and change your mind."