Chapter 23

Emerald P.O.V

I was in my room polishing the dagger I taken from weapons room sneakily. Its almost time for the ball and I was not even ready because I don't have any dress to wear. And I can't just bargained in the ball with shirt and pant, now can I. Well, expression on the King face would be priceless.

That would be pretty, she laughed

Just then I heard a knock at my door. I slowly stood up from the bed and walked towards the door to open it. There stood Anna with a dress in her hand. "Hey Anna" I smiled at her gesturing her to walk inside, she smiled back and entered in my room. "Well, Prince Alexander send a dress for you" she said gesturing to the dress in her hand which was wrapped up. I took the dress from her and put it on the bed "Thank you" I said.

"Would you be there?" I asked nervousness leaking in my voice, I don't want to bear this party alone. At least a familiar person would be good. She looked at me smiling "I will" she said patting at my arm. I smiled back relieved and then she bid me farewell. I sighed and sat on the bed unwrapping the dress, I gasped, staring at its sheer beauty. The dress was magnificent, it was light pink color with silver coating at the border and upper half of body. Well I don't usually wore pink color but I can make exception for this one. I changed from my normal clothes to this beautiful outfit. After that I lightly done my make up with updo hair style, all in all I look decent.

You look gorgeous, Don't lie to yourself, Rose said in scolding voice

I chuckled, 'Thank you, my other half' I joked making her chuckled as well. Lastly I put the silver heels I found with the dress and went to open the door when I saw Alex standing on the other side, he looked like he was about to knock. Well he is on time. He looked at me from top to bottom, his eyes widening in process.

Told you, you looked beautiful

"Wow" he spluttered after a while, "Shall we go?" I said getting out of the room and locking the door. He offered me his hand to hold which I took after a little hesitation, After all he is my date. "Lets go" he said and we started walking towards the ball room which are specially used for the royal ball like this. I was so not looking forward to this ball.

On our way I saw lots of unfamiliar faces going in the same direction we were going. There were many in numbers, how many people did he invited for this ball. Its not even that important of a function.

Maybe it must be important for them

I nodded, "So I just want to say sorry for my earlier behavior" he said looking at me from the corner of his eyes. I shook my head "I already forgave you" I smiled, he is such a gentleman, how can be he related to that cruel King. "But still, I felt bad about that, I shouldn't have done that" he said turning his head to look at me, "Its okay" I smiled and I saw the entrance of the ball, where two guards were positioned with swords in their hand, they bowed at us or more likely at Alex, and announced our arrival. "Here comes, the Prince of Midnight, Almighty warrior, Prince Alexander Ryder Hawthorne with Miss Emerald--" one of the guard yelled making me wince. He was loud, we entered in the ball room "from Sabriya" the guard finished our introduction. The room which was buzzing with excitement a while ago seems deadly silent now. Everyone was looking at me with accusing eyes, some has fear in them, other has disgust. I looked around feeling nervous. I did that to these people. I made them fear me and I can see the disgust as well.

I am sorry, Its all my fault, Rose said in my mind.

'Don't blame yourself, you saved Will' I said trying to make her feel less guilty but I was comforting myself with the fake words to lessen the guilt. I feel nudge on my shoulder and looked at Alex, he was giving me reassured smile, "Don't look at them, just follow my lead" he said forcing me to move forward with him to the front where a magnificent throne stood tall and there were little thrones beside the big one. We made our way to the little throne beside its right. I sat beside him looking at all the people who resumed their activity but some were still looking at me. I avoided looking at them.

This ball is already going down hill.

'I know right' I muttered back. "Hey, It will take time for these people to adjust with you being Sabriyan" he said looking at the people who diverted their eyes once they saw that their Prince is giving them look. I sighed knowing its not their fault either. It was the circumstances and Rose anger. And I have to live with the guilt forever. There was buffet on the side corner and drinking arrangement as well. The decoration was beautiful, I looked around me to admire the view. Well Midnight are famous for great parties as well. It was expected from them. Just then silence consumed the whole room, Everyone was looking at the entrance , I as well roam my eyes towards the entrance door where stood Chase in black suit, my mouth opened on its own accord, he looked handsome, I can't deny that even if I hate him. "He always make dramatic entrance" Alex said from beside me rolling his eyes. My eyes was stuck to the door half listening to Alex. But then my mood changed sour when I saw who was hanging on his arm. You are right, one and only Queen bitch. Anger started pooling in my veins seeing them both together.

He accepted the bond that's why your feeling towards him heightened, Rose said analyzing my emotions

I took deep breathes to control the emotional turmoil in me right now. She was glued to him like she is staking some claim on him. I controlled my anger but you can see scowl on my face. "What happened to you?" Alex asked staring back and forth between me and his brother. "Nothing" I muttered looking away. He chuckled realizing something , "I can't say I understand what you are going through right now but don't show these people, they are not worth it" he said giving me small genuine smile. I appreciate his thoughts and looked at the buffet because I should eat something rather than eating jealousy. "I will be back" I told him looking at the food table, he nodded knowing I have to get away from here because Chase is making his way here and I don't want to encounter him eye to eye. I made my way to the buffet looking at the variety of foods.

Well eat already, this look delicious, Rose said,

I can feel her tongue wanting to taste the food in front of her. "Anna, thank God, you are here" I saw Anna standing beside the buffet table wearing maid uniform. I sighed in relief and went to her, she smiled "You look beautiful" she gasped looking at me smiling. "Thank you" I bowed to her jokingly making her chuckled. "Can I get something to eat?" I said eyeing the food. Don't get me wrong but I am extremely hungry right now because I skipped lunch by locking myself for the time. She looked at my expression chuckling, went to made plate for me. I waited for her standing here looking at the crowd. Unconsciously my eyes sweep to the throne where Chase was sitting with his date. Alex was nowhere to be found. His eyes were already looking at me drinking me in. I smirked knowing even if he is strong King with next to no emotions, still the bond is affecting him besides he will feel more because he accepted the bond from his side. He narrowed his eyes, glare appeared on his face and he looked away from me. I laughed humorlessly trying to find Anna towards the buffet table. Where is my food?

"Can I have this dance my lady" familiar voice spoke from behind me, I turned around to see Alex kneeling in front of me extending his arm asking me for dance. I raised my eye brow at this. I am not interested in dancing.

Yeah, yeah, but if some one tell you to kill, you will most likely jump at the opportunity, she snickered

"Just go along with it, he is staring" Alex whispered taking my hand in his and standing from his kneeling position. I was confused for a moment but when I saw him subtly gesturing towards the throne, I got the idea. I looked at Chase again, he was staring at us or more like glaring. His fists were clenched.

Some one is jealous, Rose laughed enjoying the scenario.

I was enjoying this as well, because the Queen Bitch was glaring at me because Chase was looking at us. Awe. Did someone steal her sport light. Poor her.

"Come on" I said tugging on Alex arm still staring at Chase, after giving him final smirk, I turned around and walked away with Alex to the middle of dance floor. He took my hand and put it around his neck while he put his on my waist. He took my other hand in his and we started swaying to the slow instrumental tune. It was serene to listen, I could listen to it all day. "So, are you enjoying the ball?" he started conversation looking at me straight in the eyes. I never knew his eyes were brown, mesmerizing brown. "I am, music is good" I said truthfully, I am enjoying this ball so far. But I will be fully enjoying it after having some food in my stomach.

For God sake, Act like a Princess for once.

'I am not a princess here, remember' I reminded her still swaying with the music. "Back to the living world Emerald" Alex snapped his finger in front of my face. I blinked and looked at him sheepishly. "So as I was saying, do you want to go to the town with me tomorrow" he said rubbing his neck, his cheeks got a warm glow on it. He is blushing.

He likes you, she chuckled

Such a bad taste

'You are forgetting we are same' I smirked internally,

Whatever

I opened my mouth to gave him reply but suddenly I saw Chase standing beside Alex, glaring at me. "May I cut in" he asked me with tight smile offering his hand to me. I raised my eyebrow looking at him. I looked at Alex who looked disappointed but tried to gave me half smile and slowly went away from there. I saw him walking away when suddenly I was pulled into a hard chest making me 'ummph' in reply. "What the hell is your problem" I snapped at him trying to get away but his hold tightened on my waist. "Just dance with me" he murmured still swaying my body with his. His face was near my neck and I was pressed to his body like a veil coiled around a tree. This position was intimate and too much for me. "Can you at-least stay at a normal distance, I can't breath" I huffed and tried to push him again. After some time and inhaling my neck for a while, he backed away a bit but his hands were still on my waist. I looked at him annoyed, he was not making eye contact but a frown appeared on his face. "Why did you suddenly wanted to dance with me, did your Queen Bitch ditched you" I asked looking for her, Did she bail on him? Suddenly he tugged me harshly towards him, "Whatever the hell you are doing, stop it" he muttered glaring at me, I glared right back.

I am not doing anything, he was the one who come for me not the other way around.

"Are you out of your mind, you are the one who forcefully dancing with me" I said irritated, he took a long breath closing his eyes, we were still swaying to the music. For a while, both of us didn't utter a word. I was so close to him yet so far. My mind take me to the time when I first saw him, I was mesmerized by him. He was insanely handsome but had a shitty personality. I never thought I would find a mate because they are rare in our world. But I am the lucky one (Yay me!) "You know that our bond is strengthening by the time" he said at last, looking at me this time searching in my eyes for I don't know what. "Its all because of you" I snapped already knowing it, I am feeling the bond more because this jerk accepted the bond. "So stop making me jealous and try to be a good maid" he narrowed his eyes.

Did he just called you maid?

My blood started boiling, so its all my mistake, bravo! I jerked my hand away from him and took steps back "I am making you jealous, huh, you asshole" I yelled making people froze on their spot and looked in our direction but I could care less. From the day I saw this Almighty King, he never once gave me any respect, he just insulted me at every chance he got but enough is enough. "You are the one who taken me here against my own free will, making me hostage, taking my rights, you accepted the bond tying us and now you are blaming it all me" I said fuming now, "Wow, just wow" I started slow clapping staring at him, he was glaring at me, his eyes were pitch black from the anger. Alex was standing few feet away from us, mouth dropped open.

Lets show him who we really are!!! Rose said cracking her knuckles.

I can sense the energy flowing through me. Whenever I get extremely angry, my powers consumes me. I have only few minutes after that my power will be gone again, Do I want to fight and get away from here to safety. But I promise him that I won't be running away.

But put him in his place, Rose snarled

"You ungrateful bitch!!!"

I stopped the hand of queen bitch standing in front of me.

This should be good, she smirked

She tried to snatch her hand away but I had it in firm grip. Did she tried to slap me? Its time I should show her where she belongs. She started yelling profanities at me but I was only looking at Chase who was glaring at me and then I smirked in his direction. "You should know when to stop" I said in lethal voice and bent her wrist breaking it. She cried out in pain and tears started pooling in her eyes. "Emerald!" Alex yelled, in split second he was beside Annalise trying to snatch her hand away but I had a tight grip even after breaking it. I am not satisfied with the pain.

Break every bone in her body

"Leave her" Chase commanded and within a blink of eyes, he was standing in front of me breaking the grip I had on her hand and pushing me away. I stumbled a bit but regained my composure. Queen bitch was full on crying now, "Punish her Chase, she tried to attack me" she cried, big fat tears rolling down her eyes and here I thought she would be some challenge. I tried to control the anger that was flowing in my veins because nothing good came out of it. Everybody were huddled in one corner scared. Soldiers surrounded me in circle like I am some animal that is going to attack them.

Burn them alive

Seeing so many people opposing me, anger that I was subsiding returned back, I clenched my fist ready to fight these people. I will make him release me from this Kingdom one way or other. The dress I was wearing is not good for fight but I will try my best. "Annalise you want to take revenge for what she did" Chase voice was clear but he was still looking at me, his eyes black like a moonless night. "I would want nothing less" she said aggressively, a healer come to her aid and snapped her wrist back with a pop sound making her whimpered in pain.

"And you, what do you want?" he asked me, what I want is to get out of this kingdom once and for all. "My freedom" I said bored with the conversation knowing they will not allow me. "Okay" he said making me raise my eyebrow in question. Did he just get ready to let me out. "But, only on one condition" he said making me glare at him. I knew he won't let me out that easy. "Carry on" I said tentatively, the anger in me subsiding so does the power flowing in my veins. "You have to fight with Annalise , who ever wins will get her wish" he announced, I looked at Queen bitch, she looked so fragile right now, I can fight against her without my powers. "Deal" I said in clear voice. Annalise on the other hand smirked after hearing my response. Alex looked worried all of a sudden looking at me in concern. "Alright make some room for these ladies" Chase yelled and with that he walked away towards his throne, Alex followed suit sparing me a glance. I am highly confused right now, I just broke her wrist easily and here she is smirking like she can pull me down.

'Rose are you ready' I asked her getting in the center of the circle.

Always

This dress will just let me down, I tore the lower part of the dress making it a skirt, I heard gasp from the people around us. I was wearing pants inside the dress. So that not a problem. Annalise on the other hand changed her dress with the snap of her finger, she was in fighting gears. My eyes widened watching this, she has magical powers.

Oh shit!