The music throughout the night was beautiful and so lively. I frequently forgot to go find Mary and scold her for not mentioning the fact that I had to meet everyone at the ball and dance with every lord and lady's son.

However, I wasn't too upset considering how much I loved dancing. Even then I still got tired and decided to take a break and head over to grab a drink.

As I did I looked around looking at the couples still dancing. Soon my eyes landed on Caspian who was dancing in the most awkward position. The girl was very pretty but she almost seemed to be getting closer and closer to Caspian. I didn't see how that was possible considering there was no more space. The only space was the space Caspian had created by extending his neck as far back and away from the young girl's face as possible.

I giggled to myself as I saw Caspian trying to get some more space between them but trying to be a gentleman about it at the same time.

I turned back toward the table smiling to myself when John approached me. "Johnathon, is everything alright?"

I said very seriously but wishing I could tell him how my night was going and about the awkward dances i've had. I knew it would bring a smile to his face, but I knew, here it was impossible and from the corner of my eye I saw Laderon very keen on what John and I were doing. I would have to speak with him later

"I'm afraid not my lady."

"What do you mean? Whats wrong?", I got nervous not expecting anything to actually be wrong.

"Well you see my lady, my best friend has not said a word to me all night."

I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled to myself. "I see, well I can assure you she wishes very much to speak with you. And I'm sure she has very good reasons not to. And feels horrible about it as well." My voice didn't change but John knew me and he knew that I hated the fact that we couldn't talk without formalities.

Suddenly a young man stood next to John but almost directly in front of him, bowed, and presented himself.

"My lady, It's an honor to meet you. I'm pleased to see your beauty has not been exaggerated."

I was stunned at how abruptly he stood not caring that John and I had been speaking. He noticed I wasn't extending my hand so he took it upon himself to grab it and place a kiss on top. The way he took my hand was as if he had some kind of ownership over me. Chills ran down my spine in the most eerie of ways and I had the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach.

He seemed too familiar.

"You look beautiful my lady. Would you do me the honor of a dance."

"Thank you, my lord, you really are too kind. However I was having a conversation with my guard. If you would please Excuse me I will finish speaking with him." I took my hand back and walked over next to John.

"Of course my lady."

John and I walked away from the man and I realized he never mentioned his name.

I decided to head towards the garden. There had to be a place in there where John and I could speak so I could explain. The man did not give me a good feeling. I know I had never spoken to him before but he reminded me so much of him. I needed John to know. Maybe he could find something out or possibly ask someone who knew him.

As we entered the garden Mary caught site of us and signaled me over. She was with a small family, nobles no doubt, and there was no way to speak with John now.

I nodded to Mary that I would go over soon. I turned my back to them and spoke to John in a whisper.

"I'll be back John but I need to speak with you. Please, will you wait here?"

"Rose do you know that man? you looked almost frightened of him"

I looked down at my hands and I noticed how they were slightly shaking. John followed my gaze and noticed my hands. His eyes widening

"Rose what's wrong, who is he?! If he frightens you so I'm having him removed."

"No please just wait here but.. umm...I don't know but I'm okay- I need to go with Mary before she pulls me over there herself." I said trying to laugh at the small joke but only managing a small nervous laugh. "But i'll meet you here after, I promise." I turned around and walked towards Mary and the family of nobles. They were more formal than previous nobles I'd met but nothing else was different. I met there son and accepted a dance with was one of the nicest people I had danced with. We talked about the music and he told me about his family. He was especially talkative about his younger sister which I thought was very sweet.

Then suddenly I got to meet the infamous sister. She ran over right in the middle of us and joined in the dance. I enjoyed every minute. She was sweet and bubbly with a caring smile.

When the dance ended Chris introduced me again to his sister. Her name was Kayla. She curtsied to me

"Its nice to meet you again Princess. you look beautiful."

Princess? "Oh Kayla thank you but i'm n-"

"When will I look that beautiful Chris?" I looked to her brother and smiled then lowered myself to speak with Kayla.

"Kayla I think, and your brother will agree, that you are probably the most beautiful girl here. Right Lord Chris?"

"But that doesn't count he's my brother he has to be nice to me." She said crossing her arms and formed a small pout on her lips

"Yes but I am not and I wouldn't lie to you. In fact a beautiful girl needs a handsome partner right?" Out of the corner I saw Caspian headed my way and I took the opportunity. I knew he would be happy to play along. "A prince is what you need. Prince Caspian I'd like to introduce you to Lady Kayla and she is looking for a dance partner." I smiled sweetly to Caspian and he gave me a shake of the head but he smiled and extended his hand to Kayla.

"My lady would you do me the honor of this dance?"

Kayla squeaked with happiness and took his hand and pulled him to the middle of the floor.

Chris and I we're left together smiling. Chris offered me a drink and I was more than happy to accept so we headed over to the table.

I had not taken more than one sip before He had shown up again.

"My lady, can I have this dance?"

It was him again and again he talked and spoke as if there was no one else there, and completely ignoring Chris in his proposal.

I looked apologetically to Chris but he was so kind he simply signaled that it was okay.

Part of me had wanted him to say no but I knew he wouldn't. The other part wanted to completely refuse to dance with him, but I could not think of a reason. Especially after Chris had said it was okay. I had no choice, I took his hand and the music began to play.

John's POV

Where was she? She said she'd be back. Why was she so nervous? Should I go tell another guard about that man maybe they knew of him. No I would wait here, Rose looked so frazzled that I didn't want to leave her alone and she knew where I was. I looked over to where the family was and Rose wasn't there anymore. I looked to the dance floor but she wasn't there either.

Walking around I looked for her. The more time passed the more I worried. She was nowhere in sight.

Mary, she would know. I found her with another family but I decided it was best to ask. "Mary, would you happen to know where lady Rosalie is?"

"Last I saw her she was with Lord Chris. Why do you ask?" She gave me a look of question and then disapproval. "John you know you can't be speaking with her right now and-"

"Mary I just want to see her safe and she seemed scared the last I saw her but she didn't tell me why."

"Oh my why didn't you let me know sooner boy." Mary and I excused ourselves from the couple she had been speaking to and we searched. Not long until we found Chris and Caspian having what looked like an aggressive conversation all while they tried to remain calm. Ignoring their conversation Mary interrupted. "Lord Chris, have you happen to know where Lady Rosalie is?"

Mary had a worried sound to her voice and Caspian caught on.

"Why is everything okay? I thought Johnathon was to keep an eye on her?" He turned and the aggression he had towards lord Chris was now directed towards me.

"Caspian that doesn't matter now we need to find Rose. Chris?"

"The last I saw her she went to dance." Dance? With who? Oh no it had to be the same man that had asked her earlier.

"You let her dance with a man you had no idea who it was?!" Caspian looked like he was ready to hit this man in the mouth. What had been going on between them?

They began to argue but Mary put a stop to it.

"My lord was this man brown haired blue eyes?" He answered yes. We began to look for her and other guards were told as well. Mary and Caspian agreed it was best not to scare everyone so we searched very discreetly.

All the balconies were open to let everyone view the stars outside. Rosalie had insisted on that detail herself. As I looked to all the balconies there was a small one that seemed to be not completely open. I walked towards and I got a look at Rose's petaled dress. A sense of relief washed over me and I headed towards her. As I did I saw the man that was with her. It was the same man dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. As I got closer I saw him getting closer to her then Rose tried to turn to go and he grabbed her arm.

I was close enough I yelled, "Let go of her!"

I ran and as I reached the balcony he let her go and jumped over the edge. I looked over and yelled at the guards to run after that man they ran over when they heard me yell. I looked over the balcony but he wasn't anywhere in sight.

From behind me I began to hear Rose trying to speak

"John I'm... It was his.."

I turned back to Rosalie and she was holding the balcony with one hand and she had her fingers on her forehead. I could see she was about to collapse.

I held onto her shoulders and asked her if she could walk. She shook her head slightly and it seemed like that was as much movement as she could take and she fell to the floor.