Chapter 45 - Crow patrol?

"Dance… with you?" I replied unsurely.

Did he even know how to dance?

"Yes" he hadn't wavered at my hesitancy at all. Blue cobalt eyes staring at me so intensely I placed a hand on his, and with a smile that would've won the hearts of every young lady and man alive, he lead me.

Edmund watched us in silence. I was sure he was glaring, but my eyes were transfixed on Ruby who had yet to explain his motives.

"What is all this about?" I asked, as the melodic rhythm of the dance began to slow.

He gave me a terrible imitation of an innocent look, "whatever do you mean?"

I frowned at him, irritation showing in my 'accidental' slip of my heel on his toe. He didn't flinch.

"Since when does the cold and duty driven Ruby offer dances? Actually- who even taught you how to dance?!"

I regretted the question immediately when I remembered he was also a male lead. This was clearly cheating.

"Dancing is easy" he replied without much thought, "Princess I don't trust you with that fella".

"Edmund?" I glanced at the silver haired man who swapped his glare for a last minute smile when our eyes met.

"The Arians want the secure tie you can create to royalty. He's being ordered to be like this" he replied, grip tightening on my waist.

"I know that, but what does that have to do with you?"

"It's my duty to keep you safe" he said the words as if they were the most obvious thing to say and it made me frown.

"Don't you ever want to live your own life?"

"This is my life" he smiled gently, too gently, "you are much too kind for your own good".

"Don't try to divert my attention" i grumbled.

I found myself admiring how tall he had become as well. I often forgot he was a male lead, but now it was hard to not notice. Long silken hair, half tied and half framing his face. Bright blue eyes that resembled that of a husky's.

He was truly wasted here.

We had gone about two round and my dance had improved in that time.

"Isn't that enough?" Edmund finally cut in.

"Oh" Ruby looked to him and stopped abruptly, causing me to stumble into him slightly, "it does seem to be enough…" he stepped back in a gentleman manner.

Bowing his head as he shot what was definitely an aggravating smile at Edmund.

"Thank Ruby…" I curtsied back at him, "you can… go back?" I wasn't sure where he even went.

I should probably investigate that soon. He nodded and then with the usual flutter of wings he was gone. Edmund stared in the spot he once stood in shock and then a gaze of utter scrutiny to me.

"How long has he been around?" He asked. It didn't sound like a demand as much as it felt like one.

I felt a bit surprised at the question, but then again I couldn't recall them meeting formally anyway.

"Almost as long as I've known you" i replied, feeling as though I had been lying to him this whole time when his expression looked betrayed.

"Then this whole time? How did something like that even happen?" He asked, expression full of annoyance.

Did it even matter? Or rather I don't think I can tell him how- that meant explaining what happened with Luka and could I even do that? What if I get in trouble with the Brennus police? Is there a Brennus police???!!

The crow patrol?

"Um- I don't think I can disclose that. But he's a good person" I was hoping that was enough, but he clearly didn't think so.

"He gives me bad vibes…" he muttered, the sun caught him at that moment. His hair and eyes glistened so much I had to squint, "are you okay?"

"Too- Too much ML fan service" I coughed and seeing his confused expression shook my head, "don't worry about it. Father probably wants me to see him tonight so I should head off to the main palace".