Colour filled the ballroom as it burst into music and dance; dazzling dresses were everywhere to be seen as important nobles enjoyed the masquerade ball. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives, except the young man stood in the corner, hands behind his back, gaze hovering over every person in the large room.

“Mother, I really don’t think this is necessary.” Prince Alferic whispered to the queen as she approached, whine in one hand, her beautifully, yet excessively, decorated mask in the other.

His Mother shook her head, admiring his emerald coat, waste coat and breaches, all stitched with golden thread and hand-tailored to fit his slim yet broad build.

“Now, now,” she said condescendingly, “We all know this is quite necessary, especially because you need a bride, but refuse to find one! Therefore we resorted to filling a room with potential brides to make you feel more free.”

“I feel less free than ever, Mother.” The Prince sighed. Once the queen left, he decided to study the arrangement of rich women. Many were quite pretty, with elegant gowns and well-done hair, but the personalities all seemed to be as arrogant as any other person with enough money to buy a whole kingdom.

A woman in red stood out to him. She wore a modest dress, hair tied back and sitting in the opposite corner, watching scenes unfold alone.

Approaching, he bowed his head and smiled. “Care to dance?”

“Oh,” she stood, curtsying politely. “I would be delighted, your highness.”

She took his hand and took him to the dance floor and began to dance, slowly and calmly. To begin with, her brow was furrowed in concentration, biting her red lips. Later, she got the hand of it and looked up to meet his eyes.

“What is your name?” Alferic asked, spinning her round.

“Ryn, Lady Ryn, sire” She laughed nervously.

The Prince chuckled, charmed. “No need for the formal titles, just call me Alferic.”

“Of course, Alferic.” Ryn spun once more, a dark hair falling from her bun.

The conversation continued, she was polite and respectful, but quite mysterious, dodging any questions about her origin or family. Although she was kind, he still didn’t want to marry her. It wasn’t because of a flaw in her beauty, or a misspoken word, he just thought it wouldn’t be right, they seemed to get along as friends. Just friends.

After a while the dance concluded and the prince bowed.

“I’m sorry, Alferic.” Ryn frowned, looking at her feet.

Alferic raised a brow. “For what?”

“This.”

Instantly, she punched him in the stomach, causing him double over, gasping for air. Men dressed in all black flooded in. The ballroom erupted into chaos. Alferic regained his breath and pulled an arm around Ryn’s neck whilst her back was turned, but she was strong. She kicked his shin, hard, causing him to tumble to the floor. The troops in black had already killed all of the castle guards, blood splattering the once pure marble. Nobles and royals were rounded up in a huddle, knife and spear all held to their throats, The prince at the front, standing up and coming face to face with a dagger, pointed to his chest.

“I really am sorry.” Ryn smiled wickedly, her face once of pure innocence, now embodied the look of pure evil and deceit.

Alferic grit his teeth through pain and anger. “You traitor.”

“Don’t worry. We’re not going to kill all of you.” She flicked the knife from hand to hand, spinning it on one fingertip casually. “We’re not that cruel. Instead, we’ll keep you all in captivity, maybe we can get some ransom money, or kill you to see if there’s a price on your head! How does that sound?” She chuckled to herself, dusting off her dress.

Rage pulsed through the prince. “Why are you doing this?”

Ryn pointed the knife at his throat, and lifted his chin with the flat side, looking at him as if he were a fascinating artifact. “I can now rule this kingdom! None of you people earned your money, your fame, this!” She gestured vaguely to the room surrounding them. “Did you know that ordinary people don’t have crystal chandeliers? Did you know that ordinary people have to work hard to put food on the table? And did you know that while you are all living it up, we are looking up at your splendour? What did you do to earn this lifestyle? Nothing! You were all born like this. Born to some random people who managed to do something slightly more significant than the rest, thousands of years ago. So now, I’m rightfully stealing the throne. ‘Earning’ if you will. How do you all feel now, hm? Weak? Pathetic? Helpless? Good.” She sheathed her knife, sighed and turned.

“This night was unforgettable.” Ryn said calmly. “Thank you, Alferic. I won’t let you fade from my memory, because you were the one who made this easy.” She clicked her fingers and spun back round. “Take them all away, make sure they all arrive at the cages. It doesn’t matter if they’re dead or alive.”