The King's Leverage.

It was Jocelyn's turn to be crowned princess of Azaelyon. She stood tall in her bejewelled royal blue gown and diamond neck. With her blonde hair bare, it was packed from the sides and bundled on the back of her head.

Her hands crumpled on the dress and she frowned. She marched from her lavish boudoir to the hallway to glare at whoever was standing there.

The maid stooped fast and rushed to her nodding.

"You there, that's right, you" She pointed.

"The coronation will be any moment from now, your highness," She said hurriedly nodding still. Afraid that she might get punished for something that she didn't do.

Jocelyn smirked satisfied sighing with how quickly they were responding these days. Especially today. She brushed her silky golden locks behind her and her lip twitched when her eye caught a loose string on her sleeve.

"I'm sorry your highness" She beckoned and paled.

Jocelyn raised a fan brushing the 'invisible dust' off her shoulders after she was done setting it back in place.

"You've got your filth all over me, again!" She yelled clenching her hand on the fan. "No matter, I hear music. Go over there and check what's happening" She snapped her fingers.

The maid hurried to the drapes to peer through at the strangers.

"They're all here, your highness"

"Great," She slapped the fan to her and patted her hair on the sides and snatched it back.

Henry the 4th of Azaelyon held out his hand when she stepped out to the podium. She saw people laughing and mingling about furious.

"Is this not my coronation anymore, father?" She said indignant and her mother who placed gentle hands on Jocelyn's shoulders smiled.

Irene had brown hair and green eyes, her hair was styled gracefully in braids, even the fallen strands didn't fall short. She looked old but it made her even more beautiful with her lovely smile.

She wore a satiny purple gown with beige lace to adorn the collars.

"Your time will come soon dear, our guests need to break the ice, just wait."

She said and cupped her face, Jocelyn put her hands down and frowned raising her chin, her eyebrows shook and she smiled.

"That's my girl"

"My feet are killing me, I'll dance a while," She said gazing over the crowd and tapping her lip.

"Hmm...now who do I dance with?" She questioned and the men looked ravishing.

Since she was the celebrant, she was not deemed to wear a mask now. She looked at the loner seated by a railing and holding a drink.

He was wearing a black suit adorned with red embroidery and tassels, his black hair was slick and he wore a purple mask and she licked her lip at his double chin and astounding lips.

He seemed to be the only one who wasn't enjoying himself.

Jocelyn swiped out a red mask and put it on.

'I'll give you a reason to' She thought and hurried down the steps, the guests made way.

He saw her coming and it came across that she received a lot of attention. His lip curled and he stood up straight surprising her with his comely attitude.

She raised her hand and he took it brushing his lips on her knuckles.

"The pleasure's all mine," He said.

What captivated her were the colour of his eyes, they were a dark reddish-brown and reminded her of chocolate. Odd that her mouth watered.

She covered her face with the fan "I'm blushing"

He nodded "Shall we?"

"We shall... Careful, don't step on me, it's my coronation day" She drawled flirtatiously and gave herself a light fan. Enthralled as she yearned to take off his guise.

"Modest as you are indeed beautiful" His hand was gentle on hers as he waltzed swinging her around, her gown swerving gracefully around.

His hand rode gently on her back as they swished and turned.

Jocelyn smirked as he waltzed behind her with her hand on his, his lips were close to her ear. His scent was delightful, she thought she was in heaven, it was bliss.

That only aroused her curiosity more.

"Who are you?"

"I preferred that it prevailed as confidential," He said stoically twirling her.

"Secret? I assure you that no one is going to antagonize you" She swayed into his arms, the comfort of it was thrilling.

"You say it like you own the palace, Princesa" He thought heaving her close.

Her blue eyes gleamed like sapphire and he grinned slowly pulling back at a safer distance.

He was closer to the exit now and she smirked.

"It's a mask tempest and I think unveiling myself to be...selfish"

She bit her lip at her parents on the lookout, she straightened her dress.

"I order you to reveal yourself"

She declared closing the entrance, the lights reducing to just the moonlight. She smiled covetously.

***

A guard rushed to the king in haste as the party went on. The visitors were starting to notice the failure of the princess to turn up and the whole kingdom was in wait.

"The princess is confirmed missing," He said and swallowed.

Henry pushed through the double doors to the boudoir. Looking around wildly.

His breathing increased, he felt like he was going to go insane. How did things spiral from here so quickly? How did he lose sight of his only begotten daughter?

"She must be found. Search_everywhere!" He swung his arm and his robe swivelled.

The guard bowed. "Yes your Majesty" With his staff, he jogged to the entry leaving them alone.

Irene was in tears when she sat down on the bed hugging her arms.

He settled down and encircled her shoulders.

"Not my Jocelyn, not my poor baby girl" She sobbed shaking her head.

He quickly brushed her tears. "Irene my dear" He patted her face. "Don't fret"

"This cannot be, I saw her leave, we both did" She quivered.

"Be strong. They'll find her, I'll make sure of it. Desmond!" He called and Desmond stepped in with black armour. All the others wore a blinding gold. He was a man of higher duty and he stood at ease.