Chapter 15: Ruckus

POV: Lucas Khisfire

This is the day, I've been dreading for a long time now. Having to chase off all of those women was work enough but now I'll have to forced to pick one of the suitors to be my bride. This could not go any worst than it is...

As I was ranting silently in the mirror, I can hear some footsteps coming from outside of the dressing room. I turned around to see Ying the elf girl behind the door. She's not really that hard to miss when she wears a literal red mushroom cap on.

"Hey hey hey!" The door suddenly opens to my elf friend with the mushroom cap. "How's my cold and arrogant prince going?" She jokingly chuckled as she entered.

"How is miss shortie going? Still need to brew a potion to grow as tall as me huh?" I smirked, making her punch me softly in the shoulder.

"Oh shut up! Can you stop mocking me for my height? It's not my fault that you're just tall." She sobbed a little, making me laugh softly as I try to rub my hands on her back to comfort her. "There... there.. no need to cry."

"Hmph!" She pouted and slapped my hand. "Ugh! Stop treating me like a kid. I'm literally older than you. You're majesty..." She said in a mocking way before, changing the subject. "Aren't you supposed to be doing something?"

"What?" My eyes brows puckered. "What should I be doing exactly?"

"Shouldn't you be out by now? The king and queen are waiting for you to go to the throne room. Are you really that narcissistic to look at yourself in the mirror for that long?" She sassed at me.

"Um no. I'm just nervous that's all. I really don't want to get married at all. Marriage is the least of my priorities right now so I'm not exactly very eager to step outside for everyone to see me." I answered her, she then gives me a weird look.

"You know for a cold and arrogant prince. You act really cute and vulnerable sometimes. I like that." She smirked, making me roll my eyes.

"Since when was I cold and arrogant. I don't think that's really something I would call myself but that's the perception I got so there's really nothing I can do about it." I sighed. "No point in trying to change the opinions of people.

"Well, it's because you broke so many hearts dear. You are also kind of rude when you rejected the royal family members so don't blame people if they perceive you as some sort of stuck-up guy." She explains to me, making my face contort into a scowl.

"Why are you here? Are you just here to berate me or something? I really don't have time to deal with your antics right now, Ying. Either you go or provide me some emotional support which I desperately need right now." I snapped at her, giving her a talk down for trying to annoy me.

"Fine! I'll stop. By the way, did you hear about what happened outside? It was quite a scene that happened." She whispered into my ear like how gossipers do.

"Is this another one of your gossips because if it is then I really don't have time for it, Ying." I gave her the cold shoulder since I can smell that this is another one of her gossips. I abhor gossip since it always brings destruction to the one gossiping.

"Nah Nah! This time it actually happened just now so it's real and I was there so I would know the details!" Her eyes lightened up. She is really eager to tell me, is she...

"Fine.. What was all the ruckus outside about? This better be important." I scratched my head as I opened my ears to listen to her.

"A fight apparently happened outside. The spoiled daughter of the duke, Charlotte whatever her name is was abusing her maid that was laying on the floor. It was horrible to watch actually since the maid looked pretty hurt." Ying sighed and her tone grew sadder.

"And? If this maid is being mistreated then shouldn't the duchess be reported to the authorities?" I pondered to her.

"Well sadly, the maid is a slave that was sold in the slave market so basic human rights don't really apply to her..." Ying stroked her neck as she reminisced about the time she was once a slave. Back then a big collar strangled her.

"Hey. You're no longer a slave. So don't worry. You're safe now." I comforted her, making her smile softly but her tone grew happier.

"Though the best part is! Someone defended her!" Her eyes lightened up.

"Really? Who? I'd want to meet them!" I said with surprise.

"Actually... they sorta got kicked out. That was the ruckus. A woman told the duchess to stop and she sort of got angry so she proceeded to talk to the guard to escort the woman out of the premises since she didn't really like being told what to do." Ying sighed. "Honestly, that woman did the right thing. If I could find her I'd gladly say thank you for what she did to the slave. Her kindness was what we needed. I didn't expect it from her since she looked high status."

"Was the woman also here to court and join the ball?" I asked her.

"Yes. Actually.. she was dressed up in a regal way so I think she's also going to take part in the ball."

"I guess it's unfortunate that I'm not able to thank her directly myself. Though whoever she is, I do sincerely hope she returns back here. I feel like she's going to be someone that I'll find interesting to meet." I then turned around to go head for the door as I'm already needed to the throne room. Let's just hope nothing bad happens in this ball. I'm going to have to deal with pesky women like that spoiled brat.