With a firmer grip than before, Argenti's hand clasped tightly around your arm, exerting just enough force to pull you away from the grasping reach of yet another would-be suitor. “A disgusting sight,” he scoffed. He couldn’t believe this man would even have the audacity to come near you, the Emanator of Beauty.

No man was worthy of you, he thinks. And he hated the fact that your family would continuously throw these grand soirées in order to find you a royal mate. You weren’t meant to be shared. Even if he was of a lower status than yours, he’d make sure nobody would try to take his liege away from him.

“How much longer must we stay here?” His fingers, relaxed and fell away, releasing your fragile arm from his intense grip. He couldn’t stand watching you interact with these snobby nobles who clearly wanted nothing more than your title and riches. “It’s getting rather late anyway, we should start heading back.”

The clock had barely struck 7PM. The ball had just started, and he was already urging you to leave with him. He didn’t want to risk anyone stealing you away while he wasn’t looking.