Chapter 14

"Did you come alone?" He sneers as I continue to ignore the couple standing in front of me. I bite into the strawberry turnover and smile. Delicious.

"You probably came by yourself since you can't find anyone willing to come with you."

Irritated at his constant chattering like a buzzing bee in my ear, I glance up and glare at him. "It has nothing to do with you who I came with. Mind your own business." I say and glance at Bella Hatter whose arm is around his. Has she given up playing her role of the good and holy angel?

Bella's small smirk doesn't go unnoticed by me as I stare at her. It only lasts for a second before she paints an innocent face. "S–sister." She stutters as if she is really frightened of me.

I want to laugh at her acting but that would help the rest of the eyes watching us confirm the rumours. In the position we are in right now, it could easily be looked at as me bullying the innocent and scared Bella Hatter.

"I didn't know you would be here too Bella." I plaster a smile and speak in a light and friendly tone. "The world is indeed small for us to meet here."

"You don't usually come to places like this." She smiles cheerfully, "What brings you here today?"

"I do." Relief washes over me when I hear Francis' voice and he hands me a cocktail glass.

"You took your time Francis. I almost ate all the desserts." I genuinely smile at him and hold out my plate to show him.

He laughs and pats my head, "You couldn't resist could you? It's fine, it'll be enough for me."

A cough makes us both glance in front again. "You came with Francis Tag?!"

I frown as I stand beside Francis, "Yes, I came with him. Is there an issue?"

Laurent's glare is intense as his chocolate eyes avert to the tall, brown haired man beside me. "Why did you come with him?"

Snorting at how ridiculous he is being, I take a sip of the cocktail before speaking, "That's nothing to do with you. Why don't you and," I glance at my stepsister, "my dearest sister go and enjoy yourselves?" I gesture around.

"I agree with Beatrice. You should enjoy whilst the day is young." Francis says cheerfully.

Laurent's eyes darken as he stares at me but his words are aimed at Francis, "Beatrice? Why don't you call her properly?"

"As Beatrice mentioned, that is none of your business Sir Laurent. Although we are both colleagues in the Royal Army, I am still your superior. Don't ask me silly questions." I would have hugged Francis right here for shutting that jerk up if I didn't know it won't do me any good in the views of those who are watching us.

Rolling my eyes, I hold Francis' arm tightly and smile at the couple watching us in awe before walking away. I don't think I can put up with their bullshit anymore.

"How did I do?" Francis grins as we head to the drinks table.

My lips pull up into a smile as I pat his arm, "Very well." I puff out my chest proudly, "It's obviously because you had an amazing teacher."

He chuckles and brings his hand to my head, "Don't get ahead of yourself now. Have you forgotten that I am your Master?"

I scowl as he thunks my head, "Ow! You're such a cruel Master."

"You should give me a reward. Who else's Master would talk like that in front of their student's fiancé?" Francis smirks with a raised eyebrow.

He is right. If it was someone else, they wouldn't have helped me. "Ex-fiancé." I mutter. What did Beatrice see in that man? Was he different when they were younger? From all I know, her love had always been unrequited.

Holding out my hand to him, he glances down in puzzlement. "What?"

"Put your hand over mine." I grin mischievously.

Still confused, he does as I say and then stares at me curiously. With a smirk, I pat his head with my other hand, "Good dog."

"Hey!" He says in disbelief as I pat him affectionately, "You're treating me like a dog?"

The grin is remains on my face as I speak in a serious tone, "Are you my friend?"

He nods, "Yes, why?"

"Then are you loyal?"

He nods again, watching me in confusion.

"And you helped me."

He nods.

"And you want a reward?"

"Yes, but I don't understand..."

"See?" I stretch out my arms, "You're my dog."

His eyes stare at me in disbelief, "Beatrice Hatter! I can't believe you...!"

I laugh as he runs after me, trying to catch me as I run as fast as I can whilst lifting the skirt of my dress. "If you were faster, you would have been a perfect dog." I say with a chuckle.

"Wait until I get a hold of you Beatrice!" He shouts angrily.

"It was a compliment!" I say truthfully as I giggle and run, ignoring the people who stare at us weirdly and move out of the way as I canon ball myself in their direction. It feels good to do whatever I want after following all the strange rules in this world for so long.

As I race down the corridor and find myself staring up at the stars from a balcony, I glance around. He must have lost me. I should apologise to him later. Leaning my elbows on the balcony rails, I glance up at the dark sky. The stars are so clear. I have never seen such a beautiful sky before.

It's relaxing and quiet here. The night breeze feels nice on my warm skin. I close my eyelids and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

"You're here." All of a sudden, my peace is disrupted and I feel arms wrapping around my waist.

"You took your time Francis." I grin and smack his hands.

"Francis?" He whispers into my ear. I shiver as his breath touches my skin.

Glancing around, my eyes widen and I stamp on his foot as hard as I can. "Let go of me you pervert!"

"Ow!" He shouts in pain and releases his arms.

I grin as he moans, "Serves you right!" I say with satisfaction, sticking my tongue out at him.

His eyes glare daggers at me. If looks could kill, I would already be dead right now. "Just you wait." He mutters.

"I'm waiting." I say mockingly.

Within a flash, he has me backed up against the wall, his face wearing a smirk at my shocked expression. No wonder he is in the Royal Army. I didn't even see him run towards me.

"You're not being arrogant anymore?" He says, leaning his face towards me.

"What are you doing Laurent? We're not engaged anymore." I mutter, trying to steady my loudly beating heart.

"Who says?" His eyes travel over my face and I feel my body heat up as he lowers his mouth to my ear, "I never agreed to cancel it."

"Stop speaking nonsense!" I say angrily, my fists clenching on either side of me. "I clearly explained to your parents."

I want nothing to do with this loathsome man!

"Oh that." He grins, "They told me but you think I will give in to you?" He pauses before bringing his hand near me. My eyes widen as he tucks a loose piece of my red hair behind my ear. "I will never surrender to whatever you want."

I push him away from me, "Aren't you being too childish? You clearly don't like me so why do you still want to be engaged to me?"

"Whatever you want, I will always do the opposite. I'll never let you win." He says, dusting himself off.

Is this man really this petty? Simply because he hates Beatrice, he wants to irk me more by doing everything against me? I glare at him. I won't let him play this game alone. I am not the blindly infatuated Beatrice he knew.

"Laurent? Beatrice?"

Both of our heads turn to the door where Bella stands with a suspicious look on her face as she glances between us. Why does it look like I got caught being with someone else's man? The irony when she is actually the one who stole her sister's fiancé.

"Bye." I wave and walk pass her with my head high. I am not guilty for anything. "Better keep your man on a leash." I mutter quietly as I pass her.

I watch in amusement as her hand clenches into a fist. Interesting. Bella is angry. I feel satisfied as I head inside the hall and look for Francis.

If Laurent is threatening me with his disagreement to null the engagement, I can play this game too. Fine, I'll give him what he wants.

You don't know me very well Laurent Bunter.