The footsteps came out of nowhere.

Ran Xueyi, Prince Francisco, and the other man turned around to glance behind them. A man in an attire that was a mix of a military uniform and a business suit emerged out from the darkness. His shiny shoes made a crisp sound against the marbled ground.

His tall figure easily overwhelmed the prince and his friend even though he was still walking towards them. His presence could not even compare to any men that Ran Xueyi met in the past. Well, there was one man who could. However, Ran Xueyi didn't think that man would come here. There was no reason for him to attend the ball.

The man continued to walk towards them. His bauta full-faced feathered mask covered his face, making him be shrouded with mystery. His dark hair as ink was long and tied in a white silk ribbon before the tail of his hair fell gently on his left shoulder.

Unlike Prince Francisco, who has a unique grace of a prince true to him from birth, then the man has an impossibly kingly grace with the way he carried himself.

Could it be the second prince, Prince Adrianne?

She had heard that the second prince was only a year younger than Prince Francisco and also a bit taller. He did not stay in the palace and spent most of his years staying outside, traveling, and living in common places.

Ran Xueyi observed the man as he finally arrived at the spot where everyone was standing. A cool minty and woody scent wafted off of him as he stood a few steps away from her.

"You're here?" Prince Francisco's previous haughty attitude diminished slightly and he looked like he was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the man's presence.

The man did not respond. He merely moved his dark golden eyes to gaze at them.

Under his gaze, both Prince Francisco and the other man, whose name hasn't been announced yet, shifted uncomfortably on their feet. They looked like a student standing before their strict professor.

"You.. Are you going in to the ball as well?" asked prince's friend.

The mysterious man glanced at him for a second before striding forward.

His silent action was enough for an answer. Both Prince Francisco and the other man turned to look at each other before they decided that they should follow the mysterious man.

Due to his sudden appearance, the prince and his friend wasn't able to do what they had initially planned. They no longer stayed in there and didn't even look at Ran Xueyi as they disappeared in a corner.

The maid, who stood beside her, said, "Thankfully, his Lordship came."

"His Lordship?"

Ran Xueyi was surprised to hear that the maid would first strike a conversation with her.

The maid nodded.

"He's the new Earl, His Majesty personally gave an earldom title to him two years ago."

Ran Xueyi became thoughtful.

Two years ago, there were two men who was given an official royal title. One of which was an Earl and a Baron. Both titles weren't that much compared to the title of a Duke or a Prince, however, having given an official title without sharing an ounce of blood with the Royal Family was still an amazing feat no one could ever wish to get in this lifetime.

The identity of the two men were still in secret, aside from the royal family, no one knew who became an Earl or a Baron. Hence, not many were informed or believed that two titles were given to someone outside of the royal bloodline.

But from what Ran xueyi found out from one of the many reports her subordinates had given to her, the Baron and Earl received their titles due to their meritorious deeds as well as the financial help they've given to the royal family.

It seems that the royal budget truly suffered greatly two years ago if the King was forced to hand two titles at the same time.

"I heard he wasn't planning to attend this year's Royal Court Masquerade again.."

Ran Xueyi no longer listened to the mumbles of the maid as they make their way to the banquet hall.

..

"You're really going to attend the ball?" Prince Francisco followed the man like a mother hen. He continued to say, "For the past two years that we invited you to come.. no, the past years we sent invitation cards to you, you returned them without a care. What made you change your mind?"

The man walked with his back straight like a major in the army. Being questioned by the prince, he couldn't find a reason to answer immediately. If it were some other people, they would instantly fawn-over the prince.

But even though the prince still didn't receive an answer from the man as they walked forward, he wasn't bothered. This man acted the same way since they were children in the same classroom. Cold and indifferent and arrogant.

If he wasn't born and aware of his title as a prince, Prince Francisco would even confuse their status and real heritage.

"Did my father call you for an important matter? You know.. me and my younger brother had an intense fight a week ago. So, my father might have a hard time choosing his successor," continued Prince Francisco.

"If the time comes.. won't the Earl side with me? After all, I'm the firstborn between me and my brother."

Suddenly, the man, who was identified as the Earl, stopped walking. If Prince Francisco didn't stop quickly, he would have bumped his head against him. Thankfully, he stopped quickly.

"The selection of successor.. It doesn't have anything to do with me," said the man with his voice deep and low. "Your Highness and Prince Adrianne can ask the other officials to become your babysitters."

With that, he left the stunned prince and walked to a connecting corridor to the right side.

Seeing him leave after calling him and his brother a 'baby', Prince Francisco felt humiliated. However, he could only curse the Earl inwardly.

"Your Highness, how can you let that lowly man act so rude towards you?" his friend furrowed his brows.

"What do you know?" Prince Francisco snapped. "Even my father has to act respectfully and humbly towards that man. Should I, a prince, show some attitude and lose my father's respect as well?"

The prince's friend was visibly shocked at his words. When did the King of the Ren Country showed a delicate and humble side of himself?

Prince Francisco sighed. "Anyway, don't try to offend that man, Peron. He have so much power and money that the three royal families dare not go against him openly."

Peron gravely nodded his head. If even the three royal families in the world did not want to anger that man, where could he find the guts to do it?

"Then, what about that woman earlier? Are we still going after her?" Peron reminded him.

Prince Francisco slowly smiled. "What do you think? I've never seen such a beautiful woman like her enter the palace. If I let her go, wouldn't I waste such a god-given chance to taste someone like her?"

Peron chuckled, "Then, I will arrange things as planned."

Prince Francisco nodded.

When he saw the woman through the screens set up inside the monitor room with the others, he was doubtful. How could an extremely beautiful woman enter the palace alone? There must be a reason why she came.. But no matter what reason she had to enter the palace without any guard, Prince Francisco would never allow anyone else to take her from his sight.

Other men inside that room probably had the same intentions. So, he couldn't waste a lot of time.

After tonight's ball, he will keep that beautiful woman inside his room until the end of the Royal Court Masquerade, which will end three days later.

Thinking of the things he would do to her, a bulge slowly appeared in the center of his pants.

He wondered how she would taste when he finally get her.

..

Stopping as soon as the prince and his friend disappeared, the Earl closed his eyes. The beating of his heart was almost akin to a drum being beaten with force, making several loud thudding sounds.

Haa..

He almost lost control of himself.historical

He knew too well of what the prince intended to do. If he hadn't appeared earlier, Ran Xueyi would be forced to be taken to another place instead, like many other girls that went missing during the royal ball.

Taking a long breath, the Earl sighed.

Although she wore a mask and wearing a costume to cover her true identity, Song Yu Han could easily find out who she was in just a glance.

Ran Xueyi..

The woman he was obsessed with appeared in front of him again. And she was even wearing a dress that he would very much love to rip off her so he could admire her naked body.

His throat was parched as the dormant fire inside him starting to burn again at the distant memories they shared coming back to him again.

When the fire gradually cooled down as he stayed standing there, Song Yu Han, who planned to go to the banquet hall this time, stopped his breath.

Across from him, just several steps away from where he stood, was Ran Xueyi, who also turned as if she noticed his presence from afar.