I feel something wet touch my cheek causing me to open my eyes. I look at the source and I see the culprit. The most humongous dog I’ve seen in my life. Unlike the dogs that reside in the streets that are skinny from malnutrition, this one is massive and muscular, and I’m sure most people would flee from the sight of it, afraid of being crushed.

“Hello there.” I carefully reach out my hand to him. I don’t want to set him off. He looks at my hand and sniffs it. He then proceeds to lick it and nuzzle it.

“That is the first time I’ve seen him react this way to someone new.” Leo’s voice startles me and I turn around. He’s propped up on the bed with his hand supporting his head and a smirk on his face. Memories from last night come back and my face heats up when I remember how I cried in front of him and fell asleep in his arms. He must know what I’m thinking about because his smirk broadens.

“So, what’s his name?” I ask just as he opens his mouth to comment. I prefer to change the subject. I do not want to be a victim of his innuendos. He raises his eyebrows but lets it go. He gets off the bed and goes to the dog’s direction. He pats his head.

“His name is Lucius. He is the Prince’s Protector.” I have only heard of Protectors. It’s uncommon for low-tiers to have them because Protectors need companions whose level of power will match their own, and when they do, they form contracts. There was a time where low-tiers used to have them, however, King James sought to eradicate them because in his eyes, powerless creatures didn’t deserve to live in his land. Protectors can take the form of many animals. Some can be dogs, cats, tigers, birds and so on. Growing up, I always wished I could have one, that way it could protect me and my mother whenever my father would be away. Not that him being home made any difference.

“Lucius used to be Queen Marigolds Protector, and after she died, the Prince made a contract with him.” Leo puts on his shoes and collects his sword from the ground.

“You’re leaving?” I regretted asking as soon as I saw his smug look.

“Are you going to miss me darling?” As I’m about to protest, he cuts me off. “Unfortunately, as much as I want to be here with you, I have to leave to get ready for tonight’s event.” He must see my confusion so he elaborates. “Tonight is the annual ball where mid and high-tiers come to get on the Kings good graces.”

Of course. How could I have forgotten. Every year, when the mid and high-tiers gather in the Palace, the streets have to be cleared out so there are no altercations with the low-tiers who like to stir up trouble. It’s not for safety. It’s so they don’t have to go through the hassle of cleaning the low-tiers bodies afterwards.

I’ve been so caught up in this fairytale that I haven’t thought about the fact that Leo is also a mid-tier. Why am I trusting him so much when his people have done nothing but hurt us? From now on, I should keep my guard up.

“Then I guess you should get going.” He raises an eyebrow towards my change in attitude but doesn’t question it.

“I will. Gloria will be here later in the day to help you.” That statement leaves me confused.

“Help me with what?”

“With getting you ready for the ball tonight.” That leaves me even more confused.

“Why am I going to it? I’m a low-tier and you said so yourself that this is a ball in which mid and high-tiers gather. Why would I want to be involved in that? Besides, I have no proper attire for such an event.”

“First, you are a guest of the Prince so no one will question your presence at the ball. Second, the Prince himself requested that you attend, because what host would he be if he didn’t entertain his guest. Lastly, everything will be provided to you. The dress, the shoes, the jewelry and more, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Why is the Prince doing so much for someone he doesn’t even know? And how are you able to ask the Prince for favors?”

“I am the Prince’s personal guard and we’ve known each other since we were children. You have nothing to worry about. The Prince said you can stay as long as you want.”

I am baffled by all of this. Last week my house was burning to the ground and today I am the Prince’s guest at the Palace. This is all so incredibly surreal.

“Gloria will be here soon to help you prepare for tonight. I will see you at the ball.” Leo leaves along with Lucius, leaving me sitting in bed, trying to make sense of what my world has become. It all sounds too good to be true. I can’t trust anyone here. I don’t know what they have in store for me and I don’t plan to stick around to find out. I can’t leave now because it’s daylight and it would be hard to sneak out. I should wait until tonight, while everyone is at the ball. I’ll wait for the best opportunity to leave.

A knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. Ms. Gloria enters the room with a dress in hand a bag on the other.

“Hello honey. I’ve come to help you get ready for tonight’s ball.” I guess there’s really no escaping it. “Come, come. Sit on this chair so we can start.” She sets the dress on the bed. I can’t see what it looks like since it’s inside a cover. “Now, let me start with your hair.” She grabs my brown locks and starts brushing them. My mother always used to do that. She used to say how jealous she was of my hair because it was soft and shiny, unlike hers, whose hair color was starting to fade. That wasn’t true. My mother was the most beautiful woman I had ever known and she was always glowing, even on the day she passed away. My eyes start to get blurry but I’m quick to rub them so no tears fall.

“You know, I had a daughter once. She was my ray of sunshine, my only child and the only thing I held dear to my heart.” Ms. Gloria speaks with such a painful voice.

“What happened to her?” I don’t know if I should’ve asked that but she smiles at me reassuring me it’s okay.

“She passed away five years ago. She was just seventeen when she was sent to work on the Kings vegetation project nine years ago. She was so healthy before she went to the work field, and when she came back, she was on the brink of death. She was able to hang on for two days before she left this world.” Ms. Gloria pauses. I can hear her taking a breath. “The reason why I am telling you this story is because I heard from young Leonard that you are all alone.” I’m shocked by that statement. How could they know that? “When Leonard left you yesterday to rest, he went to the city and asked around if anyone had any information about you. He was told that your mother had died while working on the project and your father was infatuated by the alcohol. When I heard this, I couldn’t help but think of how hard everything has been on you. Being so young and already going through such heartache.” This time I don’t bother trying to make my tears fall. I’ve never had any sympathy from people that have known me my whole life, so when a stranger that I barely know gives me such warmth, it makes my heart a bit lighter.

“I just wanted to say that you don’t have to worry about keeping a cold front, especially around me. You can keep it up with Leo though. I have no complains there.” That makes me laugh and she follows along. “Now, are you ready to be transformed for the ball?”

Was I ever?