My gaze was set straight ahead, not really paying attention to the stalls and the people surrounding me as I meandered through the cobblestone streets of the Vale's marketplace. So preoccupied was I by my own thoughts, I didn't notice a familiar face until I bumped into her. Upon seeing the mass of blonde curls, the pretty round face and those big eyes, I froze. Claudia. A wide and wicked smile formed on her lips upon seeing me.
"Well, if it isn't the little twig herself…" She brushed her fingers over my hair. "The prince's pet walking about The Shade as if she owned the island."
I stepped away from her, unnerved by her touch. Glaring at her, I gathered all self-control in order to keep myself from venting out all my anger toward her for what she put my dear Ben through – yet another atrocity Derek turned a blind eye to.
"I don't want any trouble."
