Alana seemed to be the only one confused as to why this was going left so quickly. She touched Dawson’s back and stepped to the side to see Jeremy. "Forgive my guard for being a little bit much with his words but surely you can understand why I cannot dismiss him and go with you."

Jeremy kept his gaze on Dawson, not wanting to be the one to look away first because then he would lose. "I hope you don’t think that I would trouble you once we are alone, princess. I have known you for a long time. I can protect you better than this guard."

"It is not about who can protect me best. It is to avoid starting rumours and you know it. Dawson is one of Scarlet’s guards and you are often seen with Luke. Rumours would start if we were spotted alone together and I can’t have that now. I shall speak to you another time," said Alana.

Though Jeremy was a man, he wasn’t out of a loop as to how rumours could start. Scarlet had already warned her not to go off alone with anyone and though Alana trusted Jeremy, she couldn’t take the risk. He was more of Luke’s friend than her own.

"You are looking for a husband and I am a man not yet married. Don’t you think you should invest your time into convincing me to marry you, Alana? I am someone that you know well," said Jeremy.

"Convince?" Alana repeated the word that stuck out to her most. "I do not need to convince you or anyone to marry me. I am the princess of this kingdom. You should be the one trying to get me to consider you. I am dismissing you from standing before me. Do not upset me, Jeremy."

Jeremy looked away from the guard. "Your brother has already made it clear that you are not in his favour anymore and that has made you a little undesirable. Though you walk around with the title of princess, how much is it worth when the king is against you? No one wants to go against your brother. You must give us a good reason for why we should marry you."

Dawson reached in his coat for his gun. Should he kill the fool before him, would anyone miss the bastard? "Allow me-"

Alana shook her head, stopping Dawson from doing what could get him in trouble. "So, you were going to set me to the side and have me give a full speech of why you should marry the poor princess who has no one on her side? How unfortunate for you as I was never considering you."

"You say that as if I would not be worth standing next to you. I am a man of the court and a close friend of the king," Jeremy said, proud of his position.

"Those two things are exactly why I have not considered you. I suggest that you do not make your friendship with Luke what makes you feel worth something. You should just boast about succeeding to be in the court. I don’t want to fight so let us pass," Alana said, once more trying to go around Jeremy but he blocked her path.

Where they walked had guests walking around as well so should this go on any longer, the gossip Alana wanted to avoid would start.

Alana took a step back to be out of reach of Jeremy and said, "Dawson, please remove him from my path."

"Gladly," Dawson replied, shoving Jeremy to the right. He did so by pushing Jeremy’s head.

Jeremy lost his balance due to not anticipating he would be pushed. "You!" He yelled.

Alana continued on her way, not waiting for Jeremy to make a bigger scene.

"Everyone who approached you tonight will only do it because of your title. Who would want to love the princess abandoned by the king?"

"Ignore him," Dawson whispered to Alana. If he had time, he would make the court have to search for one of their own.

"Now you want to speak to me? Unfortunately, I want there to be silence now," Alana replied, focused on what was ahead of her. She could not look at Dawson right now after what was said.

Jeremy was so loud that those around nearby must have heard what he said and would start talking about it. Now any man she entertained tonight would be questioned over whether he liked her or her title.

"Must you be so quick to find a husband?"

"I said that I wanted silence, Dawson. I respected you when you would not speak to me. Please do the same for me now," Alana replied.

"He is wrong," Dawson continued.

"No, he is not. Many are just after the title and I cannot complain as I am looking for a husband who can offer me security. I must be the only fool wasting my time to add love to it. His words do not hurt me as I already know the truth. You don’t need to try to cheer me up," Alana said, hoping Dawson would be silent now.

"You have one of the wealthiest women in town willing to spoil you yet you choose to come here and pick a husband so fast. I was mistaken about you fighting against the king. Why not continue to learn how to work for Scarlet and make money for yourself?" Dawson asked, continuing to ignore her order.

Alana sighed as she knew she wouldn’t get him to stop talking now that he started. "I feel bad having Scarlet fix my mess. As long as she offers me a place to stay, Luke will always do something to upset her. It isn’t like him to poke at Scarlet this long. He has not moved on because she has me."

"Scarlet can put up a fight against the king. Were you not watching the same conversation as I was? If you are marrying solely to not trouble Scarlet then I suggest that you stop. Think of how much it would end up hurting her to see you in a marriage where you are not happy. Have you forgotten about her and Jack?" Dawson asked.

"I am trying to marry someone who can protect and love me. I have said time and time again that I will not rush a wedding. Have none of you been listening to me?" Alana asked, turning around to face Dawson.

"I have been listening to everything you say, princess," Dawson replied. "It is hard not to with the way you yap."

Alana was annoyed at first because of how he described the way she spoke but then she laughed. "Yap? Then I must say that you are one to nag."