Chapter 8: Masquerade

                                    

                                          
Leo looked around the room for Una, but couldn't find her. After a while he spotted her as she entered the room with Xander and his girlfriend. He saw her make eye contact with him and she spotted him. His heartbeat quickly as she approached and his entire body froze.
                          
She smiled and stood beside him. She was beautiful, but his voice was stuck in his throat as he looked at her. She had her hair pinned back with a lovely and sparkly pin. Her dress was long and unlike his sisters, her dress was completely black with gold embroidered flowers along the hem. The sleeves were from fitting to the elbow and came out at the forearm. She wore a small necklace, the neck line of her dress was a boat neckline. Her dress accentuated her slender and small figure. 
                          
He smiled but couldn't say anything still. She blushed and he brought her closer to him. He landed a soft kiss on her lips making her blush harder. She seemed surprised and laughed softly. She caught Laslow's eye from across the room and he sighed averting his gaze. She gave a confused look and Leo lifted her chin to face him.
                          
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing," She smiled. 
"You look amazing." He smiled.
She blushed and smiled, "Thank you. You look quite handsome as well."
They walked to his siblings and stood together. Xander wasn't with them yet. Garron seemed not to mind Leo and Una's relationship.
"I see you two are getting alone well." He said.
Leo blushed and smiled, "You could say that."
                          
Una smiled and fixed Leo's collar. He looked at her confused and she laughed. Camilla and Elise smiled, thinking they were cute. Xander approached shortly with a pretty red haired girl in a dark blue dress. Her dress wasn't as fancy as the royalty, seeming like she was of a lower class. She was still incredibly pretty and only came to Xander's jaw.
                          
"Everyone, this is Emilia." He said.
She bowed and smiled, "Pleasure to meet you all."
                          
She smiled cutely and the others greeted her. Laslow lurked close to the pair and Leo felt Una pull him closer to her arm. Eventually, Una left Leo's side. As she headed to the room where she was supposed to meet her brother, but was stopped by Laslow.
                          
"Una," He smiled.
She looked at him, "Oh, Laslow."
"Can I talk with you?" He asked.
"Um, no." She said trying to get passed him.
He grabbed her, "Please."
"No, I am happy." She said softly.
"Una, I wanted to say I'm sorry." 
"No, Laslow. I really have to go."
He pulled her closer to him, "I want you back."
She pushed away from him, "Go away. I don't want you, I'm with Leo. You had your chance."
                          
She headed away from him and to a room just off the ballroom. Her brother was there and sighed in relief as she same in.
                          
"You're late, but I'm glad you're here." He said.
She sighed, "Sorry, I got hung up."
"You look good, black really is your color." He said handing her a uniform .
"Thank you." She said and began to undress.
"Do you need help?" He asked.
"No, I've got it."
                          
He shielded her from the hungry eyes of his comrades as she changed. She buttoned her shirt and pulled a jacket over it.
                          
"Thanks, Connor." She smiled.
"No problem, ready?"
She nodded smiled and turned to his comrades, "Let's reek havoc."
                          
They went into the ballroom. One of the men grabbed Elise and the other threw a bag on the floor.
                          
"Put the valuables in to the bag." Connor yelled as two others blocked the door.
She looked at Connor, "What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, but it's what we came here to do." He said
"This isn't what we agreed on." She snapped, throwing her mask on the floor.
He made a hand signal, "How I hoped this wouldn't happen. You are a fool, dear sister and now you'll be punished. You've lead your new family to destruction."
                          
She was grabbed by a couple of guys. She growled in anger and pushed one off, but was immediately grabbed by two other guys who kicked her in the back of the knees. She landed on her knees as Connor lifted her chin.
                          
"It's too bad. I was gonna keep my promise. You, Elise and I will be united again. Sadly, it will not be in this lifetime." He said solomly.
She felt an anger surge in her chest, "I hope you die." She hissed, tears running down her cheeks . 
                          
She caught Leo's glare as he and his siblings were forced on the floor, their hands tied behind their back. Connor had betray her, it hurt a lot. The tears ran down her cheeks and she couldn't stop them. Another one of the men brushed the tears off her cheek.
                          
"Don't cry, pretty little thing." He said, "I'll take good care of the little sister of yours."
She strained against the others growling at him, "Don't you touch her!"