"But I love you!" Exclaimed a man almost with tears and frustration laced in his voice as Rose laughed bitterly, her face a mix of elegance and malice, her platinum blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft curls and her blue eyes cold as ice, skin fair as the clouds and her features so striking and enthralling people could get lost forever in them. 

"Oh but I don't!" She said with a grin as evil as a hauntingly enchanting witch as she fixed her graceful hair and turned away to go- but then, as if she forgot something, came closer to him and whispered in his ears in the most malicious voice ever, "This Rose has sharp thorns, Sir" then turned away, leaving the man in his agony. 

"Ah, my 'beloved'" came a voice as she stepped out of the ballroom into the gardens, she instantly recognized the owner of the mocking voice

"Hello to you too, your Grace" said Rose turning with a malicious and knowing smile, standing there was Cassius Windsor, the duke of Rasdon, he had striking raven hair, green eyes like a forest and a tall and lean build, his eyes glinted with mischeiviousness 

"what an honour to see you, my 'lovely' Lady Thorn, I have been looking for you all night" Cassius hissed malevolently

"well, isn't it great we found each other in such a secluded place then, your grace?' Rose moved closer to him and outlined his jawline

"my lady found a new victim, or so I've heard?" Cassius raised his eyebrows and Rose's face lit up, like actually lit up as she let go of his jawline

"haha! you wouldn't believe it, oh the look on his face, the absolute horror!" Rose described her victim while smiling malevolently 

"ah if I didn't know, I would've assumed you've killed someone, the way you're describing it" Cassius chuckled evily 

"well, you know if i could i would but it's just a little too jammed in here in this ballroom" Rose smirked and sat down on the bench nearby with her legs and arms crossed

"That's not a very ladylike pose to sit in my lady" Cassius mocked her smirking and sat down beside her 

"Am I witch or a lady now? Even I am confused at this point" Rose whispered in his ear, her long hair brushing against his shoulders

"Oh absolutely not, for you're the devil herself" Cassius whispered back, his fingers brushing against her ear

"Your grace, you rejected someone tonight?" Rose moved back, leaning against the back of the bench

"Ah yes, my lady, I absolutely rejected your advances tonight" Cassius replied and Rose genuinely laughed, a warm sound in contrast to the cold wind outside

"How do you always manage to stay 2 steps ahead of me?" Rose chuckled and Cassius raised his hands in mock-surrender

"Known you forever" Cassius shrugged "So... Who's the next target after me" 

"You 'know' I am not resting until i make you beg at my feet for mercy" Rose said and Cassius smirked

"ooh kinky" Cassius said and Rose chuckled 

"We will see how much you'll enjoy it, your grace" Rose picked up a rose nearby carefully 

"Oh trust me, I will, very much" Cassius smirked

"Can you pick the rose without getting pricked?" Rose smelled the rose

"We'll see who is begging at who's feet soon enough, my lady" Cassius took the rose carefully from Rose's hand and started taking out the thorns

"What are you doing?" Rose asked him, looking down on him taking the thorns out

"Showing you that I can absolutely take the thorns out of a Rose" Cassius put the thornless rose behind her ear gently "You know if you took my surname you wouldn't have the thorn" 

"Shut up" Rose groaned and Cassius laughed