They walked out almost in perfect timing with the beginning of a waltz and he smiled leading her expertly out onto the dance floor, one of his hands gently cupping hers and the other resting on the small of her back to help gently but firmly guide her through the movements. He looked down at her and smiled a little hoping that maybe they had become friends or could become friends if nothing else.  He enjoyed her company like no one else's, though he wasn't sure why.  Especially, since she was sure to hate him when she found out who he really was.  As the dance slowed and came to an end he leaned in just a little not sure if he was going to tell her something or try to kiss her when a murmurer went up through the crowd and he looked up to see his father standing at the top of the stair case.  Raoul wondered for a moment what he was doing as he never seemed to show up at these affairs but then an idea seized him.  He knew his father wanted the Scarlet Arrow, had his father set this ball as a trap thinking the swordsman would be unable to resist? He moved in front of her subconsciously as if obscuring her from the king's view, though at that distance there would be no way to tell who she was.  As the king's eyes started to sweep the room slowly Raoul got a sick feeling in his stomach and pulled her behind a nearby column so his father wouldn't see her.