Marken hit the ground hard, pain flaring out from his stomach. She'd called him out on his bluff, and he'd been hurt for it. However, he wasn't dead. He wasn't dead, and he intended to make use of it. He paid little mind to her words, instead thinking of how he'd have revenge. She'd lied to him, insulted his pride, assaulted him physically... She would pay. As she ran off, Marken pulled himself to his feet, though he knew that she'd be out of his reach. He did pursue, however, intending on seeing her accomplices. He watched the slipper fall off, and smiled.

He let her go from there, watching her getaway disappear as he picked up the slipper. Tucking it away in a deep pocket for now, Marken approached the crowd, smiling loudly. If there was something he could do, it was fake an appearance. "My honored guests, this has been a wonderful ball, and I hope you've all enjoyed yourselves." A collective roar of approval rang out to his words, and Markens smile widened. He did enjoy some perks of his position. "However, I'm afraid I must retire for now, it's late and I'm a busy man. The rest of you, do enjoy yourself." The crowd quieted down as Marken departed, the noise of the ball soon becoming non-existent to him.

His destination wasn't far, it was already within the palace and close to the main room, thankfully enough for him. He reached an unremarkable door at the end of a hallway, the guard presence nearby increased nearly twofold. However, given his position, they didn't so much as say a word as he strode by, anger painted on his face. One knock on the door, before a voice rang out. "What?"

"It's Marken, let me in, I've got a job for you." The sound of something moving sounded out from behind the door, before a lock undid itself and the door opened up. Standing before Marken was a large man, though the way he held himself gave off an aura of experience. He was dressed in a full suit of leather armor, a goatee adorning his face. Without a word, Marken strode into the room, nodding as the door closed behind him. "I need you to track down a girl. She can't be more than 18." The man raised his eyebrows, though Marken cut him off before he could speak, describing the girl in detail.

"So you want me to track down this girl, despite the fact I have nothing to go off?" Marken simply smiled, and held out the slipper.

"She'll be in the area, given her actions. I want her captured, and brought back. Unharmed, if you can manage. To make sure you know whom the girl is, slip that onto her foot, if it fits... You've almost certainly got your mark. Payment is double your usual rate. I want nothing said of this to my father." The man opened his mouth to speak, before closing it and nodding. The money was certainly good, and he wasn't going to argue with the prince over something so trivial. The girl would be easy enough to find. With that, he walked outside to begin his hunt.