As the couple exited the crowded ballroom through the doors that led to an outside balcony, Dalton picked up his pace. The situation was going south faster than he felt comfortable with. He walked as fast as he could without actually breaking out into a full sprint so as to not draw too much unwanted attention towards the missing Princess Elect. When he finally reached the elegant French doors, Dalton pulled them open on a scene he was praying wouldn't happen. The bureaucrat in question was most likely drunk but that didn't excuse his behavior. He had the Princess pinned against the railing, strong arms blocking her in on both sides, with an expression that hinted at things reserved for behind closed doors. Things that wouldn't be happening if Dalton had anything to do about it.

Dalton reached out and grabbed the bureaucrat by the collar of his expensive shirt and yanked him back, effectively prying him off the whimpering girl trapped beneath him. As the young man fell to the hard stone floor of the balcony, Dalton moved to stand in front of Melanie, resting his hand on the hilt of the sword at his hip. "I apologize for interrupting but the party is over, Sir. I suggest you leave the castle before I'm forced to arrest you for ill intent towards the new Princess Elect."