Hi guys! I'm back with a new story. A few notes before you start reading:

- This is not your typical Regency type story. Like what the genre says, it has a touch of the supernatural. You'll find out soon enough (four chapters deep based on my outline) what I'm talking about.

- While this may be a Regency type story, I am sorry to say that I have not done any real research of the era. Therefore, I might make mistakes about the customs and how they dress, etc, so please forgive me for all my mistakes. Let's just say that this story is in a universe (and timeline) of its own.

- Just want to get this out, Lex and Lana are mere mentions in this story. So, expect a new villain, which I think you'll figure out from the get go.

- At this point, I have rated this T, but it may be changed to M in the future chapters.

So, here it is. The first chapter. Hope you give this a chance and you all enjoy this one. :)

Chapter 1

This was taking forever.

Clark looked at the mirror, trying valiantly to tie his cravat the proper way. Having not done this for almost half a year, he was failing magnificently.

Already frustrated, Clark threw down the offending garment and decided that he could do without it. Besides, he was not one to comply with the norms of society. He has always considered himself an outsider, even if his presence at parties and soirees are a guarantee that it would be a success.

And why wouldn't it, when he was a close confidant and a good friend of the monarchs. Whenever the King and Queen decided to grace a party with their presence, they would always ask if the Duke of Metropolis would be of attendance. And so, Clark's reputation as a favorite of the King and Queen's spread throughout the kingdom.

It was all to Clark's chagrin, however, because he never wanted to be in the spotlight. That was why whenever someone asked him how he became close with the royal couple, he would always steer the conversation towards another topic. Only a few knew the real reason: that he once saved the King's life, and that he was a spy for the kingdom.

As he left his townhouse and climbed on the carriage waiting for him, Clark remembered his meeting with the King last night when he returned from his mission. The King was astounded at Clark's report. Clark knew that if the words came out from a mouth other than his, the King would not believe the story.

Supernatural. It was the only word Clark can think of to describe his assignment. He only read of those in books when he was a child, studying anything and everything. He was not a believer until he saw it with his own eyes.

But it was all water under the bridge. Clark had helped in banishing the foul being that has taken over the King of Kandor. Over and done with. He would not encounter anything of that type of being again.

Reaching his destination, Clark alighted from the carriage and went inside the large house, already dreading the attention he would receive once the butler announced his presence.

And he was right. Once his name travelled around the ballroom, the young, single ladies and their doting mothers flocked around him, wanting an introduction to one of the most eligible bachelors in town. He had his fair share of men wanting his attention too, and he was stopped more than he could count, the lords wanting to discuss business with him, with some even asking him to put in a good word with the King.

Clark never uttered more than three words to each of his acquaintances. Finally reaching the pool room, he opened the door and a ball flew in his direction, ducking just in time so that it would not hit his face. Turning around, a few feet behind him was a white cue ball. He picked it up and raised one eyebrow as he entered the room. "Don't tell me you still have a beef with me because your wife lost that our bet?"

Oliver scoffed as he took the cue ball from Clark's hand. "Please, that was ages ago."

"It was your poor skills then." Clark joked, smiling as he tapped Oliver's shoulder, nodding at everyone in the room.

Oliver had the audacity to smile. "No, I was really aiming at you."

Clark laughed out loud. "Is fortune telling a power of yours I do not have knowledge of? Knowing it was me who was coming?"

"Yes." Oliver replied, grabbing the triangle and setting the balls again for another game.

"That's an invitation I can't refuse." Clark grabbed two cue sticks from the wall, handing one to the Duke of Gotham, Bruce Wayne. "Think we can beat these married boys?"

Bruce's smile taunted. "Don't I know it. They are such pushovers with their wives that they've become weak."

"Ha." AC said. "You are just jealous that we have found the love of our lives and you are just swapping lady friends between yourselves."

"Please." Clark broke the game, with two balls already finding pockets. "I have been celibate for the past six months."

"Only because you were on a mission." Oliver replied.

"I never shared a bed with Lady Lana." Bruce interjected.

"Where is she by the way? I haven't seen her in a while. Already grew tired of you?" Oliver kidded as he took a shot.

Clark smiled. He was fond of Lana. He had truly enjoyed her company. She had been distraught when Lord Lex Luthor of Smallville died, and she sought comfort in his arms, having been friends with him since time immemorial together with Oliver's wife, Chloe. She was a good mistress, but also a greater friend. And while Bruce and the rest of them have already voiced out their opinions that Lana was perfect for him, both he and Lana knew that what they have was just a fleeting companionship, and they were proven right.

"Before I left for my mission Lana said goodbye. She had met a man from the colonies and that she intends to travel there to be with him." Clark said.

"Good God, man, and you let her go?" Bruce asked, astounded by Clark's non-committal behavior.

"When have I ever showed, or even hinted, that I was in love with her?"

Silence engulfed the room, the other occupants thinking hard. Oliver immediately gave up. "How would we know? We've never seen you in love."

Clark laughed. "Do not fret, you will be the first to know if I fall in love."

"It sounds as if you don't have plans." AC commented.

Clark leaned against the corner pocket AC was aiming for. "If it is meant to be, it is meant to be. Besides, I fear I am destined to live my life alone."

Oliver's eyebrows knitted together. "That was one of the worst things I have heard in my life. You could have married Lana if you were so afraid of growing old by yourself."

"And have her live miserably for the rest of her life? I would not be able to give what Lex willingly gave her, and I could see in Lana's eyes that the man she is now married to, by the way, is capable of truly making her happy. She already experienced true love. Being with me would be a huge step backward for her."

"Well, it seems you never really loved her if you so cheerfully let her go." Oliver said. "So she's already married?"

"Yes, to a Mr. Pete Ross." Clark answered. "I am quite surprised Chloe did not tell you this."

"I did tell him." Chloe answered, all of them surprised that she was already in the room together with AC's wife Mera. Chloe went over to Clark and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "While he was practicing archery."

Oliver looked sheepish, and Clark came to his defense. "Chloe, you know that when Oliver is with his precious bow, he is in his own world."

Chloe gave Oliver a look that could make grown men hide. "His wife should be his own world."

Clark laughed out loud. "And you wonder why I stay unattached?" He yelped comically when Chloe pinched him in the arm.

The pool game now forgotten, they transferred to another room, sitting on opposite sofas facing each other, chatting with no care in the world. Unfortunately, the change of setting did not mean a change of the direction of conversation.

"You could have any woman in that ballroom, Clark." Chloe commented, her back on her husband rather than the couch. "I even heard Lady Maxima loudly ordering her chaperone to make their way to you."

Clark groaned. Maxima. That girl could not take a hint. It seemed that there were no changes even after all this time that he was away. He was honestly hoping that she had already found a husband so that she would stop pestering him.

He welcomed the attention at first. Maxima indeed, was a beautiful girl. But she has become a nuisance of late. A fiery girl with fiery red hair, she would not take no for an answer. Before his latest assignment, every party he went to, he found out that Maxima had weaseled an invitation. His morning ride was always interrupted. He even changed routes one time, but even then Maxima found him. He did not know how Maxima did it, but every social gathering that Clark was present at, Maxima was also there.

"You know I do not bed virgins." Clark answered, which was only the truth.

"True." AC agreed. "It would have made the rounds of gossip if she is not one."

Oliver then turned to Chloe, as if suddenly remembered something. "Have you invited her?"

Clark looked at the couple, from one to another. "Invited her where?"

Chloe turned to group and smiled that special smile of hers. Clark groaned inwardly. He knew what was coming. He totally forgot that this was the time of the year. "Please don't tell me you still hold that masquerade ball of yours."

"It has been a tradition of Oliver's family. Everyone is invited. And you all must go." Chloe announced, and then turned to look at Clark. "Want to up the ante?"

Clark smiled. The bet. Chloe had this asinine idea that Clark would meet the love of his life in one of the parties she hosted. Chloe has good intentions, but Clark was not interested, probably ever. He only took on the bet at Oliver's prodding, all to make his wife happy. "Gladly."

Chloe's eyes glinted. "If you win, I would gladly buy you a horse of your choice."

AC laughed. Mera shook her head. Bruce whistled. Oliver choked. "Love, do you realize how much his horses cost? And wouldn't that only be futile? Of course he would not do anything."

Chloe completely ignored her husband. "If I win, you will give me one of your prized horses."

Clark clapped his once hands once and rubbed them together. "Still the easiest bet I will win." He extended his hand for a handshake, which Chloe gladly took. Oliver rolled his eyes upward, which was caught by Chloe, and he received an elbow to his ribs because of the gesture.

At this moment Clark stood up and made a grand bow. "My esteemed friends, I bid thee farewell. I believe I have meeting with my horse breeder so he can search for the best and most majestic horse in the kingdom and beyond."

Clark left the party, expertly dodging clawing ladies and persuasive lords, already looking forward to the meeting with his horse breeder, confident at the knowledge that he will again win the bet.

Oliver, however, was the opposite. He tugged Chloe close to him and whispered in her ear. "Clark need only to stay in one corner and still win the bet. He will not make an effort finding the one."

Chloe gave Oliver a lingering kiss on the cheek. "Sweetheart, you underestimate the power of love."

With a knowing smile gracing Chloe's face, Oliver knew that she has something up her sleeve.

"Have some faith." She said.

Oliver looked at his overly optimistic wife, and cannot help but feel optimistic on his own. But then he realized that it was Clark they were talking about, and all optimism flew out the window. He better get ready pulling the funds in for that damn horse.

So... hope you tell me what you think. Comments and reviews are most welcome, so I can make the story better. love you lots! :)