A/N: I wanted to write the dialog in Old English, but for everyone's sake (mostly my own) I didn't (:
16th Century.
To be honest I hated Masquerade Balls. Everyone dresses up with their fancy gowns and masks; and yet, they still show their identity in order to introduce themselves to me and ruin all the mystery. I hated this part the most. What was the point in wearing a mask if you'll only reveal yourself? Too bad I couldn't get out of them; I had to go no matter what. My father, The King of Karakura Kingdom, hosted these Balls and it was my duty as the Prince to attend them. There was no other way.
"Prince Grimmjow may you please join me in your dressing room? You need to get ready for the Ball." Mary, a fragile old lady, said quietly to me while curtseying.
"Mary please do not stress yourself and stop curtseying, I do not wish for you to get hurt." I've known this lady all my life, she's taken care of me since I was a little baby, I think of her as my mother. I held out my hand for her to take, and with some hesitation she accepted.
"What costume have you prepared for me this time?" I smiled at her while we walked through the large empty halls of the castle.
"As I know how much you dislike such events, I prepared a special costume for you, one that would make you stand out in the crowd and still make you invisible." She laughed weakly and I worried for her. She was growing old.
"That does not make much sense Mary." I laughed, "Please explain how one can stand out in a crowd and be invisible at the same time."
"What I meant was that your costume will be noticed by all, but no one will recognise that it is you my Prince." We walked into the dressing room and she revealed the costume to me. "You'll be a Pierrot."
"My darling Mary, you are truly the best woman in the castle." I gave her a slight hug and added, "I love you the dearest."
...
I looked in the mirror and I could not recognise myself. I was dressed in a white, loose costume that hung on me like choir robes with white pants beneath. I had a truly enormous white ruffle around my collar, and a white hat. Mary also painted my face and hair in white powder, hiding my distinctive blue hair. She also added red to my lips; to finish my costume she gave me a plain white mask to wear. It was eerie. I didn't even resemble a person, let alone the Prince that everyone seemed to love. It was perfect.
"It's a miracle." I barked out a laugh and danced in front of the mirror. "This will be the best Ball yet."
"There will be a point where you will have to reveal yourself Sir." Mary said as she tidied up my old clothes.
"And why is that?" I stopped dancing and frowned.
"That is because The King wants you to meet the Duke of Souliety, as this is his first time visiting Karakura Kingdom with his twin daughters and son."
"So what this means is that my father wants me to marry one of his daughters in the future." My frown grew deeper. I did not like being set up by my father. The last two girls were beyond disastrous.
"That seems to be so my Prince." Mary took my arm and led me out the room. "It's time to go now, the guests are arriving." He walked down the east side of the caste and into the corridor that led to the ballroom. I was a little hesitant to walk in, but Mary gave me a little push and I went.
All eyes went on me. This was the opposite of what I wanted but at least no one would recognise me; I hoped.
"Who is that?" I heard many voices whisper as I descended down the stairs. My fame was short as a couple of minutes later four people entered the ballroom from the other side of the room.
First came a tall man dressed in a white suit with gold rims and a gold mask. Linked to his right side came a woman. No older than fifteen I presume, she wore a dark blue gown with a mask of the same colour with black feathers on the right side that matched her raven dark, straight hair. Next followed a taller man in a black suit with silver rims, and he had a black mask with large black and orange feathers around it. With him came a shorter woman than the previous, she was dressed in a pink gown with a golden mask. Her light brown hair cascaded down her shoulders. They all radiated beauty, and everyone saw it. People moved out of their way as they approached my father's throne. They all kneeled before my father and the man in the white suit introduced all of them.
"My King, I am the Duke of Souliety, this is my daughter, Lady Karin," He gently waved his hand towards the woman with the black hair, "This is my son, Lord Ichigo," He took a step back, turned slightly and waved his hand towards the taller man, "And this is my daughter, Lady Yuzu," This was the brown haired lady's name. They all bowed in time with their names and said, "Nice you meet you My King."
"It is lovely to finally meet you all, please enjoy this Ball." He spread his hands out on the word 'ball' and everyone in the room clapped; apart from me of course. I made my way towards the food. I was hungry, very hungry.
The music started playing and everyone started to dance. I wasn't much of a dancer. I noticed some women whispering to each other and looking at me,
"I want to ask him, but I'm afraid he'd reject me." One whispered.
"You do not even know who that is. It could be a commoner." Another one added.
I was glad no one approached me, in fact I took a plate and towered it with food, then I went to the far east of the room, where a balcony awaited me.
I knew it would be empty, it always was because no one else could open that door. All you needed to do was give it a little kicked on the right side and it opened easily, but no one dared to kick anything in the King's castle, apart from me of course.
"I guess I'm not the only one who enjoys some peace." A voice said as I closed the door behind me. On the balcony's railing sat a man.
"How did you get in here?" I asked curiously.
"Curiosity killed the cat, my Prince." He laughed lightly and I noticed the orange and black feathers framing his head.
"Lord Ichigo." I said.
"So we meet again, Grimmjow." He turned around and a grin played on his lips.
...
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this and stay tuned ! (: