Hello once again! Thanks for your lovely, heart-warming reviews, they really meant a lot! I hope you enjoy this chapter, I think it's really important for Kurt and Blaine!
Also I think I'll probably be posting each chapter on Glee day; as I live in Scotland and watch it at 1am, I have plenty of time to write, but we'll see!
"Eeeeeeuuuuuuurrrrrghhhhhhh" was the sound the Queen received when she attempted to wake her grandson up for the third time.
"It's so early", he added, groaning and grumbling as he did so. Kurt pulled the thick duvet as far over his head as he could, trying to block out the sunlight streaming through the window, and the noise of his grandmother.
"Of course it's early, Kurt. Tonight is the celebration ball welcoming you back to Elsiva. We need to get you looking as smart as possible and we must find time to fit in a ballroom lesson", Sophia said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Suddenly, Kurt's head peaked above the covers;
"I have to learn to ballroom dance?" He said, sounding shocked.
"Well that is a part of the lesson, yes. But we must also freshen up your manners and knowledge on the Lords and Ladies that will be attending this evening; we do need to find you a husband after all. Remember?" Kurt groaned again, pulling the covers back over himself. This was the last straw for the Queen. In a very unladylike manner she snatched the duvet off the bed, leaving Kurt lying like a starfish on his front on the mattress.
"Okay, I'll get up", he finally said, sounding defeated.
"Thank you", Sophia said stiffly as she folded the cover up neatly and walked out the room. Kurt sighed. He was dreading this ball so much. Blaine and he had not spoken since the garden confrontation three days ago. It was awkward to say the least. Kurt didn't know what to say to Blaine; he didn't want to offend him, but he also didn't want to give away any secrets that Blaine could use against Kurt. Blaine was avoiding Kurt because he was hurt by what the heir had said, but also because he could see Kurt's point. If he was in the Prince's position, he wouldn't trust Blaine either. Really, there was just a big communication issue in the castle right now.
Kurt really didn't want to have to interact with all the stuck-up rich people this evening, but he especially didn't want to talk to Blaine. Maybe if he stayed in the corner the whole night nobody would notice him…but Blaine always seemed to find him. Okay then, maybe Kurt could dance with everyone in the room, so they wouldn't have a chance to interact. He knew that he was being ridiculous, but he really didn't know how to be around the boy.
Kurt avoided thinking about the real reason he was so anxious about being around Blaine; he was drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. Whenever they were in the room, he just wanted to go over and be surrounded by Blaine, and he had a feeling the other boy felt the same way. Although, that could just be a part of the Anderson plan. Eurgh, this was all so confusing and frustrating. And he didn't even want to think about the whole 'finding a husband' thing right now; he had enough stress already.
Eventually, Kurt got up and ready for the day, cursing when he looked at the early time on the clock. Making his way downstairs, he eventually found his grandmother in the grand, regal ballroom, reading to start their lessons. This went about as well as Kurt thought it would. First, he was forced to dance with a butler who looked about fifty years old;
"You need to learn how to both lead and follow, Kurt. It's good manners".
He then had to keep up a pleasant conversation with his grandmother for at least five minutes;
"How do you propose to find a husband if you can't engage in conversation?"
After a tiring couple of hours, they then moved on to general etiquette;
"Kurt your posture is simply awful. Do you remember none of your lessons from last year?" To be honest, as soon as he got back to Ohio, Kurt threw everything he knew about being royal out the window, and enjoyed slobbing out a bit at home.
The Queen sighed; "alright, I guess we are done for the day. Go and get ready now". She commanded. Normally, Kurt would be defiant if he was ordered to do things; Sophia may be the Queen, but she was his grandmother first, and he was not going to be ordered around. But today he was so tired and defeated he simply plodded up to his room, and got ready, which, luckily, was something Kurt did enjoy doing.
Too soon, guests started to arrive at the palace. Kurt could hear the gentle chitter chatter all the way from his room on the second floor. Normally, he loves socialising, and would never miss an occasion to dress up. But those dignitaries were so dull, and just wanted a piece of Kurt's wealth. Plus, all the young bachelors would be sucking up to him, hoping they would get married and become King. He really wasn't sure he could do this; how was he supposed to fall in love and meet the person he would want to marry for the rest of his life in two months? It was impossible!
But, Kurt had a job to do, so he put a fake smile on his face, and headed down the grand staircase into the ballroom. As soon as he entered the room, all attention went to him. Crowds of people, young and old, stood around Kurt, crowding his personal space. They all began speaking at once, asking him about his royal duties, and whether he liked Elsiva at this time of year, and if he had found a suitor yet. It was very overwhelming and Kurt was starting to consider just running away.
It was at that moment Kurt was kidnapped…or saved…depending on how you look at it. He was suddenly yanked away by the elbow, the mysterious person pulling him over to a deserted corner, away from all the guests. Although this person could have been a lunatic, Kurt breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be away from the madness.
"Sorry if I startled you, I just thought that you might want to get away", said the stranger. This caused Kurt to look up. It was Blaine.
"Oh…yeah…thank you", Kurt said uncomfortable. He was very grateful, but he still wasn't sure how to approach Blaine.
"You're very welcome", Blaine replied, which was followed by an uncomfortable silence, "look Kurt, I'm sorry if I made things awkward between us in the garden. While I stand by what I said-I'm not like my father-I realise I could have stated my intentions in a nicer way".
Kurt was shocked by this confession;
"Oh. That's okay. I'm sorry for being rude". Blaine smiled at this;
"You're lucky I'm so forgiving Kurt", he said teasingly, causing Kurt to smile as well. Even though he was probably just messing with his emotions, Kurt really did like Blaine.
"Would you care to dance?" Blaine asked, not waiting for a response before pulling Kurt onto the dance floor. It turned out, Blaine was a very elegant dancer; he had all the steps down and even covered up Kurt's faulty moves so nobody would notice.
"I promise I'm a very good dancer", Kurt stated, "I just never learned ballroom". Blaine smiled at this, looking at Kurt with something akin to adoration.
"Well I think you're doing marvellously then", he said. Blaine just had a way of making Kurt feel great, even if he didn't think so himself. Maybe he could be friends with Blaine. Being friends wouldn't hurt, right? It's not like he had to go spilling all his secrets just because they became chummy. It was at that moment that Kurt decided he was going to let Blaine in, if only in small doses.
Eventually, Kurt was pulled away by a stuffy teenaged girl who wore way too much makeup and was apparently the heir to the throne of some obscure country Kurt had never heard of. She was a truly awful dancer, and even worse company. But she wasn't as bad as some of the other partners Kurt had that night. He noticed his grandmother tended to push the eighteen/nineteen year old bachelors towards him, forcing Kurt to ask them to dance. They were all awful. One seemed to have no personal hygiene, another didn't understand personal space, the next was so nervous his forehead was practically dripping with sweat, and the next like to grope Kurt; thinking he was into it. Luckily, there was a tap on his shoulder at that minute, so Kurt excused himself from the creep and turned to see his next dancer.
"You again", Kurt said to Blaine with a smile. Blaine shrugged, also smiling.
"It looked like you needed some saving again", he replied.
"Well, looks like you're my knight in shining armour", Kurt retorted. Wait. Where they flirting? Honestly, at that moment, Kurt didn't care. Dancing with Blaine was so much fun; he almost forgot all his other obligations. They kept up a flowing conversation through several songs, laughing as they made witty comments about the people around them. Kurt found out as the pair took a break for drinks, Blaine knew a lot of gossip about the Lords and Ladies of the land.
"Okay, that woman there slept with Lord Dinklebee". Kurt gasped when Blaine pointed out who the Lord was.
"But isn't there a Lady Dinklebee?" he asked. Blaine grinned and nodded, happy that Kurt was as astounded as he was.
"Yep, and she has no idea! But, I suppose she won't be too gutted, considering she's pregnant with Lord Frances' baby". Kurt gasped once again, grinning madly.
"This is amazing! This is better than the gossip at McKinley!" Blaine frowned, looking confused;
"Who's McKinley? I haven't heard of that family". Kurt laughed, causing Blaine to look even more confused.
"That was my high school back in Ohio. It sucked, but whatever. I'm glad to be away from it".
"I'm glad to hear it; you look so happy here, well, except when you're around me", Blaine said, trying to sound light hearted.
"Yeah, well…we can't exactly be best friends, can we?" Kurt said, surprised to see Blaine's face fall at this statement.
"I'm not my dad, Kurt. I told you that".
"I know", Kurt quickly replied, "but you have to understand why I can't completely trust you".
Blaine sighed, "I know, but I'm going to prove you wrong, just you wait and see" he said, getting his pep back. For the second time in the evening, Kurt was pulled onto the dance floor by Blaine, where they spent the next couple of hours dancing, talking, and generally ignoring everyone else, completely oblivious that they were being watched.
In the corner of the room, Sophia was not pleased. She could see Kurt was really enamoured with Blaine, whether romantically, or platonically, she did not know. But she was sure that she did not like it one bit. The Andersons were bad news; Kurt falling for the enemy was the exact opposite of what she had intended when the invited the pair to the castle. She would have to keep an eye out on this budding relationship.
The Queen was jostled out of her thoughts by a throat clearing beside her. Looking up, Lord Anderson was looming over her, watching Kurt and Blaine with a smug look on his face."
"Well, well, well, looks like my son and your grandson are getting awfully buddy-buddy", he stated. The Queen put on her most regal face and replied;
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Lord Anderson".
"Oh but I think you do", he said, "I saw the way you were looking at them just then. I would be concerned, if I were you. I don't think it will be long before young Kurt is madly in love with my dashing son. Then, Kurt will realise that it's almost time for his wedding; and he doesn't have anyone to get married to! Oh, but who has always been there for him? Who has he had feelings for this whole time? Why, it's Blaine! Then, before you know it, Blaine will have King to his title", Lord Anderson explained, chuckling.
The Queen was fuming. This was going to happen, she could tell. Kurt couldn't trust Blaine, because he would take advantage of her lovely, kind, generous grandson.
"Oh, I wouldn't stop it, if I were you", the Lord added, smirking, "you know how teenagers are; you tell them to do one thing, and they do the other. Forcing them apart will only bring them closer".
This made Sophia even more nervous. She marched as regally as she could over to the dancing pair, who were dancing a bit too closer for her liking, and gently prised them apart.
"Kurt. It's rude to ignore your other guests. I know for a fact that Lord Hunter has been waiting for a dance for half an hour". Kurt groaned, he was the sweaty one.
"Well, if you don't mind your majesty, but I think I would like to dance with Kurt a while longer", Blaine said, putting on his best puppy eyes.
"I most certainly do mind", she replied harshly, pulling Kurt away and over to the line of suitors waiting for his hand. She didn't miss Kurt's forlorn look over his shoulder to Blaine, or the way he half-heartedly danced with the other men for an hour, before returning back to Blaine's side.
Yes, she was going to have to keep an eye on this.
Hope you enjoyed-see you next chapter