THE ROYAL ENGAGEMENT

Chapter 4:

Previously:

"Good night, Princess. I'll be looking forward for a dance with you tomorrow evening." He said with a grin.

She scoffed before she ran her hand to the lengths of her hair, flipping it to the side. "As if, Yukihira."

Contrary to what was expected—or at least what he expected—Prince Soma spent more time than usual in selecting his outfit for the night.

He have been standing in front of his closet for the past fifteen minutes, trying to figure out an appropriate attire for the upcoming party. He grabbed two coats of the same color, holding it up in front of him and trying to figure out what was different from the other.

He was never one of those who stressed over their clothes. His casual outfits were usually the first thing that he can grab from his closet. In fact, in these kinds of occasions he would usually let his mother or his maids choose his formal attire. And truthfully, he didn't even know the distinction between those formal attires that he wore on different occasions because more often than not, it felt like he was just wearing the same blue garb over and over again. Their seamstress once told him that it was all on the details, but honestly, how could he tell? It's not like everyone would inspect every little detail of his outfit much less something as trivial as an embroidery.

So while he didn't usually care about what he wore, this time it was different. This time he wasn't the one being celebrated. He wasn't the center of the celebration. He just couldn't get away by wearing the same-styled outfit that has their kingdom's color. This time, he was on an unfamiliar territory and he needed to make a great first impression. Everyone in attendance would know one another—or at least must have known of each other if they were all allied to Totsuki. He would be the stranger among the crowd and just like the King had suggested the previous night, he must outdo them all—not just for himself (well, partly) but also for the pride of the kingdom where he came from.

"Why don't we tailor you a new one? Totsuki have the best seamstresses—well, our servants are always the best among the best—but anyways, seriously, it would be done in no time."

This was what Princess Alice had said the previous night but Soma doubted that they could finish tailoring up a new coat for him in time for tonight's ball. Instead, he'll call a servant and have them alter one of his formal outfit.

He carefully searched his wardrobe for something that could easily be altered. He wouldn't want to trouble the seamstress with this added chore and he figured that they couldn't do much with the little time that they had before the ball. In the end, he chose black pants paired with cream colored suit with dark blue lapels.

Carrying his clothes, Prince Soma went outside of his room with the intention of following (partly) Princess Alice's advice. His feet brought him downstairs where he had to dodge several servants carrying flowers and garlands from one place to the other. He stopped at the foot of the stairs and observed the chaos that was ensuing.

"Now this is as bad as a stampede," he muttered to himself. He was probably exaggerating but that was how it looked like at the moment. And to think that he was not even at the ballroom. He couldn't stop but whistle in amazement as his eyes roamed the floor.

Windows were being opened, curtains were being replaced, every nook was being dusted and not a single corner was left unattended. There were servants polishing the doorknob, the portrait frames and the handrails. Some were carrying a tower of salad plates and others were pushing tables towards the ballroom. Others were pulling clothes rack full of gowns and another one filled with tail coats of different colors. Everyone seemed to have their hands full and Soma was starting to doubt if there was even a seamstress available to patch up his garb.

He passed over the servants carrying the newly washed red carpet and they gladly pointed him towards the direction of the Tailoring Chamber.

When he arrived, he debated on whether or not he should knock. He couldn't risk bumping into an unassuming maid-servant inside so he rapped his knuckles at the door three times and waited a moment before going inside.

He was expecting the same kind of chaos like what was happening outside but he was a little disappointed to see that it was the complete opposite. The room was busy yet quiet and for a moment Soma started to question if he was still in the same building. The only thing that can be heard was the hum of the sewing machine and the quiet murmurs of the tailors inside the room.

A servant girl was approaching carrying rolls of fabric and Soma almost felt guilty at stopping her path and getting her attention.

"Oh, Prince Soma!" the girl exclaimed, surprise evident on her face at seeing the prince inside the room. "Good morning, Your Highness. How may I help you?" She asked once she got over her initial shock.

"I was hoping that you can do something about this," Soma said, lifting the pair that he had brought with him.

The servant girl dumped the fabrics at a nearby table and took the garments from the prince's hand.

"On what occasion do you need this for?" the girl asked as she extended her arms and examined the suit.

Soma lifted a hand and scratched the back of his neck. "I'm wearing it tonight. I was hoping that one of you could alter it or something, I don't know. Put a bead maybe?"

The girl put down the suit and gave him a confused look, her eyebrows scrunched together. "I don't understand. You didn't like the outfit that we've prepared for you?"

Now it was Soma's turn to be confused.

"What outfit?" he asked because as far as he knew, no one has given him any instruction on what to wear. If they did then it would've saved him the time he spent trying to find the difference between a blue coat and another blue coat.

"We made you an outfit for the Grand Gala." She said as she re-collected the rolls of fabrics from the table. She started distributing them around the room and Soma was left with no other choice but to follow at her heels.

"It was mostly done but we still need your measurements for the necessary adjustments. What we've used were only rough estimations." When Soma didn't reply, the girl turned. "You didn't know?"

"Nope. This is the first time that I am hearing about this." Soma replied with a shrug.

"Our deepest apologies, Your Highness." She hastily said as she bowed down her head.

"No, no. It's okay. At least I got to wear something new." He reassured with a chuckle. "Now where is it so I could try it on?"

;

After leaving the Tailoring Chamber, Soma was at a loss for what to do. He couldn't just intrude in the kitchen like usual. The halls were crowded. He couldn't chat with one of the guards since the security was being tightened.

He heaved a sigh. It seemed like a start of a boring day for the prince. He pocketed his hands and started walking, proceeding to wherever his feet may take him. He didn't notice that he was almost outside the castle until he heard the gallops of horses of the guards on patrol.

Maybe I could go around town. He thought and his mouth curved upward. He turned around and fastened his pace now that he has a destination in mind. He figured that he can avoid all that bizarre activities going on inside if he went around the castle so that's what he did. He was turning at the last corner towards the stables when he ran over Satoshi who seemed to have just came back from his errands.

"Prince Soma. What a great timing." The butler said as he steadied the prince. Before Soma can reply, Satoshi thrust a roll of parchment towards the prince's hand.

"What is this?" Soma asked.

Satoshi only smiled, his eyes almost disappearing between his eyelids. "Your competitions." He said before patting Soma's back and leaving the prince standing.

Soma stared at the parchment for a moment before he decided to pull the ribbon holding it all together. He unfolded the paper and he couldn't help but shake his head in amusement as he scanned its contents.

Prince Zen Sasaki of the Southern Iles

Prince Lout Jongerson of Berkland

Prince Ethan Nakamura of the Northern Borders

And the list goes on. He didn't fail to notice that only the list of the princes invited were given to him.

"That Isshiki," he muttered as he once again rerouted towards the palace. "He never failed to give me something to do."

;

The music started just as the carriages arrived one after the other. Prince and princesses with their escorts poured into the castle and it wasn't long before the ballroom was packed with royals.

Soma quietly sipped his wine as he observed his surroundings. He just came back at the banquet table after socializing with the others.

The moment he stepped downstairs after beings announced by the herald, he was circled by a couple of curious royals. He was pulled from one conversation to another, being bombarded by questions left and right. He used this as a chance to introduce himself, his kingdom and vice versa. He made sure that he left an impression that he wasn't just some nobody prince latching to a strong ally for his personal gain.

And he made an impression alright.

The princesses he had met have shown him interests, gladly engaging him in small talks that mostly took up his time. The princes on the other hand gave him wary looks and suspicious glance, gauging if he was a threat or someone to be trusted. He tried to give them a smile—every time—which he hoped was more innocent than mischievous.

But on every conversation, he was always asked with the same question: on whether or not he was here to compete for the hand of Totsuki's princess. With this also came the realization that most of the attendees in this ball were either suitors, or the one looking for suitors. He would always answer without giving anything away, sometimes with a shrug and oftentimes a challenging smirk thrown over the other princes' way—especially toward those he didn't like.

Hmph. Those arrogant bunch.

"Enjoying the party?" a voice asked and he turned to see Princess Alice dragging his previous dance partner behind.

"Very," he replied raising his wine glass. "Though I'm currently in hiding."

"Nonsense. Come on, have a dance with me." Before he can refuse, Alice took his wine glass and passed it towards his partner. "Oh, and by the way. Prince Soma, this is Prince Ryo. Ryo, Prince Soma. Now, I expect you two to get along okay?" She said, hastily introducing the two princes and then dragging Soma to the dance floor.

"Is it really okay leaving him like that?" he asked once they were at the center.

"Oh, he'd be alright. Now tell me, have you asked her to dance yet?" She asked and they both know who she was talking about.

"If you hadn't noticed, I've been busy." Soma replied, looking apologetic.

"So I'm your first dance?"

"Apparently."

The both of them looked over the princess in question. She was engaged in a conversation with Prince Shoji, the second in line for the Tuven kingdom. Though he could tell that it was hardly a conversation at all. Princess Erina was facing the dance floor, a wine glass in hand, while the other prince was at her side trying to draw her attention. But other than a hum or a short reply, the blonde princess kept her eyes forward. Soma saw how Prince Shoji's shoulders sag before he straightened and bowed to the princess, bidding his goodbye. Princess Erina bowed in return and when she returned her gaze to the dance floor, Soma caught her eye. He raised an eyebrow at the princess and in return, she rolled her eyes and strolled towards the banquet.

Soma gave a chuckle. "That was the sixth one, I think." He said.

"What do you mean?" Alice asked before Soma twirled her in place and catching her once again.

"It was the sixth prince that she rejected." He explained. He turned to Alice and gave her a smirk. "Your cousin is such a heartbreaker."

"Someone is paying attention." Alice singsonged.

To this, Soma gave a laugh. "Oh, please." He said, neither denying nor agreeing to Alice.

They finished one song before Princess Alice decided that she needed rest. Prince Ryo was standing to the same place where they left him, looking bored and uninterested with his surroundings. His all-black get up added to his vibe. Before they reached him, the white haired princess nudged Soma's side and then pointed at her cousin with a small frown adorning her face. Soma escorted her to Ryo's side, passing her hand to the other prince, before turning towards the direction Alice was pointing.

The first thing that caught his attention when he looked over was the black aura that seemed to be emanating from the blonde princess. Whatever her companion was saying—well, it was obvious that she didn't like it. Her back was stiff, her perfectly mastered neutral expression was cracking and her mouth was starting to curve down.

"Prince Eizan Etsuya of Destopia." He muttered, referring to the prince with rectangular glasses and swept-back hair that was currently the source of Princess Erina's bad mood. He heard an annoyed huff from his sided and it seemed that this guy managed to annoy not one but two Nakiri princess.

"I hate that guy." Alice spat bitterly. "Why did Satoshi invited him?"

Soma didn't reply and instead continued to observe the interaction between the two. Prince Eizan seemed to be oblivious to all the hate and glares he was receiving. That, or he was just persistent. Princess Erina was flat out ignoring him but that didn't deter the guy. He moved towards Erina's line of sight and continued talking as if nothing was amiss.

A servant was approaching them carrying a tray of empty wine glass and ice bucket containing red wine. Princess Erina was about to place her own glass on the tray when Prince Eizan suddenly took the wine glass from her hold and put it in the tray himself.

Erina huffed and when she was about to turn away from the prince, Eizan grabbed her hand and slowly brought it to his lips.

Soma saw how Erina's eyes turned into slits and he felt how his own eyes twitched. With purposeful strides, he marched towards their direction with his hands on his pockets. Neither one saw him coming which works in his favor when he snatched Erina's hand from Eizan's grasp.

"May I cut in?" He asked nonchalantly as he stepped between the two. "I believe the princess has promised me a dance." He added giving Eizan a smile as if he didn't just intrude on their conversation.

"I certainly—" Erina started but stopped when Soma looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She looked at him and then at the other prince—probably weighing her options. She narrowed her eyes as she returned her gaze to the red-head and Soma smirked knowing that he won.

"I certainly did." She said slowly then turned to the four-eyed prince. "If you'll excuse us, Prince Eizan." She said curtly.

"It's okay. It couldn't be helped." Prince four-eyes replied all the while giving Soma a look that says it was definitely not okay. He wasn't put off with the way Eizan was eying him murderously behind his spectacles. The other prince was seething and Soma treated it as a little victory.

"Don't I at least get a thank you?" Soma teased once they were positioned on the dance floor waiting for the current music to fade and for another melody to begin.

"Please. I didn't need your help." Erina replied as she let Soma clasp her right hand and let her other hand rest on his shoulder.

"It didn't look that way to me."

"I had it under control."

"Sure you do. You look like you were going to murder that prince before I interfered."

"Oh shut up."

Soma just laughed and Erina pinched his shoulder in return. This made him flinch which also made Erina smirk.

They glided on the dance floor as the music progressed. Soma took the lead in guiding her when, how and which way to turn. Their feet synched with the beat of the music and each step was executed perfectly and gracefully. They danced effortlessly and soon all eyes were trained on them. It was probably because of Princess Erina's gown. She was dressed in a glittering ball gown in gradient blue, dark blue on the top which gets lighter and lighter on the waist down. It didn't help that it looks like a starry night sky whenever she spins.

"They can't get their eyes off of you." Soma whispered conspiratorially after another twirl. "You do look beautiful tonight."

"I don't need you to tell me that." Erina said as she turned away with a blush faintly visible on her face. "Though I had to admit, you cleaned up well yourself." She said in a tone that told him he should be thankful to hear those words coming from her. Soma just chuckled.

"Huh. Well this is surprising." She commented after a while. She wasn't looking at him so Soma didn't know what she was talking about. "Who knew you can attract a few admirers?" Erina said with a raised eyebrow as she returned her gaze at him.

Soma looked around and saw a couple of princesses he met earlier waving at him. He smiled in return before looking back at the blonde princess. He wouldn't really call them admirers but, well…

"Couldn't blame them. Who could resist these charms?" He was mostly teasing but it didn't stop him from flashing her a boyish grin, the one that her mother had always said would make any girl swoon.

"Such arrogance." Erina said as she rolled her eyes.

"I'm a prince. What did you expect?"

What he didn't expect was a laugh that bubbled out of her mouth. It ended as soon as it came, or rather, as soon as Erina realized what came out of her mouth.

"Did you just laugh?" Soma asked in disbelief.

Erina stared at him in amusement. "I believe I just cried."

"Very funny. But I still made you laugh though." Soma stated triumphantly.

"Don't get used to it."

He wasn't. But it sure felt good hearing that sound. He should make her laugh more often. He mentally added it to the list of things he wanted her to do more often.

;

It went better than he expected, if he do say so himself. The number of songs that they danced to speaks volume. They danced through four songs, though the fact that they spoke nothing but the negative aspects of her suitors wasn't exactly productive.

It was mostly Erina complaining, or rather, stating her critical judgment on why they were not suited for her. How Prince Zen was such a wimp he would be useless if ever war broke out. How Prince Lout was overly confident and self-centered she wouldn't expect him to prioritize his subjects' need before his own. Of course Soma wasn't spared.

"Honestly, I don't know how this engagement can be beneficial to both of us." She said frankly. "I don't know anything about you and your kingdom."

"And whose fault is that?" He teased and Erina blushed.

"That's… Ugh. That's because you can be so annoying sometimes."

He just laughed and somehow it felt like a truce between them has been reached.

He almost made her laugh again when he commented on how Prince Eizan looked like a snake when he was guiding her to the dance floor earlier. And then it started the litany of things that she found annoying about the four-eyed prince, with Soma pitching in from time to time. It was probably rude and disrespectful—making fun of a prince from an allied kingdom—but at that time, all Soma cared about was the fact that the Nakiri heiress was finally having fun.

;;;

End note: Sorry for the seven month delay but I hope you all like this chapter. Pardon me for the errors but I'll probably edit it if I wasn't so sleepy. Anyways, thank you for reading and a big thanks to those of you who left reviews. Your feedbacks are always appreciated. :')

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.thatgirl.