Yumi was preparing for that night's ball. As Sarah helped her into her attire for the evening, the hope that Yumi had found from seeing Ulrich earlier had flooded out of her. Listlessness consumed her heart.
Ever on and on I continue circling,
With nothing but my hate in a carousel of agony.
'Till slowly I forget, and my heart starts vanishing.
And suddenly I see that I can't break free.
"Don't look so damp, plumb."
Yumi ignored her maid's comment and just stared emptily into the full-length mirror in front of her. She noticed nothing of her appearance anymore - all she saw was gray. Like the rest of her world.
I'm slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity,
With nothing but my pain and the paralyzing agony
To tell me who I am , who I was.
Uncertainty enveloping my mind ,
'Till I can't break free.
"Thank you, Sarah. You may go, now."
"Yes, my lady. I'll send for your carriage now. It should arrive in a few minutes."
Yumi continued to stare at herself blankly after she had left.
"I hate you."
So I'm tired of all the pain , of the misery inside.
And I wish that I could live feeling nothing but the night.
You can tell me what to say; you can tell me where to go.
But I doubt that I would care, and my heart would never know.
. . .
As she was driven to the manor of tonight's master of ceremonies, Yumi watched the lights in the city's streets.
"What a foul place."
She tried to mentally prepare herself. For some reason, tonight was harder than the others. Why? So many nights like this, Yumi was able to kill her solid self and be reborn as the charming and bubbly woman who was always the center of attention at the larger social gatherings such as these. She usually did such a good job of this that her social status – as she was from one of the more influential families of London's upperclass – was not the only reason for this popularity.
'Till slowly I forget and my heart starts vanishing.
And suddenly I see that I can't break free.
As her coach came to a stop, Yumi hurriedly prepared herself for the next few hours. A calm and serene smile on her face, which was placed very well, considering the inner disgust welling inside of her stomach, she stepped out.
Yumi thanked the driver, and turned to face the open doors. She walked up the marble white steps, in through the doors. The attendants flanking either side of the entrance didn't so much as ask for her name or an invitation – thisproving as further evidence of her rank in the social world. Yumi had a strange feeling in her heart. But she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She walked down a hallway that was full of people. So many patrons stared at her as she gracefully slid through them all. All of the men, and most of the women, parted to let her pass. She, accustomed to this, ignored the eyes that burned through every inch of her being. She walked to another large open door that led into a room that was full of chatter.
The second Yumi took one step over the threshold, she was immediately greeted by a man with dark hair and shining eyes. She had the queerest feeling about the man, but hadn't the faintest idea why.
The man took her hand. He bents down and kissed it. Now, Yumi was very used to such procedures, as almost every gentleman she encountered did the same act. But this time, she felt a spark shoot up her arm. Her plastic smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly replaced it with another before it could be noticed and misinterpreted.
"I am very pleased that you could make it here this evening, my lady."
The man had the softest voice. It was deep and soothing.
"Let me introduce myself. I am the host of tonight's events, William Dunbar. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
This is.. strange. He's different, he truly is. This man..
Yumi did not let out even the slightest hint of her inner conflict. Oh, but how she could never know that this would soon turn into the largest external matter of her life..
"I am also very pleased to meet you, Lord William."
Yumi smiled a benevolent smile, which wasn't a complete facade. She didn't understand what could possibly be making her feel this way..
He led her into the center of the ballroom. Several inquisitive faces turned to observe them.
"May I be so gifted as to have the honor of being your dance partner for this evening, my dear Yumi?"
She placed her hand in his, as they began a slow waltz. Violins reverberated off the stone walls surrounding the large floor, covered with beautiful paintings.
"You may."
Yumi did not notice the flash that passed through William's eyes. She had no idea of the intense misfortune that those two words would bring her in the near future.
As they danced, William's eyes never left hers. Other partners began to dance as well, taking a large amount of attention off of them that was present a mere moment ago.
Such idle minds.
This thought would usually have annoyed her greatly. But not tonight.
"May I pry a tad bit, my dear? I have noticed this from the few occasions in which we have happened to have been present at the same parties and whatnot. Judging by your solitary attitude at these events, I've realized that a lady such as yourself must be very selective. This has brought me to the conclusion that you do not have very many people close to you. I have also noticed that you are very.. ah.. picky about your dance partners. I saw that you turned every one of them down."
Yumi grinned at this.
"You're nothing if you're just another."
On the inside, William was overflowed with a newfound excitement and glee. It seemed like it would be much easier after all. He had already begun to interest her.
Now, if there should be no interruptions..
"Then it seems like I will continue to impress you by rising above your expectations, my dear Yumi."
