Chapter 7
A month later…
Komui and Reever had decided to throw a Masquerade ball in honor of New Years. All the performers were dressed up, along with the rich nobles, and everyone was having fun. There was food, drinking, dancing, socializing, everything.
"Mister Komui?" Reever asked not being able to see Komui's face due to the gorilla mask obcuring his face.
"Mister Reever?" Komui replied seeing a man in a fish mask.
The two removed there masks and laughed.
"Dear Reever,
What a splendid party!" Komui complimented seeing all the attendees of the ball.
"The prologue
To a bright new year!" Reever sang.
"Quite a night!
I'm impressed!" Komui continued his compliments.
"Well, one does
One's best . . ." Reever admitted.
"Here's to us!" The two dipped up cups of punch and toasted.
"I must say, all the same, that
It's a shame that 'Phantom'
Fellow isn't here!" Komui laughed drinking his punch.
"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
So the world will
Never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around –
There's another
Mask behind you!
Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .
Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round . . .
In an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .
Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
Till you've drowned
In the light . . .
In the sound . . ." The performers sang as they danced on the grand stair case.
Lavi, dressed as a prince lead Kanda, dressed as a knight, down a deserted hallway away from the rest of the party.
"What are you doing?" Kanda asked, but was cut short when Lavi got down on one knee. "Wha…?"
"Kanda?" Lavi pulled out a ring on a chain. "Will you marry me?" Lavi blurted out.
Kanda was stunned, "I don't know what to say…"
"How about yes?" Lavi suggested.
Kanda nodded. "Yes." He fell into Lavi's arms, hugging him.
Lavi helped Kanda put the necklace on.
Kanda pulled back his long black hair to let Lavi clasp the necklace on. He glanced down at the ring. "It's beautiful."
"Just like you." Lavi kissed Kanda.
"Now that we are engaged… can I ask you a favor?" Kanda fiddled nervously with the ring.
"Yes of course."
"Please… Let's keep this engagement of ours a secret."
"But why?" Lavi asked, confused.
"Because, I don't want others to know. I defiantly don't want others to think differently of you, because of me. You are too important in society for others to react negatively against you. I don't want our love to endanger you."
"But, Kanda…"
"Please." Kanda begged, cutting off Lavi. "Keep it a secret… for me?"
Lavi sighed. "Of course, I would do anything for you."
"Thank you." Kanda kissed Lavi.
"We should get back to the party." Lavi smiled, leading Kanda back to the grand stair case.
"Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
Spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill –
Let the spectacle
Astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
Turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
At the sea of smiles
Around you!
Masquerade!
Seething shadows
Breathing lies . . .
Masquerade!
You can fool
Any friend who
Ever knew you!
Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
Peering eyes . . .
Masquerade!
Run and hide –
But a face will
Still pursue you!" The performers continued to sing.
"What a night!" Miranda mused.
"What a crowd!" Alma added.
"Makes you glad!" Reever stated.
"Makes you proud!" Komui finished.
"Watching us watching them!" Lenalee laughed.
"And all our fears
Are in the past!" Miranda and Alma smiled.
"Six months..." Reever cut in.
"Of relief!" Krory finished.
"Of delight!" Lenalee corrected.
"And we can breathe at last!" Miranda and Alma admitted.
"No more notes!" Lenalee wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"No more ghost!" Krory laughed.
"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
So the world will
Never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade!
Masquerade!
Look around –
There's another
Mask behind you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
Turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
At the sea of smiles
Around you!
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
Spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill –
Let the spectacle
Astound you!" The lights unexpectedly died as the performers finished their song.
Everyone gasped and whispered, fearing covering each word.
A few lights reignited and a figure stood at the top of the stairs.
The person was dressed in crimson red with black adornments on his outfit and a skull shaped mask covered his face.
But Kanda recognized the teen's unconcealed white hair.
"Why so silent,
Good monsieurs?" The crimson cloaked figure sang.
"Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me, good monsieurs?
I have written you an opera.
Here, I bring the finish score.
Don Juan Triumphant!" The Phantom threw a packet of sheet music onto the floor.
"Fondest greetings to you all,
A few instructions just before rehearsal starts" Allen walked up to Lenalee.
"Lenalee must be taught to act,
Not her normal trick of strutting 'round the stage." Allen waved off Lenalee's appalled gasp, moving on to Krory.
"Our Don Juan must gain some weight
It's not healthy in a man of Krory's age." Allen informed.
"And my managers must learn that their place is in an office,
Not the arts." Allen snapped at Reever and Komui.
"As for our star, Mister Kanda…" Allen looked Kanda in the eyes, the eyes still filled with love and compassion of the performing teen.
"No doubt he'll do his best.
It's true, his voice is good.
He knows, though
Should he wish to excel.
He has much still to learn
If pride will let him return to me, his teacher
His teacher..." Allen had walked over to Kanda and smiled seeing his beautiful angel of music. But rage and betrayal met him when he looked at Kanda's neck. Allen saw Lavi's ring on the necklace around Kanda's neck.
"Your chains are still mine, you belong to me!" Allen cried. Allen walked to the middle of the stair case and in a flash he was gone.
Angered about what Allen had said to his love, Lavi ran after Allen. He fell into a mirrored room. He looked around looking for the Phantom, but only seeing his images. Suddenly, a hand grabbed Lavi's shoulder.
"Please come with me." Miranda said as she dragged Lavi away.
