This is one of my absolute favorite chapters I've ever written, as you read it should be easy to figure out why. To help make this a little clear:
'text' is Yuu singing, 'text' is Mika singing, and 'text' is both Yuu and Mika singing
Chapter 8
So This is Love?
At the palace, music can be heard loud and clear from the ballroom and every room is lit brightly. In the ballroom, Mika leans against one wall, wearing a white and silver suit with black shoes, wearing a black mask with the silver pattern to look like thorns and vines, his arms crossed and having a far off distance in his eyes, waiting for Yuu.
Just watching the prince appear so distant, every one of the eligible maiden and lad felt that perhaps someone has already won his heart so they all had decided not to bother him.
Concern starting to form in the pit of his stomach, worried that something must have happened to his Yuu, Mika hears a voice, "Good evening, my prince."
Turning his attention to the one who spoke to him, Mika is greeted by a young woman around the same age as Guren with long, violet purple hair and red eyes, next to her is a girl of fifteen with her hair up around her head in a braid with her bangs hugging the sides of her face, her hands folded neatly in front of her, and a thirteen-year-old boy with his brown hair combed back, keeping his eyes down. Mika bows his head in greeting. "Good evening, madam."
"Are you enjoying yourself, sire?"
"So far things are fine."
"I'm glad to hear that. Now I believe I have something that belongs to you." At these words, Mika is shocked as Mahiru takes out the ring he had given Yuu this morning and gives him the ring.
Wondering why she has his ring, Mika asks, "Where did you get this?"
"My servant had it and I believe he had stolen that beautiful ring from you, my prince. As a thief I simply could not allow him to attend the masquerade ball with us." Mahiru says very proudly.
To hear that this woman made sure that Yuu is not attending the ball with them caused Mika's heart to sink and his anger to grow towards the woman. "Now, surely you would like to offer my sister a dance, sire?" Mahiru gestures to Shinoa, who steps closer and curtsies to Mika, her eyes remain on the floor.
Tightly clutching the ring in his hand, Mika excuses himself and leaves the three to be alone to come up with an alternative way to see Yuu again. Watching from a balcony overlooking the ballroom, King Sirius is just baffled that his son is just ignoring every maiden and lad, he even witnessed him turning down a dance with one lovely girl. "That boy still isn't cooperating."
Watching the prince, Guren had come to a realization that perhaps the prince has already chosen someone to love as he remembers the boy he saw the prince with the other morning. He had wanted to inform his king of his realization, but Guren had been unsure if his suspicions were correct up until now, yet he still remains quiet, deciding to let the king watch.
Five minutes after ten, Yuu arrives at the palace, his mask secure on his face. Hearing the music, Yuu follows the sound to where the ballroom is. Alone in the gardens, Mika had been pacing, very furious that Lady Mahiru has prevented Yuu from coming and he's been spending a lot of time figuring out how he can find his Yuichiro.
Just then, he could hear footsteps loud and clear from back inside. Checking over his shoulder, Mika sees a familiar yet masked figure enter the ballroom. His heart leaping, Mika smiles as he heads back inside to confront the newcomer.
Hiding in the shadows of the ballroom, Yuu glances from behind a pillar, searching for Mika when he feels someone gently grab his wrist. Tearing his eyes away from the ballroom, Yuu could feel his heart skip a beat as he stares into a pair of familiar blue eyes as everything else vanish, leaving just the two of them. Not a single word is said as Mika draws closer to Yuu, one hand raising to his face, the back of his gloved fingers gently stroke his cheek.
His eyes sparkle like emeralds, Yuu smiles up at him as he holds the hand caressing his cheek. Returning the smile as he then holds Yuu's hand, Mika leads him into the middle of the ballroom, leaving many watching gawking, even the king who had been watching from the balcony begins to smile at the fact his son has at last chosen who he wants to love and marry.
Now it is time for the dance so Sirius gives the signal to make the lights soft, the band getting ready to play the romantic music and everyone clears the center for the dance. Everything ready, Mika holds Yuu by his waist, Yuu wrapping his arms around Mika's neck and the two begin to dance to the perfect music together.
Watching the two appear so peaceful, so in love as they dance, Sirius couldn't be anymore happy of how well this had gone. Then the king lets out a yawn and stretches his arms. "Well, now I can have pleasant dreams tonight."
"Sleep well, sire." Guren bows to his king, bidding him good night. "I'll make certain they are not interrupted and inform you later of the results."
"See to it that you do." With that, Sirius leaves the ballroom for his bedchamber, now he can sleep in peace and looks forward to the wedding.
Watching the prince appear in pure bliss as he dances with the newcomer, Shinoa can already tell that he is her brother, thrilled that he had found a way to make it to the ball. Her sister may want her to be the one to marry the prince, but she knows that Yuu and the prince already have that kind of bond that can only be shared between lovers and she would never want to take that away from him.
Mahiru, however, is not pleased that some boy has the prince all to himself when he should be dancing with her precious sister. Trying to see past the mask, Mahiru could feel a sense of familiarity with the boy. As the two dance off into the gardens, Mahiru tried to follow them when the curtain shuts in front of her, Guren clearing his throat as he does his job to prevent anyone from disturbing the prince and his chosen partner.
Dancing among the many beautiful flowers and trees, Yuu lays his head on Mika's shoulder and Mika holds him even closer as they simply sway from side to side. Now that they are completely alone, Mika stops the swaying as he whispers, "This is really you, Yuu-chan?"
Without answering, Yuu simply leans away a bit with Mika gently grabbing the sides of his mask. Removing the mask, the smiles remain as Mika sees that it is indeed his Yuu as the raven also removes his mask then they lean closer with their foreheads touching, both just letting out their love for each other as Yuu starts to hum and sing to the man before him.
So this is love
So this is love
So this is what makes life
Divine
Taking his hand once again, Mika leads Yuu through the gardens, the two just walking side by side.
I'm all aglow
And now I know
Then Mika joins in, singing.
And now I know
The key to all heaven
Is mine
My heart has wings
And I can fly
I'll touch every star
In the sky
Once again they dance, the endless stars shimmer above them like countless diamonds.
So this is the miracle
That I've been dreaming of
Walking onto a beautiful bridge, the two gaze into their reflection in the mirror-like lake before turning their gazes back to each other.
So this
Is
Love
