I think I own you an explanation why it took me so long to write this chapter. Well, I'm going to be really honest and say that I got stuck in another fanfic. It was so good, so I couldn't let go of it! As soon as I got some spare time, I read it, which made the time for my own story very limited. I'm sorry! But here's a new chapter :)
It was the night before my brother's birthday. Kurt was in my room and showed me different clothes to wear for tomorrow. He seemed quite nervous every time I was about to open my mouth and say an option. For that, I couldn't blame him. To be around royals was all new to him. He had always been good at putting together outfits, but this was a situation he wasn't prepared for.
"Can I wear this?" Kurt asked and showed me a beautiful suit.
I nodded and smiled. "You will look stunning in it."
"So, you don't think I look stunning without wearing it?" he teased and pretended to get offended.
I laughed a little. Even if I didn't feel like smiling, he had the power to make me laugh.
"You know I always find you stunning," I said and kissed him on the lips. I knew it sounded like a cheesy line from a movie, but after all, it was the truth. I had promised myself to never lie to him again – and that was a promise I would keep.
He kissed me back and then pushed me away gently. "You're wrinkling the suit!"
I smiled. "Sorry."
He rolled his eyes and smiled slightly while he tried to fix the already perfect suit. "This is important, Blaine. It's fashion we're talking about."
"Yes, and I'm talking about how stunning you are. Isn't that an important subject as well?"
He pretended to think about it. "You do have a point," he said and laid the suit on my bed. "Fine, go on."
I really wanted to go on about how amazing Kurt was, but suddenly, I couldn't. When I started to think of everything that were against us, it became harder to see us with a future. One day, I might have to say goodbye to him. Otherwise, my dad would make both of our lives a living hell. For Kurt, I would take it. But I wouldn't let him take it for me.
Kurt seemed to notice how my mood changed. "Are you okay?"
I sighed. "Yeah. I'm sorry."
He looked at me with concerned eyes. "What's wrong?"
I pressed my lips together, not sure what to say. I didn't want this moment to end in tears. It had been so hard for me to not cry lately. To end up doing that again, wasn't something I would allow myself to do.
"We can talk about it another time," I said and forced a smile. "Let's go back to your suit. I think it's perfect."
"Blaine," he said firmly and looked me right in the eyes. "Just tell me what's wrong."
I took a deep breath. "It feels like… like we're pretending," I said slowly.
"Okay, and why is that?" he asked softly.
"I think you know why. This won't work forever."
He was quiet for a while. "It might not be easy, but we'll make it. I know we will."
"I just feel like our destinies are already decided. I can't escape from who I am. I tried, but it didn't work," I said and let a few seconds past before I continued. "Maybe, we're just not meant for each other."
It hurt to say these words.
He took my hand and led me to the couch. "Let's sit down for a while."
I did as he told me.
How could thoughts have such a power over you? They made me feel so lost. So alone. Every night, I dreamed that I would be in a prison for a lifetime. I never woke up before I've been there for at least many years. It was weird how you even could be trapped in a dream. Maybe you didn't know it then, but later, you would blame yourself for not waking up earlier.
I felt bad for being like this when Kurt was here. I wanted to be the old me, the Warbler he fell in love with. But I couldn't be him here. That was the problem.
"I meant what I said a few days ago. We are in this together. If I so have to charm your dad for years – I will," Kurt said and smiled a little. "He will adore me when I'm done with him."
"I don't doubt that," I said and couldn't help but smile as well. "But what about going back to America?"
"That's the hard part," he sighed. "I think we need some time to figure it out."
I nodded. "But how can you be so sure that we will though?"
"I'm not," he said honestly. "But if we don't think about it like it's going to happen, then it won't."
"When did you get so smart?"
He rolled his eyes. "I've always been a genius."
"Of course," I said and laughed.
He looked at the clock on my bedside table. "I should get back to the hotel. It's pretty late."
I nodded slowly, a little disappointed that he had to go.
"Will you be okay?" he asked and squeezed my hand.
"Yes," I promised.
He nodded. "Call me otherwise. See you tomorrow," he said and kissed me softly before he left.
The next day I got dressed in a suit with a matching bowtie. I also gelled my hair before I found the rest of my family in the ballroom.
"Blaine, what do you think?" Cooper asked as soon as he saw me.
Everything looked amazing, but very formal. On a table, there were glasses filled with champagne or cider for the guests to mingle with. An orchestra practiced classic music in one of the corners of the room. The floor was also very open, so it would be easy to dance if someone wanted to.
"It looks great," I said and went to my brother, so I could give him a hug. "Happy birthday."
"Thanks," he said and grinned. "I think this is going to be an amazing day. I just feel it."
I smiled at his enthusiasm.
"Oh, you two look so handsome!" my mom exclaimed and looked at us from the other side of the room. "Steven, can't we take a picture of them before everyone is coming?"
"Of course, darling," he answered. He walked to us and lowered his voice. "Let's remember the moment before you screw everything up."
He took the picture with his phone and then left us alone.
"He seems to be in a good mood today," Cooper joked.
I laughed. It was funny how true it actually was. To call my mom darling was not often, and either was leaving us alone so quickly. My smile faded when I realised the obvious; could he be up to something?
"Can Kurt come earlier than the others?" I asked Cooper.
"I wish, but everyone would wonder how he knew us so well. It would look a bit strange to have him with us when we welcomed the rest."
"Yeah, I guess so," I agreed while I looked at all the maids who worked to get everything done in time.
"Sorry, little brother," he said and left me alone when someone called for him.
I sighed. This was going to be a long day. I wasn't up for it at all.
"Your Highness?" a maid asked and looked nervous.
"Yes?" I said and smiled at her. She was very young and seemed unsure how to talk to me.
"Do you need any help with anything? I was supposed to help you get dressed for today, but you seem to have done that yourself. I mean, you look really good. I didn't mean that you can't dress yourself, I just-" She stopped herself and blushed hard. "Sorry, Sir."
I continued to smile at her. "Don't apologize. Just take a deep breath. You're doing fine," I encouraged. "What's your name?"
"Mandy," she said shyly.
"Then, Mandy, I think you should go and see if you can help someone of the maids in here," I said.
She nodded. "Thank you, Sir."
"For what?" I couldn't help but ask.
"For not firing me. I spoke to you in a very inappropriate way. I'm having a really bad day and-" She stopped herself again like she had said too much.
"Everyone can have a bad day," I said and smiled.
She smiled back, nodded and went to the other maids.
The guests started to drop in a couple of hours later. I shook hands, smiled at everyone and mingled.
Time passed, and Kurt didn't show up. I searched for him all day, but without any luck. Where could he be? Had he decided to not come?
"It's almost time for your speech," Cooper suddenly whispered in my ear.
The speech. Oh no. I had completely forgotten about it. What should I say? I had literally no ideas at all. I hadn't come up with anything good the night Kurt surprised me. Great. I was soon about to hold a speech for at least a hundred of guests and didn't have a clue what to say. I was also pretty sure TV would be here to film my failure. Could it get any worse?
I tried to think positive. It would only be a short speech. I had been trained for situations like this one my whole life. You got this, Blaine. What I needed to say was not much. I needed to wish Cooper a happy birthday, thank everyone for coming, say that I was glad to be home and talk about how great the day had been so far. It was not that hard.
As I had assumed, the TV-team entered shortly thereafter.
"It's time," Cooper said and laid a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You will do amazing."
I nodded and went to the corner where the orchestra was playing. I gestured for them to stop. Many of the guests looked in my direction when the music faded away. I smiled and clinked in my glass with a spoon. When I had gotten everyone's attention, I put the spoon down.
"Good afternoon," I greeted and tried to sound like I knew what I was doing. "I would like to thank everyone for coming and say a special happy birthday to my brother." I looked at him and he smiled. "I feel so honored to share this day with him. Also, it has been a pleasure to talk to many of you here today. How welcoming you still are after all this time, it's truly amazing. I'm happy to be home and looking forward to the rest of this day. Thank you," I finished and raised my glass with a smile.
I got an applause, and I nodded as a thank you. The orchestra started to play again while I made my way to Cooper.
"That was really-"
"Have you seen Kurt?" I interrupted and looked around the room.
"No… Hasn't he came yet?" he asked in surprise.
I shook my head. "I need to call him."
He nodded and clearly understood how concern I was over this. "Just make it quick. If someone asks for you, I make something up."
"Thanks," I said gratefully and went out of the room as fast as I could without making it look weird.
I walked to my room to get some privacy to call Kurt.
"Hey," he said when he finally picked up.
"Why aren't you here? Have something happened? Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.
"Well…" he started and seemed to choose his words very carefully. "Your dad kind of… threatened me."
"He did what?" I said in shock. This couldn't be happening. "How did he threaten you?"
"I think he has looked up my number or something, because he called me this morning. He said that if I came today, you would be the one who had to pay for it."
He threatened Kurt with giving me slaps. This was unbelievable. "I can't believe he did that."
"Me neither," he sighed.
"Why didn't you call or text me about it?" I asked.
"Your dad said that I wasn't allowed to disturb you during the day either. So, I didn't dare to."
"I'm so sorry."
"Stop apologize for your dad. He's the one who should say sorry."
"I guess. But he never will. So, I think someone should," I said honestly.
"You're too good for your own good, Blaine," he said and sighed. "You can't live like this. You can let your dad have so much power over your life."
"I know... I just don't know how to change it."
"We'll figure it out," he said softly.
It was quiet for a while. I listened to the sound of his breaths.
"I will come over," I said and broke the silence.
"What? You can't do that," Kurt said, clearly surprised.
"Why not? I've done everything I needed to do here," I said. "I just tell Cooper and then sneak out."
"It's insane, Blaine. If someone finds out, it won't be any good headlines tomorrow."
The following words surprised me just as much as they surprised Kurt. "I don't care."
What do you think will happen next? Is Blaine going to sneak out or listen to Kurt? Find out in Chapter 10!
