As soon a Celi took Cinderfell's hand an extraordinary sensation of motherly love overcame her. She wanted to bosom hug the young man that was dancing with her. She wanted to kiss his cheeks and tell him that everything was all right and that he was loved, yet she did not understand were these feelings were coming from. She looked into his eyes behind the mask and saw pain and loneliness although he was smiling at her.
At first when they exchanged partners, Celi felt that the boy was reluctant to dance with her. But after they took each other's hand she felt him immediately relax into the dance. She talked to him, and observed that at first he spoke shyly and quickly gained confidence throughout their conversation. Her two sons, understandably, want her to interrogate the young man that had captivated their King. She did not have to interrogate the young man she was dancing with. She did not know what it was, but the boy in front of her was perfect for His Majesty. Yuuri had chosen wisely.
Cinderfell at first had not wanted to dance with Lady Celi. He knew that as soon as she proposed the exchange of dance partners it was to interrogate him. When he took Lady Celi's hand he felt instantly at ease. Instead of her asking him who he was, where he lived, who was his family, etc… She had looked at him and asked what he thought of the King. Eventually she found out that he thought that the Maou was a wimp. She had laughed when he told her. It had been a beautiful laugh full of life and energy. Eventually he did not know why, he felt as if he could confess everything to her, just like he would if he had a mother to talk to.
Yuuri had given into Celi's request out of courtesy. He knew that Conrart and Celi were up to something. Yuuri looked at Conrart with a 'tell me the truth' look. "Tell me Conrad, why did Celi insist on changing partners?"
"She wanted to meet your handsome partner. You know how she is."
"I know, a big flirt and the most appropriate person to find out who and what someone is!"
"I guess you have her well figured out."
"I guess I do," said Yuuri. They continued to dance until the music ended. "I think I better go rescue the Cid," said Yuuri.
"So his name is Cid?" asked Conrart.
"Cid Fellow, but I don't think that is his real name."
"It is on odd name, but why do say that?" Conrart looked at Yuuri questioningly. Yuuri was beginning to be able to read people.
"It is the way he stuttered when he told me."
"I see." Conrart looked over the Celi and Cinderfell. He wondered why the Cinderfell had lied about his name.
Sara and his dance partner began to make their way to Yuuri, but Yuuri and Conrart quickly stepped away from the dance floor, as did Celi and Cinderfell. Sara growled at missing Yuuri again. He was going to dance with him if it was the last thing he would ever do!
Celi, Cinderfell, Yuuri, and Conrart met by the drinks table.
Celi looked about the room. "Ooo, Conrart isn't that Lady Isabela over there?" She pointed towards a beautiful woman about Conrart's age.
"I believe it…" Conrart was pulled away by Celi towards Lady Isabela leaving Yuuri and Cinderfell alone. Instead, Conrart dragged his mother back on to the dance floor.
"Well what did you find out mother?" asked Conrart.
A smile lit her face. "He is the most wonderful young man I have ever met!"
"What else mother?"
"He is loving, kind, stubborn, lonely and sad, has a very sharp tongue, selfless, sort of arrogant, a brat, proud, prudish, has no qualms of speaking his mind, and very much in love with our Yuuri. He will do anything to protect our King at any costs. He is what Yuuri needs."
Conrart looked at his mother with a blank face. She was supposed to find out who he was. "Mother, did he tell you anything about himself?"
"Like what dear?"
"Who he is…where he's from…etc."
"I didn't have time to ask him those questions. They're trivial," she said. She smiled at her son and added one more thing, "I wonder if I can adopt him."
Yuuri asked Cinderfell, "Want to dance?"
Cinderfell looked about the room and saw Sara making his way towards them. Great, just what he needed. He had to think of something quick. He took Yuuri by the arm and pulled him away towards where some nobles were talking.
"You should mingle with the nobles Yuuri!" said Cinderfell. "This is a good time to speak them."
"Uh? But, I want to dance with you."
Cinderfell humpfed at Yuuri. "You can't dance all night. You have to talk with the nobility and not ignore them. You have to make sure that they know that you are thinking of them and not ignoring them!"
"But I…"
"No buts Yuuri! Just go and talk to them! What kind of King are you? A Wimp?"
"I'm not a wimp, and stop calling me a wimp!" protested Yuuri.
"Fine I'll stop calling you a wimp when you stop being a wimp."
Lord von Wincott and Lord Woltrana von Bielefeld were talking to each other when Yuuri and Cinderfell approached them. The two men looked at each other. This was unusual. His Majesty never approached any of the nobles. Actually, as Woltrana put it, His Majesty seamed to have a "Noble" allergy that he avoided at all cost. "Good evening Your Majesty," said both nobles in unison.
"I hope you are enjoying the ball?" asked Yuuri as he scratched the back of his head. He didn't know what else to say.
Seeing that their King was flustered Wincott said, "Yes we are enjoying ourselves. Thank you for asking, and may I ask who is this gentleman next to you is?"
"Uh…sorry. May I introduce you Mr. Cid Fellow. Cid these are Lords von Wincott and von Beliefeld."
Cinderfell acknowledged the two men with a slight bow and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Your Excellencies."
"Fellow, I have not heard of that name before. What territory do you come from?" ask Bielefeld.
Quick thinking time had arrived. Cinderfell had not thought about that question. Lord von Bielefeld was certainly to ask the other nobles if he said a specific territory. Then he remembered something, "From the southern edge of the Grantz territory. 'Try asking a von Grantz now?' thought Cinderfell to himself. He knew that the von Grantz family had not been to court since the problem with Alderbert von Grantz.
"Do you know Aldebert?" asked Yuuri innocently.
"No I don't." Great Yuuri knew Aldebert; just what he needed. "I have never met any of the von Grantz's since…my father was a trader…and I went with him everywhere!" There that should stop them from asking questions about the Grantz's.
Woltrana eyed him suspiciously. The young man was hiding something. He studied Cinderfell. "It must have been in one of your travels that you obtained that sword?" he asked Cinderfell.
Cinderfell's heart stopped. How was he going to explain the sword? He thought for a second and said, "Is it was. A very Great man and a very Wise man gave me this sword." He did not lie. Woltrana for some inexplicable reason believed him. He wondered why he actually believed him, and why did he like the young man. Had he seen him before?
"That is a nice sword," said Yuuri while looking at his own sword. Cinderfell had been too busy looking into Yuuri's eyes all night to notice Yuuri's sword. He noticed that it was bandaged up.
"Why is your sword bandaged that way?" he asked.
"Because it is a perverted old man!" explained Yuuri.
"Perverted old man?" asked Cinderfell.
"I'll show you," said Yuuri. He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and told it while unwrapping it, "Now Morgif behave yourself, or I'll wrap you back up!"
"Oooo,ooooo,ooooo"
"Cid, meet Morgif!" Cinderfell looked at the sword. It had the ugliest face he had every seen. It was repulsive.
Morgif's eyes let up into hearts when it saw Cinderfell. "OOOOOOOOOOOO….Aaaaaaaaa…ooooooOOOOOOOoooooo" it said as he pulled Yuuri towards Cinderfell. The two nobles laughed. Cinderfell took a few steps back and bumped into someone. He turned to see whom he had bumped into. His heart sank to the floor and he froze rooted to the spot he was standing. Stofel von Spitzweg glared at him, and to make matters worse Sara was next to him.
Cindrfell avoided facing them and masking his voice said, "I beg for your forgiveness."
Stofel not to happy with the intruding brat said, "Watch where you are going. Do you even know who I am?"
Yuuri came to Cinderfell's defence. "Lord von Spitzweg the fault is all mine. Please accept my apology."
"Your Majesty as nothing to apologise for," said Stofel. Sara continued for him, "On the other hand he does." He pointed to Cinderfell.
"As I said, it is my entire fault. If I hadn't pulled Morgif then Cid would not have stepped backwards into His Excellency." Yuuri lifted Morgif towards Sara and Morgif said, "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" and made for the scabbard. Yuuri looked at Morgif and asked, "What's wrong Morgif?"
"yyyyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
"Now that's odd, he usually chases all the pretty faces," said Yuuri has he put Morgif back in the scabbard. Lords von Wincott and von Bielefeld surpressed their laughter. Morgif really did not like Sara. They wondered why.
During this exchange no one had noticed Cinderfell move away.
Cinderfell walked towards the buffet table avoiding to speak to anyone else. This had been a bad idea. He should never have come to the ball. He was going to get caught, found out that he was no more than a servant, called a thief, and worst of all Yuuri would never speak to him again. He was looking over the food while in deep in thought not noticing a tall figure in green standing next to him. The man in green said, "I would try the chocolate mousse." Cinderfell looked up and saw a handsome man with a few wrinkles on his forehead.
"I'm Gwendal von Voltaire, and you are?"
"I am Cid Fellow Your Excellency. It is a pleasure to meet you." Cinderfell gave him a small smile. If he was going to get caught, at least he would make a good impression.
Gwendal extended his hand and Cinderfell took it. They shook hands for longer than necessary. Gwendal felt a warmth that he had not felt in years. It was as if he needed to protect the young man he was shaking hands with. He felt like he knew him. Cinderfell felt a protective warmth in the hand shake. He felt that he had met Gwendal before and the he would somehow protect him. Cinderfell smiled even more brightly than he had previously done. Gwendal could only think one thing, 'How cute!' and he smiled.
Celi and Conrart ,who had been watching Cinderfell, now approached him and Gwendal. "Gwenie dear you should smile more often," said Celi as she latched onto Gwendal.
"I see you met His Majesty's friend," said Conrart. Cinderfell looked at Conrart and wondered why the word Connie always came to his mind when he saw him.
"Yes I have. Mr. Fellow seems like a fine young man," said Gwendal.
Conrart looked at Gwendal befuddled. Mr. Fellow had somehow enchanted both Gwendal and his mother. He then looked a Cinderfell and extended his hand, "I am Lord Conrart Weller His Majesty's personal bodyguard." He stressed personal.
Cinderfell noticed how Lord Weller had stressed the word personal, and he took his hand with trepidation. As with Lady Celi and Lord von Voltaire, Cinderfell felt a warmth coming from that hand. This time it is was not a motherly love, or a protective feeling, it was more a brotherly love. He could not help but gently smile at Conrart.
Conrart himself felt the warmth that existed in the handshake. He did not why, but he felt that he had to, just a Gwendal, protect the young man before him. Conrart had always been precautious when he met someone new, but this time, for some unknown reason, he felt that he could trust Mr. Cid Fellow.
Off on the other side of the room, Yuuri had finally managed to wrap Morgif up. Sara had tried to help, but every time he attempted to help Yuuri, Morgif would pull in the opposite direction. Once Yuuri was done he looked about to see where Cinderfell was. He looked around and saw him talking to Celi, Conrart, and Gwendal. They where talking gaily. Gwendal even at one point let out a boisterous laugh. He wondered what they were talking about. It was a great family portrait. Sara tapped him on the shoulder bringing him out of his thoughts. "Would you like to dance?" asked Sara.
"I was going to get a bite to eat," replied Yuuri as he faced Sara. He really wanted to know what those four were talking about. He looked back towards them when he saw a lady, wearing a large red dress that looked like a meringue with yellow ribbons, grab hold of Cinderfell's hand and drag him towards the dance floor. He frowned. Who was that girl dancing with his Cid? He grabbed Sara's hand and said, "I'm sorry I just realised that I owe you a dance" and dragged Sara off to the dance floor.
The music was a fast polka. It was definitely not one of Yuuri specialities. He turned and turned all the while stepping on Sara's foot every four to five steps. He kept on apologising. Sara at first could not believe that he was finally going to dance with the Maou. Sara had second thoughts as they were dancing. He could not wait to the dance was over. Yuuri tried to manoeuvre towards Cinderfell and the lady in red, but every time that he neared them they would move in the opposite direction only causing him to step on Sara's feet even more.
When the lady in red grabbed Cinderfell and pulled him towards the dance floor, Cinderfell was about to protest on the rudeness but kept quiet as soon as she spoke. "What happened to the outfit that Shionu and I gave you?"
Cinderfell blinked once and blinked twice. "Ken?" He could not believe his eyes. There he was, the Great Sage - Ken Murata, dressed in the most horrible puffed up red dress with yellow ribbons that he had ever seen. To top it all of f the Sage was wearing a very big bright red beehive wig, and a gaudy eye mask with feathers poking out every which way. To hide his black eyes he had put on blue contact lenses.
"Yes, it is me. So what happened to your outfit?"
Cinderfell closed his eyes. He wanted to laugh out loud, but knew he couldn't. The Sage was in disguise and what a disguise! He suppressed his laugh, and attempted to answer the Sage. "I had a wardrobe problem, but everything was resolved thanks to Lady Ulrike."
"Oh? You've met Lady Ulrike?"
"Yes. I have to say thank you for the sword."
The Sage tilted his head to one side, but had to straighten it up quickly. The wig pulled, and the dance was not helping at all. The Sage had to fight gravity as his head bounced every which way. Cinderfell finally let out a laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Ken.
"That wig…hahahaha…and dress are ridiculous…hahaa…"
"I happen to like my little ensemble!" The Sage frowned and said, "It is quite original! Don't you think?"
"It has to be the most original thing I have ever seen!" said Cinderfell and had to ask another question. "Why are you dressed like that Your Highness?"
"Lady Ulrike told you who we were I see."
"Yes she did."
"Well, we wanted to see how Shibuya and you were doing. So we had to disguise ourselves. And speaking of Shibuya, look who has just decided to dance?" asked the Sage. Cinderfell looked towards where the Sage was looking at. He saw Yuuri and Sara dancing. Cinderfell huffed and the Sage asked, "Shall we make him jealous?"
"I don't think he would be jealous."
"Trust me he is already jealous. He can't dance a polka!"
"Ooohhh!" Cinderfell smiled at the Sage. Cinderfell had to ask the Sage one last question, "Couldn't you just come normally dressed?"
"And have Shibuya go Maou mode on us? Noooooooo!" He shivered at the thought.
"If I may ask, what did you do to His Majesty, to have him banish you from the temple?"
"I was not banished. Shinou was! You see, I happened to show Shinou some baby pictures of Shibuya, and Shinou took it upon himself to show one of them to the castle and the capital city."
Cinderfell, knowing that Shinou was all great and powerful, wondered how he showed that particular picture. "How did he show it?"
The page pointed to the sky. "He reflected it off the clouds. To say the least, Shibuya was not happy."
"How bad was the picture?"
"It was not that bad really. It was a picture of a four year old Shibuya wearing a cute yellow dress and pigtails. He looked like a cute little girl." The sage nodded his head and he had to hold the wig from falling over.
Cinderfell tried to imagine Yuuri dressed in a little dress and wearing pigtails. He started to laugh. "How did you get hold of the picture?"
"His mother gave it to me!" Ken said proudly!
Cinderfell laughed even harder. Ken held his wig as they hopped along to the polka.
Yuuri watched the duo laughing. He was on the verge of not excusing himself from Sara and walking right over to them demanding to know what was so funny. There was something familiar about that girl, but he couldn't put his finger on it. To make matters worse, Cid was laughing out loud. He wanted to know what they were both laughing about! He wanted to make Cid laugh that way!
To Sara's relief the music ended. He tried to pull Yuuri off the dance floor, but Yuuri would not budge. Actually, Yuuri pulled Sara in the direction of Cinderfell and his ever so lovely disgusting partner. As he began to approach them, they moved away off towards the buffet table where Celi, Conrart, and Gwendal where. He was going to get to the bottom of this. Sara held on tight to Yuuri.
Yuuri watched as Cinderfell reached the buffet table and was introduced to an elderly looking gentleman. He took Cinderfell by the hand and led him to the dance floor. The lady in red walked away and disappeared among the guest. Cinderfell and the gentleman began to dance a foxtrot. Yuuri pulled Sara towards the dance floor again. "I think I'll set this one out. Why don't we get some food," said Sara. Oh his poor aching feet needed the break. Yuuri nodded accordingly but never kept his eyes off Cinderfell.
Yuuri watched how Cinderfell laugh along with the gentleman. He munched down on whatever he was eating seething. Sara in the meantime attempted to have a conversation with Yuuri. Sara knew that his attention was on that excuse of a demon dancing, but he was happy that Yuuri had begun to divert some attention towards him. Sara was also glad that has soon as the foxtrot had finished that the brat had been passed off to a squealing lady, and so it continued for a while. Yurri decided to talk with the different nobles around him, and Sara tagged along. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Cinderfell excused himself and left for the men's room. Yuuri followed leaving Sara talking with the nobles.
Cinderfell came out of the men's room to find a Yuuri waiting for him. "I see you're enjoying yourself," said Yuuri a tinge of spite in his voice.
Cinderfell took notice. What was he suppose to say? That he was avoiding him and Sara? Then Yuuri would ask why. Oh because he didn't want to be near Sara? Then he would have to explain himself. He answered Yuuri's remark. "Yes I am Your Majesty." To send Yuuri a clear message he said with sarcasm, "And where is your lovely blonde partner?"
"Blond partner?" Yuuri asked confused. What blonde partner was Cid referring too?
Cinderfell could not believe it. "Your long haired blondie that wears ugly purple glasses?"
Yuuri scratched the back of his head thinking of who he could be referring too. It finally dawned on him. "You mean Sara?"
"It might be?!" and Cinderfell began to walk back to the ballroom.
Yuuri could not believe it. How did Cid turn the tables on him? He went after Cinderfell and stopped him by grabbing his hand, and pulled him into any empty corridor. "Well if you had not been so engrossed in dancing with half the court, I wouldn't have been talking to Sara at all."
"Yuuri?" they heard someone call out. Cinderfell cringed. Sara was looking for Yuuri. Yuuri looked in the direction that his name was being called out.
"Yuuurrriiiii…"
Yuuri recognised the voice. Great just what he needed. Sara was looking for him. He took Cinderfell by the arm and pulled him away from the searching voice. Yuuri hid themselves in a shadow of an old armour. Yuuri pressed his body against Cinderfell's. Cinderfell felt Yuuri's warm body pressed against his. Yuuri looked at Cinderfell and noticed that he was blushing. He himself was beginning to feel hot.
Cinderfell was about to say something when Yuuri shished him. Sara had moved away, but Yuuri was really beginning to like the position that they were in and did not move. He looked into Cinderfell's eyes. Cinderfell feeling warmer turned his head away. Yuuri in turn raised his hand up to Cinderfell's chin, and turned his face towards him. Cinderfell tried to gently push him away, but Yuuri only pressed harder. Yuuri stared into the eyes behind the mask. He raised his hands to Cinderfell's head and removed the mask. Yuuri looked at Cinderfell's lips and leaned in while removing his own mask. He wanted to know what those lips tasted like. Cinderfell did not know what he should do as the King's lips met his. By instinct Cinderfell pressed back. They both closed their eyes as the new experience overwhelmed them. It was the first kiss for both of them.
"Ahem…" coughed a voice behind them. Cinderfell quickly pulled away, and he looked down to a side. He attempted to hide his face. Yuuri turned around annoyed at being interrupted. He saw Conrart.
"Conrad?" Could he not see that he was busy?
"I'm sorry to interrupt but it's almost time for your speech," said Conrart.
Yuuri nodded back. He turned to look at Cinderfell. "We have…" he stopped as soon as he took a good look at Cinderfell's face. He saw the healing scar and the bruising. Anger over whelmed him. Who had done that to his angelic face? A dark blue aura surrounded him. He held Cinderfell's face in his hands and said in a deep demanding voice, "Who did this to you?"
Conrart step forward to look at Cinderfell's face. He had never seen his entire face before. He felt a pang in his stomach as if he recognised Cinderfell from somewhere.
Cinderfell tried to move his face away but the Maou was holding it tightly. "I asked you who did this to you." Yuuri was becoming annoyed.
"I…I…fell. That's all." Cinderfell gave Yuuri a weak smile.
Yuuri's pupils became slits. "That is a lie. You dare lie to me? Now who did this to you?"
Conrart quickly intervened seeing that Yuuri was going full Demon King Mode and that was not a good thing. "Your Majesty, I'll take Mr. Fellow up to see a healer while you are saying your speech. Afterwards he can tell us exactly what happened."
Yuuri backed off and turned to Conrart. "Take this child to the healer Lord Weller." He faced Cinderfell and said, "I will not have you lying to me anymore. I expect you to tell me the truth after I am done with the speech" and Yuuri walked away towards the ballroom but not before handing Cinderfell his mask.
Conrart sighed in relief. He looked at Cinderfell who was slightly trembling. "You're lucky that he didn't press the issue. When he wants to know the truth, and people lie to him, it is not good."
"Does he turn that scary looking all the time?" asked Cinderfell.
"Most of the time…yes! He has a thing for justice. Come I'll take you to see a healer." Conrart moved his arm in the direction opposite the ballroom.
"That's alright! I saw one before coming and she said that it would take a few days to complete heal. It was much worse than this."
"I see, but just in case, humour him." Conrart smiled.
Cinderfell smiled back a Conrart. 'Where have I seen that smile before?' Conrart thought to himself. He led Cinderfell to the hospital wing.
They reached the hospital wing, and Conrart asked for Roger the head healer. They had to wait a while for Roger, since he was attending the ball. When he finally arrived, he looked over Cinderfell's injury. He applied some healing magic knowing that it would not have any affect. Who ever had healed the injury had done a fantastic job in his opinion. He would've liked to have met that healer. After he finished he let Cinderfell go.
Conrart pointed out to Cinderfell on how to return to the ballroom. He had stayed behind to ask the head healer a few questions regarding Cinderfell's injury. The healer knew why Conrart had stayed behind to ask the healer his opinion. Roger, the healer, had begun to studied injuries ever since Yuuri had shown him a tilibisin show called CSI on his portable vdv. He was intrigued in the methodology on how to solve crimes via injuries.
"He is a lucky young man. A millimetre further up and he would have lost his eye."
"Can you tell how the injury was done?" asked Conrart.
"Well it definitely was not done in a fall. It was has if he had been backhand across the right side of his face. Who ever did it was wearing a big ring."
"You can tell just by looking at the scar?"
"I've seen many injuries to the face. And yes, that was definitely done by someone hitting him."
Conrart looked in the direction that Cinderfell had left. Why was he lying?
It had been a while since Yuuri had finished his speech. It was basically the same three point speech that he always gave. He had just reworded it slightly for the occasion. Some of the nobles could actually say Yuuri's speech by heart. Yuuri was becoming anxious as the minutes passed by and Cinderfell had not returned. He wanted to know how Cinderfell had injured his face. If someone had hurt him, they were going to pay dearly. He finally saw Cinderfell, wearing his mask, entering to the ballroom. Yuuri rushed over to him ignoring everyone in his way.
"Let me see your face," demanded Yuuri as soon as he reached Cinderfell.
Cinderfell shook his head and whispered, "There wasn't anything Roger could do. He said, just like the person that healed it before, that it would take a few days for it to completely heal."
Yuuri looked around the room. He was not going to interrogate Cinderfell in the middle of the ballroom. He took hold of Cinderfell's and took him out of the ballroom towards the gardens. Almost everyone in the ballroom took notice of the Maou's behaviour towards the blond beauty as Cinderfell was now being called. The Maou seemed worried as he pulled the blond beauty away.
After walking a couple of minutes, Yuuri stopped in a far corner of the garden hidden by trees and rose bushes. He pulled Cinderfell towards him and began to remove his mask. He let the mask drop to the ground. He placed his hands on Cindefell's face and inspected it. "It's still the same!"
"Weren't you listening to me?"
"Sorry, it's just that…I was very worried about you." Yuuri fidgeted with the hem of his jacket. He looked into Cinderfell's eyes and said, "Are you going to tell me who hit you?"
Cinderfell looked away from Yuuri eyes. "As I told you before, I fell down. That is all!"
Yuuri closed the distance between them. Cinderfell felt that he was getting a little to warm for comfort. He tried to take a step back, but a large tree was in his way. Yuuri spoke up again. "As I said before, I don't like people lying to me. Now tell me who did this to you."
"I…I fell and hit my face. That is the truth," said Cinderfell. At least Yuuri was not scary this time around.
Yuuri remembered something that his mother had once told him. "Yuu-chan, if you want to know the truth behind a loved one's lie, use a lot of love!" 'Okasan and her statements," thought Yuuri. He was going to try it.
Yuuri moved closer to Cinderfell. Cinderfell was at the point of trying to climb the tree backwards. Yuuri found it funny and smiled mischievously. Yuuri made his move and kissed the blond's lips. Cinderfell felt he had no other choice but to kiss back. The kiss was chaste as the first one had been. Yuuri, not knowing exactly what he was doing, moved away from Cinderfell's lips and began to kiss his chin slowly moving down to the neck. He was imitating what he saw in television shows or rather soap operas. Yuuri was enjoying himself, and he did not realise that he had wrapped his arms around Cinderfell and vice a versa.
Cinderfell moaned as soon as Yuuri kissed him right below the right ear. That brought Yuuri back to earth and realised what he had intended to do from the start. He whispered into Cinderfell's ear, "So who hit you love."
"Mmm?"
Yuuri whispered again, "Who hit you my love."
"N…no…no one."
"What was that?"
"Mmm…no one."
Yuuri decided on a different tactic. This time he went for the flow blown snog as seen on TV. At first Cinderfell did not know what was going on as Yuuri attempted and failed miserably to french kiss him. His lips had been bumped and almost flattened to death. Teeth almost knocked out. And was it with his tongue? Cinderfell pushed Yuuri away and demanded to know, "What was that?" he asked as he rubbed his bruised lips.
Yuuri was left stupefied. Was that not how they did it on TV? "I…I…I…wanted to kiss you."
"Do you have to be so forceful? Is that how you kiss your girlfriends?"
Yuuri looked down to the ground. He said in his confession, "I have never kissed anyone before. You have been my first. I'm sorry."
Cinderfell looked down also. He did not expect the king to be a virgin at kissing. He figured that they were both in the same situation. Cinderfell confessed himself to the king, "I've never kissed anyone either until you kissed me. I guess neither one of us knows exactly what to do."
Yuuri felt a wave of relief by Cinderfell's confession. Hey, they were both in the same situation. Yuuri looked at Cinderfell and smiled. "We could try again, but this time slowly. You know! Practice makes perfect!" he said hoping that Cinderfell would agree.
Cinderfell agreed 100 percent. Next thing Yuuri knew was Cinderfell lips had latched onto his. The experimented different chaste kisses until they found one that was comfortable for the both of them (meaning, that they were not squashing their noses). After a few minutes they ventured onto to trying a little tongue. From there the kisses started to progress, and after a long while a successful flow blow snog was achieved with out any lip biting and teeth clanging. The end result was a lot of moaning coming from both parties involved. They broke apart for much need air, and smiled at each other while panting.
They looked into each other's eyes and Cinderfell said, "Should we continue practicing?" Yuuri didn't think twice as he went for his partner's lips. They practiced and practiced unaware of the time and oblivious that people were beginning to wonder where the King was.
Conrart had been asked to find the King. He had searched in the King's usual hiding places. His last stop was the secluded area in the garden. As he approached he began to hear some moaning. He looked through the rose brushes and he was treated to a sight. His Majesty had finally grown up. If he didn't stop the pair from kissing soon, it was going to become quite heated.
He made a noise with the bushes. Yuuri and Cinderfell quickly broke apart. Yuuri called out, "Who's there?"
"Your Majesty are you there?" Conrart asked innocently.
"Is that you Conrart?"
"Yes Your Majesty."
Yuuri looked at Cinderfell apologetically, and scratched the back of his head. "I was…showing Cid around the garden. Do you need anything?" Yuuri attempted to look all so innocent.
He approached the guilty looking duo with his usual gentle smile. "Gwendal was wondering where you were. You've been gone for quite some time. You should go back before your guests begin to have ideas."
"Oh…right!" said Yuuri has he straightened his jacket. Cinderfell also straightened himself and picked up his mask from the ground. He went to put it on but was stopped by Yuuri. "Do you have to wear that thing?"
Cinderfell looked towards Conrart. Yuuri understood his gesture and asked Conrart to leave them for a few minutes. Conrart nodded and left.
"Are you going to tell me who hit you?"
"No…I can't tell you!" said Cinderfell. He had let the truth be known.
"Why not?"
"Because…because…if I tell you then I will be in trouble."
"What do you mean?" Yuuri was becoming slightly annoyed. "I can protect you!"
"I don't need your protection. I can defend myself!" said Cinderfell showing his own annoyance.
"Right! Look at your face. You call that protecting yourself? What are you hiding?"
Cinderfell thought for a moment. Maybe it was best to tell him part of the truth. "I lied to you."
"Okay, now we're getting somewhere," said Yuuri. "What are the lies?"
"I'm not…a son of a trader. I'm just a lowly servant," Cinderfell looking away from Yuuri. He could not face Yuuri. He knew that the King would be disgusted in kissing a servant.
Yuuri pulled Cinderfell's face back towards him. "And I'm just a lowly baseball player." He kissed Cinderfell on the cheek. Yuuri added, "Never call yourself a servant. You are an assistant. Okay?" Cinderfell nodded. The King was not disgusted. Yuuri then asked, "Did your boss do this to you?" He ran his finger along the scar. Cinderfell nodded. "Who is he?"
DONG! The clock struck one in the morning.
"What time is it?" quickly asked Cinderfell.
"One" answered Yuuri wondering what was so important about the time.
Cinderfell quickly tied his mask on. "I…I'm…I'm sorry I have to go." He began to run back to the ballroom. Yuuri was left stupefied by the sudden change in events. He stood rooted to the spot that Cinderfell had left him for a few seconds. He watched Cinderfell run back to the ballroom. He ran after him.
Cinderfell entered the ballroom and quickly walked through attempting not to be noticed. He made his way to the cloakroom and picked up his cape. He then made a quick dash out to the courtyard. As per his request, Willow had been kept close by. Willow was brought to him, and Cinderfell mounted him.
Yuuri saw Cinderfell exit the ballroom, through the main entrance, just as he was running in. He attempted to quickly make his way through the guests, but one paticular annoying guest stood in his way. "Yuuri, where have you been?" asked Sara.
Yuuri didn't care if he was or was not rude. He blurted out, "Sorry, I have something to attend too" and pushed Sara out of the way not so gently. Yuuri stormed down the corridor that led to the entrance of the castle. He saw Cinderfell mount his horse. He made a mad dash.
Cinderfell was about to signal Willow to go when he felt his right hand being pulled down. He looked and saw Yuuri franticly looking at him. "Yuuri, let me go," he said pushing Yuuri away while pulling his hand out of Yuuri's grasp. He freed himself and kicked Willow hard.
Yuuri was left standing alone in the dust cloud that Willow had made has he galloped away. Yuuri did not understand what had happened. Why did he leave so quickly? Did he say something wrong? Yuuri looked at his hand. He was holding Cinderfell's glove.
