YO! how's everyone! Anyways! i'm surprised not eveyone got what i did at the last chappie! I was mimicking Beauty and the Beast, when the narrator said, "And who could ever love a beast?" neh? Neh? now y'all get it? haha! anyways, enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: i thought we established this...
A FEW DAYS HAD GONE BY, and Shizuka was already 18. Already guards were surrounding the nearest exist every time Shizuka was around. Shizuka understood the reason of their precaution, for her father feared that the warlock would appear and try to destroy Shizuka any moment. Yet Shizuka couldn't help but to hate the extra caution, for every guard will stare at her mask.
AS they would take corner glances of Shizuka's mask, Shizuka would feel her face grow hot, and she would comb the ends of her hair nervously. Please, she would silently pray in her head, please don't look at me.
She would thank any gods that exists that Yugi or Jonouchi would take walks with around the castle. They never stared, nor do they make grimaces at her mask.
Shizuka sat under a tree while a nearby guard got up from his post and walked a few feet towards Shizuka, once he was within a few feet from her, he began scouting the area.
Shizuka gave a deep sigh, it was official; she was going to talk to her father tonight about these guards.
Father…Shizuka, although she has already warmed up to Dartz it was still a little awkward calling him 'Papa'. She has barely met the man.
"Shizuka!" Mai suddenly ran out of the castle, Shizuka glanced up, "M-Mai?"
Mai was smiling from ear to ear, as she came to Shizuka she paused to catch her breath. She didn't take a moment to calm down, "Sh-Shizuka!" she gasped, "C-Come inside! There's something-something you need to see!" she said.
"What is it?" Shizuka couldn't help but to ask, Mai shook her head, "Just-Just come and see!" Mai grabbed Shizuka by the wrist and dragged Shizuka into the castle.
LATERS….
AS Shizuka and Mai came inside the castle to Dartz's Great Hall, the saw a young man with silver hair, holding a parchment reading its contents to Dartz.
"…By order of His Majesty, King Kaiba and his eldest son, Prince Seto has hereby invite all young single maidens by the age of 17 or older to attend Prince Seto's Ball…" read the man, "There shall be three balls, and anyone whom the prince shows a great fancy to his Majesty, shall become the prince's bride."
Shizuka didn't understand what was Mai's excitement about, she turned to glance up at her sister, but she noticed how her sister's lips were curved into a thin line. Her violet eyes occasionally glancing at Dartz and then to Jonouchi, whose eyes were set on the man reading the parchment.
As the man finished his announcement, Dartz nodded, and said, "Well that is wonderful to hear how the Prince has finally decided to settle down." He turned to Jonouchi and Yugi, who came forward from their post.
"Please send my humble regards to His Highness Gozaburo." Dartz said, the man nodded, and left the hall.
Dartz remained quiet after a few moments, then he took a deep breath, "Fate just couldn't be more on our side, can she?" he asked.
It was Mai who was the first one to speak, "May we go, Father?" she asked, a little too eagerly.
Dartz seemed in deep thought, "I must confess I am a bit hesitate to let you both go," he replied, "For anyone could chose the chance to strike,"
By 'anyone' everyone knew he meant Bakura. It was Jonouchi who answered, "If anyone so choses to strike, then it must be wise for us to take precaution. Besides, if anyone needs to be there more, it must be Shizuka…for her curse may be broken on that night."
Dartz nodded, but he seemed unsure still.
"I can go," Yugi said, "as an escort. And so can Jonouchi, if anything happens…we'll be on the lookout."
Dartz nodded, "As always you all speak with years of wisdom beyond my years," Dartz got up from his chair, "I shall let you both go…"
"No!" Shizuka suddenly yelled, everyone glanced at her.
"I-I can't!" Shizuka shook her head, "Not with this face! Everyone will see!" she turned to her father, "Please don't let me go, Papa!"
"But it's a masquerade ball, I assumed." Jonouchi said.
"A masquerade?" Shizuka repeated softly, but she still shook her head, "No! I'm not ready! What if my mask slips? Or-or what if-what if?" Shizuka couldn't come up with another good reason not to go.
Her only reason she didn't want to go is because she was scared. Shizuka began to cry.
Mai embraced her, "But this can be your only chance," she said softly, "Your true love might be there on those three nights. It might not be the prince…hopefully it's some squire or son of a noble….but he might be there…"
"Well, what if he isn't?" Shizuka said pushing herself away from her sister, she turned to everyone, "You all have NO idea how hard it is to be looked down upon! To be feared! To be seen as some THING! Not-not as a person!" A tear ran down Shizuka's cheek, then she ran away from the room.
"My poor, poor daughter…"Dartz mumbled.
Yugi sighed, "But Mai's right, Shizuka has to go, for all we know the very man destined to break her spell COULD be there on those nights."
"And if he isn't, maybe Mai may get lucky," Jonouchi said smiling upon Mai. Mai turned away, "Maybe I should go…" she said coldly, "Shizuka needs to be consoled…"
MEANWHILES…
Seto took several deep breaths as he glanced up at the night sky. He felt his heart rate rising, his body temperature sky-rocketing.
Why? What's happening to him? Seto took a glass of water; as soon as he gulped the whole drink down he threw the glass on the ground, where it shattered into pieces.
Seto fell on the floor, he began to gasp for air. How did this happened? When did this all began?
FLASHBACK…
"Father…" a young Seto cried cheerfully as he tugged on his father's sleeve. Gozaburo hesitated; he seemed to be very distracted lately. Ever since Seto's mother died, his father has changed.
"Seto," his father suddenly asked, Seto stopped tugging on his father's sleeve and looked up at him.
Gozaburo glanced into his son's eyes, and he asked very slowly, "Seto, do you FEEL…any different?"
Seto's eyes widened in surprise, why would his father asked that? Was it because of his mother?
"No, father." Seto said shaking his head, "I don't feel any different."
Suddenly a butterfly flew around Seto, who glared at it and smacked at the butterfly. It landed on the floor, dead.
Gozaburo glanced at Seto and then at the dead butterfly. Then, Gozaburo did something that surprised Seto. Gozaburo knelt down on the ground where the insect lay, " Oh dear gods, it's true!" and he began to weep.
END OF FLASHBACK…
Seto took several deep breathes, then he couldn't take the pain any longer. He began to scream.
MMMMMM! wowsies! things are getting intense! still no guesses at what Kaiba is? Teehee! i'll never tell! And WILL SHizuka go to the ball? MMMMMMM! anyways, read n' review!