Chapter 10 ~ The Ball
Kabuto´s P.O.V
The other two days passed by rather quickly, so that the night of the ball was closer than I wished it to be. After those confusing feelings I had after that dance with Chiasa, I had even more doubts inside of me, not only because of the marriage, but also because of her. My head told me that it had no use to think about her, that it wouldn´t change anything even if I was in love with her, because I already belonged to Masami, whom I´d marry soon, but my heart told me otherwise, it told me to admit my foolish feelings towards Chiasa and that it´d make me happier if I would. This inner conflict confused me even more and I didn´t know what to do anymore. What if my heart is right? What if my future would be brighter with Chiasa? But I can´t have a bright future if I have to return to my old home, so isn´t it wiser to marry Masami?
My head started aching, due to all those thoughts, but honestly, what was I supposed to do now except accepting my fate and marrying Orochimaru´s daughter. It might not make me happy, but it´s the best, I guess…
The sun was already setting outside and I became more and more nervous, especially because there also would be so many other people there, whose eyes would all look at me after the announcement. Sighing I stood in front of the large closet, but was rather aimless about my outfit for the formal. I could need some help with this…
All of a sudden knocked somebody on my door and as if somebody had been answered to my prayers, came Chiasa into the room and asked if I needed something to prepare me for the ball.
"Well, could you help me looking for some decent clothes?"
"Of course!"
Immediately she stood in front of the closet, obviously searching for the right things, while I watched her with a slight blush spread across my cheeks. Stop that! You can´t feel about her this way and you know that!
"How about this?"
She showed me a black suit, with a violet-blue shirt for underneath and a black tie. It maybe wasn´t something extravagant, but sartorially and simple, what I most likely appreciated. With a light smile I said:
"Yes, that´s perfect, thank you Chiasa…"
"You´re welcome, do you need anything else?"
"Actually not…"
She was about to go again, but I stopped her as a question popped up in my mind.
"Are you going to be at the Ball as well?"
Frowning she gazed at me and explained:
"Just to serve along the other Maids and Butlers, but why do you ask?"
While glancing to the ground I replied:
"I was just curious…"
Suddenly I felt how she laid gently her hand on my arm, while looking at me with a lightly worried look and asked:
"Is there maybe something else? Are you nervous because of the formal?"
For a second I was lost in her blue eyes, but then I answered:
"A little bit, but don´t bother yourself with my problems…"
"Your problems aren´t bothering me, we´re friends and I´m there if you need my help or comfort…"
My heart was beating faster again, due to her kind words and I nodded while smiling at her.
"Thanks for your care, but I´m really just a bit nervous, that is all…"
"I see, well if there is anything else you can ask me for help, alright?"
"Yes…"
After she was gone, I sighed heavily and thought that even if I had such kind of feelings towards her, that she´d probably never see me as more than her friend. With a sad smile on my lips, I tried to convince myself that it was better like that, since I didn´t need to have any hopes that I would ever be together with her, but still, a part of me wished for it, no matter how hard I tried to suppress it.
An hour later I was done with taking a bath, dressing and doing my hair, though it still appeared somewhat unkempt. I examined my reflection in the Mirror and though I looked still the same, something inside of me was different than before I arrived here. I assume it is the fact that I´m torn between two girls, though one of them doesn´t even know about my feelings and most likely doesn´t return them…
It was already time for the Ball, so that I went nervously to the room in which it was held in. The room really looked splendid and there already were some of Orochimaru´s guests there, standing around and talking with each other. Trying not to attract too much attention, I approached quietly Orochimaru, who was dressed in a purple suit, with a bluish shirt underneath and a black tie. When he saw me, he smirked lightly and introduced me then to the people he was currently talking to.
They were quiet friendly to me and asked me out about a few things, but Orochimaru most likely answered those questions, so that I just stood there and got bored. A bit later, became everybody suddenly silent and as I looked to the door, I knew why. Masami walked with her head held high and a small smile on her lips through the door, her long hair being adorned with sparkling hair clips. Her dress also was spectacular, it was gold shimmering, as if it was made out of real gold, while it was a bit tighter above the waist. Some people in the room gasped when they saw her, since she was most likely the most beautiful woman in the room, but though she was pretty, I couldn´t find as much enthusiasm towards her as I should have as her future husband. I can do that, she is wonderful, why can´t I fall in love with her?
As she stood in front of me, she gave me a bright smile and I smiled back, while I said:
"You look really beautiful…"
"Thank you…"
Orochimaru suddenly laid one hand on mine and the other one on Masami´s shoulder, while he cleared his throat loudly to get everybody´s attention. Everybody gazed curiously at us, what gave me a lightly uneasy feeling inside, while Orochimaru then said:
"Everybody, I´m grateful for your numerous appearance, because tonight I have to make an important announcement. My wonderful daughter Masami will marry very soon, in fact this young man here on my right Kabuto."
Everybody was clapping at his statement, while I gulped and felt lightly anxious inside. He then continued:
"Anyways, I hope you will enjoy this Ball and celebrate this engagement as well."
A whole bunch of people came then to me and Masami, to tell us their congratulations and what a cute couple we were. When they were done, started the Music and the most of them went to the dance floor, while my future wife gave me a glance which should tell me that she expected me to ask her for a dance as well, what I did then.
We danced for a whole while quiet tight together, but I didn´t have nearly as much of a good feeling as I had when I danced with Chiasa. Masami was beautiful, there were no doubts about that and she was nice as well, but at that moment, when I glanced into her golden eyes, it finally hit me. I could never feel love towards her nor could I give my heart to her, because it belonged already to somebody else, somebody I really fell in love with.
My mind was empty during the whole dance and as we were finally done, I just wanted to go away from all those people, from Masami, Orochimaru and everybody else. Masami turned after a while away from me and started talking with some other young women, while I used this chance and went outside in the garden, where I at least would´ve some silence. I walked and walked, until I reached a fountain, made out of white marble and with a sculpture of a couple on top where the water came out. Quietly I sat down on the edge of it, while I desperately clapped my hands in front of my eyes. I´ll never love Masami, never, but I have to marry her, I have no other choice!