Blood Runs Deeper
Chapter 12 – An Abundance of Partners and Gowns
It was late, yet I found myself meandering around the empty halls in search for the library.
Once again, sleep didn't arrive and I became restless, unable to pass the time sat idly in my room. So I decided that if I found a good book to read, then I may drift off.
Through the profusion of closed, mahogany doors, I suddenly came across one that was slightly ajar. I poked my head though and by chance, I had found the library. My luck increased as it seemed that there was no inhabitants present.
The library was magnificent. There was a singular arched window that spanned the length of the floor to the ceiling, projecting soft tones of cardinal and gold onto the spines of the books which lined every inch of the wall. Several ladders attached themselves to the parallel bookcases, while chairs of vivid cerise dotted the spacious room.
Suddenly, I heard a bark that originated from behind one of the chairs. If Eli was in here then that meant his owner lurked nearby.
As I made my way over to the source, my foot collided with something and I toppled forwards, only to land on the same object that caused my fall. I averted my eyes downwards and they were met with Shu, azure eyes now open as they peered into my own.
My face instantly flared as I realised that I was on top of him.
"Oh I-I'm sorry!" I stumbled over my words. "I-I didn't realise that you were there!" I shook my head. "O-Obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have fallen - well, maybe I would have because I'm clumsy, but I would have fallen at the side of you, not on top of you, and... I'm making this awkward, I'm sorry."
I attempted to scramble off of him, but his legs twisted around mine as his arms held me firmly in place.
"This isn't a bad thing to be woken up too..." A crooked grin was on his sleepy features.
I blushed. "I… I didn't mean to disturb you!"
All of a sudden, he switched positions. He towered over me and leaned forwards so his lips caressed my ear, golden strands tickling my forehead.
"I am… disappointed…"
"Disappointed?" I repeated, puzzled.
"I overheard your conversation with Subaru..." He clarified as he closed his eyes. "I feel... troubled that you're going to the Ball with him... You're an annoying woman for making me feel like this…"
I flinched back with surprise. "How... how did you know about that?" I shook my head. They're vampires. They have sensitive hearing. "I... didn't say yes, but I didn't exactly say no, either…"
His chest vibrated as he chuckled. "Come with me, then…"
My complexion darkened; I had gotten myself into a sticky situation.
"You're a greedy woman… If that's the case, then it looks like we will both have to escort you…"
I tilted my head and frowned. "Is that allowed?"
"Our father is the organizer... No one will go against him…"
I nodded as guilt and dread welled up in my stomach.
How would Subaru react?
The ball was only a few days away, and still I hadn't ventured into town to find a dress.
If I didn't go soon then there would be limited stock and I couldn't imagine Reiji being too happy if I showed up looking anything less than respectable. So today, I decided that I would go.
Just as I reached the foyer, however, I spotted the triplets crowded around the door, staring at me questionably.
"Going somewhere, Pancake?"
"I... well, yes," I responded as I clutched onto the handle of my bag. "I was just going into town. Reiji said that I could."
I avoided the fact that Reiji also said that I couldn't go into town alone. Having the triplets - or any of the brothers - tag along on a shopping trip would cause more trouble than it was worth. I was familiar with my own company growing up in the church. I would do the food shopping alone, buy my own clothes alone... and this was no different.
Ayato narrowed his eyes. "What business do you have there?"
I frowned. "I'm going to find something to wear for the Ball."
"Fufu~ I want to tag along," Laito began. "I wonder what Bitch-chan would look like in a pretty dress, hm~?"
Ayato made a noise of annoyance. "Quit being a pervert! If he's going, then Yours Truly will have to come along too." I sighed with defeat, but nodded and looked at Kanato to see if he wanted to come also.
"I will come. Teddy and I haven't been into town in a while. Besides, we want to help Mari-san look less horrifying, isn't that right, Teddy?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I hoped that the three of them wouldn't be too harsh with the criticism.
We made our way to the car. I walked beside Kanato while the two redheads walked ahead, bickering about what type of dresses they would pick out for me. I shivered as I thought of all of the possible choices Latio alone could pick out and Ayato under his brother's influence.
"Don't worry," Kanato began as he tugged my arm. "I won't let you shame this family with their disgusting choices. Teddy and I shall pick something out for you."
My eyes widened with surprise. But I shook my head and smiled brightly, taken aback by his sudden rush of kindness. "I'd like that."
The four of us clambered into the car while Ayato gave the driver directions. Soon enough, we reached the town and I found myself stood on the familiar bustling streets. Ayato suddenly redirected my thoughts as he stepped in front of me, leading the way.
"Yours Truly knows these shops better than anyone."
"Fufu~ it seems that Little Brother has a fetish for all things mortal." Laito teased.
"Shut up!" Ayato yelled and stalked on ahead, the three of us following.
The inside of the shop consisted of a strict colour scheme of black and white. To my right there were two parallel leather sofas and a coffee table with numerous fashion magazines scattered across it. Past this there was a spacious changing room, fitted with a floor length mirror and a heavy, drawn back black curtain.
To my left there was a pearly white counter and a woman no older than twenty stood behind it. Her long, ash-blonde hair was pulled into a tight ponytail, making her honey-coloured eyes more striking. As soon as she caught sight of us, she dazzled us with a practiced smile.
"Welcome. You must be Mari-san. You have an appointment, yes?"
"That she does," Laito spoke for me for me as he leaned his weight against the counter.
"And you three are?" Her politeness never faltered by the hatted triplets advances.
"Ah, we are her brothers," he clarified as he inched closer to the girl. "We have to approve of what our Little Sister wears."
"Not wasting anytime with that one," I muttered under my breath and rolled my eyes.
"Well, we better get started then," she clasped her hands. "My name is Akira. If you would all like to follow me."
We all followed Akira deeper into the store. My eyes were soon met with racks upon racks of alluring, beautiful dresses. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires twinkled in the sea of silk.
"Take as long as you need. The changing room is right over there. I'll be down at the front of the store if you need me, okay?" With that, she gave us a smile and returned to work, her ponytail swishing behind her.
"This... is overwhelming," I admitted as my eyes scanned the rows and rows of dresses. "I have no idea where to start."
"Jeez, Pancake," Ayato clicked his tongue. "You're supposed to be the girl here! Whatever," he waved his hand. "You go wait in the changing room and Yours Truly and these other creeps will bring you the dresses. The one you like, you get. It ain't hard."
"However," Latio began as he shrugged his arm around his brother's shoulders – which, Ayato abruptly shook off. "We don't get to tell you who picked which dress. You have to guess, and at the end we'll tell you~!"
"I think I'll probably guess," I murmured.
My eyes shifted to Kanato, who was blatantly ignoring his two brothers as he sieved through the rails of gowns.
"Right. I'll be in the changing room, then."
But no one was listening. All three of the triplets were picking up and examining the different choices of dresses. I smiled. This was the first time I've seen them get along.
I passed the counter and smiled at Akira, who returned the gesture. I made my way into the changing room and realised how anxious I was about the possible monstrosities that I would have to try on to amuse Laito and Ayato. Shockingly, I was trusting Kanato to pick me something that I could wear without the fear of looking obscene.
Soon enough, I heard Ayato outside. I drew back the curtain and he abruptly shoved six dresses in my arms. I toppled back onto the ground at the sudden weight, vision obscured through piles of netting and chiffon.
"We've each chosen two, so hurry up and try them on! Yours Truly doesn't want to be kept waiting!" With that, he spun around and joined Kanato on the leather sofa while Latio busied himself in talking to Akira.
I stumbled to my feet and drew the curtain back. I sighed with exasperation at the amount of dresses I had to try on.
I picked up the first gown on the pile. This one was scarlet, made of thin, shimmering material. I thought that it was pretty until I noticed the tear up the leg which would most likely reached my mid-thigh. I swore under my breath as I knew that this was one of Laito's two choices.
But, I had to try it on anyway.
I stripped back the curtain and four pairs of eyes snapped to me at once.
"Looking sexy, Bitch-Chan~" Latio smirked, winking.
Kanato's face was unreadable; one could say expressionless. "I think you look like a prostitute. Don't you agree, Teddy?"
Ayato narrowed his eyes. "Get changed. Yours Truly doesn't approve."
I glanced to Akira, who seemed on par with two of the triplets as she slowly shook her head.
I sighed with relief. "Only five more to go..."
The next one was more of a ball gown; it was vivid purple and had a sweetheart neckline, the skirt at the bottom ruched and flared. It was an improvement on the previous, at least.
I stepped outside.
"I think that one is more fitted for a Ball. Wouldn't you agree?" Akira voiced as she tutted at Laito beside her.
"Hm~ it all depends on personal choice, Akira-san."
"The dress is fine," Kanato tilted his head. "But the colour is wrong. You look too much like mother." Ayato and Laito agreed while I returned to the changing room.
Ayato's chosen dress was next. It was gold and encrusted with thousands of white and yellow crystals. This one also had a sweetheart neckline, but it was shorter at the front and longer at the back.
I stepped out and awaited their verdict.
"Heh. Yours Truly approves," he said, grinning. "It's flashy."
"Bitch-chan somehow resembles the sun," Laito pouted. "And it's disturbing."
"Oi! You're only saying that because you're jealous of what the great Yours Truly picked!"
Kanato's expression was one of disgust. "Ayato deserves to die for that pick. She will bring far too much unwanted attention to herself in that. Wouldn't you agree, Teddy?"
The next hour passed in a blur.
The following three dresses were relatively similar; either too revealing, not the right colour or too gaudy. I felt like Goldilocks and the triplets were the three bears. I sighed and flopped myself down onto the sofa. I had given up on my quest-for-a-dress.
"I'll just be a minute," Akira said from behind me.
Meanwhile the triplets bickered between themselves around the topic of which dress they deemed better. I glanced upwards and noticed Akira gesturing for me to follow her. I stood and left the squabbling brothers to their own devices.
Akira led me into a room filled with empty boxes and hangers. I carefully treaded over them, as I knew that my clumsiness liked to flare up at the most inconvenient times.
"I did some browsing myself," she informed me as she tapped the side of her nose. "Those three can be a little over powering, can't they?"
"A little?"
She laughed lightly while my eyes caught sight of a mannequin in the middle of the room. Dressing it was the most beautiful ball gown I had ever seen.
Reiji certainly couldn't complain about how respectable I looked.
"You know, if you brought this out approximately three hours ago, we could have saved a lot of trouble."
"But that's what makes my job so entertaining," she said as she whipped a tape measure out of her pocket. "Don't you think?"
