"I am so excited," Miss Honda admitted as she stared out of the carriage. The party – which consisted of her friend Elizabeta Héderváry, Alfred Jones and Arthur Kirkland – was sitting in the driving vessel for the ball. And Sakura was not the only one of them who was nervous about the assembly (with the exception of Alfred): Elizabeta was happy to see a grand dance but had no great desire to face the oldest Mr Beilschmidt even if she wanted to thank him for the head accessory he had bought her days ago. Her hand slowly touched the gift which was completing her knot. The only one, who was conflicted with himself – and not only for that day but for a week – was the English Gentleman who sat next to his cousin. Arthur felt extremely content to have the first dance with Miss Honda, while he was afraid of her distant manner she had demonstrated towards him over the last days. But the most unsettling thought his mind harboured was the thought of her meeting someone she wanted to court. He remembered the conversation he had with her and their visiting party last week; she had shown a great interest in Mr Karpusi and Arthur disliked the imagination of the Greece and her dancing arm in arm at the ball.

Earlier, when she had descended the stairs to approach the men in order to enter the carriage, Arthur had felt his breath stuck in his throat. The blue muslin dress she wore, the flower in her styled hair and her light flustered expression had created the illusion of an angelic creature – which he found to be the most accurate description of the Japanese. He had stepped forward, offered her his arm and had wished that nothing would interrupt their moment. But she had been reluctant at first and the distant look in her eyes had returned. It affected him so greatly that he had decided to finally ask her after the ball. He would confront her, noticing that he could not endure another day with her being cold towards him.

Alfred nudged him in his ribs and this move brought Arthur back to reality. "You are staring," his cousin concluded in a whisper as Arthur's eyes did not leave Miss Honda. Since they had entered the carriage, he had observed her rather obviously. But he did not blame himself, she looked absolutely lovely. In addition to that he was rethinking of any reasons that could have inflicted her neutral behaviour towards him. He admitted that it drove him mad; after so many days of facing her cold shoulder, he felt hurt and misunderstood – not knowing that Miss Honda had been hurt by his spoken words and had taken the decision to keep a certain distance.

The carriage was moving in a constant rhythm until it suddenly stopped. The two females' excitement increased as their sight ventured the ambience outside the window of the carriage: People were streaming in the Beilschmidt's house; lots of servant opened the doors, accompanied some older guests to the door and greeted them while music played inside the building.

"Marvellous," the Japanese voiced, her eyes shining with awe. Her chaperone nodded, silently agreeing with her statement.

The carriage driver opened the door and Arthur decided to assist his guests with the exiting of the vessel. The party proceeded to the grand entry and were greeted with welcoming words and dancing cards. Of course, Arthur suggested writing his name on Miss Honda's dancing card; having been promised the first dance after they had brought their jackets in the cloak room. One could already feel the warm air as they approached the ball room: Couples were dancing, the music was playing and the guests were engaged in conversations.

Sakura's excitement was causing her to smile even if some of the attending guests had given her strange and curious looks. She was aware of people's questioning expressions; most of them had never seen an Asian woman attending an upper-class ball before. But she could not care less about their opinions as she observed the ball room. She had always read about it in books or heard from Miss Jones of the enchanting balls. And now she was here and could not say that she was disappointed.

Arthur watched as his female companion radiated the room with her smile. His heart accelerated upon seeing the joyful expression on Sakura's face. "Such a wonderful sight," she breathed; The Japanese was delighted by this evening and he had to admit that her voicing expression was not mistaking the situation. He agreed with her and concluded that she was the only reason for this ball to be this pleasant. And again, the Gentleman had to confess to himself that he harboured feelings for her; more than he cared to admit to himself. He did not like to acknowledge his mistakes but this time he knew that his cousin had been correct in his assumption. The thought of him marrying a Lady of society seemed ridiculous the more he watched Sakura. Maybe fate was signalling him to follow his heart's wishes and not those of society or his father. His heart burst out of his chest as he continued his observation of her joy; she had not openly showed any emotion for a week and witnessing it after so many days, Arthur felt light-hearted. He did not want to miss that sight ever again.

Harmonic music sounded through the room and the English man decided to claim his first dance after a new song would be played.

"Miss Honda," he cleared his throat, "May I have the honour of the next dance?"

The addressed woman turned towards her companion and stared at him. She slowly nodded before she voiced her agreement. But it never came, as a group of people greeted Mr Kirkland in a rather unfashionable manner.

"Oh bonsoir, Monsieur Kirkland."

Arthur internally cringed but decided to not display his dismay to the French Baronet.

"Good evening," he greeted with a neutral expression before addressing the rest of the group; the Frenchman's sister, their Belgian cousin who was accompanied by her husband Antonio Fernández Carriedo. The latter was a Spanish officer who had been married to Emma for several years. They claimed that they had fallen in love at first sight and Arthur had believed it immediately. After many years of marriage, the two were still acting as if they recently fell in love.

"How are your children doing?" Arthur asked after he had properly introduced Sakura and Elizabeta – who to her wonder, received knowing glances from the four, but she dismissed it quickly – to them.

Upon hearing his question, the Spaniard laughed, "They are doing fine; Feliciano is very intrigued by art and little Lovino tends to argue."

"Oh, does he?"

"Indeed," Emma told him, "Last time he claimed that our dog should only eat tomatoes. And he stubbornly followed the poor animal with the fruit in his hand."

"Oh dear."

"And you should have seen the flower arrangement from last week," the blonde woman sighed, "He had a discussion with our maids and ordered them to do another arrangement. It was more of a tomato arrangement and of course Feliciano tried to draw the scenery."

The party laughed before Antonio spoke again. "And to show that we appreciate our children's talents, we had to put those drawn paintings of tomatoes in the drawing room."

"What wonderful children," Francis concluded, "They certainly have brought a new light in your home."

Sakura's smile widened as she heard of those tales. Oh, much she wished to have children of her own. She had always liked the idea of being a mother and being married to a man she loved. Fortunately, her uncle had not forced her in an arranged marriage years ago. He wanted her to choose on her own, to write her own story of her life. And now she had the possibility of finding love in a ball room. Sadly enough, she had already found love in a man, of whom she thought did not reciprocate her feelings. Arthur Kirkland possessed her heart and had broken it the night, he had voiced his opinion about her and the possibility of loving her. The feelings she harboured for him were still the same but she tried to ignore them. She had to marry another man and she hoped to find him here. Love with that chosen male will come with the time, when she would forget her affection for the British Gentleman whose claps around her arm was still firm.

Her eyes fell on Miss Bonnefoy, who watched her and her male companion. Sakura assumed that Mr Kirkland was in love with her – and she could not be more wrong about it – and decided to leave them for the sake of fetching a drink at the buffet. She would not stand in his host's happiness – even if it meant to sacrifice her own.

"I would love to drink something," she said quietly turning towards Elizabeta who was still laughing about the conversation.

"Oh, I can fetch you one, if you like," Mr Kirkland replied, having heard her comment. He was smiling at her lovingly and the Japanese could not think of why he was eyeing her in such a manner. Unbeknownst to her, his mind was filled with the same topic, Sakura had only thought about seconds ago: Children and the happiness of having a family.

"Please don't trouble yourself, I-I will go with my friend," Sakura declined, tapping Elizabeta's shoulder, who had observed the two of them.

"Oh . . . If you wish," he murmured, clearly disappointed by her answer.

He watched the two of them leave him. His shattered hopes and dreams pierced his heart. She had objected his suggestion of giving her a drink; which in his eyes was a gentleman's task: to tend to the lady he was accompanying.

"Why did you not want him to bring you a drink?"

Miss Honda was startled as she heard her friend's question; she had told her about that dreadful night days ago. Although Sakura was certain of what she had heard, Elizabeta was rather confused and had mentioned that the Asian woman must had misunderstood; Elizabeta had seen the way he was looking at the Japanese. It was crystal clear that he was smitten by Sakura; nevertheless she understood her friend's feelings. She was still hurt and needed a certain distance from the man.

"He has to be more engaged with Miss Bonnefoy if he plans on marrying her," Sakura answered, almost causing her Hungarian companion to spit out the content of her drink.

"You cannot be serious!? Please don't tell me that you are still holding on that notion," Elizabeta exclaimed, "Believe me, he is not attached to her."

"But, I am certain. His reaction whenever she and her brother are near him."

Elizabeta could not reply as they were approached by a man who was acquainted with her friend.

"Mr Edelstein, what a pleasure," Sakura affirmed, noticing how the man had diverted his attention towards Elizabeta who was sipping her drink next to her. It was not only the flower in her hair that highlighted her eyes, but the dark red green that complimented her figure.

"May I introduce you, Miss Elizabeta Héderváry, this is Mr Edelstein."

While the Hungarian woman was a little uncertain, knowing exactly with whom the man in front of her was related to, Mr Edelstein was clearly enchanted by her.

"Roderich, my dear friend," a new voice joined them, causing Sakura to turn to the source of it – which was directly behind her. Unfortunately, she had not been aware of his closeness as she spilled her drink on the gentleman.

"A-a thousand apologies," she stuttered, a blush adorning her face.

"Oh dear," the man mentioned before laughing.

"Mr Karpusi," Roderich intervened.

And At that moment, Sakura lifted her head to face the gentleman she had soaked with her drink; and all she could see were a pair of green eyes.

[A/N: I upload today, because I won't be at home this weekend but I don't want to procrastinate the update of the next chapter :) . I decided to include the pair Spain x Belgium :) and of course their children are our beloved Italian twins :D (because I think it is cute :D Romano decorating the house with tomatoes while Feli paints them :D forza azzurri ~ Teamwork à la Italia ~ ). And I don't need to explain the allusion of Iggy thinking about children. He has extremely conflicted feelings in admitting his love (I know it's getting old xD) and he came now to the realisation that he is in love with Sakura and cannot undo it. Even thinking that maybe fate wants him to marry her and not another society Lady; and that's the reason why he will confront her at the end of the ball. And Alfred wants to confront him by telling him about Sakura's eavesdropping; while Sakura will be engaged with other guests. Gosh this is going to be very chaotic and dramatic :'D. Apart from Asasaku's drama, you can see who Gilbert's rival will be :'D]

Translation:

bonsoir, Monsieur Kirkland – Good evening, Mister Kirkland