Chapter Twenty-Five: When all seems well

' …was so cute! I mean she's gorgeous! Not that that's a shock, but I didn't expect to fall in love with her so quickly! The way she looks at me…'

Blaine smiled as he listened to Kurt gush about his new little sister, born only three weeks and a half ago and already the talk of the palace. Blaine agreed that she was a beautiful little girl, and adored her eyes; identical to Kurt's in every way. Apparently she looked a lot like Kurt had when he was a baby, a fact that didn't escape the public eye, as a article appeared suggesting that Lily was their child, one of the only articles in Cicero that Kurt ever laughed at.

' Gosh, what are you going to be like when our own kids are born' Blaine chuckled when Kurt took a breath. His boyfriend cut off his rambling, smiling at him.

' Probably' Kurt sighed, stopping and wrapping his arms around Blaine's waist, linking his hands together at the small of his back. Blaine grinned, resting his arms loosely on Kurt's shoulders. They had been taking a walk around the gardens, hand in hand, while Carole and Lily took a nap, because apparently this was the only time Kurt was willing to leave his baby sister's side. They now stopped in the middle of the grass at the side of the palace, and Blaine ducked his head, pressing a kiss to Kurt's lips.

' You're so cute' he mumbled against his lips, stepping closer.

' You do realise when we have children you'll never get some time with me coz I'll be cooing over our adorable babies' Kurt giggled.

' You'll come crawling back' Blaine teased. Kurt arched an eyebrow.

' Oh yeah?'

' Of course, you can't resist my fine ass'

' Oh really? And who was begging last night?' Kurt reminded him, giggling again when Blaine's cheeks went slightly pink. The prince covered up for it, sliding his hands into Kurt's styled hair and tugging him in for another hard kiss. Kurt hummed, opening his mouth when Blaine's tongue slid across his bottom lip. Both of them moaned as their tongues tangled and Kurt's hand slipped down into Blaine's back pocket.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, until Kurt spotted a white flash out of the corner of his eye, gasping and jumping away from Blaine at the sight of a camera man filming them, a woman next to him holding a camera, taking photos of them. Blaine looked round, raising an eyebrow, before looking back and finding Kurt briskly walking back towards the palace. Sighing, Blaine followed, walking backwards and making an aspirated motion at the two reporters, hurrying after Kurt, wrapping an arm around his waist when he caught him.

' Baby, you need to get used to this. We're both in the lime light now, I thought you knew that?' Blaine asked, biting his bottom lip worriedly. He couldn't bear to see Kurt leave again. Kurt seemed to feel the desperation he tried to keep from his voice, because he untangled himself from Blaine's arm, taking his hand instead.

' I'm not going anywhere' he assured him. ' I just got embarrassed, I'm still not great with PDA'

Blaine looked relieved, smiling. ' Please don't leave me again' he muttered. Kurt nodded, glancing around before leaning in to give his boyfriend a quick kiss.

' Never. You're never getting rid of me'

' So you ready for tonight?' Mercedes asked, watching Kurt do his hair in the mirror with the rest of the girls, all of them piled onto his and Blaine's bed.

He shrugged, picking up the hairspray can and spraying it over his head, holding up his perfectly styled hair. ' Almost'

' No, I mean…mentally, emotionally. This is the first event you're going to as Blaine's boyfriend here isn't it?' his best friend asked. Kurt paused, lowering the can for a moment.

' Yeah. I've actually been trying not to think about it' he admitted, pulling a face.

' So is Blaine your eye candy tonight? Or are you his?' Santana grinned, leaning back against the pillows, playing with Brittany's hair.

' Funnily enough, since I asked him to go with me, he's mine' Kurt replied cheekily. His friends giggled.

' Where is he?' Tina asked.

' Getting ready with the guys'

' Aw! It's like how it will be before the wedding!' Rachel squealed.

' When is Blaine going to propose to you Kurtie?' Brittany asked. ' Can I be a bridesmaid?'

Kurt spun on the chair he sat on, leaning back against the dressing table, hairspray can still in hand. He arched an eyebrow at all of them, sat with eager eyes.

' I dunno! Ask him' he laughed. ' It'll be after or during college either way, but before the coronation. Blaine says that he wants to have a honeymoon without all the distractions that being king would offer'

' See I don't get that, why does he have to be king when he's twenty-one?' Mercedes asked.

' Oh I don't understand it either, I might ask Blaine if we can change that' Kurt shrugged, turning round to face the mirror again, checking over his hair and for blemishes for the last, glancing at his watch. ' I don't want my son to feel pressured to become king when he turns twenty-one'

' Do you still want me to surrogate for your first child Kurt?' Rachel asked, smiling.

' Of course, but we'll talk about that closer to the time, for now, I need to run' he said, jumping up and smoothing down his black and white lined suit for creases. ' Off to admire beautiful clothing, gorgeous models and hopefully prepare a job for after college. Don't wait up!'

Kurt was in heaven. As soon as he stepped out of the limo with Blaine, Isabelle, Claudia, Ella and Jack – who'd left Piers back at the palace to "hang with the other guys" – cameras were flashing and people cheering as they walked down the red carpet, into the huge white building, decorated inside with black and white. That was the theme, black and white, and every guest had dressed accordingly.

It had taken Kurt only a month to design and make the suits he, Blaine and Jack wore, and the long dresses that Isabelle, Claudia and Ella now wore, with some help from the same tailor from before of course, and he was ecstatic by the compliments they were all getting. They sat down to watch the show, in the front row, admiring the beautiful clothes and elegant models. Kurt couldn't help but notice the difference between the models here and the ones in America, these Cicero-born girls had curves, they weren't just stick thin and the guys weren't just complete muscle. He knew he would love to design clothes for all of them.

The show finished after an hour and a half and Kurt was impressed to see that Blaine – who had barely any interest in fashion – hadn't fallen asleep. Madam Julienne Dujour strode out onto the lit up white catwalk with all the models in tow, smiling and waving to the applauding audience. She was a good looking woman in her late fifties, dressed from head to heel in prada and jimmy choo, her dark hair piled into a curled bun and her skin good for someone of her age. She gave a small bow to the royals before retreating backstage with her entourage.

The fashion show became a party, and despite Philippe lurking behind Isabelle and Claudia, keeping an eye on the royal children, the other guests came up freely to them all, greeting them and chatting over flutes of champagne.

Like good eye-candy, Blaine stayed at Kurt's side for most of the night, unless he saw someone he knew, introducing his boyfriend to the many dignitaries that were modern enough not to turn their posh noses up. Blaine insisted that Kurt needed to know all of these people for when they were married.

' Ah Prince Blaine! What a pleasure to see you back in Cicero!'

The couple turned and Kurt inwardly squealed at the sight of Madam Dujour striding over, wine glass in hand, flanked by two of the male models, still in their catwalk clothes. Blaine smiled his usual dazzling smile that took everyone's breath away, taking the woman's hand and kissing it, like he'd been doing with every other woman they'd been approached by.

' Madam Dujour, a brilliant show, as always, how do you do it?' the prince gushed, earning an approving smile from the designer.

' I aim to please, it is nice to see you here Prince Blaine, it's usually Prince Jacques I see on the arm of an attractive young man' Madam Dujour said, her voice touched by a heavy French, admiring Kurt with a smile.

' Oh, Madam Dujour may I introduce my boyfriend, Kurt Hummel. Kurt this is Madam Julienne Dujour, the best fashion designer in Cicero, possibly in Europe' Blaine introduced, making the older woman blush pink, slapping his arm lightly.

' Mr. Hummel, it is a pleasure to meet you at last' she said, holding out a hand. Kurt copied Blaine, kissing the top of her hand lightly, smiling widely.

' Pleasure's all mine. Your designs are…amazing'

' Oh such a pair of charmers, though I must say Mr. Hummel, your own fashion statements are very interesting, enchanting in fact' Madam Dujour said. ' And these suits, those dresses…you must work for me, I insist'

Kurt's eyes widened, almost gasping at her offer.

' I would love to, but I'm already going to college'

' Ah of course, in New York yes? Which one?'

' The Fashion Institute of Technology'

' Ah! I love that one! They produce such talented graduates! Well please understand that my offer will stand until you accept or decline' Madam Dujour insisted. ' I could make you very famous Mr. Hummel…'

' Oh please, call me Kurt'

' Kurt. Your own fashion lines, the royal seal of approval. Oh! It's so exciting1 I cannot wait and neither can Kane and Victor' Madam Dujour squealed, gesturing to the two models behind her. ' I have already told these two that they will be helping you get to the top'

' Oh, that's very kind of you' Kurt laughed. ' Nice to meet you both' he added, shaking the hands of the two models'

' And don't you worry Prince Blaine, both of them are straight so no need to be jealous' the woman teased Blaine, who laughed.

' Ah I'm sure I have nothing to worry about'

Madam Dujour smiled, looking back and forth between the couple, much like a few of the other dignitaries and people of importance they had met that night as well. However she was the only one who said something about the connection she saw between them.

' You make a lovely couple, I wish you years, decades of happiness' she sighed, taking both their hands and squeezing lightly. They both smiled.

' Thank you Madam'

' You are very welcome, now then I must go find your brother and chastise him for not bringing that gorgeous boyfriend of his as well, I shall see you both later'

The designer sauntered away with her two models, making a beeline for Jack, who paled at the sight of her, ducking behind Ella. Kurt giggled, turning to Blaine, who was already beaming at him.

' Well, you've got a fan there' he laughed.

' Well who isn't a fan of me?'

Blaine grinned, stepping closer, wrapping an arm around Kurt's waist. ' I'm your biggest fan'

' Oh I know' Kurt smiled, pressing a hand to Blaine's chest when he leaned in to kiss him. ' So you should remember that I don't like PDA'

Blaine sighed, pulling away, taking Kurt's hand instead. ' Sorry, wanna get a drink?'

' Yeah' Kurt agreed, letting Blaine lead him across the crowded room towards the bar. ' Hey how does Madam Dujour know Piers then?'

' Oh, she loves Piers ever since they met last year, she wants him to be a model for her' Blaine explained. Kurt gaped.

' Does he not want to be a model then?'

' Sure he does, but he's told her he wants to graduate first'

' I bet Jack will love that'

' Oh you don't want to know what Jack did when he heard Piers might become a model, I got a very vivid relay and Ella moved into my room for four nights' Blaine shuddered as they reached the bar, ordering two sodas for them both.

' I love your brother' Kurt giggled, leaning back against the bar, surveying the room and watching as Jack cowered beneath Madam Dujour's scolding finger. Blaine joined him, stretching his arm behind Kurt on the bar, his fingers lightly grazing the back of his arm. Kurt had noticed that throughout their relationship, that whenever they were stood or sat or walking together…whenever they were in touching distance really…Blaine liked to have even a small part of him touching Kurt. Whether it was a foot sliding over Kurt's under the table when they were studying or eating, or playing with Kurt's fingers or hair or scarf, even doing a Santana/Brittany and entwining their pinkies together.

' Not more than me though right?' Blaine asked, running his fingertips up and down Kurt's arm.

' Well Jack is very attractive…' Kurt mused, winking. Blaine gaped at him and he giggled, leaning in to whisper in his prince's ear. ' I love you more than jimmy choo shoes'

' Wow, I didn't think that was possible'

' Me either'

The rest of the night went just as well, with speeches and dancing, music and attractive topless waiters walking around wearing bowties and offering around trays of entrees and champagne flutes, prompting Jack, Kurt and Ella to giggle and ogle them after Blaine was ushered away to have his photo taken with various dignitaries.

It was gone midnight by the time the party wound down and Blaine, Jack, Ella and Kurt left the party, following Claudia and Isabelle towards the limo.

Blaine and Kurt stopped to have their photo taken by a few dozens cameras, smiling at the still rambunctious crowd and waving cheerfully, buzzed from the champagne they had drank.

It was a good night, and Kurt was sad that it had to end.

It happened fast.

A loud bang.

Screams.

A huge weight suddenly smacked into Kurt's chest, sending him to the floor, something warm and wet spreading across his torso. He looked down.

' Blaine?'