"Grey, don't you be falling asleep, we have a half-hour left of this thing and then Finral is taking us home," said Gauche to his cute, small girlfriend. Gauche sighed when she didn't respond, though it didn't help that she was wearing his suit jacket and he was holding her in his lap. It was a late for Grey too, as she was not used to be up at all hours. Gauche didn't care either way, but he didn't want Grey to get sick tomorrow with a bad headache because then, he'd have to make the horrifying choice of taking care of Grey or going to visit Marie.

"I'm not sleeping, resting my eyes," yawned Grey, pressed herself closer to Gauche.

"Oi, watch it," grumbled Gauche. He scanned the crowd, which was thinning considerably. However, he wasn't so mean to move and disturb Grey, because she was tired and ready to sleep for a week. Grey didn't respond except to make some sort of cute noise that was nonsense. Gauche sighed.

"Attention, everyone, it is I, your benevolent ruler, King Augustus Kira Clover XIII, with the final judgements upon the winners of the Mini-Contest for the Masquerade Ball."

Gauche rolled his eyes at the sound of their moronic king. Gauche wondered where Lord Julius ran off, but knowing that old man stuck in a body of a sixteen-year-old, Julius's causing trouble. Still, Gauche shifted in the chair, making sure not to jostle Grey too much, as he kept an ear out for the announcements.

"First I want to announce the official couple of the Masquerade Ball, the Baron and Baroness for the evening, Captain Fuegoleon Vermillion and 1st Class Senior Magic Knight Sal Vermillion!"

"Hmm, what's that man yapping about now," mumbled Grey. "He didn't even call them by their proper titles."

"Noticed that while you were sleeping, huh?" It was true that since Fuegoleon was also a member of the Vermillion House and the Heir apparent (since Mereoleona didn't give two shits), and by extension, so was his wife Sal. It should have been Lord Captain and 1st Class Senior Magic Knight Lady Sal. And Gauche only knew this after Noelle schooled all the Black Bulls on the use of titles.

"I'm not sleeping, I'm resting my eyes."

"Likely story, babe."

Before Grey was able to protest more, the annoying voice of the king interrupted, "The best dancers of the evening were those using the names Melody and Alexios, who will be the night's Duke and Duchess!"

"Can he not use a magic device to make his voice louder and more annoying," said Gauche, wincing. Grey shifted in his hold. "Oi, I told you to be careful!" She giggled at his expense.

"AND NOW! The King and Queen of the Masquerade Ball are the best dressed of the evening, and they are using the names Bridgette and Theodore! All the winners will be contacted by the Office of the Wizard King for the forms for your one request from me, your beloved King! There's 10 minutes until the magic of the masks wear off! Please react accordingly and have a good evening."

Gauche stood up and picked up Grey in one swift motion, holding her bridal style. "Let's get to the meeting spot, I'm done."

"Thank you for staying all night, Gauche." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Love you."

Face on fire, Gauche grunted, "Love you too."

"Do you think everyone else had fun?" She said it a soft, worried tone, as she had worried about their dateless squadmates and their tendency for trouble.

"I'm sure it went great for them."

"Good." She yawned again and fell back to sleep in his arms, as he headed out of the ballroom for the exit to the city itself.

"Oi! You're gonna get a headache, you damn cutie!"

to be continued

Notes:

-The Masquerade King and Queen, the best dressed (Vanessa and Nozel) AKA Bridgette and Theodore
-The Masquerade Duke and Duchess, the best dancers (Gordon and Letoile) AKA Alexios and Melody
-The Masquerade Baron and Baroness, the best couple (Fuego and his wife), who didn't have mystery names since they came together and their masks weren't magicked

AND WHAT'S NEXT?!

THE REVEALS

Tomorrow!

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!