From the hidden alcove, Ludwig observed the gentry as they milled around the ballroom. Tonight was the grand ball Queen Erzsébet had assembled in honour of his visit, and the dress code was for everyone to dress in muted colours with headpieces resembling animals. He was not ready to join any conversations, but the chatter was loud enough for him to hear the rumours from far away.
The eternal winter in Prathage was suddenly lifted the other day, and Ludwig couldn't help but wonder if Arthur's presence had something to do with it.
Ludwig glanced to his side, and noticed the mirror in which he could check his reflection one last time. The Queen had procured his outfit for the ball, which was a tasteful white suit with red vest and tie. The only part of the outfit Ludwig was not fond of, and deliberately avoided looking at in his reflection, was the animal headpiece she chose to complete the look and match the theme.
Of all the animals in the world, why did he have to be a white rabbit?
He turned away from the mirror just in time for Yao to approach him. The head steward was wearing a brown outfit with a very simple headpiece that had antennae sticking out.
"The Queen is about to come in, she'll be announced first," Yao instructed, "After that, you will be announced, and you will come out to join the Queen for the first dance."
"Understood."
Ludwig looked over to see Queen Erzsébet entering the ballroom, just by his own alcove. She wore a ballgown with a large flowing skirt, the green base colour adorned in purple and blue highlights. A large back piece imitated peacock feathers, and her tiara was chosen instead of an animal headpiece. She nodded at him as she walked by, and Ludwig nodded back as the trumpet fanfare announced her arrival.
"Her Royal Majesty, Queen Erzsébet of Stulikya!"
The crowds turned forward and bowed as the Queen stepped onto the ballroom floor and took her place in front of the throne. Once she was in position, the crowd stood again and Ludwig straightened his posture in preparation for the herald to call for him.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Ludwig of Ixaidel!"
Ludwig stepped out onto the ballroom floor, taking a small glance as he heard the gossiping murmurs through the room. He approached the Queen, giving a small bow first before offering his hand. She nodded back, and gave her his hand so that he could lead her into their dancing positions.
"Have you heard the old folklore stories about rabbits?" the Queen asked, "They are known to use cunning and trickery to outwit their enemies."
"Yes, I believe I've heard that," Ludwig answered, "Although white rabbits do stand out awkwardly when it is not winter."
Once they were at their starting positions for the circle dance, the Queen turned towards the throne, while Ludwig turned the other direction. He could see all the other dancers assembling in their circles for the first dance, with the men on the outside and all the women except the Queen on the inside. It was a traditional social dance where, after the set number of steps, the men would shift right to their next dance partner.
Just before the music could start, Ludwig felt a tap to his shoulder, and saw another man standing there at his left side. He had dark brown hair and glasses and wore a horse headpiece.
"Move along, sir,"
Ludwig made a hasty departure, slightly relieved to no longer be the focus of the room's attention. He quickly moved to the right side of the ballroom, watching the assembled dancers to see if there were any more open spots to quickly take. Spotting an unpartnered lady in a grey dress, Ludwig quickly positioned himself in the empty position beside her, barely having a moment to compose himself before the dance began.
Following the first beat of the music, Ludwig turned to face his dance partner and found her to be quite enchanting. Her grey dress was of a classic silhouette, with a delicate lace texture in another shade of grey that nearly shimmered like silver. She wore wolf ears on her head, with her platinum blonde hair tied back. On her face was half-mask shaped as a wolf's snout, which did not completely hide her shocked expression.
"It's you?" she quietly gasped as they started the dance.
"I beg your pardon," Ludwig asked, "have we met?"
"Last week, in the forest," she replied, "I took you and your friend down from that tree."
The memory immediately came to Ludwig's mind, and allowed him to recognize the violet eyes hiding behind the mask.
"It is you," Ludwig realized, "But how are you here?"
"I could ask the same of you," she countered, "You never told me you were a Prince."
"Well, I was in a compromising position at the time," Ludwig justified.
"Yes, I remember, you were not wearing pants," she stated, "At least now you're dressed, but as a bunny?"
"A rabbit, according to the Queen," Ludwig corrected, "Something about trickery and cunning. Quite honestly, I think the ears are ridiculous."
"They really do look ridiculous," she chuckled.
As they spun in their spots, the musical cue was given for the men to move right and switch partners. Not wanting to end his conversation with the wolf-lady, Ludwig took a brief step back as the next male dancer came over to take his spot. Without missing the beat, or losing the other man's momentum, Ludwig pushed him to the next spot over, giving that man the next lady in line. Ludwig had just enough time to straighten himself out again before turning to face the wolf-lady.
"So, now that you know how I am here," Ludwig directed as they continued dancing, "Would you tell me who you are, and how it is that you are here?"
"Oh, of course, I should tell you that," she obliged, "This is my home. I live here, my family has for years. I'm the Princess."
"Wait, you're Princess Natalya?" Ludwig realized, "Why didn't you tell me that in the forest?"
"I was incognito at the time," Natalya justified, "To be fair, you also kept your own identity a secret."
"Of course I hid my identity," Ludwig defended, "It would be dreadfully embarrassing if whoever rescued me knew I was royalty."
The musical cue sounded for another partner switch, and Ludwig was not ready to act on it this time. As the next male dancer stepped over, Ludwig gave him a push that was a little bit harsher than the last. This fellow pushed back a bit in retaliation, however, making Ludwig step back and accidentally bump into Natalya. He tried to spin towards her as he corrected his position, but Natalya turned at the same time, so they bumped their sides against each other.
"Oh goodness," Ludwig uttered as they finally found their footing, "I'm so sorry, that was an accident."
"What was that all about?" Natalya asked as they resumed dancing, "Aren't we supposed to be changing partners?"
"Yes, we are," Ludwig answered, "but I want to keep talking to you."
"Well, to be completely honest, I'm not just here to chat," Natalya confessed, "I snuck into the ball tonight, hoping to speak with the visiting Prince of Ixaidel. There's something I need your help with."
"Oh yes, of course," Ludwig complied, "I am at your disposal."
"It's about my sister-in-law, Queen Erzsébet," Natalya hastily whispered, "Ever since my brother disappeared, she has been terrorizing the people and ruining the kingdom. I need to stop her, and I was hoping that you would - "
Natalya's words halted as they spun, her eyes focused on the front of the room where Ludwig could not see.
"I'm sorry," Natalya apologized, "I have to go."
Natalya immediately left him and bolted off the dance floor, and Ludwig was pushed aside moments later as Yao followed her. Ludwig quickly glanced towards the throne, where the Queen was also taking her silent leave, eyes glared at where Natalya had bolted.
Ludwig then departed the dance floor as well, following the path Natalya and Yao had taken through a side door into a hallway. His pursuit stopped in the middle of a fork in the hallways, where a mask lay upside-down on the floor and no voices could be heard in either direction for Ludwig to follow. He knelt down to grab the mask, and spun it to see the familiar wolf face on it.
Just as quickly as the mysterious Princess of Stulikya had appeared, she had vanished.
"You sneaky little brat, sneaking into my party after I told you never to do that ever again. And where on earth did you get such a dress?"
"The dress and mask were in my mother's wardrobe, hidden from your disposing hands in an undisclosed storage closet. If that's all you want to know, there would be much better ways to use my time."
Yao watched from the side as Queen Erzsébet and Princess Natalya passive-aggressively argued with each other. With the help of a pair of guards, Yao had captured the rebellious princess and brought her to the Queen. This private balcony overlooked the ballroom, and its red velvet curtains had been closed so there would be no other witnesses to the confrontation.
"Oh, such as talking to my prince?" Erzsébet pried.
"Your prince, really?" Natalya jeered, "Your ticket to covering up how you only needed five years to bankrupt the Royal Treasury?"
Erzsébet glared at Natalya, and Yao could feel the tension in the room mounting every second.
"My my, Natalya," Erzsébet deflected, "You should not assume such things."
"I don't need to assume anything," Natalya defended, "I've been to Ivrark many times now, I know the people are starving while you take their money to throw your parties."
"You left the castle grounds?" Erzsébet critiqued, "You are really breaking all the rules, aren't you? That's a punishable offense, you know."
"By whose law?" Natalya protested, "You have no right to rule the way you do. Technically, you have no right to rule at all, now that I am of age to take back my family's crown. You know as well as I do that I am the rightful ruler of Stulikya, and that you've overstayed your regency!"
Yao's jaw dropped, and he couldn't help but take and hold a deep breath. Natalya had just pushed the limits of what anyone would dare say to the Queen, and he could see in her expression that the Queen was not happy with that response.
After a painstakingly long minute of the two women furiously scowling at each other, the Queen finally responded.
"That is not the best thing you could have said just there," Erzsébet slowly stated, the tone indicating the rage she was withholding, "Guards, take her back to her room."
Yao stayed to the side as the guards grabbed Natalya and led her out of the room, the Queen glaring heavily at the rebellious princess's every step. The Queen continued staring at the door for several heavy moments after they left, making Yao wonder if he should leave as well. He took a curious side-step to do so, immediately redirecting Erzsébet's glare onto himself in the process.
"I want her killed," Erzsébet calmly declared.
"Killed?" Yao gasped, "Your Majesty, isn't that a bit rash?"
"She is a threat to everything for me," Erzsébet justified, "Take her to the woods and feed her to the Beast."
"You can't be serious," Yao pleaded, "Please reconsider, your Majesty!"
"That is an order, Yao," Erzsébet sternly stated, eyes fixed on him.
Yao stepped back at the command, slowly creeping towards the door. His own birth spell made it so that he would always obey whoever wears the crown, and it was clear that Erzsébet would not budge on her command. He had served the Royal Family for years, even before Katerina's death, and never did Ivan or their father give him some deadly orders.
As soon as he was out the door, Yao bolted down the hallway, finding the small alcove in which he could hide for a moment. Once there, he took some deep breaths as he reflected on what just happened, and what he would have to do.
He had no choice but to use the loophole.