Blaine had finally been able to retire to his new suite at the palace and never had he felt more exhausted and more restless in the middle of the day. To say that it had been a trying past few days would be a gross understatement. First, there was Duke Smythe's son, Blaine squeezed his eyes trying to forget, trying not to imagine what the Duke's son might have done to him, let alone what would have happened to him if the court falsely believed him guilty. Then, of course, there was the prince, who just days ago was toying with him and ruthlessly kissed him, but it feels like that prince is long gone and has been replaced by a softer, gentler one whom Blaine could see himself falling for. Which of course came with its own problems, one, this is the crowned prince, not any random bloke, and two, who ever heard of two men falling in love? It's taboo. The last of the things that Blaine can't help but mull over is how the king seemed so nonchalant about it, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. It took him a while, but eventually, he fell asleep.
Blaine started to stir when he felt a cold, wet cloth on his forehead. "Mmm." He grunted trying to bat the cloth away, but the cloth didn't move. Instead a hand grasped his wrist to keep it away. Blaine opened his eyes and sat up in a flash, hitting his head by something hard. "Ow!"
"It didn't feel great for me either." Kurt chuckled as he rubbed his forehead. "Are you okay?"
"I should be asking you that." Blaine said as the sight of Kurt came into focus. "Did I hurt you?"
"I'm fine Blaine. But you still haven't answered my question." Kurt reminded him as he placed the cloth in the basin beside the bed.
"It stings a little—" Blaine touched his forehead where it collided with Kurt's.
"You know that is not what I'm asking."
Blaine sighed and took a moment to collect his thoughts before answering. "Is there a right answer as to how I should feel?" Blaine asked. "I'm trying to forget what happened, if I can. I don't ever want to remember that look in his eyes or the way he came towards me." Blaine looked down at his hands, trying not to cry.
"I didn't help with that, did I?" Blaine looked into Kurt's eyes with a confused look on his face. "When I kissed you. I forced myself onto you, I didn't consider what you wanted. I took what I wanted. I think that's the problem with nobility, we're not used to asking, just taking." Kurt stood up. "I am sorry Blaine, I never want to hurt you. I hope one day you can forgive me." With that, Kurt left, he didn't wait for a response from Blaine, nor did he look back at Blaine, he just left and closed the door after himself.
Blaine just sat there, looking at the spot where Kurt stood. Could Blaine forgive that kiss? His first kiss was not just with a man, but with a prince who had no respect for anyone else. But was that the real Kurt? The Kurt who had taken care of him after the Duke's son incident was not the same Kurt who kissed him that night. Why were there these two very opposing sizes of Kurt? One soft and gentle, the other callus and cruel, and Blaine has met them both in such a short amount of time that he isn't sure what to think. Whatever happens, Blaine thought, he is still a man, there is no future to be had there, let alone that he is a prince. I shouldn't have kissed him this morning. I should stay as far away as possible.
That thought lasted until there was a knock at the door and Kurt entered, dressed to the nines, with a sparkling golden crown on his head that caught the light in every angle. "You can't still be in bed. Dad still has that ball tonight and we need our entertainer."
"Oh, right." Blaine said as he sprang from the bed and walked to the door.
"No, that won't do." Kurt shook his head. "You need to be in something more formal. Hurry and change, then go to the ball room on the main floor." With that, Kurt turned on his heels and left. Blaine went over to his belongings that were sitting near a chest of drawers, that he hadn't had time to put away. He picked out his best, fitted pale purple tunic, and black pants. He went over to the basin and washed his face, ran his fingers through his soft curls, and was out the door.
When he made his way down to the ball room, Gerald was waiting at the door. "Ah, you're here." His tone was icy.
"I apologize for my tardiness."
Gerald grunted in reply and opened the door to him. "You are to bow as you pass the royals and take your place at the harpsicord." He whispered as Blaine passed him. Blaine did as directed; bowed once to Prince Kurt, and once to the King, then continued over to the harpsicord. Blaine saw a small stack of sheet music laid out along the stand above the keys. When he looked over at the royals, the King gave him a small nod, so Blaine took it as his sign to begin playing. One song after another. He was grateful that some songs didn't have lyrics as to give his voice a small break.
When he had the chance to look around at everyone dancing, the sight took his breath away. It was beautiful, the different colours of people's attire swishing past him as people danced and twirled. He noticed that some of the noble women didn't take to dancing and stood close to the harpsicord he was playing, he tried his best to ignore them. He also tried to ignore the two grey blue eyes that were on him from the thrown to the left of the King.
He heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Prince Kurt walking towards him. "Play the song three sheets down next, if you please." Blaine nodded in response as he finished the piece in front of him, then quickly shifted to the song he was asked to play. It was the song he had sung for Kurt in the forest, he would recognize the music for it, even without the title. Kurt returned back to sitting beside his father as Blaine began to sing. Blaine saw out of the corner of his eye, the stunned look on the King's face. Blaine vaguely remembered Kurt saying that the Queen used to sing it to him, Blaine then wondered if the King had heard the song since the untimely passing of the late Queen. The song was about love and dreams, but most importantly, following your heart wherever it leads. Blaine continued on, hitting every note and pulling more and more focus from the dancing folk, until all dancing ceased and all eyes were on him until the very last note.
As Blaine was changing the music in front of him, the King had come over to him. He began to play the next song, which again had no lyrics as the King asked, "How do you know that song?"
"My mother used to sing it to me when I was younger." Blaine replied glancing briefly at the King, then back at the music. "His highness mentioned that the late Queen, may she rest in peace, used to sing it to him when he was young as well. I think he asked me to sing it today for you, and for her. I can only hope to have done the song justice."
"Very much, my boy. Thank you." The King then left to return to his thrown, but stopped to grasp Prince Kurt on the shoulder and smile at him.
When the evening winded down, Blaine was told he could leave, and he retired to his new room that was big enough to fit his whole house in. Blaine had pulled out his night clothes and had taken off his tunic when the door had opened. He turned around to see Prince Kurt standing there, staring at him, specifically his torso. "I, uh, should have knocked." Kurt said unconvincingly, still clearly staring at Blaine's torso. Blaine turned from Kurt and quickly pulled his night shirt over his head, then turned back to Kurt.
"Was there something you needed?" Blaine asked when Kurt remained silent.
"No, well, yes, sort of. I need you to come with me."
"Now?" Blaine questioned, as he was clearly getting ready for bed.
"Yes, now. Follow me and bring your cloak."
Blaine grabbed is cloak and followed Kurt out the door, closing it behind him. "Where are we going?"
"Shh. Be quiet." Kurt whispered, and so Blaine followed without a word. Down the hall, down the stairs, right at the landing, and headed towards a door Blaine had not seen. It was made of solid would with a faded design on it. Kurt pushed the door open and closed it after Blaine walked through. They were outside now, and feeling the cool breeze, Blaine understood why Kurt had told him to bring his cloak. He draped it around his shoulders and continued after Kurt. Kurt finally stopped walking about five minutes later when the grounds opened up to a beautiful rose garden that looked well tended too. All different types and colours. "This was my mom's garden." Kurt explained. "She loved roses, and so my dad gave her these gardens when they got engaged. She spent countless hours out here tending to the roses. That's why she is always depicted with roses." Kurt stood there and watched Blaine for a moment before continuing, "This was her most treasured place. She used to bring me out here and tell me about roses, and about love. She told me that a rose is like a person, it's always the ones that have struggled the most for sunlight that are the most beautiful in bloom."
"She must have been an incredible person." Blaine turned around to look at Kurt.
"She was." He replied solemnly.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because, Blaine, I know how I must come across, I can be cold and hard, much like the thorns on a rose, but there is good in me, I swear it." Kurt was almost pleading, which Blaine didn't understand why. He was the prince, and he said it himself, nobility doesn't know how to ask for things, they just take it. So why does he sound so desperate? Kurt took a step closer to Blaine, as if to test and see if Blaine would back away. When Blaine didn't, Kurt bracketed Blaine by holding both of his forearms. "If you'll let me." At Blaine's confused expression, Kurt continued. "I've been chasing after this feeling for so long. Please, give me a chance. I don't care if it's wrong, but I want to be with you."
