"Why did you ignore the prince?!" Cinderella demanded. Nezumi looked up from the book he was reading. He was mildly surprised to see her there. Wasn't she living in the palace now?

"Why are you here?" he asked. "Didn't you move to the castle? Shouldn't you be in the castle right now planning your wedding?" The thought of a wedding left a sour taste in Nezumi's mouth. He didn't know why it bothered him so much.

"No." Cinderella sighed her shoulders sagging. "He sent me back home. But he did say I could visit him." She perked up a little. For some reason the sour taste in Nezumi's mouth disappeared. Before he had time to complement it's meaning Cinderella stomped her foot and continued. "But that's not the point! You disappeared and left a note!" She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

"I merely encouraged him to read more." Nezumi raised an eyebrow. "Surely that shouldn't be hard for him."

"Prince Sion is very busy." Cinderella said sternly

"Of course, he his." Nezumi said waving a dismissive hand. Cinderella continued to glare. Nezumi sighed wearily. He had a long night and was tired. He was trying to wind down before going to bed. Why did she chose now to bothering him? It was three in the morning. He did not want to deal with her ranting at him. He decided to change the topic.

"Aren't you concerned about your stepfamily?" he said. "They aren't going to be happy that you snuck to the ball and danced with the prince.

"Prince Sion told my stepfamily that if they mistreat me, he'll hold them accountable." Cinderella said her face brightening "He's so amazing. Not only is he kind but he's also handsome. I was nervous when I went to see him again, but he was so relaxed that I…" As Cinderella gushed on Nezumi felt a headache form. He didn't need her to tell him about the prince. She seemed to forget he had met him already.

"Aright I get it already can you go?" Cinderella stopped speaking and frowned at him.

"You should be grateful that Sion puts up with you." She chastised. "he's very kind. He shouldn't have to read all those books just to meet you! He went home right after your performance and started reading." Nezumi's headache cleared as an image of Sion reading his favorite books. The prince was so dedicated.

"I guess we'll meet soon then." Nezumi smiled. For some unexplainable reason it made him very happy.

.

.

.

Every week during late Autumn the local theaters would put on mini performances. This time of the year was quite popular with the people. The brightly colored leaves and the smoky smell of cooking pies made Autumn very appealing. It was also a time where many came to visit the country. They had many Autumn festivals which were popular even in other countries. The theaters always took advantage of this the surge in visitors to put on short one act plays hoping to make some extra money.

Sion never really payed attention to these plays in the past. Now however he went to each and every one of them. Nezumi was always preforming during these short shows. His manager wanted him to be front and center for all to see. He was slowly getting more popular even among other countries. Eve was drawing in customers like never before. Sion always have to make sure to box off the area he wanted so he could attend. Nezumi knew he was there. Whenever the play ended and the actors bowed, he would make eye contact with the prince. Sion would hold up how many books he had left. Nezumi would smile and then disappear backstage. Sion never bothered to follow him. Nezumi wouldn't be happy if Sion broke his rules. Sion would play his game. It made it more exciting to finish a book knowing he was a step closer to meeting Nezumi.

Today however his wait was at an end. He had just finished the last book which was called Beowulf and was practically bouncing out of his seat. He wanted to go to the theater early but knew he had to wait for Cinderella to arrive. For some reason Sir Williams wouldn't let him go to the theater without her. When he first stated going weekly, the knight had taken the prince aside and had a stern conversation with him.

"I'm glad you're enjoying theater, but we have work to do. You can't abandon your duties for pleasure."

Sion had felt embarrassed and buckled down on his work after that. Although he was getting everything done, Sir Williams still seemed unwilling to let Sion go to the theater weekly. It wasn't until he heard that the prince was going with Cinderella that he relented. Whenever the knight or any of the staff saw Sion and Cinderella together, they acted strangely. Their eyes glittered brightly, and small smiles would crossed their face. Sion even once heard the cook mutter something that sounded like. "Ahh young love."

Sion really didn't really get what they were talking about, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. If it meant he could watch Nezumi preform then whatever they thought was fine.

"Your Highness, Cinderella's coach is arriving!" A guard hollered from the front gate. Sion jumped up from his desk and tore outside. As the coach pulled up Sion climbed in before the footman had time to jump down.

"You seem existed today." Cinderella said in bewilderment as Sion took the seat across from her. The white-haired man beamed at her but didn't say anything. He was to excited to start up a conversation.

Sion didn't enjoy the play much. Although it was good and Nezumi was amazing as usual, the prince couldn't stop feeling impatient. Despite only being one act long it felt like the play went on forever. Finally, the curtains closed, and the actors came on stage. Sion sat up in his seat as he saw Nezumi bow. The dark-haired man looked up and scanned the crowd until he found Sion. With his heart pounding Sion held up his figures forming a zero. Nezumi's eyes lit up as he mouthed "meet me backstage."

Sion didn't wait for everyone to stop clapping. He jumped up and charged to the actor's entrance. Behind him he could hear Cinderella's confused calls. He ignored them. He would explain things to her later. Sion barged through the door and tore down the hall. He passed confused actors and actress who were returning to their changing rooms. The prince read each of the actors dressing room's signs until he came to the door marked Eve.

Sion came to a stop breaking heavily. He lifted a hand to open the door and paused. For some reason he suddenly felt very shy. After a moment's hesitation the white-haired man slowly brought up his hand up again and knocked softly.

"Come in." Nezumi's voice said from inside. Sion held his breath as he opened the door. There sitting on a bench at his mirror was Nezumi. He had taken off his wig but was still wearing the beautiful purple dress. The dark-haired man turned to look at Sion and Sion realizing he was still not breathing. The prince let his breath out slowly. He wondered if Nezumi could hear his heart pounding. The two f them stared at each other in silence.

"Hi." Sion finally said. Nezumi raised his eyes brows.

"You come to each of my performances, read all the books I ask you too, and that's all you have to say?"

"No!" Sion said frowning. "I have a lot to say to you actually. I just forgot it when I saw you."

"How very poetic." Nezumi snorted. Another pause.

"I enjoyed the books you gave me." Sion said. "The Iliad was really interesting. I studied some Greek history, but I never read that book." Nezumi relaxed as a smile crossed his face.

"Of course, it is." The dark-haired man said softly. "I'm surprised you read it so fast." Sion beamed at him.

"When I put my mind to something I always pull through." The prince said confidently. "Besides I had incentive." Nezumi smirked.

"I should ignore you more often. Imagine all the books you'll read."

"You wouldn't do that!" Sion exclaimed.

"Oh? Why not?" Nezumi asked raising an eyebrow. Sion frowned down at the ground as he tried to think of a reason why. Nezumi watched him ponder for a few seconds before relenting.

"I was joking." He said dryly. "don't take everything so serious."

"Nezumi!" Sion pouted. "That's mean! I really thought you were going to disappear again!"

"Nah I'll stick around a little bit longer." Nezumi snorted. "Not that I have a choice." He said the last part under his breath. Sion tilted her head, curious. He wondered if someone was forcing Nezumi to stay. He wondered a lot about Nezumi actually.

"Hey Nezumi." Sion asked hesitantly. "Can you tell me more about yourself?" he looked down as his hands. "I know so little about you." He kept his gaze down as he felt Nezumi survey him.

"I don't much about you either." the dark-haired finally said "It seems unfair for me to enclose so much information." Sion looked up surprised.

"I thought everyone knew about me." He said.

"I know you're a prince and some of your policies." Nezumi waved a hand dismissively, "But I don't know you."

"Do you want to know about me?" Sion asked. Nezumi paused biting his lip. Then he turned away.

"Sure" he said nonchalantly. Sion didn't know what to make of his answer. He seemed hesitant but at the same time Sion felt like he had something he wanted to ask.

"Alright then, what do you want to know?" Sion asked sitting down on a chair across from Nezumi.

"What's up with your hair and eyes." Nezumi said turning back to Sion. "And on that subject what's with the red mark around your neck. It doesn't seem very common for hume- I mean for people of this land."

"Ahh." Sion said touching the red scar on his face. "It actually goes all the way down my body."

"Really?" Nezumi said his eyes trailing down Sion. Sion's face turned red and he hurried on.

"It's a really funny story actually. When I was little my hair and eyes were brown. I was playing in the meadow when I saw a small fairy sleeping under a sunflower." Sion paused and rolled his eyes. "I got it into my little head that I should poke her awake." Nezumi stared at him.

"That's kind of stupid.

"Hey I was five!" Sion protested. "Always she got mad that I woke her and cursed me. She said I would slowly turn into a fluffy white bunny if I didn't do 50 good deeds." Sion sighed. "Do you know how hard it is to find 50 good deeds for a five-year-old to do without messing up? I caused so many problems! My mom started panicking when my hair turned white and my eyes turned red and I had only done 25 good deeds. She hired a traveling alchemist to attempt to end the curse." He sighed dramatically. "It didn't work."

"I take it you were able to do all 50 good deeds since you're not a rabbit."

"Eventually yes. But by the time I finished I had bunny ears, whiskers and a tail."

"That, I would pay to see." Nezumi said amused.

"Yeah It's my mom's favorite story to tell." Sion said laughing. "She was so terrified during it but once I was safe…she's never let me live it down."

"So, if you completed your task why is your hair still white and your eyes still red."

"Ahh," Sion said softly. "Well the curse didn't mix well with whatever the alchemist did…It basically made the chances that happened before I drank it permanent." He chuckled. "I'm glad I drank it before I got bunny ears."

"Really?" Nezumi leaned forward. "I think you would look cute with bunny ears."

"Nezumi!" Sion squeaked covering his face. "That's not funny!" the dark-hair man chuckled. Sion pouted and huffed. "Anyways now you know."

"Yeah." Nezumi said lightly pulling back. "Now I know." It was quiete for a moment then Nezumi continued in a softer voice. "I shouldn't be surprised though; fairy magic is so finicked. Do one thing wrong and you're stuck." Sion peaked between his fingers. Nezumi had turned away and was looking in the mirror at his reflection with an unreadable expression on his face. Sion had the feeling he had experience with magic.

"Have you ever been cursed?" the prince asked dropping his hands.

"No." Nezumi said flatly. Sion had the feeling he didn't want to talk about it, but curiosity got the better of him.

"Really? You talk as if you've have." Nezumi eyed his cooling in the mirror before sighing.

"It wasn't it a curse. At least the fairy didn't see it as one…Hell I was more of a side effect then anything." Sion waited for a moment but Nezumi didn't continue. He debated whether to pursue it but Nezumi seemed to be withdrawing from him. What ever happened must have rally changed his life. Sion felt a twinge of guilt. They had only just met again after more then a month part. Sion shouldn't ruin it.

"So how much of Shakespeare's works have you read by now?" he asked. To his relief Nezumi relaxed and turned around to face him.

"Probably more then you at this point." The dark-haired man challenged. Sion puffed out his cheeks.

"I'll have you know that Shakespeare is one of the few authors I was forced to read."

"Really?" Nezumi said amused, "Alright then which ones have you read?"

For the next hour Sion and Nezumi compared Shakespeare books. To Sion's annoyance Nezumi had read more Shakespeare as him. After that the conversation turned to the other books Nezumi had got Sion to read. Although Sion enjoyed reading them, talking to Nezumi about them was an entirely different experience. Nezumi could dig deeply into the texts and understand the characters on a different level. He posed questions and comments that Sion had never even thought of. The best part was when Nezumi got passionate about a line or a speech and would perform it aloud. Books sounded better coming from Nezumi then his own mind. Sion felt that if he could read in the same voice as Nezumi he would adore reading like the dark-haired man.

Talking to Nezumi was different then talking to anyone else. Most people were nervous and polite around him. His mother and Sir William were easier to talk to, but they were family. Talking to Cinderella was fun and playful. She wasn't stiff like the others and smiled easily. They would end up laughing randomly and sharing funny stories about their past. Even Cinderella however brought up topics she knew Sion enjoyed. Nezumi didn't feel the need to please Sion. He was the first person to not try to curve the conversation to Sion's interests. Talking to Nezumi felt…meaningful. He spoke him mind, even if Sion strongly disagreed.

BANG, BANG

Sion jumped as someone hammered on the door.

"Prince Sion?" a guard's voice said. "Are you in there?" The voice sounded concerned and worried. Sion blinked disorient. He had forgotten where they were.

"Yeah I'm here." Sion called back. The door opened and one of his guards stepped in. When he saw Sion, he relaxed.

"Prince Sion has been located." He yelled turning to someone who was in the hall. "Report this back to the others" He turned back to Sion and bowed. "You disappeared aright after the show. We thought you were kidnapped."

"I'm fine." Sion said embraced. "I was just talking to Nez- um Eve and lost track of time." The guard looked up from his bow and eyed Nezumi.

"I see." He growled. Nezumi smirked. Sion felt the tension in the room thicken.

"I guess I should get back." He said quickly. Then he turned to Nezumi "Do you want to come with me?" Nezumi hesitated.

"Not today." He said. Sion deflated slightly.

"Ok, yeah that makes sense. You're probably tired." Nezumi smiled gently.

"Hey," he said lifting the white-haired man's chin. "I just said not today. That's not forever. I'll go with you next week."

"Promise?"

"Promise"

.

.

After that Nezumi started regularly going to the castle. Sion finally got to show Cinderella the library. Like he predicted she rushed around in excitement while Nezumi calmly found a corner to read in. Cinderella would gasp loudly when ever she found a new book that excited her. Nezumi would shoot her an angry look before turning his back on her and continue reading. Sion watched the two of them enjoy the library, a warm feeling spreading in his chest. It was nice to share what he loved with other people. He made a mental note to thank his mom and Sir William for forcing him to have that ball. If it wasn't for that he wouldn't have the two most important people in his life.

Over the next couple of months, the three of them hung out. Sometimes Nezumi, Sion and Cinderella would hang together. Sometimes it was just Sion and Cinderella. And sometimes just Nezumi and Sion. There wasn't any pattern and Sion looked forward each morning to who would show up that day. Sion started reading classics regularly. Nezumi would bring them for him to borrow. Sion also attended each of Nezumi's shows. He became such a regular that the theater built a special place for him to sit. In return Sion jabbered Nezumi's ear off on plants and medicine. Nezumi started bringing Sion plants he found for him. Sion loved these plants. He would go on about them and their properties. Nezumi promised that when spring came he would help Sion plant a garden.

Life was good for Sion and he hoped it would last forever.