It was the first ball since her fainting incident, and Miku didn't know how to feel about it. She had requested that her corset not be tied so tightly, she had eaten a sustainable amount of real food and little sweets, and she drank plenty of water. Even that afternoon she had lied down and rested her eyes so fatigue would not be a possibility. If she did everything right, Miku would not have to worry about passing out at the ball. However, that didn't mean her shadow was going to stay behind.
In the corner of the room, Juliet CV02 watched as the Alices dressed Miku, her cerulean eyes seeming to look at nothing. In the four days since she had been assigned to follow Miku, the Juliet didn't speak at all. She stood in the corner of every classroom, stood behind the lounging couch in the lady's room, and slept in the front room, just a shout away. The Juliet was always a shout away, except when they were outside, in which she kept a breathable distance. To Miku, it was as if she was being haunted by the smaller girl. Juliet CV02 never spoke, nor did she show any emotion. The whole situation unnerved Miku.
She probably doesn't like this any better than I do, Miku reasoned with herself.
When the Alices had gone, Miku ran her fingers down the velvet fabric of the lavender dress. Winter was coming, and soon the Equinox Continent would be kissed with snow. Dress material would get thicker, and outings would become sparse. Colder weather meant more time indoors. More time indoors meant always having the reluctant shadow on her heels.
"Juliet CV02," Miku began, causing the Juliet to flinch. Since the assignment, she had not addressed the girl before now. Perhaps she should have said something sooner. "I owe you an apology."
The Juliet cocked her head to the side, her only indication that she was listening.
"I'm sorry for following you around before like I did," Miku said, choosing to remain on her stand and stare at the Juliet's reflection than to meet her eyes again. "I didn't realize how weird it must have been for you till now. If I'm being honest, having you so close all the time is kind of creepy."
When Juliet CV02 didn't respond, Miku turned to find the girl looking at her. It wasn't the usual blank stare, but a look that relayed there was something she wanted to say but knew she wasn't allowed to say it. Juliets weren't allowed to speak to Cinderellas, Miku now knew. However, she had heard Juliet CV02's voice before, and unless she was mistaken, there was a way to hear it again.
"Juliet CV02," Miku said, mustering the confidence and power she had used on those guards that day on the beach, "I order you to speak: Do you, or do you not, accept my apology?"
The Juliet's eyes widened. She must have been just as unsure about this loophole in the rules as Miku was. After opening and closing her mouth a few times, Juliet CV02 slowly answered, "I accept your apology, ma'am."
Miku allowed her determined gaze to soften as she quietly asked, "Truly?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Before she stepped off the stand, Miku looked back at her reflection. She sighed as she approached the dresser. So many necklaces and earrings, bracelets and rings. As she tried to pick out which of her fine jewelry she wanted to wear, Miku forced herself to be more honest. "I don't like you following me around all the time, silent as a ghost."
It was as Miku was about to order Juliet CV02 to speak again the girl finally replied, "If I may say, Ms. Hatsune, I don't like it either."
"Then how about we try to make it more bearable?" Picking up a necklace, Miku turned to face Juliet CV02 and tried to put on the fashion piece.
The Juliet raised a single eyebrow, lips pursed. "Try how?"
"Are there any rules about talking to a Cinderella you're assigned to?"
"Not that I know of, ma'am," Juliet CV02 answered.
"If that's the case," Miku began, "then let's agree if anyone ever found out we were conversing, we'll both get into trouble."
Shaking her head, Juliet CV02 replied, "Trouble for me is worse than trouble for you, Ms. Hatsune."
"Fine," clasping the necklace, Miku dropped her arms to her sides, "but you have already spoken to me now, so I believe there's no going back no matter what. Isn't that right?"
The Juliet merely shrugged.
Miku continued, "When we're alone, just the two of us, let's not let rules and regulations take charge over our privacy. Speak freely with me as I speak freely with you. If we're going to spend so much time together for the next few weeks, I would rather be able to convince myself that you're my roommate and not living furniture."
Juliet CV02 winced. However, when she spoke she said, "I doubt you'll ever be able to think of a Juliet as your roommate."
"Perhaps not," Miku agreed, "but can we not at least become acquaintances? It might make this whole situation less awkward."
"Cinderellas and Juliets do not interact, Ms. Hatsune. Or at the very least, they do not interact as equals."
"Isn't that why I request this be our little secret?"
Now the Juliet raised her eyebrows so high they sat on top of her forehead. "Not only an acquaintanceship between a Cinderella and a Juliet, but a secret acquaintanceship as well? Forgive me for speaking out of terms, Ms. Hatsune, but this sounds like the makings of a trap."
"I do not wish to set you up to get hurt," Miku promised. "I'm only asking for us to get along while we have to be together."
"You ordered me to talk to you."
"Because I didn't know how else to get you to respond to me!" Feeling her face get hot, Miku closed her eyes and took a deep breath before saying slowly, "If you do not wish to speak to me, then so be it. However, I won't have you punished for anything you say. All I ask is we give reason to tolerate each other's company. I ask, not demand, that you feel free to talk to me whenever we're in private, but I won't take it as a personal insult if you choose to never speak to me again."
Miku opened her eyes to find Juliet CV02 giving her the same, emotionless stare as before. She didn't speak again as Miku finished dressing or after the Alice who did Miku's hair left. Although Miku didn't want to admit it to herself, Juliet CV02's rejection hurt.
How foolish Miku was to think a Cinderella and a Juliet could even become something close to friends.
As much as Rin tried to hide it, she was insulted. She was ripped away from her new normal routine and away from her friends, and Ms. Hatsune thought they should talk to one another whenever they were alone so this whole thing would be easier for her. Had Rin not wanted to risk offending a Cinderella, she would have snorted. Ms. Hatsune was not Gumi, nor these Cinderellas the girls she had grown so fond of over the past couple months.
Wordlessly, Rin followed Ms. Hatsune to the ball. Since Rin would be present as more or less Ms. Hatsune's escort, she was given a dress to wear. A nice, clean dress not meant to serve in while being worn. It was midnight with long sleeves and stopping at Rin's ankles; she wore no petticoats, but the skirt still had more layers than Rin was used to. She was even given black flats, the nicest pair of shoes Rin had ever put on her feet. Her now shorter blonde hair was held back with a solid black headband. This felt too different, not like Rin at all. She didn't like it.
Entering the ball, Rin immediately began looking for her friends. A smile spread across her face when she saw Gumi.
Well, Gumo, Rin thought, noticing that Gumi was in her disguise and again talking to the pinkette from before.
Cul and Ia were hard at work, but Rin made mental note to greet them if she got the chance. She didn't know the rules about talking to the other Juliets when she was in a position such as this, but it was worth the risk just to have even a small interaction with those who really mattered. Everyone else Rin only cared enough to keep happy lest she suffer their foul mood.
"Er," Ms. Hatsune tapped her fingers against her thigh, "I, um, don't suppose dancing interests you any?" Rin remained silent. "Perhaps you could-"
"Ah, Ms. Miku," Master Tonio greeted the Cinderella, either unknowingly cutting her off or not caring. "How are you this fine evening?"
Curtsying, Ms. Hatsune replied, "I am well, as always. Although parties as extravagant as this do have a way of making my already good mood even better."
"My wife does have a talent in planning balls, doesn't she?" Master Tonio laughed. "Why have you not begun your night yet?"
"You see, um," Ms. Hatsune wrung her fingers together, "I was simply trying to figure out . . ."
"What to do with that Juliet as good as tied to your ankles?" Master Tonio supplied, and Rin tried not to grimace. Just when she thought she had gotten used to everything that could be said about her as a Juliet, someone always came around to prove her wrong.
When Ms. Hatsune nodded, Rin tried to keep her expression neutral.
"Don't worry about her," Master Tonio said. "I shall take her off your hands for this night."
Ms. Hatsune, with her furrowed brows and pursed lips, displayed the very confusion Rin felt. "You shall?"
"No sense in a beautiful, young Cinderella such as yourself having to constantly watch what you do and say in front of an escort." Master Tonio winked. "Have the night of your life. Dance until dawn. Meet your future husband. I'll take good care of your shadow."
Ms. Hatsune did not need more convincing. With another curtsy and an expression of gratitude, she all but ran away. Not once did she look back to see if Rin was comfortable being left alone with a man notorious for his relationships with Juliets. Either Ms. Hatsune didn't know the rumors or didn't care. Rin couldn't decide which was worse.
"Come, sit with me," Master Tonio ordered. Rin obeyed. He lead her to a small table in the far back, in a corner few would notice. Rin tried to swallow her anxiety.
After they had sat, Master Tonio ordered a beverage for himself and water for Rin. They didn't speak while they waited, and they said nothing upon receiving their drinks. Master Tonio took a long, deep gulp, and Rin tried to keep her attention on the partygoers and the servants.
"You seem to be more than what initially meets the eye," Master Tonio said, speaking minutes later. "Tell me, Rin, do you have a good head on your shoulders?"
Rin was so stunned he used her birth name that she forgot to respond.
"You may speak freely with me," Master Tonio prompted, not unkindly.
"I suppose that depends on what you mean by 'a good head,'" Rin replied, voice just above a whisper.
"Not a lot of Juliets can read or write, but you seem well educated," Master Tonio pointed out. "As timid as you seem, I believe it is more of a learned behavior than natural fear. When I look at you, I don't see a servant with no motivation save to avoid trouble. I see an intelligent young woman, who unfortunately happened to receive the tattoo she did when she was still too small, trying to survive in a world out to get her."
"I am cursed," Rin said, words soft but firm. "My birth and my life both prove such."
"I know." Master Tonio smiled to himself before he took another sip from his drink. He spun the cup around, and Rin, not knowing where else to look, watched the amber liquid spiral inside the glass.
"I researched you, Kagamine Rin," Master Tonio added. "Twin brother delivered stillborn. Mother dying mere weeks after the Sisters gave you the blood rose tattoo. Your father's best farmhand lost in a boating accident."
If Master Tonio intended to say more, he didn't get the chance. Rin snapped, "Do not speak of him!" and glared at the man. She didn't care if he punished her for addressing him in such a way; no one who didn't know Nero didn't get to talk about him as if his death was just another tragic accident.
Instead of insulted, Master Tonio appeared pleased. "Ah, so the cute, little kitten does have claws after all."
Rin sank back into the table but did not relax her sharp gaze. "What do you want from me, Master Tonio?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you," Master Tonio said, draining the last of his glass. "However, I will try.
"I couldn't help but notice how attached you and Gumi have been since your arrival, Rin," Master Tonio began, and Rin had to keep from reacting to Gumi's name. "Gumi is . . . dear to me, in ways you don't know. Since you're her friend, I don't want to see harm come to you either. Except the problem is you're intelligent, and sooner or later someone will go after you just for that alone.
Master Tonio continued, "Being Ms. Miku's shadow isn't a good position for you right now. Although intercourse with a Juliet isn't immoral, it is still frowned upon." The way Master Tonio smiled implied he knew such all too well. "However, such relations with a Juliet who is someone else's property is illegal. The worst part? The punishments for both parties are proof of how little equality our justice system holds. Now tell me, Rin, who would be punished harsher if such a crime was found to be committed? A Juliet or a Cinderella?"
Unable to answer, Rin curled her fingers into tight fists. She felt the color drain from her face. It didn't matter if Rin did nothing wrong; one false accusation was enough.
"You have a good mistress," Master Tonio said, looking where Ms. Hatsune was. Rin followed his gaze to find the Cinderella engaged in conversation with a tall, dark-haired man.
"From what I have gathered after weeks spent observing her and the others," he went on to say, "she is one of the better girls. I don't believe she would ever lie about you – honestly, I believe she would defend you if you were lied about."
"But that wouldn't matter," Rin said, speaking what she knew Master Tonio wanted Rin to voice herself. "For one, I saved her life. Many would think Ms. Hatsune might believe she owed me. Besides, if anyone did have reason to think such . . . a relationship was true, her protection of me would be considered proof."
"Precisely." Master Tonio looked Rin up and down, as if studying her in a new light. "I say this not only to warn you, but also to give you every reason to say yes to me."
Oh, no. Rin tried not to grimace as she asked, "And what is it that you want?"
"Nothing at the moment," Master Tonio answered. "Yet at some point, I will need someone of your status to aid me in my endeavor. If I'm in need of a Juliet's assistance, I want to trust one who can think for herself and not lose her head in moments of desperation."
Rin frowned. "I thought you warned me about potential false rumors because I'm Gumi's friend."
"I did," Master Tonio confirmed. "Do not think I'm above blackmail. Had you no association with Gumi, this conversation would have gone very differently."
Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Rin dared herself to ask, "And what is it you want, Master Tonio?"
The man smiled and answered, "As I said, nothing at the moment. Nothing unholy either, so don't get anxious. I can't say more unless I know if you will help me."
"I'll need to think about it," Rin said, knowing it was the best response she could give.
"Good enough," Master Tonio replied. "Now, cease speaking to me. We don't want anyone to get suspicious of the two of us conversing all night, do we?"
Rin remained silent for the rest of the party.
Kaito couldn't help but think all parties were the same. Music, food, dancing, and gossip. Lots and lots of gossip. Not to mention drama. He still didn't know how, exactly, he walked into this.
"My husband may be insufficient for a lord," Zola Mew was saying, "but at least he doesn't sleep around with Juliets."
"So much like you to rely on rumors," Mistress Prima replied, an edge to her voice. The tips of her fingers danced on the rim of her wineglass. "As a student, you accused my daughter of many awful things and turned many of her friends against her. Now you depend so heavily on rumors that have been in circulation for over a decade to harass me? Mew, darling, you must grow up."
"I have, believe it or not." Mew leaned back in her chair, an air of confidence about her. Her waist length, inky hair was worn down, and her pale complexion was the closest color to moonlight Kaito had ever seen on a person. He wouldn't admit it aloud, but Zola Mew looked to be an incarnation of a beauty goddess.
Wil returned with the drinks for Mew and himself. In contrast to his wife, Wil's skin was dark as night. His suit was the color of Mew's hair, but his posture was as light and carefree as a butterfly.
"You must have not heard," Wil said to Mistress Prima as he gave Mew her glass, "but Avanna and Mew are friends now. Ever since the Celebration of Colors two years ago, I believe."
To Kaito, "We celebrated in the Persephone District. So beautiful. Do you visit often?"
Kaito intended to answer, but his response was cut off when Mistress Prima cleared her throat.
Raising her elegant eyebrows, the woman replied. "Odd, since Avanna has never mentioned either of you."
"Why would she when practically everyone knows of your distaste for me?" Mew ran a finger along the brim of her glass, copying Mistress Prima's earlier action and looking better while doing it. "Four years later, and she still has not gotten over your refusal to attend her wedding."
"She could have had anyone she wanted, and she chose a simple merchant," Mistress Prima said. Kaito could have sworn Mistress Prima believed the offense was more insulting to her than it was to Avanna. She looked at Kaito. "Such a poor choice when compared to a lord, wouldn't you think?"
Kaito was saved from having to answer.
"A simple merchant who has since grown to be extremely successful," Wil added, a smile on his face. If he knew his words irritated Mistress Prima, he didn't show it. "We have dined together multiple times, and after every dinner, I'm left convinced that Oliver is not only a smart businessman, but a wonderful husband and father as well."
All the color drained from Mistress Prima's face.
Grinning like a cat, Mew provoked, "Yuki is beautiful, isn't she?"
Without waiting for a response, Mew dug into her purse and pulled out a single photo. In it were three people: a man with blond hair, wrapping his arms around a dark-haired woman who held a two-year-old girl on her lap. They all looked happy.
"Aren't they such a beautiful family?"
Mew's question jerked Kaito back to reality. He had no idea she addressed him until he noticed her looking at him expectantly.
"Yes," Kaito agreed, feeling uncomfortable.
"They're really hoping the next one will be a boy," Wil said, entirely lax. "She's still a few months away from delivery, so you can imagine the impatience of not knowing is really getting to them."
At Mistress Prima's lack of reaction, with the exception of a clenched jaw, Mew leaned forward and softly said, "You really didn't know, did you? When was the last time you and Avanna have spoken, my lady?"
"Why are you doing this?" Mistress Prima asked through gritted teeth.
At this point, Mew's eyes narrowed. Even Wil glared at the woman. Kaito wanted to get away, but he couldn't bring himself to attract any attention as he either excused himself or just ran.
"It's not what your husband did that disgusts everyone," Mew answered, voice hard. "Yes, he was stupid. He had an affair with not only a Juliet, but one far too young for him on top of it. There is no excusing that.
"However, what you did to that poor girl is what cannot be forgiven." Mew smiled, the expression sickly sweet. "You won't forgive your daughter, so we won't forgive you."
Mistress Prima gripped her wine glass so hard Kaito was amazed it didn't shatter in her grasp. "Rumors upon rumors."
Smirking, Mew whispered, "Then why is that green-haired Juliet never around at these events? Certainly there's no reason to keep her away, is there?"
The silence that followed stretched on for minutes. Hours. Days. Years. An eternity.
Wil suddenly stood and asked Kaito, "Care to check out the buffet with me?"
"Yes!" Kaito exclaimed, practically jumping to his feet. It took his remaining self-control to not just sprint from the women. Perhaps the next time he greeted the mistress, he would do so when Tonio was around.
"Sorry about that," Wil apologized, slapping Kaito on the shoulder. "My wife likes to make Prima miserable, and having you around no doubt added to the discomfort. I promise to keep her from using you like that again."
"What did Mistress Prima do that was so bad?" Kaito couldn't help but ask.
"Not our place to say," Wil answered, "but if you hear the rumors, just know there is some truth to them."
"And you trust rumors?"
"Normally, no, but Mew discovered the truth herself while a student here. She tried to get the head drunk for a stupid prank. Ended up learning something she couldn't stomach. She didn't tell me what she knew until after we were wed, and she still can't bring herself to tell Avanna. Either the mistress's daughter is clueless, or she knows but doesn't want to act like she does. Either way, as much as Mew has a personal grudge against Prima, she could never turn Avanna against her own mother. Not that she needs to, as you already heard."
Kaito shook his head, unsure what to do with the information. Husbands cheating on their wives with Juliets wasn't unheard of – rare, but not unheard of – so that piece of information only mattered so much. It was what Mistress Prima did to the Juliet in response that seemed to cause the real reaction.
Considering he was not here for petty drama, Kaito decided he was not going to get any more involved.
"Why don't you dance with a girl or two?" Wil asked as they sampled the food without getting plates.
"Is that really necessary?"
"This is a ball, isn't it?"
Smiling, Kaito looked around. "Seems either all the girls already have partners or have given up and decided to dance with each other."
Wil laughed. "Not all the girls, but yes, they mostly seem occupied. Look around. Introduce yourself to at least one. Dance with her if you can. This is a party, Lord Shion. Enjoy yourself."
"I will," Kaito said. "Also, you may call me Kaito. 'Lord Shion' was my father."
Wil mock saluted. "Anything you say, Master Kaito."
As his new friend left, Kaito couldn't help but chuckle. He decided to like the man. Considering that the two of them were to work together with Tonio, Kaito knew such was a good thing.
Attention now shifted, Kaito surveyed the room for a single Cinderella who wasn't already occupied. His eyes landed on a girl by the dessert table, filling her cup with punch. She, like all the other Cinderellas present, was beautiful to look at, yet it was her easy smile and complete comfort in no company save her own that drew Kaito towards her.
He learned too late that he should have announced himself as he strode over. When the girl spun around, punch in hand, she slammed right into him. Her drink spilt all over the front of Kaito's suit, the sticky liquid pouring down and dripping on the floor.
The Cinderella's blue eyes widened in shock. Her small pink lips formed an O shape. Then she became a flurry of words and motion.
"I am so, so sorry!" she exclaimed as she picked up a fistful of napkins and began rubbing them against the punch in his suit. Either she was too panicked to think or didn't know she was supposed to dab at the spill on the suit – her rubbing the liquid was only guaranteeing it was going to stain.
"Just like me to make a mess without even trying," she kept going on, frantic. "I should have looked where I was going. Again, I'm really, really sorry! Please don't be too mad."
Kaito didn't know what it was. Maybe her rapidly spoken words, her frenzied attempt to clean her spill off his suit, or her panic itself, but Kaito started to laugh. The sound caused the girl to stop in motion and stare at him, eyes wide, and this only prompted him to laugh harder. She froze altogether. Kaito offered an easy smile.
"No need to apologize," he said, grateful to relax into his own skin again. "It was my fault for sneaking up on you like that."
"I should have still looked where I was going," the Cinderella said, awkwardly holding the napkins in both hands now.
"I'll tell you what: I'll accept your apology, but on the condition you accept mine."
Now the girl offered a smile of her own. "But you have yet to apologize. For what you must apologize for, I don't know."
"Ah, I see you're right." Kaito bowed. "I am sorry for startling you."
She curtsied in return. "Apology accepted." Frowning at the stain, she asked, "Did I ruin your suit?"
"No," Kaito answered, even though he knew he could never wear the suit to an event like this again. It wasn't his favorite anyway, so he wouldn't worry the girl by giving her reason to think he was upset. "However, you still must make it up to me."
Her brows furrowed. "Make it up how?"
Kaito extended his hand. "Dance with me."