The day of the festival had arrived and Dark wasn't all too sure if he was dreading it or not. He could very well be dead by the end of the day. By Wilford's own bullet.

Dead or not, Dark donned his suit, the very same one he wore at the ball. He wouldn't mind falling whilst wearing this. At least he'd fall in style. It would be a shame to get it all bloodied though. It shocked him how willing he was to keel over. Why? Why was he acting like such a welp? Just because he was wrong about thinking some handsome foreign prince wanted to whisk him away somewhere? What has happened to him?

His leg was acting up, which was just dandy. He'd have to bring one of his canes along with him. And he chose his special cane, the one with the hidden blade in the handle. He didn't say he'd be going down too easily now. Dark was going to make Wilford work for it.

The powder was set and his glamour stone was in effect. The prince was ready for his death day. And he'd make sure that it was one to behold.

One way or another.

He was a bit nervous, he couldn't lie, as he made the walk to go fetch Wilford. Each step made his cold heart seize up and ache. How he loathed it. It would have been fine if he didn't know that his bond was one sided. Why did he have to find out so soon? Why couldn't he just allow himself just a few more days of ignorant bliss?

A few more days of innocent love and the possibility of it being returned. Now that he knew his fantasies of being wed and sharing the same bed left a sour taste in his mouth.

He rapped his gloved knuckles against the wood, resting his weight on the cane.

Moments passed.

Wilford sure was taking a long time to answer, "Did I not tell him I'd come get him?" he scoffed, knocking once more.

And now there was an answer, a groan of, "Come in!"

Dark rolled his eyes, pushing the heavy door open and keeping his eyes down, just in case Wilford wasn't decent. "The Festival will be beginning shortly-" okay so maybe he ended up taking a glance upwards and catching an eyeful. He averted his gaze, "It's not even nightfall and yet the moon is here with us, I see."

Wilford cracked out a laugh as he got dressed, "I don't see much issue with it! We're both men. Well," they both looked to the bed, and a scowl flashed across Dark's features. "Except her."

There was a woman, likely one of the servants, sleeping in the bed. Naked.

Dark should have let it be. He should have. But SoulBonds made you do ridiculous things. "Ah." he said simply, cane held tightly in his grip. "I don't see any woman's clothes...?"

"Oh we lost those in the garden." Wilford giggled.

"Pity." while the other man dressed, Dark approached the bed, grabbing the pitcher from the bedside table. He didn't know if it was jealousy that fueled him, or irritation. He held the pitcher just above the bed, where the sleeping woman rested. Blissfully unaware of the rude awakening that was only mere moments away from happening.

And when he poured it out he had the sternest, coldest look about him.

The servant girl jerked awake, gasping like a fish and ready to give something a good talking to. Until she saw just who had awoken her. Dark could only imagine what was going through her mind. She looked pale. It wasn't everyday one got woke up by the Prince piuring water on them.

Dark stayed there until the last few drops dribbled out. He tsked, dropping the pitcher in her arms.

"Your magesty! I-"

"It would seem this is in need of a refill." he stepped away, fixing his tie in the mirror. "Be a dear, won't you? And take the sheets, they're filthy."

"Prince Dark, perhaps I-" he silenced her with a wide arc of his arm, hand held out to the door as it flew open-the wrong way, oops-and banged against the wall. Someone would need to fix that.

"Begone." he barked, glowering at the woman as she gathered the soggy sheets around her and fled with his eyes glaring daggers into her back. When she was gone the door swung closed, hinges weak and wood splintered.

Wilford, witness to this all, stared for the longest while. His hands had faltered on his shirt buttons, frozen. "... Do you act like that towards all the servants?" he whistled.

Dark rolled his eyes, hand lowering yet still sparking with his magic. "Only the incompetent ones. Today is a special occasion. All servants are required to wake early for preparations." that wasn't the reason though, and he had a feeling Wilford knew that. He turned to face him, huffing when he noticed his state of dress.

Dark was walking towards him before he even realized it. "We should get there early." he told him, hands fastening the buttons near expertly.

"I get the feeling you're a little cross with me." Wilford commented, and at that Dark cast him a glare. Of course he was cross at him. But what point was there in being upset with someone for possibly not sharing your feelings? None. Wilford didn't owe him anything, and vice versa.

"Only because you've put us behind my planned schedule." he lied, "Grab your jacket and we can be off." and he went to move away, but a firm hand on his waist stopped him. "Wilford-" he had Dark pressed flush against his chest now, and Dark couldn't bear to think that he could feel just how fast his heart was beating through his chest.

"I thought I broke through that mask of yours at the ball..." Wilford held a hand to his cheek, sighing, "Oh dear prince... how many more do I have to chip through?" if his plan was to seduce him into dropping his guard Wilford was, well, nearly succeeding. But this was a game two players could play, and Dark had the dice.

"You mean..." Dark leaned into his touch, eyes fluttering closes as he sighed. "Until you can get me in the sheets?" he opened them again, just barely, gazing up at the pink 'prince' through thick lashes. He saw the smirk on Wilford's face and before he coukd get a word in he jabbed the end of his can down on his foot. "Plenty now." he said with a scowl, watching him as he reeled back and hissed.

It was his turn to smirk, "Perhaps next time you'll rethink about who you ask to join you when your bed grows cold."

Wilford sucked in a breath, "Point taken." yes that hadn't been a smart move on his part.

"Good, don't make me make more." he warned.

His cheek still tingled. Wilford's hand had felt so warm against his skin. He... missed it? What kind of thought is that to have?

Dark cleared his throat, "Let's get to the festival grounds." yes, before he got too far involved in his own half baked thoughts.

"Where are those again?"

"Down by the piers." Dark didn't know why he grew uneasy once he saw Wilford smile at those words.

"Perfect! I love the ocean!"