Chapter 7
Misaki watched as the castle grew larger and larger on the horizon as the carriage made its way to the ball. He was excited and his stomach fluttered with butterflies. I hope I can do this. The worst would be if his stepfamily saw and recognized him. He had to be careful and try to avoid them.
Minutes slipped by and the coach kept going. Deep breaths deep breaths Misaki. He repeated trying to calm his nerves. In a second the village and the shops and houses turned into a dark forest. Suddenly a shining castle became visible again and the carriage rocked to a halt in front of the broad front steps of the castle. The footman in the back climbed down and opened the door. Misaki stepped down from the carriage eyes wide and a huge smile on his lips.
The driver leaned down. "Remember what Takahiro said." He reminded.
Misaki looked back to the driver. "I will, Frou." He said with a smile and small nod.
The driver smiled back as he heard his name said from Misaki. "We'll be here when you're ready." With that the carriage rolled away, disappearing.
Misaki turned to the castle and started to take step after step up to the entrance hall. At the top he made his way down the front hall, hearing the sweet music.
There was a line at the entrance to the huge ballroom, people waiting for the man at the doorway to announce them to the congregation. Misaki took his place at the end of the line, thankfully he was the last one. But..
If he announces me stepfamily will know I'm here. Hmm..
As the man in the doorway announced the couple in front of him, brunette slipped sideways past them and edged his way along the wall. I did it. Hopefully my luck lasts.
Across the big ballroom was another line, very long line. Another man was announcing people as they came forward and bowed and curtsied. At the front of the line was the prince who returned each of them with a bow on his own.
Akihiko was dressed in his formal military suit. Suit with a white coat, gold buttons and epaulets with a few medals and red shash across the chest. Red trousers with a gold stripe running down the sides. And black polished shoes and his silver hair was slicked back.
A few feet away behind him his father stood proudly. And a little ways away stood Hiroki in a formal suit of his own, his face impassive.
Akihiko fought back a yawn as the announcer kept reading another name after another.
"Mademoiselle Kaoruko." A black haired young woman stepped forward and did a little curtsie. Akihiko returned the gesture with a bow but didn't meet her eyes.
"Monsieur Tsumori." A tall blond man bowed clumsily. Again Akihiko bowed.
"Monsieures Mizuki and Sumi."
Slightly rolling his eyes, Akihiko bowed to two young men. One with deep blue eyes, grey hair and other with brown eyes with grayish brown hair, both bowing at the same time. Akihiko nearly gagged because of their hideous suits. They both smiled at him and Mizuki tried to flutter his lashes too. Urgh.
Thankfully there were only a few people left to be introduced. Minutes later he was free to roam in the ballroom. There were several other military men in the room, all dressed in similiar suits. Some people noticed him and recognized him and asked if he would dance with them. He just answered with a polite no.
As he wandered in the room, he spotted Hiroki standing at the side, silently observing the quests.
"Have you seen him?" Asked Akihiko.
"Nothing. Sorry." Hiroki said. "Wasn't he in the lineup?"
Akihiko shook his head disappointed. He thought that the mystery boy would be here. Every eligible youth in the kingdom. "We have to just keep looking."
Their search seemed to be in vain. After ten minutes of useless hunting, Hiroki tried to suggest that they seperate and cover more ground-
"Wait," Akihiko said suddenly. Hiroki looked where Akihiko's gaze was set.
Akihiko's mind and all seem to stop moving. Hiroki noticed a small figure standing alone in uncrowded and dimly lit side of the room.
"Do you think it's him? Akihiko?" Hiroki asked many times as Akihiko didn't answer.
Suddenly the prince strided towards the boy ignoring the other people. All he could see was the beautiful mystery boy he had developed a huge feeling.
Misaki stood by the side of the room in the dim lighting and watched curiously other people enjoying the party. No one didn't seem to notice him. He tried to keep an eye on his stepmother and brothers who were trying to likely look for the prince to harass him. They didn't notice him in the darkness of the side of the room. Misaki relaxed his back against the wall and sighed.
Oh it was exciting and lovely to see other people and not just his stepfamily. Everyone looked happy with smiles on their faces talking to their friends. Wish I had someone to talk to.. Thought Misaki little sad.
Suddenly he heard footsteps approaching and turned to see who it was. He found himself staring to beautiful lavender eyes that seemed too familiar.
Akihiko gazed into the emerald eyes that hadn't disappeared from his head since the first time he saw them. He smiled wide. Found you he thought.
"Bonsoir", he said to the boy and bowed.
Misaki didn't know what to say. "B-bonsoir monsieur", he returned with a shaking voice. He just keeps meeting up with this handsome man. Could it be fate? He thought dreamily but pushed the thought away.
The man's sweet smile deepened and it made Misaki feel all flutter inside and speed up his heart.
"U-um you are Akihiko if I remember correctly?" Misaki asked careful.
Akihiko nodded. "Oui, my dear." Pleased that the boy remembered. "Mind if I ask what is your name?"
Misaki blushed. He just couldn't form words with his mouth. He wasn't sure if it was safe to tell Akihiko his name.
Akihiko noticed the boy's insecurity. "Don't worry you, don't have to tell me yet if it's uncomfortable." He didn't want to scare him away.
"U-um t-thank you", Misaki said little relaxed.
At the front of the room many musicians took their places. The dancing was going to begin. They started to play soft melody and people gathered into a circle.
Akihiko looked down to the boy and held his hand to him. "May I have this dance?"
Misaki blushed more and smiled sweetly. He placed his smaller hand on top of Akihiko's hand. "Oui", he answered quietly. Akihiko walked with Misaki to the dance floor where people were already dancing. Dancers twirled into a slow waltz.
Misaki stared into Akihiko's lavender eyes little unsure. Akihiko noticed and just smiled surely. He gently placed his hand on Misaki's slender waist. Misaki put his hand on Akihiko's shoulder.
Misaki knew how to dance. At younger age he used to dance with both of his parents and at older age he kept practicing on his limited free time. He used to spy on his brothers when they had their dance lessons at younger age. He liked to hum his own made up songs and twirl around by himself.
Akihiko just kept watching the boy infront of him. He hasn't ever been this happy about another person. Misaki just kept blushing and tried to distract himself from Akihiko's mesmerizing eyes. He looked other dancers around them. He noticed almost all of them stared at them in wonder.
"They're all looking at you", he uttered shyly to Akihiko.
Akihiko looked around and smiled down at Misaki.
"No, believe me. They're all looking at you." He said truly.
Misaki was really red now in the face. Oh I do look ridicilous. I knew I would. Misaki thought sadly and looked down. Akihiko took softly Misaki's chin in his thump and index finger and pulled his face up again.
"You're so beautiful. No wonder they're looking at you. Akihiko said enamored.
At that moment Misaki could have fainted if Akihiko hadn't held him. He looked at Akihiko's eyes dreamily and he just wanted to rise up on his tiptoes and..those lips..
Akihiko noticed that the boy started to look little dizzy and falter.
"Shall we go outside. Maybe that's enough for dancing now.
"Y-yes, merci", Misaki said wobbly. Akihiko led Misaki and walked slowly towards the huge balcony on the end of the room. They made it to the balcony and it was nice to have some fresh air. Misaki made his way to the railing and looked at the huge and pretty garden below him.
"It's beautiful." He could smell the lovely smell of flowers and they riminded of his mother.
Akihiko stepped beside him and looked down as well but soon turned his head to Misaki. "I used to play in our family's garden when I was youger. I liked to take care of the garden and my father would scowl me when I made my clothes all dirty after. I also gathered different kinds of flowers to my mom." Akihiko told Misaki.
"That's lovely. I also like the flowers and would take care of them with my mom as a child. She told me all the names of the flowers and father helped me to water them and weeded the garden. And.." Misaki stopped and his eyes started to well up with tears. Now he's going to cry infront of the most handsome and sweetest man he has ever met. Oh I'm so shameful.
Akihiko heard the little silent sobs coming from the boy and looked worriedly down. "What's wrong?" He asked and took Misaki's hand in his.
"I-I'm s-sorry. My m-mom died when I was little and father has has been gone for ten years now." Misaki told and tried to wipe his tears with his free hand.
Akihiko placed both of his hand on Misaki's cheeks and wiped his tears. "I'm so sorry", he said sympathetically. "Do you live alone?" He asked.
Misaki calmed a little when Akihiko held his face and talked softly.
"Um non, I live with my other family members. They feed me and keep a roof under my head but...well they're not the greatest people in the world." He said and sighed and looked up at Akihiko. "What about you?"
"My father is here but my mom..died a few years ago." He said little sad.
"Oh I'm so sorry." Misaki said and placed other of his hands on top of Akihiko's hand which was still placed on his cheek.
"I could introduce you to my fahter later if you want." Akihiko looked inside and saw his father talk to Hiroki. From his gestures he assumed he was asking where his son was. If Hiroki did his job right he could have two of three hours with the mystery boy. Hopefully he could get his name in the process.
He heard the music start again and this time it was more faster and lively. "Would you like to dance with me some more?" He asked.
"Oui." He answered with a little smile.
Akihiko took Misaki's hand again grinning and led Misaki back inside for another dance.
During the third dance Misaki saw how his stepbrothers tried hopelessly dance with their partners. Mizuki tried to keep up with his partner but stepped on their toes many times. Sumi danced clumsily with a taller male with dark blonde hair who had an annoyed look. Misaki tried not to giggle at the sight.
The dance ended.
"Would you like something to drink, mon cher?" Akihiko asked.
"Oui, thank you."
"Wait here. I'll be right back." He said and smiled before leaving to go get some punch for Misaki.
Misaki leaned against wall and felt a cooling breeze coming from the open doors of the balcony.
He casually wathed the crowd and sighed. This is the best day of my life I just want the time to stop. Suddenly he saw a figure in a dark red dress walking from the mass of people. The woman was scanning the room and her gaze found Misaki's in a second
Misaki gulped and his heart nearly stopped.
Erina.
Misaki held still and didn't almost even breathe and kept his eyes darted.
Luckily her gaze passed him guickly and she turned away, walking back into the crowd. Misaki let out a sigh of relief and his heart still pounded rapidly.
Akihiko returned to the boy, carrying two small glasses which were willed with pink punch. He was suprised to find the boy shaking and pale in the face and happy and glowing smile faded from Misaki's face.
"What's wrong?" He asked concerned.
"Huh?" Misaki looked up fast. He did not see Akihiko return beside him. "U-um nothing, I'm just excited." He said nervously. "I have never been on a royal event before."
Akihiko nodded handing the one of the cups to the boy. "Well I have. I usually find them boring."
Misaki stared at Akihiko's eyes questioningly. "Is..is this one boring too?"
Akihiko leaned down a little bit and looked into the boy's beautiful green eyes. He was silent for couple of seconds. "No", he said softly with slow smile curving his lips. "I believe this is the best one I have ever been to."
Misaki blushed and smiled sweetly looking away for a moment. Akihiko made him feel.. special. Like he was important and belong to somewhere. Like he mattered to him. No one had ever shown kindness and caring since his father died.
This made Misaki think his parents again and he felt sadness creeping up on him.
No. I want to enjoy tonight. No sad thoughts.
Akihiko held his hand again to Misaki. "Come on." Misaki looked up and stared at the hand.
"Another dance is about to start", he said smiling.