A couple days had past and it was already the day the grand event. Anyone who was anyone was confirmed to attend the highlight ball of the year. Rumors surfaced left and right about the mysteries of the two new pureblood daughters, some good and some bad.
The staff around Carson's estate were hurrying around preparing and making sure that everything would be perfect. Rose was in charge of setting up the event and was busy from everything from floral pieces to dress designs. Matthew certainly had given her an extensive list to follow to a T.
Every once and awhile her eyes would meet Yuki's but it wasn't long before Kaname's sister pulled away. It seemed like the conversation they had was quite jarring for her and was now suddenly upset for some reason which was perfectly fine for Rose. She had a billion other things to worry about besides Yuki's jealousy.
Yuki didn't even notice when Kaname walked next to her and held out a single white lily. "Good evening Yuki."
She blushed and carefully grabbed the flower. "Oh Kaname it's beautiful. Where did you get it?"
He turned his head toward the direction he came and smiled. "The garden. This flower just reminded me of you."
Yuki blushed even more has he reached out his hand hoping that she would accept it. "I believe I still need to teach you a few things for the ball tonight, if I may?"
She quickly glanced at Rose who was talking to a couple maids about floral arrangements before turning back to Kaname. She wouldn't lose. "Of course."
He quietly led her to a new room where she noticed a dozen mirrors lining the sides of the walls and a large bay window in the middle as the sunset peaked through. This place felt magical for some reason.
Yuki turned to face Kaname to notice that he was now bowing. "I have seemed to forget to teach you the most important part of a ball, dancing."
She stood shocked before rubbing the back of her head. "Oh right! I guess I did forget that."
He gave a low chuckle as his hand slipped into hers and they moved to the first position. "Now the most important thing is to let me lead. As long as you do that you won't fall."
She nodded her head as they started to move across the floor. Shaky and uncertain at first Yuki followed her brother in how he was moving. He was so perfect at this and she was so...unperfect.
After a couple moments she started getting a couple of the steps and smiled at her accomplishments. Kaname returned the smile and replied. "Now you got it. I knew you could."
Of course the feeling didn't last long as Yuki took a wrong turn and stomped down hard on Kaname's foot. She squeaked in embarrassment and broke their hold. "Ahhh I'm so sorry Kaname! I guess I don't got it."
Yuki was expecting a disappointed look but instead she was meant with a warm laugh and a gleaming smile. She had never seen him like that before, so open. "Don't worry Yuki I'm used to it. Rose used to step on my foot a hundred times before she got the hang of it."
She smile suddenly dropped as she realized what made him open up, it was a memory of Rose. That familiar pang of jealousy returned as she asked a question she didn't really know she wanted the answer to. "Did you and Rose used to dance like this?"
Kaname dropped his smile as well and moved over to Yuki. He understood the meaning of her phrase "Yuki.."
She quickly turned and ripped her hands away from him. "No! Answer me!"
He listened to the silence for a moment before answering carefully. "When I visited this estate dancing became one of our usual pastimes."
Yuki's heart dropped when she heard those words. What kind of memory's did they have together that she didn't know about? Was this a side that Rose was able to see but she couldn't?
Letting her head hang she whispered sternly. "Show me."
Kaname's eyes widened as she looked up with determination. "Show me what you two were like, what dancing was like."
He paused until he knew she was serious. Kaname slowly sighed to himself before moving his neck to the left for her. Yuki moved closer until they were chest to chest and then she retracted her fangs and bit into his skin, into his memories.
Rose heard someone clearing their throat behind her as she whipped her head around to find herself in a large empty room, with Kaname standing in the middle of it.
She sighed and angry stomped up to him. "You did this."
He laughed and looked at the work that he had ordered. Deciding to put her in a dress had been a smart move. "Yes, I'll take the blame. I wanted to do something that would make you get out of that room of yours."
She shook her head but underneath it all was a smile. "You're terrible."
He grinned and lifted his hand to show the room. "Maybe so, but would a terrible person teach you how to dance?"
Isabelle blinked a few times to make sure that what she was hearing was correct. "Wait. Teach me to dance?"
He nodded his head and glanced and her. "Of course. You can't be dressed like that without a purpose. So, Miss Isabelle, may I have the honor of teaching you to dance?"
A soft blush rose up in her cheeks as she let her hand fall into his. "I may step on your feet multiple times."
He laughed and readied his posture. "I shall be prepared then."
It took a few tries to actually get the steps down and various bruises on Kaname's foot before she began to feel more confident. She heard the instructions of his smooth voice in her ear as she tried to mimic them. "Elbow up a little higher, that's it."
She turned away from his hypnotic eyes when she heard his voice again. "Always keep your eyes on your partner, never stray from me."
She nodded and regain her gaze as they finally stepped in time to the music. She knew why he had planned this entire ordeal. It was because of the conversation and cruel reality that she faced in the future. She was going to die, that was unavoidable. But right here, next to him, she didn't have any fear, just comfort.
Kaname brushed a strand of hair from her cheek as he spoke in her ear. "You're a natural Isabelle."
Butterflies ran through her stomach as she answered back in his ear. "Thank you, Lord Kaname."
At the sound of his title coming from her lips, a sharp shiver ran through his spine. He misstepped his step and caused Isabelle to come tumbling onto the ground.
The memory shifted to another fragment and Yuki saw Kaname walk into the dance room to meet Rose. "I apologize for being late. The vampire council were relentless today."
She smiled slightly before poking his chest. "It's okay mister important. I know you have a lot on your plate."
Kaname laughed slightly and bowed. Isabelle smiled and responded with a curtsy before moving into position.
This time their movements were smooth and unwavering. Kaname's eyes never left Isabelle's as they twirled around in circles.
Suddenly Kaname grabbed Isabelle's waist and lifted her up into the air before placing her back down. She squeaked in surprise and when her feet touching the ground they broke away.
Isabelle's eyes grew wide as she excitedly shouted. "We did! Ahhh we finally did it!"
Kaname nodded his head in response. "It only took about 500 tries but yes we did."
She smirked at his tone and answered. "Oh, don't be all sarcastic at me. It doesn't fit your character."
He laughed and carefully grabbed her hand before bringing it up to his lips. Isabelle blushed intensely as he whispered. "Congratulations Isabelle."
Suddenly it felt like Yuki was being ripped from the memory as she broke away from Kaname. He just looked at her with a sad expression and grabbed Yuki's hand. "I'm sorry but this is all I can show you. Rose doesn't like people digging into her past like that."
She looked into the boy she loved eyes and knew that she would never have those kinds of moments with him. That she wasn't good enough for those kinds of memories.
Hot tears started to build up in her eyes as she broke down in front of her first love. Her knees gave out and Kaname was right there beside her to hold her. She secretly wondered if he had ever done this for Rose at one point but tried to shove those emotions down. She was being childish for crying but that didn't stop the tears from pouring down her face.
Rose had just finished placing the last flower in one of the giant vases in the grand hall when her dress got caught on her shoe and she started to tumble off of the latter. Excepting a fall she closed her eyes but when no crash came she opened them to find a very squished Hanabusa.
He groaned under her as she looked at him confused. "Hanabusa? What are you doing here?"
Hanabusa hissed in pain as he muttered. "Get off of me you're heavy. I mean...please."
She listened and stood up before helping Hanabusa up. "What are you doing on the floor? I think it's hardly the time for a nap."
He grumbled in frustration as he angrily pointed to the latter. "I wasn't taking a nap I was saving you from falling! Who wears heels on a step ladder anyways? You know Lord Kaname would kill me if you got hurt."
He then realized he had let his temper go off and shut his mouth. What he had just done was not the proper way to talk to a pureblood. A couple maids around them looked suspicious at the display and he wondered what Rose would do because of his outburst.
He was certainly surprised when she nodded her head and thought about his comment. "I see, huh. Interesting. I guess that does make more sense. I'm sorry I'm not used to people caring about me."
Hanabusa froze at her comment and thought it through. What had she just say? She had to be lying about that last sentence. She was a pureblood vampire. She was practically the center of the vampire society.
He stopped thinking when he saw Carson round the corner and noticed Rose's back go stiff. She always seemed to be on edge with him even though he was her uncle. "Ah the preparations are going lovely Rosabella. Just what I would expect from an Adelaide."
She bowed her head slightly and gave a pain response. "Thank you uncle."
Carson smile slightly which made the hair on Hanabusa's back stand up as he reached out his hand. "I believe the next item on the list is to greet the guards for tonight. Just thought I would escort you myself."
Rose narrowed her eyes slightly in response. This couldn't be good. What was he planning? She glanced at Hanabusa for a moment before nodding her head. "Of course thank you. That was very kind."
Then the group moved to the next item on the list.
When they approached the door Carson stopped for a moment and turned to Rose. "Now I have personally chosen the best of the best service for the ball tonight, to make sure everything goes as planned."
That last past of the sentence felt synyster to both Hanabusa and Rose for some reason but Hanabusa chose to ignore that. Rose on the other hand had her guard up.
Carson turned away and opened the door, talking to the hired guards as Rose stepped inside. She could hear his voice echo through the halls. "Lady Rosabella Adelaide may I introduce the guards for tonight's ball…"
She rounded the corner and looked up only to have her legs go completely listened as she heard Carson finish his sentence. A couple names rolled off his tongue but he saved the most important for last. "Zero Kiryu."
Rose's eyes grew wide as her head became lightheaded. He was here. The boy she let go because she didn't want him to get hurt was here. Zero was here.
He looked at her with such a blank military stare with her hands by his side. The true sign of hatred.
All she wanted to do was run and wrap herself in his arms, kiss him and apologize a thousand times for the words she used but she knew better.
Her head angrily whipped towards Carson who met her eyes with such a diabolical look. Of course he wouldn't have let this loose end go that easily and she was stupid to think it could've been.
Carson waved his hand over his choices and questioned. "What do you think Rosabella?"
There were so many underlying tones in that sentence and Rose understood all of them. She tried her best to fit her words and to shove all of her feeling down so that he wouldn't see them. "I think that they are fine choices."
He seemed satisfied with her answer but pressed further. "After I heard about your time at that academy I knew I had to hire your class friend. He does have quite a promising record as well."
Rose nodded her head and and stared straight into Zero's eyes. "I wouldn't say that we were friends uncle, just classmates."
Carson narrowed eyes and continued. "Well even for classmates it has been such a long time. Why not say hello to each other?"
He then looked at Zero who stepped forward and bowed to Rose. A sick sensation rose up in her throat but she tried to push it down. Then she heard his voice for the first time in a week. "It's nice to see you again, Lady Adelaide"
Carson watched as she stood a small stepped back and Rose felt absolutely disgusted. Not him. Anyone but him could call her that horrible name, but not him.
Rose carefully curtsied and answered him back, being careful not to make her voice waver. "Likewise Kiryu"
Once that was over Rose knew she couldn't take much more and quickly came up with an excuse. "Now this is lovely but I have many more items to prepare before tonight. So if you would excuse me."
She turned and began to leave but not before hearing Carson call out to her. "Very well. But you shouldn't feel to discouraged because your classmate will be at the ball tonight to see everything."
Rose stopped at thought about that sentence before tearing out of the room. Hanabusa carefully closed the door behind him as he watched Rose lean against the wall. Her breath came out in heavy rasps as he noticed her hands slightly shaking. Was she afraid?
Carson walked down the hallway looking at all the decorations when he caught Rose waiting for him. He smooth walked over only for her to talk first. "Why?"
He looked around and pretended not to know what she was talking about. "I'm sorry?"
Rose narrowed her eyes and got right to the point. "Why did you bring Zero Kiryu here? I told you he meant nothing to me."
Carson turned his head and tapped a couple fingers on his cane. "Let's call it insurance. To make sure everything goes as planned tonight"
She shook her head bitterly and stared him down. "It doesn't matter. How can you blackmail me if I don't care about him?"
He then lifted his chin and rested it under her chin before looking at her menacingly "I wonder about that."
Carson then pushed his cane up causing her chin to raise. "All you have to do is make sure that everyone believes that you are a perfect puppet and that Kaname is your everlasting love. It's simple. Remember our terms?"
Rose looked into Carson's eyes and she knew that he saw a hint of uncertainty, and that uncertainty could get Zero killed.
After a moment of silence Carson withdrew his cane and moved away from her. "Remember what I said. Don't test me Rosabelle, or should I say Isabelle?"
Her eyes widened at the sound of her old name which was enough for Carson to know that she was distraught. Knowing that was enough reason to withdraw as he turned and walked away.
Once he was gone Rose sighed a rested her hand on the railing before giving a loud frustrated groan which caused the stain glass window behind her to crack.
Ahhh so many things! And the return of Zero ooooh! I just really wanted to say thank you so much for enjoying and reviewing my last chapter. Honestly I wasn't so sure about it but hearing the positive response and all of the comments makes me want to continue. :)