Chapter Two

From Across The Room

Everyone poured into Russia like the drop of a hat. Body guards and protection agencies were on call like never before as royalty from all parts of the world came to attend Yuri's world famous masked ball. The night before the ball there would be an evening party with a special banquet, so everyone could get acquainted. Contests would be held, and the turmoil that any country may have against each other would be set aside for the week long celebration. Yuri meant for everything to be perfect and to accommodate everyone's needs, especially Miss. Layla's.

"Sora please put that over there." Layla instructed her servant girl.

"Yes your highness!" Sora replied as she placed all of Layla's things carefully beside her bed.

"You will room here with me." Layla instructed her.

"Yes, but most of the other guests are putting their servants in the slave quarters. It's really okay if you don't want me to stay. I wouldn't want to be a bother to you Miss. Layla." Sora said biting her lip.

"Nonsense you're staying here with me! Yuri isn't even separating the male and female servants. I can't have someone possibly taking advantage of you. You must keep your purity to keep my household unblemished. I can't have a servant who isn't a virgin. It would look bad for my reputation." Layla told her.

"Yes I understand. I will do as you wish." Sora submitted.

"Good, now let me explain to you about what is to be happening today. Tonight Yuri is hosting a banquet so everyone can get acquainted. I want you to attend the banquet with me and wear something nice but not too fancy as to draw attention to yourself. Servant girls of mine are meant to be suitable but meek. Don't speak unless you're spoken to. It's very rude to draw attention to yourself. You will sit beside me at dinner. Tomorrow night is the ball and meant for royalty only. You will do the suitable thing by staying in your quarters which is my room. Don't leave unless given permission. Please bathe yourself before tonight. The bath chamber is mine, so you will use the one across the hall. That's a very heavy rule. I can't have you bathing in the same chamber as I. Why it's just not worth discussing because you know why." Layla informed her.

"Yes I know why, and thank you for letting me stay here with you. You have been so kind to me Miss. Layla. Sometimes I just feel so ungrateful." Sora said looking down shamefully.

"Don't feel that way. The banquet is in four hours. Go bathe and wash your hair, and wear that light pink spring dress I had bought for you. It suits your color, so I want you to wear it." Layla instructed her.

"Yes Miss Layla." Sora said submissively as she went to tidy up.

"Has Miss. Layla arrived yet?" Yuri asked Ken.

"Yes, she was one of the very first to arrive. She's in her room I suppose getting ready for your banquet tonight sire." Ken replied.

"Well have a bottle of champaign and one hundred red roses sent to her room will you Kenneth?" Yuri asked.

"Yes sire I will get right on it!" Ken said hurrying off.

"You haven't changed a bit I see." a rich French accent erupted from behind Yuri.

"Leon!?" Yuri called out as he turned around suddenly.

"Yes, but it's King Leon now if you haven't forgotten." Leon smirked as met his old friends embrace.

"Good to see you Leon!" Yuri said happily.

"Good to see you as well my old friend." Leon smiled which he rarely ever did.

"Found any women here you like yet?" Yuri said cunningly.

"You know I'm a loner Yuri. I have no interest in pursuing relationships. I'm way too busy for them." Leon spake.

"Will then what will you do without a heir to your throne then to carry on your family name after your gone?" he asked.

"I never said I haven't had sexual relations before. I just have no interest in the pursuit of marriage. Women are all the same. She'll marry me and then run off with another man." Leon retorted.

"I know what your mother did was wrong, but you can't think all women to be the same Leon." Yuri sighed.

"I haven't found one that has impressed me yet." Leon retorted.

"Well when you see some of the beautiful women here you will change your mind! I've invited enough for the both of us." Yuri laughed.

"I'll pass." Leon said turning down the offer.

"Relax and have some fun! The week has just begun." Yuri said cheerfully.

"You plan on trying to bed Miss. Layla the English princess don't you?" Leon asked.

"If I can do some heavy convincing. She isn't an easy one to control." Yuri sighed.

"Good luck with that. You tried last time, and she accounted you as a disgusting pig. I'm surprised she decided to ever grace you with her presence again." Leon laughed.

"Well I am more grown up and more mature now. I'll romance her and sweep her off her feet. She won't know what's coming!" Yuri proclaimed.

"I can't wait to see that one." Leon grinned.

The night of the banquet was a spectacular one. There were jesters, musicians and Russian dancers all to keep everyone entertained. Yuri made sure that it was arranged that Layla sit next to him. Before the banquet started May was chattering away to different royal parties about China's trading problem. Mia was scoping out Yuri hoping that she would catch him at the right time so she could give him a piece of her mind. Rosetta was chatting away excitedly with different people, and everyone accounted her as cute and very delightful as she impressed each one of them with some of her diablo techniques. Leon stared emotionless at everyone as princesses gossiped about how handsome he was hoping he might swoon them off their feet, but he paid no mind to them.

When Layla walked in with Sora everyone was silent. Everyone marveled and gasped at her beauty. Layla wore an aquamarine gown with thousands of tiny diamonds sewn into the fabric. Sora wore a simple pink straight gown that came to the floor. Her dress wasn't anywhere as elegant as Layla's but fit her like a glove. Some people snickered and whispered when they seen her.

"Have you seen anyone who spoils their servant girls as much as Layla?" the princesses of Germany gasped.

"Why yes it's rather distasteful isn't it?" remarked the prince of Norway.

"She's almost like her pet!" snickered the princess of Denmark, but Layla stared at them coldly hushing them up. They dared not slander her anymore.

"I knew it was a bad idea for me to come here..." Sora said under her breath.

"Don't let them bother you. They're just jealous because I have someone as dependable as you Sora. It's none of their business how I treat my servants." Layla reassured her.

"Thank you miss. Layla" Sora smiled as they seated themselves.

Sora sat beside Layla because she knew Layla wouldn't have it any other way.

Suddenly Yuri entered the room.

"Welcome everyone! I am glad you all came to be here with me tonight! Make yourselves at home! You are all friends of Russia's, so let's celebrate this new beginning! Please make yourselves at home!" Yuri greeted them.

Yuri seated himself on the other side of Layla, and soon dinner was served. Leon was seated on the other side of Yuri, and he stared apathetically at his food as he ate in silence.

"Layla I am so glad you could make it!" Yuri smiled.

"I only came because in England right now it's way to humid and too hot for my tastes." she replied apathetically at Yuri's comment.

"Well did you receive my gift then?" asked Yuri pridefully.

"Yes, and I hate the color red. I absolutely detest roses, and I don't drink anything but wine. Champaign is below my tastes." Layla remarked.

"Well what kind of flowers do you like then?" asked Yuri nervously.

"I enjoy Lillis" Layla said wryly.

"Then how about I bring you some lilies then?" Yuri suggested.

"If you really want to impress me, then it will take much more than roses or champaign. You have a lot of making up to do from last time." she remarked.

"Fine I will do whatever you wish." Yuri agreed.

"Buy me a genuine Russian fur coat then." she instructed him, and he laughed.

"My dear I could bring you a shipload of fur coats!" he bragged.

"That's only my first request." she remarked.

"Well then what is your second then?" Yuri breathed.

"I will tell you only after you have fulfilled the first one." Layla replied.

"Fine." Yuri sighed.

While Layla and Yuri were conversing Sora picked at her food apathetically just as Leon was doing. Suddenly he raised his eyes from the table to meet her gaze. She knew staring was rude, and she felt herself blush as she began eating again. Leon felt his heart jump in his chest. Why was he suddenly drawn to this girl? He was a king, and she was just Layla's servant but still he admired her quaint beauty as the envy of every girl in the room scoffed at her.

"What is your name?" Leon addressed her. It was the first words he'd spoken all night, and Sora almost dropped her plate once she heard him speak.

"My name is Sora." she said as gracefully as she could as she was entailed by everything that was happening.

"Like the sky?" Leon asked.

"Yes..." Sora replied as she felt a faint blush creep across her cheeks.

"Why is it any of your concern what her name is?" shot Layla glaring at him.

Leon smirked, "Such fire in your tongue princess." he remarked.

Layla became hot at his comment, "Sora go to your room." Layla instructed.

"Yes your highness." Sora commended as she hung her head as everyone looked at her in disgust as she dashed off in the direction of her quarters. She felt hot tears stream down her face as she shut the door. Why had he spoken to her!? She just wanted to have a nice night unbothered, and he had ruined everything!

"Make sure you leave my servant girl alone. If you touch her or take advantage her, it will get ugly! Keep your flirtations to yourself because she belongs to me!" Layla shot.

"I had no intention of doing such a thing. I was only striking up a conversation because she was sitting in front of me. Why would I mess around with your servant anyways? She isn't any of my concern." Leon scoffed as he left the table as everyone stared mouth agape at him.

"Thank you for the lovely dinner Yuri, but I believe I am quiet done here." she said excusing herself.

"But Layla!" Yuri protested, but she simply walked away ignoring him.

"Please everyone get back to your fun!" Yuri instructed everyone.

"Darn you Leon..." Yuri mumbled under his breath at Layla's outburst.

The night wore on as Layla readied herself for bed.

"Sora you stay away from that man." Layla instructed her.

"Yes mam." Sora sighed as she helped Layla ready herself for bed.

Leon sat at his desk as he tried to read his novel, but he couldn't keep his mind on anything because Sora kept popping back up in his head no matter how hard he tried to shake her from his thoughts. Why had she made such an impression on him? He sighed as he finally retired to bed as these thoughts plagued him all night long.