A/N: As always thank you for reading, favorite and follow. Special thank you's to those who reviewed. I love you guys and thanks for commenting. I honestly say here that all those reviews were what inspired me to write this chapter. Enjoy!
Warning can be found in the Prologue page. Disclaimer is in my Profile.
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Chapter 5
The Saviour and The Prince
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The grand ball to celebrate the Crown Prince's birthday was magnificent and unique to say. The usual hall used to accommodate the guests were not used, instead, the grand ball was situated within the castle still but it was inside the ice rink where it was frequented by the Prince himself. The ice rink where decorated to suit the function. Most of the guests already arrived and mingling with each other. Each one of them trying to flaunt their beauty, wealth, knowledge and more. The same boring old routines of trying to win the wealthiest and powerful person in the kingdom.
Being said that...
The most powerful and wealthiest person in the kingdom was seen flirting and socializing with a group of young and beautiful bachelorettes. Though, the Prince was smiling and laughing but his eyes were not. They were cold and empty. He did not like the party at all and no one here looked sincere and honest. He could see it, the way they brought themselves were clear enough of an intention to win the Prince's heart.
No.
Not his heart.
It was rather his wealth and power.
He inconspicuously looked around the room, wondering if there was that little boy he met when he was still a teenager himself. Judging by now, the boy, Yuuri would be about 17 years old. He was at a ripe age for a marriage. He frowned. Who say that the boy was still single? Maybe he was already met some man or woman and already married and happy. Besides, Yuuri thought he was a fairy. There was no way that child would remember him.
He let out a soft sigh.
"Are you well, Your Highness?"
He smiled at the red haired girl and her blond haired brother who was scowling. "Why would I am not well?" He tilted his head and gave a gentleman smile as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it before he dropped it back and did the same to the younger teen beside her - who just grumbled but spotting a blush on his cheeks. "I appreciate your company my lady and gentleman but I must go now."
He bowed not waiting for a reply and glided across them to where the old man Yakov was.
"Yakov."
The old man nodded his head. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"Have all the guests arrived yet?"
Yakov looked over the list of guests in his hand and nodded his head confirming that all of them had arrived but one person. "Hm... only a person from Chulanont family. Their son name is Phichit Chulanont." He looked up to the icy blue orbs waiting for a confirmation. "Do you want to wait for him?"
Prince Victor did not know why he was disappointed. He was hoping that the boy with the warmest and honest brown eyes would show up but maybe his guess was right. The boy - no, not boy anymore but now a young man - must already had gotten married. Who ever that was, they were really lucky. The boy was adorable and cute and special. He was special indeed inside Victor's heart. He was honest and not like these people here that attending his birthday ball with ulterior motives.
"Your Highness Victor?"
Snapping his head to the scowling old man, the icy blue eyed Prince just smiled. Giving his most beautiful smile. "I am so sorry," he chuckled a bit and nodded his head, "you can tell the person in charge to start the contest and I would be in the throne to judge these contestants."
Yakov nodded his head and walked to the man near the ice rink as he whispered in his ear. The blond hair and tall muscular man nodded his head before he stood at the temporary build up stage to give the announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, on the confirmation from His Highness Victor Nikiforov, I, Cristophe Giacometti, hereby would like to announce to all the contestants to come to the front and take a number for your turn."
The ice rink were filled with excited voices and eager footsteps as most of the guests trying to reach the stage first. They knew that with the large number of contestants, the Prince might get bored and only paid attention to the early contestants.
While the crowd were fighting to the stage, Prince Victor walked to his throne apposite of the huge double door of the entrance to the rink. He looked at the door longingly as he put his chin on his hand and sighed.
This would be a very long night.
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Somewhere at house in the kingdom...
A teenager - a young man - was depressed and crying to himself. The dark haired young man sniffed as he rubbed his eyes, glasses long forgotten on the floor. He took a deep breath before he shakily stood from the wet and dirty floor. He took the clothe that had been forgotten on the floor and slowly began to scrub and clean the dirty floor. Occasionally, his body would shake as he sobbed softly.
With the way it was now, there was no way he would be able to go to the grand ball. He still had the kitchen and floor to clean and he was sure he looked horrible now. His eyes and nose were red for sure. It would look unsightly and disgusting. Feeling more let down, Yuuri dropped the clothe and sat on the floor, tears dropped from his brown eyes non-stopped. Hiccups and sobs followed him.
"...V-Vic...c-chan..."
He rubbed his eyes again, not minding his dirty hands when there were knocks on the door. He decided to ignored it when it was unceremoniously kicked open. His eyes widened in surprise and fear found its way inside his fragile heart. 'What now, i-is it a r-robber?' He thought as he scrambled to hide when he heard the footsteps running towards him. He knew he did not have time to run so he closed his eyes, body shaking from fear and misery.
"Yuuri! Are you okay?!"
He felt hands on his shoulder and brown orbs peeking from under the lids. "P-Phicit?" He asked in confusion with teary eyes. "Why?"
Phichit looked at him and the state of him. His eyes narrowed as he growled low in his throat.
"P-Phichit?" Yuuri looked scared. He never saw his friend like this. He never saw Phichit got angry. Never once.
"What happened?" The dark skinned young man asked, no, demanded.
"..." Yuuri looked down.
"Yuuri, please tell me?" His friend's grip on his shoulders tightened almost painfully. "I-It hurts, Phichit..." he whimpered as he closed his eyes, tears slipping past his tightly closed lids - not because of hurt but more likely misery.
He felt the grip on his shoulder loosening before it was all gone. He then felt the same arms, wrapping themselves around his body. Warming his entire body and heart. Unconsciously, he let out a relieve shudder and leaned towards the other's body.
"God, I am so sorry, Yuuri. I did not mean to hurt you."
The slightly taller young man did not reply, he instead slowly but surely, put his hands to grab the clothes on his friend's back.
They stayed like that enveloped in each other arms like forever - when it was just five minutes - before Phichit slowly let go and stared into teary brown eyes.
"Yuuri... did they hurt you?"
Yuuri shook his head.
His friend let out a relieve sigh. He smiled softly at the innocent looking eyes, palm caressing the soft, smooth cheek. "I am glad." He looked around him for a moment and asked again. "Where do you need to clean? I will help," he looked back into those huge brown orbs, smiling. "Come," he pulled the other up with both hands and said, "Let's clean and afterwards, we will fix you and find Vicchan after this."
Brown eyes widened and more tears fell.
"T-Thank you, P-Phichit..." for the first time that night, he let out a smile. A honest and relieve smile.
"Anything for you, Yuuri."
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"And now, we will have our 299th contestant, Yuri Plisetsky!"
Slowly, a music was played.
The tune soft and innocent.
On Regards of Love: Agape.
The young teen stood in the middle of the ice rink, body positioned before he glided, skated across the ice with the grace of sleek cat. His movement was almost perfect and he was the best candidate from all the contestants.
Beautiful.
But it lacked feelings.
Though, the teen was trying to convey Agape, Victor could see it, could feel it, the anger and impatient rolling from the boy's movement. He sighed but still enjoyed the performance. At least, this was better than hundreds of those failures skating. Wait, there was another that was worth to look at - it was this boy's sister. Her skating and program might not as beautiful as this blond haired boy but it was worth it.
"Your Highness Victor."
He turned to his attendant. A single platinum brow rose to question.
"This is the last contestant, have Your Highness made your choice yet?"
"Ah..." Prince Victor went silent.
There were claps from all around the rink, signalling the end of the performance. He glanced back at the blond haired boy, he was too young for him - maybe if added two years, he could accept him. But if he was to choose from all these people then he would be the best. He glanced back at the double doors, hoping that miracle would happen if he stared at it enough.
Tick, tock, tick, tock...
But the clock was unforgiving. It did not wait on him and it was already 11:30 into the night. There was not going to be a person coming in from those doors near midnight. There would not be a young man in black hair and brown eyes would walking in from the door.
But, there was...
Suddenly, the doors were opened and walked into the hall were two young men, older than the blond haired boy but still younger than the Prince.
"Announcing, the arrival of Phichit Chulanont and his companion!"
Icy blue eyes wide opened as he stood from his throne. His eyes followed every step the duo -especially the slicked back hair, fair skinned young man - making their way until they were kneeling in front of him. Heads bowed low, eyes avoiding the contact with His Majesty.
"Your Majesty," there were huffs and a deep breath taken.
It was as if they were running to get here.
The dark skinned male in a red costume outlining with gold continued his words while his companion kept quiet. "We do apologize for being late but we still want to participate in this contest." He paused. "Ah, I do apologize again, not me, but my beautiful companion."
At the time, Prince Victor's eyes were locking in the mop of black tresses that belonged to the fair skinned male. His eyes traced the lithe body covered by the dark fabric. Some of it were see-through and there were silver ornament on his shoulder and waist. A piece of fabric sewn to the waist to make it look like a skirt. The costume complimented the young man's lithe and slender body, showing off every curve and shape of his body. The young man looked familiar and Victor wanted so badly to look into his eyes. Warm brown. To confirm his suspicion.
"Your Highness."
"Huh?" He looked over at Yakov, eyes confused.
"These gentleman are waiting for Your Highness' reply."
Oh right.
Damn it.
He was staring at the young man.
Prince Victor stared down at the still bowing duos and cleared his throat. "By all due respect young man, please head to the ice rink. I will allow this one before the night ends."
Lies.
It were all lies.
He wanted to see the fair skinned male skating so bad that his voice strained a bit.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He heard a soft and melodic voice but he had yet to see his eyes.
He watched as the two males walked to the edge of the ice rink, the shorter male pulled the taller one in a hug as he whispered something in his ear before he let go and kissed his forehead in a loving manner. Icy blue orbs hardened and narrowed. Hands grabbed the arms of his throne in tight grip. He could feel his jealousy surged towards the surface even though he had yet to confirm his suspicion of the beautiful male. He had dark eyes, that was for sure but he still could not see its color. Not from this distance. Though, he could see the beauty of his face. He was innocent looking and yet he looked seductive.
"Your Highness?"
He did not hear the call of concern from the old man as he followed with his icy blue eyes the movement of this man. He saw him talking to the person in charge of music and stood at the edge, whispering something to his companion.
Victor did not even realize that the announcer did not say anything and merely playing a music.
On Regards of Love: Eros.
It was like he was shocked by an electric current. His blue orbs widened as he regarded the young man beginning steps. It was beautiful and sexy. It was so Eros. Eros was the physical, sensual intimacy between lovers. It expressed the sexual, romantic attraction. He remembered the steps and choreograph so well. After all, he was the one that choreograph the program. Sitting still, he watched as the male glided, dancing across the ice like the most beautiful and seductive person ever. He was trying to seduce the Prince and inwardly, Victor agreed wholeheartedly.
He watched him jumped, danced and jumped again.
Everything about the young man was beautiful and not long, the program was complete. The hall filled with claps. Slowly, he stood and the hall fell into a silent. He walked down of his throne gracefully as he skated towards the young man in the ice. Luckily, he had taken a time to wear his skate when people were cheering for the young man. Stopping in front of the beautiful man, he softly said - trying to hide the eager in his voice - to the dark haired man that had his head bowed down on the floor the moment the Prince ascended down his throne.
"Raise your head."
Slowly, the world seemed to stop when he was met face to face with this mysterious yet familiar person. He could see it now, those beautiful brown orbs in his dreams and memories. Those eyes who looked as surprise as his own and yet there was warmth inside it. He saw his lips opening, trembling to say something and yet it failed. He watched and waited until a soft and melodic voice once again granted to him.
"...Vicchan?"
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A/N: I am so sorry for making little piglet crying Dx and yet I still hope you will love this chappie c: This was supposed to be a chapter about the banquet but it got too long so I have to separate it. If you love this - or hate it - please drop any comment no matter what your language is. I can use Google Translate to help me understand it. Thank you for reading.