The year was 2016. The Empire of Japan was weakening its hold on the nation. Britannia is finally able to tighten its grasp. It was as if the whole of Japan was nearing the end of the cliff and Britannia will soon reach the end of the tunnel of war. King Charles, of course, was overjoyed and the whole of his country shared in his happiness. The Emperor of Japan was in a state of distress and anxiety over the status of his beloved nation. He would often look out from his balcony and view the surrounding cities. They were in a state of ruin and anyone who laid eyes on it would be discouraged.

Such was the sorrow in Japan that hundreds of its citizens performed suicide and massacres in order to "prevent those Britannian fools from killing them themselves". Everyone knew there was no point in this but what could they possibly do? The Japanese people were afflicted with agony. They were continuously oppressed by the Britannian soldiers day by day. Their houses and streets were dreary and dark. The weather was cloudy and, at other times, rainy.

The Britannians, on the other hand, were having their fill, pilfering houses and taking hostages from the oppressed and devastated. Their wealth grew enormous and when they went back to their homeland, there was often a hole in their pockets because of the weight of the gold they carried. The places they pilfered were various and often consisted of manors, mansions, and Buddhist temples. Historic sites were destroyed and bombed. Most of the buildings were reduced to nothing but gray ash and debris. Multitudes of charred bodies could be found almost anywhere. Some provinces in Japan were reduced to poverty and the growing Winter cold was killing more and more of them every single day.

King Charles had, once again, proclaimed that a feast be prepared for the victory of Britannia over Japan. Like the event 17 years ago, the celebration was exclusive only to the best of the best: the most royal and prestigious the world over. Namely, the guest list consisted of the reigning King and Queen of England, Dukes of various places, princesses, and princes. The list was long and enormous. The food to be served was chosen with the greatest care and connoisseurs all over the world were summoned to do so. Britannian delicacies and pastries were to be prepared and large amounts of flour, sugar, and wheat were ordered. Different types of meat and drink were also among those which were ordered. Vintage wine was a must and much of it was collected throughout the continent of Europe and Australia. The halls were in splendid arrangement and it was all topped with the best chandeliers and silk brocades.

The Palace was in a tornado of hurry and sewing as the gowns for the royal children were designed and made. Each garment was unique and special in its own way. The amount of money spent on each was also horrendous so it was only ethical that they should be made by the best designers and sewn with great care. Take Schneizel el Britannia's coat for example. It was embroidered all over with diamonds as small as a grain of rice and decorated with sparkling sapphires to set off his eye color effectively.

Truly, the upcoming celebration is to be the greatest of the decade.

- - - - -

It was the night of the splendid party. Monarchs and nobilities flocked on the lavishly decorated Britannian ballroom. A lovely waltz was playing and, as expected, people were dancing on the floor. Clovis raised his cup to his lips and watched the crowd with his dazzling blue eyes. He smiled after seeing that everyone was enjoying. After all, most of the decorations were designed by him. They were indeed very pretty. A group of young men crowded around the third prince and he chatted gaily with them, relishing in the attention he was getting. Sometimes, a girl or two would pass and they would give cat-calls, depending on the appearance of the said lady.

"You see, men, ladies are nothing but tools for us to play on." He flipped his hair to one side, creating a metaphorical background of glittering stars and rich red roses. "However, we have to respect them. If we do not, then they leave us. But if we do, they stay. Money is also vital. It acts like a huge magnet that attracts women of all ages to you... Even young girls, mind you."

The group erupted into great fits of laughter. Schneizel shook his head gravely and wondered how his younger brother could cope up with the company he keeps. As the group was laughing, a lady in a dark green, long-sleeved gown came up to them. She was wearing a mask made of the finest feathers and gems. She approached them in such a nice, lady-like way that they scattered about and gave way for her to pass through to the prince. When she was close to him, she made a grab for his necktie and pulled him towards her. She made her way to the center of the ballroom, Clovis tagging all the while behind her. Then, the mysterious lady placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are we to dance, lady? Why didn't you say so at first?" Clovis asked, placing his hand on her slender waist. He snapped his fingers in the air. "Play us something slow and melancholy."

At once, the orchestra played the prince's choice of music. The crowd from previously dispersed to give them enough space to dance.

"Why the mystery, lady?" Clovis asked as they danced. "Is there something very special about you that you wish to hide, even from me?"

"Every lady is mysterious, prince." She answered in a voice he had heard before. "I'm sure you know that? Surely you are not gynophobic?"

The prince smiled. "Certainly not, lady. Funny how it is... I know that I have heard that voice before. I could not remember where."

She leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear, "Oh, where indeed, prince?" She pulled back and smiled mysteriously, her eyes sparkling in delight.

He looked at her face for a long time and the vim from his eyes faded into a dull blue. "Audrey? Is that supposed to be you?"

"Yes, prince." She removed the mask and curtsied. "We have not seen each other in a long time, have we? Is something wrong, prince? Your hands tremble in my grasp. Would you like something to drink?"

"No, no... It's just that..." The two of them stopped dancing and he looked her over with his expert eye. He could not believe that this tall and slender woman in front of him was the Audrey Deneuve he knew seventeen years ago. Her blonde curls were still as glamorous as ever but much of her was changed. She had grown more feminine and more... Seductive, in a sense. "You've changed so much. I could never... Imagine that this could be you."

"You have not changed a single bit, prince. You are still the same cowering boy I met seventeen years ago." She laughed and her laugh was like a thousand bells tingling in the night air. "You still tremble, prince."

"Perhaps we should go outside, Lady Audrey. The night air is good for the body."

Audrey consented and let him lead her outside the huge castle doors and into the lovely twilight. The moon was full and very red against the black night sky. Crickets were singing here and there. Occasionally, an owl hooted or a coyote howled in the far-away distance. The garden was ablaze with lights and the fountain Clovis had designed meticulously was working. He took her near the fountain and the two of them sat on the cold cement of the cascade.

"Tell me, what have you been doing all these years?" Clovis asked, unaware that his trembling hands held hers.

"Everyday was the same." She said, sighing in exasperation. "One can never expect much in Avoch Caste. It has always been dreary there... But sometimes the mood lightens and all is happy..."

"How is your father? I have not seen the Duke of Ross anywhere tonight."

Audrey looked down at the water and touched it lightly with one hand. Her eyes lost their previous shine. The magical glimmer was gone. "Father has been ailing for three years and has passed away only last month. He has left me an inheritance though..."

"Good for you, Audrey... It's better to be an only child than to be a brother to more than fifty siblings." He said, smiling good-naturedly. "You have no one to interfere with your inheritance."

She shook her head carefully, her curls following. "No, no, that is not true. Father married another woman a few years back. She has had two other children from her first husband... And now that Father is dead..."

Clovis frowned. "And now?"

"They have been... Well," She smiled again. The same glimmer from before came back and she changed the subject abruptly, as if nothing had happened. "I guess the air has done its good to me, prince." She said, standing up. "I shall now take my leave."

"Audrey!" Clovis clutched her wrist tightly and pushed the sleeves of her gown upward. "They have been mistreating you, haven't they?'

Audrey looked away and took her hands from his, rubbing the sore spot on her arms. "It's what we all call discipline, sire. I am simply not used to it."

He drew her close to him in a tight embrace and softly touched her cheeks, wiping away the tears that flowed. "You have been hurt. Rejected. Offended. Wounded. Isn't your misery enough?" Then gently, he pressed his lips to hers. "You shall no longer suffer... You shall live with me here..." He murmured as he stroked the blonde curls. "Here, where no one can ever hurt you. In this place, you are safe... With me..."

Audrey did not respond but merely hugged him more tightly. The third prince was delighted and smiled, then bending down once more to kiss the lady once more.

Schneizel watched the events unfold before his eyes from the Palace's balcony which overlooked the magnificent garden. He smiled cunningly and remarked at how his younger brother had grown up so beautifully all those long years...

- - - - -

Author's Note: So what's the verdict?