"A ball?" Shirayuki wondered. "That sounds fun!"
"I want to escort you," complained Zen. "But brother said no. The lady I escort must be from nobility..."
"Well that's alright Zen-"
"But I want you to go, Shirayuki!"
"She can attend with Obi," suggested Mitsuhide. "The aides are allowed to attend and Obi can escort her."
Kana noticed Obi gleamed brightly at the suggestion. Zen thought about it, obviously not wanting Shirayuki to be with another man besides him. Figuring it's his only chance to have her near him, he finally agreed.
"But I still need to escort someone," Zen muttered then stared at Kiki.
"No way," she rejected before he could ask.
"But Kiki-"
"I said no. I was your escort last time."
"But I don't want to escort some other lady in town-"
Kana was dazed during their conversation, so she wasn't paying much attention. All of a sudden, Kana felt all eyes on her. She turned towards them and noticed Zen's pleading eyes towards her. Kana's eyebrows furrowed.
"No way!" she exclaimed. "No!"
"Kana you're my last hope!"
"I refuse!"
"You owe me!"
"For what?!"
"I don't want to play this card, but I'm desperate. As your prince then!" Zen demanded.
Kana sighed.
"Fine.."
"Thank you," he smiled innocently as the others sweatdropped.
"But I think you have to tell Shirayuki the truth about us, Zen," Kana told him.
"Wh-What?!" He cried, blushing.
Shirayuki and Obi looked at the two of them, confused.
"Better tell her yourself instead of hearing it from the people at the ball," Kana explained to Zen.
Zen gritted his teeth.
"Oh alright. Shirayuki.. Kana and I... Well... We were once engaged."
"Huh?!" Obi shouted in surprise.
"E-Engaged?!" Shirayuki gasped.
"But it's over now!" Zen reassured her. "Obviously."
"No way I'd want to marry a brat like you anyways," Kana mumbled.
"Why you-" Zen muttered angrily.
"Wh-What happened?" Shirayuki wonder, catching everyone in surprise.
"We both refused," Kana told her. "We were childhood friends. It was just too weird to suddenly be engaged."
"It took a lot of effort though.." Zen sighed, remembering the time.
Shirayuki was quiet for a very long time. Zen even seemed as if he was starting to fret for her response. Suddenly, she smiled happily at the both of the,.
"Thank you both for telling me!"
Zen let out a sigh of relief and hugged her tightly. Kana sighed as well and smiled at her.
"I hope the ball will be fun!" the red head exclaimed happily.

The night of the ball...
"Mistress, are you ready?" Obi called out from outside the door.
The door opened, revealing Shirayuki in a floor-length white ball gown. Obi gaped at her in awe.
"Mistress, you look beautiful!"
Shirayuki blushed as she took his hand.
"Thank you, Obi. You look quite handsome yourself!"
Obi smiled as he adjusted his formal coat. He led her down the hallway and towards the grand ball room where Mitsuhide and Kiki were waiting in their formal soldier attire.
"How come I had to dress up?" Obi whined.
"Because you're escorting Shirayuki," stated Mitsuhide with a smile. "Let's get inside. His highness Zen and Lady Kana are about to appear."

"The buttons on your coat are mismatched, Zen," Kana pointed out as the two of them waited for the signal to enter.
"Eh?!"
"Calm down. Here let me help."

"My, it's been awhile since I've seen the two of you together!"

Kana and Zen turned to find First Prince Izana standing with his soon-to-be bride Haki.
"Brother!"
"Iza- er your highness," Kana bowed.
"I see Kiki turned down your offer this year, Zen?" Izana laughed.
Zen turned bright red.
"I volunteered," Kana piped up.
"Oh? Is that so?" Izana smiled. "That's no fun."

"Your highness, it's your turn."

"Oh! See you two inside."
Kana and Zen watched as the two disappeared into the grand ball room. Zen let out a sigh.
"Thanks."
"I think you've embarrassed yourself enough this week?" she mumbled.
"You're still ruthless as ever," smiled Zen.
Kana smiled back at him.
"What are friends for?"

"Second Prince Zen and his escort Lady Kana!"

"Ready?" asked Zen, holding out his arm.
Kana took a deep breath and grabbed his arm.
"Let's get this over with."
The heavy double doors opened as she and Zen entered the grand ball room. Dozens of nobles stood before the two of them, bowing and awing at the sight of the two of them together. Some greeted the, and asked if they were engaged again. Both of them denied and continued to walk to avoid anymore questions.
"Ugh. These events are exhausting," Kana groaned as she and Zen reached the group.
"Shirayuki..." Zen gasped as he caught sight of the red head.
"Zen!" Shirayuki cried, blushing.
As the two reunited, Kana stopped in front of Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi. Mitsuhide chuckled at Kana's expression.
"Not used to it yet?"
"No. Just exhausted," Kana mumbled.
"The dress suits you, Kana," complimented Obi as he gazed at you up and down.
She felt her face warm up.
"Th-Thank you," she stuttered to her dismay. "Y-You look quite handsome yourself Obi!"
Obi laughed.
"Thanks. But this suit is itchy."
The night went on and eventually, Zen worked up the courage to ask Shirayuki for a dance. Even Mitsuhide was able to ask Kiki for a dance. Just one. The attention was once again on Zen and Shirayuki, which Kana was very thankful for.
"Not gonna dance?"
Kana glanced up at Obi and shook her head.
"Not my thing. You?"
The dark haired man chuckled.
"Not mine either."
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Kana suddenly felt a tug on her hair. She glanced up to find Obi with some strands of her hair to his face. Kana blushed as she gazed into his hazel eyes.
"Your jet black hair is pretty," he smiled.
"M-My hair? Well it's not as unusual as Shirayuki's red hair."
"Even so. You have your own desirable traits," Obi told her as he sat beside her. "Your hair I mean."
"Right.. My hair.." Kana sweatdropped.
Obi chuckled.
"It was a joke! You really do have your own desirable traits, Kana. Besides your hair."
Kana avoided his gaze as she felt her cheeks warm up even more.
"Th-Thanks..."

"Kana."

Kana's head perked up at the sound of the voice.
"Father?"
"Let me introduce you to Lord Odair. He would like to dance with you."
Kana gave a short glance towards Obi and then hesitantly stood up.
"Good evening, Lord Odair."
"My my, she is beautiful!" the sketchy-looking man grinned. "You would make a lovely wife!"
"W-Wife?" Kana looked at her father in horror.
"He wants your hand in marriage. Now why don't you get to know each other and dance."
"Wait, Father-" Kana cried out, but was pulled away by Lord Odair.

Obi stood watching as Kana danced uncomfortably with the suspicious looking man. At first, the dark haired man laughed at her dancing since she was really clumsy, but then he realized something was off. Kana wasn't weren't, she was trying to pry herself away from Lord Odair. Obi hissed as he noticed Odair's hand make its way down her back.
"How ungentleman-like," growled Obi as he began to walk towards them.
"Eh? Obi where are you going?" Mitsuhide called out, but it was too late.

"Lord Odair, if you would mind keeping your hand on my mid-back, it would be much appreciated," Kana gritted, still trying to push away from him.
"Nonsense! We're to be married anyways, why not cop a feel in advance?" He smirked disgustingly.
"Lord Odair, please-"
"Quit fighting me. People are looking," he demanded.
"Lord Odair, stop-"
Kana was suddenly pushed gently aside as a tall dark figure stood between her and Lord Odair.
"Obi?" she squeaked, afraid that she lost the voice, which he noticed.
Obi turned to her and smiled, keeping her figure behind him and away from Odair. He then turned towards the older man and glared at him.
"What are you doing, boy? How dare you interrupt our dance?!" Odair shouted angrily, causing a scene.
"I think your dance with this fair lady is over," growled Obi.

"Obi! Kana!"
Zen and the rest ran over to see what was causing a scene.
"What's going on?" demanded Kana's Father.
"Father!" you cried.
"This boy is interrupting my dance with your daughter!" Odair accused.
"How dare you-"
"Father wait-"
"Lord Odair was trying to feel his way through your daughter's body," informed Obi.
"Wh-What?" Kana's father gaped in surprise.
"Obi that's a brutal accusation," warned Mitsuhide worriedly.
"This boy has no idea what he's talking about! I was doing no such thing!" Lord Odair defended.
"Then why is she shaking in fear behind me?!" Obi shouted angrily.
Kana hadn't noticed her own actions, but she realized that she was embracing Obi from behind and her arms were shaking in fright.
"Kana?" whispered Mitsuhide, pulling her towards him. "Is what Obi said true?"
Kana buried her face in the older man's chest and nodded her head. Kana's father stared at her for a few seconds and then glared at Lord Odair.
"Get out of my sight! You are no longer welcomed to my family! How dare you touch my daughter inappropriately!"
"This is not your ball, Duke. You have no right to expel me-"

"He may not, but I do."
The crowd gasped as Izana made his way through.
"A noble man should handle his woman with care, not with brutal force. Leave Lord Odair. You are no longer welcome here."
The guards and your father escorted Lord Odair out of the castle and the room began to calm down.
"Are you alright, Kana?" Izana asked.
"Y-Yes your highness. Thank you..."
He nodded his head and returned to his post. Zen and the rest gathered around the raven-haired girl.
"Kana are you alright?" Zen asked worriedly. "He didn't hurt you did he?"
Kana shook her head then turned to Obi with a slight smile.
"Thanks to Obi."
"You've got a good eye, Obi," grinned Zen, patting his back.
"I was just watching out for my partner," Obi grinned at Kana.
Her eyes widened and the next thing she knew, she was embracing him tightly. Obi stood a bit dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Mitsuhide gestured to close his arms around her, which he slowly did.
"Thank you Obi... Thank you..."
Obi smiled and rested his chin on her head.
"You're very welcome."

"Onee-chan!"

Kana's head once again perked up and turned towards the heavy doors. Shuuto stood with a young boy with dark hair that looked quite similar to Kana. Kana and Obi immediately let go as Shuuto and the young boy ran towards her.
"Ryuu?!" Kana exclaimed.
"Onee-chan!" Ryuu cried hugging her.

"EH?!"