Pharaess Cleopatra: I seriously didn't want to type today, but I did it anyway and it has brought another chapter, so please enjoy!
Chapter 5: A "Masked" Plan
Yugi's slipped open as he blinked a few times before a light blush coated his cheeks. There in front of him was the prince, Yami, still sleeping away. Yugi glanced over and noticed that the hand clock on the nightstand read 5:18 AM, and it was still dark outside as well; this meant Yugi still had nearly three hours before he was supposed to wake up. His eyelids lowered slightly as a very small sigh escaped through his nose, but as the boy lay there, trying to fall back asleep, he noticed how handsome Yami looked when he was sleeping. His very slightly pink tinted lips were parted a bit as he breathed in and out slow and softly. But suddenly though, a cold chill crawled up Yugi's spine, causing him to shiver slightly as he tried to hold it back, but to no avail, failed at this miserably. However, as soon as the boy shivered, Yami had pulled the smaller one into his chest, causing Yugi to blush a shade of deep rose red.
"If you are cold, Yugi, do not hesitate to come closer to me. I would not want for you to become ill. "
"Y-you mean you were awake? " Yugi stammered, seeming surprised at this.
"Once I felt you shiver, I was awoken honestly." Yami opened his crimson eyes as a light smirk appeared on his lips.
Yugi quickly buried his face in Yami's chest out of sheer embarrassment, causing the prince to give a low chuckle as he pulled the adorable blushing boy closer to his body. "You may go back to sleep, Yugi, you deserve it. When you awaken, we shall begin preparations for the ball."
"Yes, Yami..." Yugi smiled as he snuggled into Yami, who smiled at the closeness.
Everyone was rather very busy preparing for the ball, including the prince and his lovely steward. Yugi had already ordered the flowers, ordered the food to be prepared, and found the perfect music to play for the ball, but now he had to go over the very long guest list, something he hadn't been looking forward to. They were rather extensive, but as he looked over the papers, his body suddenly tensed up upon seeing a very certain name – his stepfather's. It was then his fear skyrocketed and his nerves began to spiral out of control, the poor boy feeling as if he was on some kind of emotion roller coaster, and it made his stomach turn into knots in all directions. After he finished going over the lists, though feeling sick to his stomach now, Yugi put them away where Seto could easily find them before heading into his room to try and calm his raging nerves that night. Once he had closed the door, Yugi flopped onto his bed, burying his face in the pillows as he sighed heavily, not sure what to think or feel, though his alone time didn't last for very long as a soft noise – but loud enough for him to hear – rang in his ears.
Knock knock knock...
Peering his head up, Yugi stared at the door for a long moment before sighing, sliding out of bed. But when he opened the door, he was surprised to see the princess and Yami's younger sister, Hikari standing behind his bedroom door. "Princess?"
"Yugi, sweetheart, I have told you once before, please refer to me as Hikari. "Princess" is simply much too formal to be used so often, and you are family here, remember?"
"Yes, I'm sorry..."
She shook her head with a gentle smile. "Nonsense, you are still unsure of yourself, from what I can see. However, may I come in?"
Yugi stepped aside and allowed her in before closing the door back, Hikari seating herself on the boy's bed. "Come here..." She said with open arms.
He obeyed and stood in front of the princess as she gently cupped his face with her soft and tender hands, gazing into his large and innocent violet orbs. "What troubles you so, Yugi?"
"Umm, it's nothing... I'm alright..."
Hikari smiled. "You cannot lie to me, Yugi. For you see, the eyes are the window to the soul, and as of right now, your eyes are telling me that something is troubling you very greatly..." She said in a calm tone, noticing Yugi feeling uneasy. "It is alright, Yugi, you can tell me. Don't be afraid..."
The boy sighed softly through his nose. "My stepfather, he's going to beat the ball with both my stepsisters..."
"Forgive me, but I fail to see why this is so distressing for you..." She said, trying to understand his reasoning.
"He's the one who sold me to the king, and at a high prince too..." Yugi added sadly.
Hikari gasped before pulling Yugi into a tight embrace, causing said boy to blush a shade of rose pink, but he could feel her trembling slightly out of sheer anger. "That is terrible... Why – How could he ever do such an awful thing? It's simply inhuman..."
"He hates me... Ever since my mother passed away after she married him, I had practically become a slave in his home, and he always abused me... He burned beat, cut, and whipped me, sometimes for no reason, or when I did something wrong..."
Hikari held Yugi tighter, trying to settle her anger, though her blood began to boil in pure rage. "I now understand why you do not wish to see him, however, what will you do about the ball? You are going, yes?"
"I'm afraid that if he finds out somehow that I'm here in the castle with the king, the prince, and you, being treated so well, he'll grow angry and want to take me back just so he can abuse me more, or get rid of me so that no one can have me..." Yugi was on the verge of tears at saying this.
"Even so, he cannot. He has made a contract, signing you over to us, as much as I despise admitting this for I detest referring to people as mere objects in the sense of the term. However, please do not misunderstand me, I am not saying that we own you – Heavens no – I am merely noting that you now live here with us by a binding contract, one of which he cannot break or violate, otherwise the consequences could be severe."
"But still... I don't want him to know that a lowly servant is allowed to attend the ball..."
Hiakri pulled away from Yugi at hearing this, pushing his chin up to have their eyes meet as she spoke in a gentle tone. "Don't say such a thing. You are so much more than a mere servant, Yugi. Yes, you are my brother's steward, but you are also family." She said sternly before she saw something shine in Yugi's violet hues. "You love my brother, do you not?"
Yugi's eyes widened at the question. "But how...how did you...?" He let his voice trail off, unable to finish.
"I have seen the way you both gaze at each other, and I can see you are in love with Yami, yes?"
He nodded slowly, causing the princess to smile warmly.
"He is in love with as well, Yugi. Never have I seen Yami so lighthearted and compassionate until you came along. Once you had come to us, it was as if I foresaw his heart swell three sizes. He has never fallen in love with another person so deeply as he has with you, and I am certain he would love nothing more than to dance with you, his light, on the special night of the ball."
At hearing Hikari's touching words, tears formed in Yugi's eyes until he blinked, causing them to streak down his face as the princess gently wiped them away with her thumbs. "B-but how? I d-don't want to be t-taken away from here, H-Hikari... I'm s-scared..." He hiccupped.
Hikari drew Yugi into a gentle embrace. "The dance shall be a masquerade ball, which entails that everyone shall be wearing a mask, therefore, no one will know who is who, including my brother. Though, his hair is the foremost hint, but you both look similar in many ways, so many people might believe that you are my brother instead, meaning you should be safe. I shall make a mask and an outfit for you so that no one will be able to recognize you except for myself and my brother."
"R-really? You would do that...just for me?"
"Of course, sweet little Yugi... Like I have said before, you are family, and if you wish to have the chance to dance with my brother and not have to fear of being discovered, then I will gladly grant you this opportunity."
"Thank you so much, Hikari..."
"Anything for you, sweet and precious Yugi..."
Knock knock knock
"You may come in." Hikari spoke without looking at the door for she was too engrossed in her sewing.
The door opened as her brother, Yami entered the room, seeing her sister working on something. "Good afternoon, sister."
She set the shirt down she was working on and stood up, walking over to her brother as she gave a warm smile. "Hello, brother. How may I help you?"
"Father has informed me to ask you if you would go see him for a moment. All he informed me of was that it was something to deal with how we should enter the ballroom tomorrow night."
"Alright, then let us be off, shall we?"
He stepped aside as his sister gave a light smirk at the gesture before walking past her brother, who followed closely behind. "You have such wonderful manners, Yami. I do believe you shall be exceptional at the ball."
"I am a prince, if you so recall, so it is my duty to be proper and polite."
"As I am aware, though I do not believe those women will get the chance to see them."
Yami raised an eyebrow when a thought dawned upon him. "Why do I sense that you are planning something, Hikari?"
"Me? Oh, now I would never do such a thing, dear brother. You should have more faith in me." She smirked.
"Is that so? Strange, seeing as I recall you saying such similar words the previous time you planned something for me."
She chuckled lightly. "Yes, but you will enjoy this surprise, Yami, unlike the last one."
"And that sly grin you have upon your face tells me otherwise."
"Believe what you wish, brother, but I can assure you that this time shall be different, I promise."
Yami seemed skeptical. "Now that I ponder over it, what exactly have you been working on these past few days?"
She held her index finger to her lips for a moment. "I am no kiss and tell."
Her brother huffed lightly, causing the princess to chuckle again. "Oh? Do I sense frustration?"
"You do realize I dislike surprises, yes?"
"I am very conscious of this, brother, however, I cannot spoil this surprise. It involves someone very special and I have promised that I would not tell you of it."
"And if I were to guess, I would have to say that you had promised my steward something?"
"I say once more, I am no kiss and tell. I suppose you will have to wait until tomorrow night to see my surprise I have in store for you." She gazed at her brother with a smile. "Have faith in me, my beloved brother. You of all people know you can trust me, seeing as you did end up enjoying that surprise I gave you."
Yami sighed. "As you wish... I will not pry and allow you to have your secret."
"Very good. Now then, I do not see why father is having us come to see him over how we shall enter the ball. It is simply for our return, and it seems far too excessive to throw such big fuss over it."
"He is the king though, if you recall, and he has always been like this..."
"Even so, I still find it all to be far too much."
"Yes, as do I, however, when Father's mind is set in stone, there is no changing it."
Hikari merely sighed, realizing this as well. "Yes, I know... He really should seize in making such a big fuss over us though... It is beginning to become overwhelming."
"It is the life of royalty..."
"As I can very well see..." She said as the two continued on their way to see their father, though what Yami is unaware of is the special surprise Hikari is working on for tomorrow night's ball. How will he react?