The Stepbrother

Part III

The moon was young tonight so the stars shone brightly across the sky. Billions of tiny stars spread across the ink black heavens, glittering like numerous candles lit up in the air. It was a cold evening, not surprising for a winter night, but despite the icy weather, the celebration for the prince's birthday continued.

Len sat glumly somewhere in the courtyard, eyes glued on the houses downhill from the castle where he was right now. Behind the leafless trees whose branches extended in the sky like bony hands, he could see an overlooking view of the kingdom. Only the lampposts were illuminated this evening, no houses had their lamps lit on their gates. Nevertheless, he expected just as much, for the prince generously invited everyone to come and celebrate with him.

Everything was visible from here, he could even see the Teel Manor. Len could not stop thinking that it was such a pretty lonely sight, for he never considered this kingdom a happy one at all. People were wearing masks, not literally since the party held was a masquerade ball. Everyone's life in here was nothing but a lie. His life included, because in the first place, they never owned the Teel Manor.

The blond glanced up to the sky, lifting up the glass of wine to his lips. The evening was really nice and festive, it was such a waste since Miku was not here with him. The music played by the palace's musicians could be heard even from the outside, so was the laughter and all merrymaking villagers of whatever status were making. Everyone was happy, and it was annoying him. Taking a sip of his wine, he let out a deep sigh as he lowered the glass. He was not enjoying his time here at all.

"I believe that my fairest friend over here is not fancying my party," a man stood beside Len, his butterfly mask was darker under the moonless sky. Len remembered it had a velvet shade of blue under the chandeliers. The man raised his glass of wine to the blond with a smile on his lips, and Len bowed at him instantaneously.

"Your Highness," Len looked up to him and watched as the prince took off his mask. His hair, dark as the night sky, fell loose above his ears. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you, call me by my name. We're friends, drop the formality. You know, that's my line. What are you doing here?" The prince beamed at him, his eyes glistening with humour. "I'll take that you don't enjoy the women...just the wine."

"I certainly do not, Kaito. You know why," replied the blond, lifting his glass again to take a sip. Indeed, a platoon of fancy dressed woman had tried asking him out for a dance, but he refused each of them, saying that he was no good I'm dancing. That might be true, however, he simply didn't like going out here and leaving Miku alone in the manor. The two of them quietly admired the night sky for a good half minute, but the tranquil silence was broken when the blond spoke again. "I do not mean to be rude, Prince. If you wish for my honesty, and then I will give you a piece of my mind. I planned to stay at home tonight. If it wasn't because of my sister, I wouldn't come."

The prince let out a low chuckle. "I know you will say that. It is because of the girl, no? Why don't you go home and call it a day, Len? I will take care of your mother and sister if ever they look for you."

"That might be asking a lot, Kaito. I don't think you can hold them up until the party is over," he smiled sadly.

"I can, believe me. I like your sister since forever so I might as well tell her what I feel for her. Won't that make your sister and mum occupied? A prince's confession always blows up people's mind," the prince winked at him and proposed a toast. "Go ahead and spend the night with your lover."

Len winced his head, a bemused smile plastered on his face. "You make it sound like we're going to enjoy ourselves while mother and Rin are away."

"Why, aren't you? That's a rare chance."

"Whatever you say, Your Highness. But thank you very much," Len handed him his glass. "I apologise if I have to ask you to return this one. I can't wait to go back in the manor."

The prince took it from his hand willingly and shooed him away. "You are my friend, anything for you. Why don't you hurry now so you can spend some more alone time."

"Farewell and happy birthday," Len bowed before turning around.

"So long."

(LBreak)

The thudding of the horse hooves against the cold, frosty ground echoed in the empty alleyways. The entire town was deserted, but Len was under the pretence that people just went to be early. Like a prince mounted on a white horse, he hurried back to the manor to spend the night with his beloved stepsister. His long, midnight blue coat fluttered behind him as the horse dashed through the snow. His mask was still on his face, covering half of his visage. There was no time to remove them, he thought, for as soon as the prince asked him to go back, he left.

The coldness of the air hurt his face, but he couldn't care less. There was a jovial smile on his lips, and as the horse ran quicker, he couldn't take it off. He was genuinely happy that finally, finally his chance had come. He passed by rows and rows of brick houses until he reached the mouth of the clearing, the undergrowth was snowcapped. There was a line of leafless trees ahead. Seeing it made him beam wider; he knew he was almost there. Len turned around to glance at the palace uphill, the lights were still bright. It was the Prince's birthday so he was supposed to receive gifts. The blond could not believe that the prince, his friend, gave him this night as though it was a gift from him to him.

"Like a fairy godmother, eh?" Len chortled and tightened his grip on the reins. He whipped the horse so it would run faster, and for sure in no time, he would reach the manor.

(LBreak)

It was ghost-quiet when he reached the manor. Not a single candle was illuminated in the house, so he guessed Miku obediently stayed in the attic as what his mother told her. He knew how cold it was there since he would oftentimes sneak in her quarter to watch her sleep. It was chilly there especially in the midnight.

Putting the horse in the stables far behind the house, Len heaved a sigh. He took the lamp burning low which hung on the gates of the animals' abode. The snow started to fall now, and he didn't plan to freeze more out here. So he scurried towards the house without a word or sigh.

Len easily moved inside the house despite the darkness. He walked up to the stairs making no noise for he knew which part of the floorboard would creek once he stepped on it. His late night wandering experiences finally got into use, and now he felt so stealthy as a ghost. The blond left the lamp on the coat-rack standing before the stairs. He made sure to blow the fire before leaving it behind. He walked past his room and went up straight to the attic.

The smile, his smile, it had been on his face ever since the ride back here. He was glad he was back soon. The blond pushed the door open, softly and quietly, letting his mask rest somewhere inside the attic. But no fire was blazing on the tiny fireplace, and the mattress on the floor had no lump in it. Where was she?

Len felt his palms moistening. Miku would not go to the ball, would she? She told him that she had no interest to take the prince as spouse, assuming her place as a maid. But then again, he couldn't rid of the possibility that she actually went to the palace when they left the manor earlier.

"Miku, where are you?" He ran downstairs to get a change of dress, mind still trying to comprehend where she could have gone to. His slammed his door open and brashly lit up the candle on his nightstand. In his surprise, he heard a grumbling next to him. The blond loosened his tie and proceeded to remove his coat. Miku was dozing off under his sheets, her serene expression softened the creases in his forehead.

"I was worried," he mumbled, lowering his forehead until it touched hers. "Miku, I'm back. I am here as promised."

She stirred, wakened by the cold hand on her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and saw rich golden locks hindering her vision. Alarmed by his sudden appearance, she jotled up to sit, hurting Len and herself at the same time. "I...I'm sorry! I thought...I thought you won't be back till dawn so I - I...I thought it's fine to sleep here…because it's cold up there...and - and I...I don't want to wake u-up covered with cinder...because...I - you, no I mean…"

Len chuckled at her stammering and shushed her by placing a finger on her lips. Her hair was messy but it was the first he saw her wearing it down. She looked clean tonight, perhaps she enjoyed her time bathing because no one would boss her around. Her night dress was neat too, and it was one he never saw before.

"You look pretty tonight." He smiled, bringing his hands on her shoulders to give it a gentle squeeze.

"I...I don't," she looked away, abashed with his out of the blue compliment. "You look…" she glanced at him quick as a split-second before looking elsewhere again. "You look princely, too. I can't say that earlier because stepmother is watching over us as I dress you up."

"Well, thank you." He leaned forward to kiss her lips. He'd been thinking of kissing of those lips since the morning came.

"Is stepmother and Rin back? I will head back to the attic now. I don't want them to see me here," she tried to sit but Len pushed her back, the two of them crashing down on his soft bed. "L-Len! I hope you realise that we are in trouble if they find us here! Like this!"

She felt him wound his arms on her waist, his face, that angelic and pretty face, nuzzled on her neck. His soft hair was tickling her, so she ended up giggling as Len continued to snuggle. He was always like a child.

"If they didn't find us, we won't be in any trouble. Am I correct?" he asked, untangling himself from her and propping up his elbows so he was completely above her.

"Certainly," she stammered, breath hitching as she lost herself in his half-opened eyes. His eyes looked darker rather than blue this evening. "It's about time you let me go."

He took her by surprise when he pulled her up. The next thing she knew was she was straddling him by the waist. Her face flushed like cherries as she realised the indecency of their position. Her dress was riding up to her knees, and she shivered at the cold air.

"No one's coming home tonight," he whispered, his hand slipping under her dress. His cold hands gently squeezed her thighs and continued to travel up to her tiny waist. His touch was making her shiver more.

"I...you, w-what?"

He did not say another word. Her question was neglected as he pulled her dress over her, throwing the plain, white nightgown on the floor as he leaned up to meet her lips.

"Miku, this is our night. Do not fret," he started unbuttoning his dress shirt, his eyes still glued with hers. "I am with you so do not fret. I love you."

She felt herself weakening against his hands and kisses, and for the first time she submitted herself completely with him.

The candle flickered on the table, mindless of the moans and cries of pleasure that echoed in the manor that evening. Luckily, a rather heavy snowfall held up all visitors in the palace that night. It would be a long night, Len thought.

This night should last a lifetime.

request: part iii please?

a/n. haneoto and sparkybubbles, here's your request. || request box is open! and im running out of ideas.