Springy music filled the Great Hall. Guests danced, ate, and Laughed. Trumpets sounded.
"King Shoto of Arendelle." Kai announced.
Shoto entered, poised and looking surprisingly content, on the arm of his Guardian Chaira Yukina. He stood under a formal awning.
"Prince Natsuo of Arendelle!" Kai said."Princess Fuyumi of Arendelle!"
Fuyumi ran into the room, waved awkwardly, and pulled her brother behind her. Chaira ushered them over to stand right next to Shoto.
"Here? Are you sure?" Fuyumi said.
Natsuo and Shoto sneaked awkward peeks at each other.
"…Hi." Shoto said.
"Hi me…? Oh. Um. Hi." Fuyumi said.
"…You look great." Natsuo said.
"Thank you." Shoto said. "You look great too."
"Thank you!" Fuyumi grinned..
There was a pause.
"Have you been sleeping well Natsuo?" Shoto asked. "Chaira says you have nightmares."
Natsuo looked at him, confused. "Not that I can remember."
"But I know I heard you scream—"
They were interrupted as the music started up and the chocolate fountain sprang to life.
They looked out at the celebration.
"So, this is what a party looks like?" Shoto said.
"It's warmer than I thought." Fuyumi said.
"And what is that amazing smell?" Natsuo said.
They both closed their eyes and inhaled.
"…Chocolate." They said.
Their eyes popped open. They laughed.
Shoto looked back out at the party. Fuyumi looked at Shoto. She wanted to say so much, but she couldn't think of where to start.
Just as Natsuo opened his mouth to break the tension, Chaira interrupted.
"Your Majesty," Chaira said formally. "We are to start the first dance."
She offered her hand to Shoto. Princess Himiko made her way through the crowd and took Natsuo's arm.
"See?" Chaira said encouragingly, leading Shoto through the dance. "No need to be nervous. It's going great."
"Thanks to you," Shoto said. "The only thing I have to worry about now are foreign dignitaries."
"Yes," Chaira chuckled. "That Duke of Weselton, and Princess Himiko." She made a face.
"Yeah I don't like how she's dancing with Natsuo." Shoto said. "She can't turn my head with her flattery, but he might be fooled."
"Don't worry; I'll protect you both." Chaira encouraged, spinning him and ending the dance.
She then let him go and Shoto headed back to his siblings.
"Are you okay?" Shoto asked, as Fuyumi was bouncing on her heels.
Fuyumi was loving Shoto's attention. "I've never been better. This is so nice. I wish it could be like this all the time.
"By the way, Princess Himiko really likes you—" Natsuo attempted.
"He's not for me." Shoto chuckled, ignoring Natsuo.. "I wish things could be like this all the time too..."
But then Shoto caught himself. He stiffened up, looked away.
"But it can't." Shoto said.
"Why not? If-" Fuyumi said.
"It just can't." Shoto said.
Fuyumi's smiled dropped. She tried not to get upset..
"Excuse me for a minute." Natsuo said.
He walked away. Shoto watched him go, saddened.