So, it's finally out!
I've been working on this fic for the past few months and I'm kinda proud because it's the first time I write something this long!
I want to say a big thank you to the "Strawberry Tales" team that made all of this possible, it was a really fun project!
I want to keep working on this AU but for now, enjoy the prelude ;)
(Also, a spanish translation will be posted as Rapsodia de Una Flor, Preludio)
I. The Ball
"There's a human at the ball."
Rukia flew fast through the hallways, just like that rumor, to get to the Great Ballroom.
A human… She refused to believe that security had failed in such a disgraceful way; she had to find it before the clan elders did. Before any of the guests did. Before the family name got tainted with impure blood.
She cursed herself for behaving like a brat and trying to escape the occasion. It was unusual for her to not assist a ball given that she adored social events, because it made her happy to honor her role as a Duchess; but after the conversation she had with her brother, Byakuya, the clan leader, Sixth Prince of the Kuchiki Dynasty, she had locked herself in her room. Because it finally came (way sooner than she thought), the moment were she was supposed to marry for convenience.
At Byakuya's office, Rukia stood proudly and accepted her duty with a bow. She felt tears starting to gather in her eyes. But she couldn't cry, it wasn't worthy of her.
Byakuya softened his gaze since such misery had invaded the room, took off his glasses and said, while caressing her face: -Listen, I can't ask you to be satisfied. But can I ask you to play along, just for a while? At least until the waters calm down. I promise I won't let you suffer.
Rukia looked into her brother's eyes and knew that he wasn't lying, that she should trust him. However, agreeing to his request left a bitter taste in his throat: - When will I meet him...?
-At the next ball.
She nodded and excused herself to hide in her room. She regretted being so immature, and failing as a Duchess. She knew that it was her duty to ensure the prosperity of the clan; however, upon learning the love story Byakuya and her sister had, she could not help but aspire to have love in her life, the only thing that, perhaps, would finally make her happy.
For three days she refused to go out, trying to digest the news, and even considered feigning illness to avoid attending the ball; That is until she found out: "There's a human at the ball."
She ran to the closet to get ready as quickly as she could, which was easy when you could move items around at will.
She tied her hair in a makeshift bun, with several loose strands adorned with clear crystals. She put on subtle makeup with a bit of blush and a crimson shade on her lips. And then (her favorite part) she chose a ball gown for the occasion.
Her closet was overflowing with beautiful clothes, worthy of an empress, and after reviewing dozens of outfits, she stopped at her most recent acquisition, a gift from her brother for her last birthday that she had not yet had the chance to wear: a gala dress. white, sleeveless, with pearly pleats and fabric that shimmered in the light. And so, solemn as ever, the duchess of the Kuchiki clan moved towards the ball.
Once she reached the great hall, they opened the doors for her: hundreds of noble vampires dancing, drinking, laughing; as always when a ball was organized in the castle. Chandeliers, velvet curtains, the best suits and music, luxuries everywhere. But, it was true that there was tension in the room because, although everyone seemed comfortable, it was perceptible: a human aroma.
It couldn't be true, how did a human manage to sneak away? And how did they manage to hide their exact location at a dance full of vampires? Something was very wrong...
Rukia walked through the center of the room, among the dancing couples licking the corners of their mouths: a sea of sharks ready to tear apart the prey.
She looked for her brother with her eyes, in need to warn him that there was an infiltrator, but she didn't see him or perceive his essence anywhere. She was a silver sparkle among copper tones, and, when the crowd was not looking for the human, they looked at her, the vampire who bore the title of the "most beautiful".
Thus, she was so distracted she was looking for Byakuya, that she did not see the stranger who was coming in her direction and ended up colliding with her shoulders. Rukia murmured an unimportant "Excuse me" and she tried to move on, but the stranger took her hand and made her turn around, so that she looked him in the eyes.
-Wait. -He said.
The stranger had a majestic suit, like Rukia: a white flared shirt, tight-fitting pants and vest, with trim and buttons all detailed in gold. Complemented by a half cape on the shoulder, a musketeer hat with a huge crow feather and, finally, a silver mask that hid half of his face. The only thing Rukia could see clearly was his lips. And his eyes, his honey-colored eyes... When she realized that she had been petrified before him and she tore his hand from her grasp.
-You should not hold hands with women you do not know.
-But I do know you, you are Duchess Kuchiki. The Ice Queen.
His voice was soft, almost hypnotizing; there was something about that man that made her dizzy.
-So, if you know my rank, you should even less touch me.
Rukia wanted to get away from there, but something attracted her, and she ended up doing the opposite, she came closer. –Tell me, why did you stop me? What do you want of me?
She moved even closer.
She shamelessly flirted with him to expose him, as no man tolerated her icy gaze. But the stranger did not back away, he only pointed to his cloak, which now had a trail of silver glitter and crystals.
-Seeing and considering that my cape is ruined, the least you can do is grant me the next dance as compensation.
Surprised by his direct nature, Rukia agreed, holding out her hand as the next waltz began to play. No one had ever spoken to her like that, without fear of her social status... she couldn't resist him.
They headed to the center of the court, where the entire crowd watched them. Their movements followed the rhythm perfectly, graceful, agile and elegant, it seemed as if they had danced together their entire lives.
-You know who I am; however, I would like to know the name of the man I'm dancing with.
The stranger's eyes darted in both directions before answering: -I am Ichigo, Kurosaki Ichigo. And I have no title to brag about.
For a second he seemed nervous, but at the same time he was bold; Rukia liked that.
-And why have you come to this dance, Kurosaki Ichigo? I had never seen you at our festivities
-I'm new to the area, I came from afar... -And he whispered: -Specifically, to meet you.
The stranger pulled her towards him, and Rukia was left speechless. Who exactly was this brazen man? They looked into each other's eyes and time seemed to pass slower. His honey-colored pupils intrigued her, and she felt increasingly intoxicated with something she couldn't identify.
-Where do you come from?
Rukia wasn't thinking clearly: she rested her forehead on the stranger's chest; Her head was spinning. She wasn't behaving like a duchess, but she couldn't control herself, she wanted more from him… A subtle perfume emanated from this Ichigo Kurosaki guy.
-From the east…
She saw his neck exposed, smooth, perfect. So beautiful.
She had never been so close to a man. And even less had she been interested in caressing anyone's neck, as she was doing now. But Ichigo's skin was soft and warm. So soft and so warm that Rukia felt desire. Desire to insert her fangs into him and see his blood gush out... And that was when her brain clicked and she felt a chill run down her spine.
-From the east? But there's nothing...
Rukia couldn't finish the idea because the waltz ended and the stranger dropped her as soon as he had taken her. His honey eyes had lost that brave shine.
-Duchess, it has been a pleasure.
-Wait!
But it was too late, he had disappeared into the crowd.
From the east? Rukia thought… It's where the sun rises first. No vampire lived in those parts. Her breathing began to labor. That dance was about to become a serious matter, Rukia was finally beginning to understand...
Suddenly, she heard the clinking of a glass: her brother finally appeared, and was going to address the guests.
-First of all, I wanted to thank you all for your presence here; As always, it is a pleasure to receive you. –Byakuya paused and looked at the crowd, trying to gauge what to say... But, he abruptly continued: –And, secondly, I also want to, finally, put an end to your anxieties... It is true that there is a human in this Ball.
His words shook the room and the murmurs were instantaneous: "A human?" "How did he came up with it?" "I think it's funny" "Rather dangerous" "He lost his mind!" "It's an outrage!"
Rukia watched each guest trying to unmask the human, while her brain simultaneously tried to decipher her brother's intentions. The scent of human blood felt stronger. He continued: -The Kuchiki clan has deliberated, and we consider that hostilities between the two species must end. Centuries of death and misery have been enough for both populations; therefore, we will withdraw from this war.
The audience began to shout, to agitate, their auras became dense. But Byakuya silenced everyone with a glow of his powerful blue gaze. No one was going to challenge the prince in his domains: -We will not force anyone to follow us, we know that war is an issue that will not be resolved with a few simple words and a retreat. However, we will try to demonstrate that peace is possible, setting an example with an alliance. –Byakuya paused again, looked at Rukia briefly and breathed deeply: -Sealed by the marriage of two of our nobles.
Rukia froze. The pieces of the puzzle fit together one by one. She brought her hand to her lips, where his intoxicating fragrance was no longer pleasant to her.
Behind his brother, and escorted by several guards, the figure that Rukia was expecting appeared, his face hard, hidden under the hat, but without a mask.
And so, Byakuya finished his speech:
-Thus we proclaim the future engagement between Duchess Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki, the human prince.
