The next morning Maura was chatting away excited. She'd been to a few balls. They were the only times she got freedom from her stepmother. She rarely got to wear a dress she liked but it was a rare chance to talk to others so she lived with it. She always wanted to dance with her father but he always refused. She was jealous when he would dance with Jasmine and Diana. She got to thinking maybe Yami would dance once with her. Perhaps even convince Seto to dance one song with her.

Yami was excited too. He actually enjoyed balls. Mingling with other dignitaries and such. He learned more about other kingdoms through these interactions than any other time. They, especially after some alcohol, open up and don't treat him as a servant.

Seto hated them. When his father was alive he wouldn't let him socialize with other prince's. Rarely allowed to dance with any princesses his own age. Usually they were 16 or older. He knew even from a young age they were hoping his father would take a liking to them and they would get to marry him and some day be queen. He overheard at least one ask his father. He for once was thankful that Gozaburo was the cruel person he was. He feared losing his throne. He feared these people convincing his son to overthrow him. Ones that were especially pushy. Were the ones he feared most.

After his death he rarely had balls. Since the guards taught him how to duel with cards over swords he started sneaking off during balls to do that. Yami would find him, scold him for it and make him return. He hated dancing. He was decent at it. It just wasn't exactly something he enjoyed. Especially since the princesses flung themselves at him demanding to dance. Then they would talk his ear off or some just stayed quiet. Very few would actually want to have an adult conversation and not ones that revolve around clothes or some other nonsense. He especially hated the ones who for some reason didn't seem to know how to dance or were just bad dancers. He wasn't sure which. He knew Yami enjoyed the day. He was always a social butterfly. He also got to mingle and talk with people. Make new connections and reestablish existing ones. Yami rarely had girls throwing themselves at him demanding to dance. Seto was thankful his dance teacher was normal and not abusive like his father. He treasured the times his mother would help him practice and learn edict. How to not snap at these air headed princesses was something he'd be forever grateful to his mother for teaching him. Otherwise he'd have snapped years ago. As he hated them so much he only did one a year at New Years. If Yami hadn't insisted he'd have never even done that.

Mokuba wasn't looking forward to it either. It sounded like one of his stepmother's parties but on a larger scale. He hated parties. Even when he wasn't serving, which was rare, he was forced to be available in case she needed something. That stopped when she stole jewelry or something from her guests twice and he found where she hid them both times. After that she banned him from the property until morning. Which he did, gladly. He felt claustrophobic surrounded by so many people not just in an enclosed space but worse as they oftentimes would punch or kick him for giggles. If he broke anything when they did that the whipping tree would be where he'd stay for hours after serving breakfast until lunch the next day. Then depending on her mood he'd either be free to do his chores or back to being tied up till dinner. Then he'd have to do what chores he could in the dark.

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After breakfast Mokuba left to hang out with his cat Lancelot. He wanted to be as out of the way as possible. He also didn't want to be stuck in his room. A small part hoped they'd forget him. But he doubted that would. The one time he wanted to be excluded he likely won't be.

Everyone else went to see how the party was coming along.

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Meanwhile Dylan knew what his master was thinking. "Are you sure about this, sir? It could backfire?"

Mahaado nodded, "Yes, I know Diana won't be happy with me no matter how the announcement party goes. If it goes the way I think it will all hell will break loose. Then she'll be mad I chose to do this publicly but privately."

"Why don't you do this privately?"

"No, I want Diana to accept the truth. No matter what it is. If I were to do it just the 3 of us or 4 if she brings in Jasmine. She could deny it and claim I faked it."

"Couldn't she still claim it?"

"She could but I doubt it. She knows my reputation means everything to me. She knows I'd never do anything that would damage my reputation. I'd never pull a prank or anything in front of foreign governments. My older brother would seize the opportunity to turn the people against me and start a coup. He's tried in the past and got mad when it didn't go his way."

"Why didn't he get the throne?"

"Because he's technically my cousin. My father considered adopting him after his youngest brother and his wife were killed and Reginald survived. But then he learned, mother was pregnant with me. Once he knew I was a boy, he raised Reginald as his own but only as a legal guardian. Adopting him would have meant he might have tried to lay claim to the throne over his own son."

"Wouldn't you still have gotten the throne as the true legitimate heir?"

"There are snakes in every kingdom Dylan. There are those who hated my father. When he was assassinated they desperately tried to argue that Reginald deserved the throne being the oldest. But officials proclaimed no as he's not my father's son. He was the son of my uncle. My father I think on some level knew that I was the only rightful heir. But my father was never suited for politics. He feared political pressure if he had adopted Reginald. He feared the council would be forced to allow Reginald the throne over me."

"He's not coming tonight is he?"

"I hope not. But I don't have access to the guest list. But I doubt he'd be invited. He's not a practicing royal. Heaven knows he's tried to get princesses and a couple of single queens to date him but last I heard he had no luck."

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Mazaki had been so overwhelmed with all he had to do that when the guard came to him and told him that Reinette was there. He sighed, "I have so much to do now. How am I going to help her and get these other tasks done?"

"I could help her." Keneely said, stepping forward.

"Keneely, you have got to stop using your magic to hide like that."

"I don't want to be in the way but nearby in case I'm needed."

"Fine, whatever. The girl is a new pet project that Master Atemu wants to take on. The day of the ball at that." Mazaki checks his notes, "That's right. She's a baker and Master Atemu said we'd help her get what she needs and set up a kitchen."

"I heard and anticipated that you might need help."

"Why? What did you do?"

"The south wing had three kitchens. Since they haven't been used much in years. I had someone come out last night to check the equipment. I paid them the normal amount and the guy who owns the bar owes me a favor or two. So his normal pay and free beer for a month was enough for him to come out and inspect them to make sure they were running late last night."

"Does the king or Master Atemu know of this?"

"No, I'm only telling you now."

Mazaki sighed, "If I wasn't so overwhelmed right now, I'd be dragging you to explain what you did. But seeing as you've only helped me. I'll let it slide. You go help the girl and maybe you can find some more people to help her bake."

Keneely nodded, it'd been years since he'd been able to be useful. He ran off to do just that.