I breathed in deeply and decided to look after the roses a little more than Jae did. She was obsessed with them, ever since she promised me she would help me care for Mother's flower garden three years ago.
It felt so long ago when I had struggled with the Mist inside of me. But ever since the breakout, Mother's death and Jae's recovery, I haven't needed to use it. And so, I learnt to wield my Moon Spirit Sword without the abnormal help of the Mist. It'd stayed dormant for a while, and every day I became more and more on edge.
What if it took control of me again? What if I hurt someone? What if—
"Hiro—you ready for the ballroom party?" Jae cried, she ran up to me, my recently acquainted mountain cat right behind her. I found her stuck in the gate Jae and I used to escape from the palace the night I helped her father.
It was such a coincidence that I decided not to let the official gardener kill her. I took her in, named her, and raised her up to be the large cat she was today.
"Morning Jae, Yatsu." I greeted Jae with a quick, friendly—and apparently necessary—kiss on her cheek (she did the same to me). I scratched Yatsu roughly behind the ears. She licked my hands and purred.
I laughed and picked a flower from a nearby bush. Yatsu sniffed the yellow flower curiously, I tucked it behind her large ear and she shook her head until the flower fell loose and onto the grass.
I laughed and picked up the flower, giving it to Jae instead. It was wilted and floppy but she smiled, took it and tucked it in her hair behind her ear.
"Why are you all dressed up now?" I asked. "The party isn't until tonight."
Jae shrugged and grinned. "Tsuna wanted to know what I looked like so she could make adjustments."
I shook my head and grinned. I knew how much Tsuna had fallen in love with our fabric when she supposedly 'stayed over'. But, instead of leaving, she's now the most famous fabric designer in Baî.
"What will you be wearing?" Jae asked, she seemed a little over-interested in everything to do with the ball.
"Are you okay?" I asked, she was never this playful and…girlish.
Jae looked at me as if I'd grown another two heads and turned purple. "I'm fine." She said, her voice a little too high.
I sighed and looked at her until she made eye contact. "I know something's wrong, so just tell." I watched her contemplate with the pros and cons and then sighed.
"I'm just nervous, I've never been to a party like this before." I watched her for a few moments to conclude that she was telling the truth.
"It's sort of funny, I've never had those kinds of nerves before," I noted, my gaze wandering across the colour splatters of flowers.
Jae shoved me and I pushed her back, she tripped over and the dress's pretty shine was dulled the smallest bit. She laughed and said she didn't really care and told me to watch out for Tsuna because she wasn't lying about the dress.
I sent her one last look and then allowed the smile to wipe off of my face. I was only holding the Ball because Mother would want me to celebrate my birthday five days ago.
I fiddled with the necklace Tsuna had given me. It was silver, and the gem inside it was infused with a reformed Mist from Re Istuwari called Yami Tamashī. It's supposed to be the souls of the first possessed by Re Istuwari.
I fiddled with the metal-laced glass and the chain clinked lightly. I stared off into the distance until Yatsu rammed into me and we wrestled until Tsuna found us and pulled me away and back into the unwanted life of a young King.
The servants came and went with different clothing for Tsuna to play with. I sighed, standing on the same pedestal for an hour and a half wasn't the life of the party.
"How much longer is this going to take?" I asked, wondering if they were planning on delaying the party because at this rate they might have to wait another week.
Tsuna winked at me and I refrained from rubbing my face in boredom. Even if I went grey and turned up at this party, it wouldn't change that it was a masquerade and that I would attend as the fox from the Moon Spirit legends.
"There, got it all sorted—you're ready to attend your party, Shiroi Fox." Tsuna sent me a wink and helped me get down. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a simple white button-up shirt and my pants were faintly striped and black. I had a silk fire orange coat that was cut off at my shoulder. The gold lace shimmered dully. My mask was slightly gold but fiery, and there was a small jewel evenly embedded on the sides. It covered my nose, forehead and the sides of my cheeks.
I turned away from my reflection and looked at Tsuna, grinning. "It's perfect," I said.
She bowed and it was then I realised I had to wear the crown I had so deftly been avoiding. I sighed and slipped on a simple pair of black shoes. And gestured for the servant who had been holding the pillow it's been sitting on. It flashed gold, a colour I didn't think suited me—except everyone else said the opposite—the emeralds and sapphires twinkled like stars.
I applied it on my head, waving away every hand that went to straighten it. I blinked slowly and walked out of the room. "Tsuna, meet me later," I said, hoping she agreed because I walked out of there like the coat I was wearing was on fire.
I groaned and watched as people, lords and ladies, walked into the entrance, all waiting for their King to appear and tell them to eat and dance the night away. I wished at least my Uncle were alive, but he was dead too. There wasn't any other male royalty to take the crown I was forced to wear.
"King Hirokazu."
I turned and Councillor Jeung stood right there, the hall light showing his old age. His grey hair was slicked back into a ponytail and he was wearing his family jewel that was embedded in a golden chain tied underneath the collar of his velvet, midnight purple coat.
"Are you dressed up as a raven Councillor Jeung?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He bowed and I felt the smallest amount of smugness rush through me as I watched him do it. I was more powerful than him now, I could kill him if he treated me the way he did when I was younger. Smiling, I gesture for him to follow me. He did so.
I trailed my fingers across the gold-tinted, white balustrade. I watched the swirl of colourful dresses and coats as people stood talking behind masks of different animals and story creatures.
"Do you know why I chose to have a party this year?" I asked, looking back over my shoulder at the Councillor.
His look of confusion had me hiding a smile as I took pleasure in explaining something he should've known, as soon as I announced that I would be holding a masquerade.
"Because this year is my parent's thirty-year anniversary. I wish to honour them because I also plan on leaving the empire in the hands of the Council next year."
"My King, I still protest against this—" Jeung began.
I raised a hand, his argument ceasing to bother me as I looked back down and spotted Jae standing in the corner, watching as her father talked with a local friend of his.
I grinned and looked back at Jeung. He merely smiled nervously and I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture. "You may leave me," I said, I saw the look of relief wash over him as he bowed deeply and headed back the way we came.
I waited until all the clapping had stopped and everyone was talking again before I quietly snuck my way into the room. Walking down the stairs like a teenage boy instead of a King. I slunk over to Jae's side and she nudged me in a friendly.
"I think someone has my eye on me." She said, throwing her head to point over to a lord's son eyeing her indiscreetly. I hid my smile and looked away before he could recognise the crown on my head.
I looked down at her and she grinned up at me. "I also think someone doesn't realise you're actually the King and has been watching you ever since you snuck into the room like a mystery." She sent me a look and it wasn't a grin. "You really need to start making more appearances in the public Hiro, someone's going to complain and you're going to come out to everyone like a coward."
I slapped her arm and sent her a warning look. "You may be my best friend and bodyguard, but you're no one to order me how to live."
Jae sobered up and nodded respectfully, if we weren't in public, she would've bowed right there. Fortunately for me, I didn't want to be noticed like that in public.
I sighed and nodded. "You're right, how about some fun?"
She looked at me, a worried look crossing her face. She looked back at the lord's son who was still looking at her over his glass as he sipped. Her face melted when she looked into my eyes and realised how I really felt. "All right," She sighed. "What kind of fun?"
I winked at her and grabbed a glass from a nearby waiter. "I'm going to stand up and tell everyone to grab a partner that matches their costume, and then I'm going to weave my way through the pairs as I wait for the signal to change from Tsuna. I will then clap and shout 'change', maybe I might find some sort of fun…?"
Jae smiled sweetly and flicked my fingers. "What part do I play?"
I grinned hard. "You're going to be my first partner." I looked her up and down. "I'm glad Tsuna listened to my advice."
Jae frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well," I began. "I might've hinted towards your costume so I could set this all up—a friendly gesture to the public of whom I intend not to be."
Jae laughed out loud. "You still don't make sense, I still wonder if maybe you have two brains, one is all quiet and cute and serious, the other all boisterous and mysterious."
She grinned darkly. "I still wonder who would steal your heart and keep it forever."
I swallowed and looked away sharply. Not wanting to remember that conversation now. Not when I had the perfect distraction for me and my beehive mind.
Jae touched my arm and hugged me. Her neatly curled hair tickled my chin. "You will be loved, after the sacrifice." She muttered this under her breath.
I stiffened and then relaxed. Even if she didn't know how much that hurt, I still thanked her and hugged her quickly back. I waggled my eyebrows at her and she nodded. The plan was in motion.
I walked casually over to the stairs, and when I stood up and made myself present, everyone turned to look. I swept my arm out and smiled. "Honoured guests, I propose a dance!" Everyone clapped.
"But, you will dance with someone who matches your outfit."
There was silence, everyone watching me. Everyone listening to me.
"Dance to the type of music, and when I shout out to change, you do so." I looked down at the face staring up at me, all of them partially grateful that I hosted this party.
"I will hope that some of you join me as I make my way through you as you dance and switch."
There was silence and then—everyone clapped and burst into a friendly life of chatter. There were people scattered to all parts of the room as they found their partners.
And I looked over at the musicians. I nodded and they began to play. The piano and violins began with a sad, soft tone which built to a crescendo. I slipped into the crowd and rocked back and forth, my hands fitted loosely into my pockets as I weaved past partners.
"Change!" I shouted, clapping my hands loudly. Everyone did, and—as I assumed—I was still partnerless. I smiled, only half of my mouth twitching up in amusement.
More people danced as the music turned to a more groovier beat, the piano keys rolling up and down as the cello joined in, a deep ascending tone seemed captivating.
"Change!" I shouted again, my clap reverberating as the music switched genres.
I was still alone, and this time I could see Jae, she was clutching like the player she was to the chest to the lord's son. I grinned and knew that it was all playing out how I knew it would.
"Change!"
I walked right by her and caught her eye, she winked and leapt out onto me. Suddenly in my arms, as we danced like there was no tomorrow. The music was caught between a melancholy wail and a light jumpy tune.
I grinned and leant closer to her. "Interesting leap there captain, are you still acting?" I pulled back and watched her expression, it was as if she was trying to hold something back. I grinned and nudged her. I let her go.
"Change!"
Everyone shifted and I slowly twirled my way past the rocking bodies of people I didn't know.
I watched as everyone laughed and picked up their next glass. The flowers that Tsuna had tucked around the room were wilted and their colour was a little duller.
"I'm glad you made an appearance." A smug voice said from behind me. I turned casually, holding my crown as if it was made of cardboard.
Mr Song leaned against the wall, his dark, copper skin and tinged grey hair were an interesting comparison. I grinned and gestured for him to join me. He walked to my side and leaned against the balustrade. His shoulders were hunched over as the golden light danced in his dark eyes.
"Why did you come up here?" I asked, leaning against the railing as well.
He chuckled and didn't bother to meet my gaze, he was an interesting man. He didn't treat me like a King, or a boy, but something in between. But I wasn't sure what that could possibly be. I wasn't a man, and I certainly wasn't a lord.
"I came to talk."
I raised an eyebrow and looked back down at the small figures as people slowly began to waltz their way to the dance floor, their beloved partner in their hands.
"What about?" I asked, fiddling with the necklace hanging limply around my neck.
Mr Song chuckled again and I ignored his fatherly gaze as he cast it upon me. I didn't shift as he wanted, and I didn't look back. I let my eyes droop as the music took a romantic turn.
"I know you know the way my daughter looks at you sometimes." He said. I stiffened, this time I looked at him, his gaze was deathly dark, and he didn't blink as he held my eye. "I've seen the way you look at her, you know and yet you play around." He took a deep breath.
"I have prepared a carriage, and I am leaving tonight. I will be watching you to see if you can prove to me that you'll do the right thing." He smiled softly and looked down, I followed his gaze. Jae was laughing as the lord's son flirted openly. I knew she wasn't with him.
"You are destined to pick a good leader for this country, this empire." He looked back at me. "And my daughter vowed to die for you, your partner cannot die for one person—but for all people."
I grimaced and turned away. "I doubt there's anyone out there for me," I said quietly. "I'll just rule the remaining thirty years I have left alone—the Council don't care, and I think that the people of the country would rather see their demon King live his life alone."
I turned back to smile sadly at Jae's father. "It would make an interesting bedtime story, would it not?"