It's cold...
Caleb internally complains as he fixes the accessories decorating his form. His eyes wandered around. looking for a significant figure who decides to play hide and seek at this time. This was an important night for all but the host himself was nowhere to be found. Etiquette would frown at him but Caleb was sure that his majesty wouldn't even care. He walked as fast as he could to find him and fortunately, he did.
"You're expected to be there," Caleb exhales as he stops by the balcony, folding a hand behind his back and bowing in greeting. But the man stayed silent, his back facing the aide that had been looking for him. "We've been looking for you everywhere since the doors had opened."
"It's cold," Ciel muttered, his breath forming in front of him to make his internal statement credible.
"It's warmer inside, especially in the ballroom."
"Is that so?"
Caleb wanted to groan at his indifference. Though his responses were not uncommon to the ears. Ciel, the ruler of the Celestial realm as well as the protector of both the realms of day and night, was never the type of person to enjoy socializing unless it was needed. And It's been a while since his majesty felt the cold night in the realm. With months away from his homeland to form new alliances and secure the safety of both realms, only when it was peaceful did he come home.
"Are you not interested in joining in yet, Your Majesty?"
"Do you find strangers to be interesting?"
"Well, that depends on the person…"
"I have no interest." The King said, eyes casting down to where the people were entering. His eyes emaciated a cold gaze before it shifted in a lax manner. Lifing his gloved hand up to his neck, he adjusted the collared lace wrapped around his Adam's apple, giving him slight comfort.
This was certainly new to the aide to see him uncomfortable but he disregarded it as anxiousness. After all, this was his first public gathering.
Unlike talk of businesses, this was more colorful and loud. It could be overwhelming to those who aren't familiar with it.
"Shall I call for some tea? It's good for the nerves."
"No, no need," The king sighs, withdrawing from how he was leaning forward. Seeing his sudden change, Caleb took a step to the side. With the white fur mantle on his shoulders, he was dressed in the finest fabrics and garments fit for a king. With the crest of wings and the colors of his race on his body, the King looked magnificent.
"Your Majesty, your mask." Caleb, his trusted and most loyal aide said while taking out a simple white mask hidden from his inner pocket. Adorned by white feathers and gemstones, the King stares at it with an unamused expression.
This was a Masquerade Ball.
He might be the host of this gathering but he was too busy with reports to properly see through the preparations.
"This is good news for Abraxas," His guard tells him while fixing the King's attire from the back. "He was worried you might not show up even for a moment, he thought for a second that you would rest for the night but it seems that he wouldn't have to worry too much after all."
"I was considering it," Ciel mutters but Caleb hears it.
"Don't worry about the crowd, you'll be seated with Abraxas by the mezzanine."
"Mn.."
"And the food will surely be to your liking, and the music as well."
"Mn…"
"Just don't forget to smile and wave to the people."
"Mn."
"And... Abraxas will surely bless your Highness with beautiful words."
"...Mn."
"Obviously by now you are not paying attention to any of my words are you?"
"Mn," The king had to stop for a moment to turn to him. Seeing how nonchalant his reactions were to his endless blabbering, the guard knew that he was right.
"Never mind that…" He sighs in defeat while escorting the King to the ballroom. "Just call whenever you feel poorly, yes?"
"....Mn. Thank you, Caleb, I will."
The only time he can fish out a decent response from him is when it benefits him the most. But ever since the King had always been like this. He accepts everything without complaint, even allowing his comfort to be breached. People see it as selfless, but Caleb thought it was strange. It couldn't be just a sense of responsibility or duty as a King.
And that case worries his guard the most. How far was he willing to go for the god who started these realms?
Leon was gifted with amiable qualities that unknowingly built up a respectable image among the demons. Thus when people heard that he was going to attend the Celestial Palace's invitation, almost everyone was encouraged to follow. Of course, the person himself was clueless about the fact, but the courtesan wasn't. Dressing him up, they all made sure he looked stunning.
"Where did you get the money for a carriage…" Leon disapprovingly stares at the expensive wooden four-wheel transportation.
"Carriages actually, there's still four more to arrive in a while for the other girls. It can fit 6 more if we're careful." Lily chuckles while lifting her red fan to her lips.
"Then might I add, where did you get the currency to get such things?"
"If we tell you, you wouldn't be delighted."
"If you told me now I would but if you told me before, I would have thought of another alternative to avoid the cost."
"Oh hush now, it's not even that expensive, isn't that right Lance?"
Lance who was standing right beside her was startled to be asked. He was thinking of going along with her mischief but seeing how Leon was staring at him, he couldn't.
"Well it was kin-"
"Shhhh!"
So it seems they had it all prepared even before coming to him for approval.
Leon wasn't sure if he should be proud or disappointed. He had always advised them to be crafty in their way but he didn't foresee it to be used on him.
And just like she said, another equally lavished carriage arrived, fueling the excitement within the teahouse parlor.
"Well don't just stand here Leon, let's go." His sister eagerly said while letting Lance assist her to the carriage. When she got inside, she happily felt the cushion with her bare hand causing Leon to forget the small matter of money. And with Lance taking his side, he felt his fingers being lifted. "Lance I am aware of how carriages work, I won't fall." He chuckles as he tries to withdraw his hand from his grip but the demon doesn't comply with his words.
"I'm escorting you, why can't I not?"
"Very well then if you insist."
Carefully and gently, Leon assisted him inside with a smile that Lily could see on the demon's face. Not only does this friend is Leon's most loyal companion but also he dearly dotes on him. And her brother? He remains oblivious to his actions.
Without pointing it out, Lily remains quiet at the sight in consideration of Lance's feelings. Seeing how the demon had no intentions of letting his feelings be known, it is better to stay ignorant of it. If they do end up together, let it be through Lance's efforts and not anyone else's.
"Hurry the night may not last long!" Lily scolds the two while waving her folded fan around. With Lance escorting a few more ladies inside the carriage they were in, he disappears to the front, taking a seat by the coachman to watch the path.
And after a few minutes of checking the teahouse, they all gladly went on their way to the celestial realm. Some had chosen to walk while others took carriages like them but not as lavished as they had.
Surprised by the amount of demons that had gathered, Leon watches in curiosity, unaware that his role had influenced the majority of them.
"You may laugh when I say this," Lily whispers to him, catching his attention, "But the other demons were waiting for you."
"Me?" Leon whispers back, allowing them to enter their bubble.
"Yes, you." Lily unfolded her fan and glanced at the window where he was looking, "Why do you think a lot of infernal beings are joining? They couldn't think of attending without proper encouragement when this event had sparked this morning, but when they heard that we were going, they immediately inquired information about whether you would join."
"That is gossip, I'm sure of it."
"Oh brother, don't underestimate yourself too much. After all, you're the reason why the infernal realm has not perished," Lily says proudly while lifting her chin, "I daresay, even if Abraxas does choose a King for us in the future, they wouldn't have the people's respect as much as they have for you."
"Don't say that."
"Why ever not?"
"Our realm," Leon starts, his eyes casting down to his gloved hands that were already turning into fists. "Deserves to be led by an outstanding figure of hope, what I have is the instinct to survive, and to protect you, Lance, and the girls. And to be frank I have no concern about others outside the teahouse. When Abraxas finds a King for us then that would be the greatest news I would wholeheartedly support, and I hope you would too, do you understand?"
"Then what happens if it's you?"
Leon felt like his mind had been struck by a matter that had never crossed his mind before. It was true that Leon was eager for a ruler but he had never thought about being a possible candidate for it.
Though truthfully, he never truly sees it as a possibility.
The Celestial King, as rumors say, is a very prominent figure of hope and power. Which protected both the Celestial realm and the Infernal realm from outside forces. And even on his own, he is capable enough to handle everything. This is why Leon had always expected that their ruler would be as glorious as the Celestial King.
"Impossible," He says while chuckling, "Dear oh dear, has the excitement clouded your reasoning my sister?"
"I am perfectly serious…"
"No matter, I doubt your words would even be true."
"Leon-"
"Lily, we need a leader. This realm needs hope and power. And I am far from having those qualities. Though I'm very flattered you think of me so highly."
Lily felt like her words were being mocked hence the sour look on her beautiful face, "I swear, sometimes you are impossible to talk to."
He laughs at her words, causing her to want to ignore him for the remaining duration of the ride. But it doesn't take long for her to talk to him again. But unlike earlier, their conversation held small topics about the teahouse, whether they left any doors open or if any valuables were properly locked.
It was a long trip for sure but the moment that the celestial palace started to get closer, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Especially the clothes that they had forced him into.
Everything was too tight. It was happening, this was happening…
"Oh gosh! It's so beautiful!"
"I heard the walls are made of marble and the ceilings are decorated by diamonds! Oh to see it for ourselves, I am so excited!"
Mn.. Leon had heard of that too. And not only that...
But he did hear the paintings are made with luxurious plants, nectars from pollen. Walls that are marbled stones that came from expensive regions. The ceilings are painted with clouds and wings to represent the pure and elegant touches of the celestial beings. Even gold was used as decors-
"Seems like the only thing that could excite him is the structures…"
Leon quickly stops his thoughts. Even the others stopped talking and watched him silently as his expressions would change from one look to another.
"... Girls." Leon felt his cheeks warm up, embarrassed at how he was caught, "Please, when we are inside the palace, please behave."
"Yes, Leon." All of them said playfully in unison. When the carriage started to slow down, all of them peaked out for the reason of it. But none of them were prepared as each of them was struck with beauty.
Water fountains at each side, greeting them as they got closer. Beautiful white flowers decorated the scenery, and each of them glowed magnificently. They were surrounded by beautiful lights which sparkled against the waters that surrounded them. From far away, they had never thought they would have an opportunity to see this beautiful sight in all their years. But now here they are, seeing it for the first time.
When the carriage took a turn and stopped by the palace stairs where the entrance to the structure was, they refused to move. The only time they snapped from their thoughts was when Lance opened the door to escort them each down.
When it was Lily's turn to be assisted down, her eyes never left the beautiful sight.
"There is no mistake about it.." That was the first thing she said when her feet came in contact with the ground.
Before Leon could respond, he was carefully assisted by Lance. "What?"
"Those gossips never gave justice to the real thing,"
And she was right. It never did.