"Any idea why do I have to wear this-" I gasped as one of the maids pulled on the strings of my corset.
"Because, it is to show our feminine frame." Elizabeta said while sipping her tea.
"Whoever said that wearing these things, should go die in a pyre." I muttered as they have finally pulled the last string. I gave a sigh of relief and sat down beside my friend giving her a 'are we done yet?' look. She chuckled, set her tea down and made her way to the closet that is filled with beautiful dresses of different colors. She then pulled out a beautiful (f/c) colored dress. I stood up and touched the soft fabric.
"It matches your skin tone, doesn't it?" I nodded speechless. It is my first time to be mesmerized by just a piece of garment. Sure dresses are the last thing I wanted to wear in public, but this was an exception.
"Now, we don't have all day. Let's put this on shall we?" She held it up and I widened my eyes. Alright I admit I would rather be hanged instead of wearing that.
Unfortunately, after a few minutes of loud cursings, horrible motivation to go on, and pained groans, the dress fit me well. I looked at the girl in the mirror. She wore a (f/c) colored dress matched her skin tone perfectly. Despite her short choppy (h/c) hair, she was beautiful. 'Is that really me?' I thought to myself.
While I examined myself, I heard Eliza gesture the maids that they may now leave us be.
"Do not worry" She says as the maids hesitated. "I can take care of this myself" The maids nodded and exited the room. "Now where were we?" She said as she took some objects out of her table.
"Sit here" She gestured to a chair in front of the table. I obliged.
"Close your eyes." Then she put a small powder on my face. "Done." She announced
I opened my eyes and saw my face, I looked at her uncertanly. Naturally I see a lot of pretty women who has color on their eyelids. She seemed to read my mind. "There is no need for the other. You are very pretty, we don't want to let all that make up ruin you, is that clear?" She said with a bright smile. I marveled my self, true I now look pretty much simple but instead of rudely denying it, I just nodded. "Come now, we're almost done." She said. While she took out a long haired wig that matched my own hair
~~
Arthur was bored once again. He was just there dancing with random masked ladies. He was glad that it was a masquerade ball or else his annoying siblings or anyone he considered annoying would pester him in this event. He bowed down to his partner as their dance ended and he made his way out of the room. He took a seat in one of the empty tables gazed out the window. He saw few more carriages unloading more people in fancy clothes. He longed to go outside and wear more comfortable clothes instead of this monkey suit. Then one guest had caught his attention. As she stepped down from the carriage. He looked down at his table as he young girl saw his gaze at her.
~~
As Eliza, Lovi and I stepped down the carriage. I saw her gazing looking through people as if finding someone.
"Looking for someone?" Teased as Lovino helped me with regaining my balance.
"I'm looking for Roddy." She muttered.
"Who?"
"Eliza's boyfriend and one of potato bastard's cousins." Lovino said as he crossed his arms. I shook my head looking at them. He sighed in exasperation. "Potato bastard! My idiota sister's boyfriend-" As I was about to reminisce who they are Eliza interrupted him. "Look there they are... and he brought Gil too..." She groaned as she seemed to hesitate on going inside or bail on them.
"C'mon, Eliza, Gilbert's not that bad." I said as I pulled her arm and saw Lovi also hesitating.
"Great" He also groaned. "As if one potato head was not enough."
"Guys you begged on your knees, dragged me and made me wear a doll's monkey suit all for nothing!" I said anger boiling up in me. "Now move your sissy legs off the ground and show them who the real man is!" I commanded them all inch of my femininity gone.
"Fine" They said in unison.
"Good. Now march!" I said as they both walked ahead of me. I huffed and raked the smooth fake hair. Despite it being not natural it was convincing. I took a deep breath and followed them suit. As we both made our way to the entrance. I looked at the architecture of the hall. It was beautifully lit. Not too bright, not too dim. Sure the castle on the outside was beautiful and grand. But, oh, the inside it was elegant. But before I could carry-on about my ranting about how beautiful the structure of the place. Eliza waved to her boyfriend.
"Roderich!" She waved ignoring the attention she was getting as she ran and hugged a man with dark hair and a strange curl sticking up. His purple eyes were framed with eye glasses. Lovi and I aproached the group.
"Roderich, you remember (name), don't you" She said as she reintroduced us once again.
"Ja, I rememer her. How are you, (Name)? It's been a while."
"Ah" Now I remember them. His cousin was a close friend of Antonio. "Yes, I am fine, thank you, and you?"
"Ja, I am fine-" Then an annoying voice interrupted our small greeting. The voice revealed a tall albino about the same age as the man now standing beside me.
"Hi (Name)! Long time no see, how's awesome Toni?" He asked. I hesitated to give him an answer. He saw my hesitation. "How about we talk this in private, frau?" He said as he beckoned me outside. I followed suit. We have arrived at what seemed to be their backyard. Which bloomed a hundred roses. There was a beautiful fountain in the middle.
"What happened to Toni?" He said. I hesitated a moment.
"He... He died in the accident." I said and told him everything. From our theft and what happened in the main street. I still blamed myself for that. I braced myself to be disgusted by him. He understood why we have been doing this even though it is against the law. I felt tears staining my face.
"Don't cry frau," He said while he hugged me. I clutched the soft fabric forgetting that I am now soaking his clothes. I was grateful for Eliza that the make up she put on me made my tears barely noticeable
"How about I'll get some refreshments while you get some fresh air" He said once he pulled away. I wiped some tears that got out of my eyes and nodded. As he left. I sat down on the edge of the fountain and looked at the flowers. There were several roses floating on the water. Roses... the national country of England. Then I saw a lone flower. Which was different from the others.
"A Carantion..." I mumbled to myself. I fought back the tears as I remembered my brother and I used to make paper version of these to sell. He said that it was their country's national flower. I inhaled the sweet smell of the flower remembering my brother who is no longer with me.
"E-excuse me." A voice called out to me.
~~
Then he saw the girl who was holding a lone carnation. She wore a beautiful (f/c) dress and half of her face was hidden beneath a mask.
"Are you alright miss?" The blonde said as he walked towards her. He gave her his hand to help her stand up.
"Y-yes" She said shyly
"That flower... is that your favorite?" Arthur asked.
"Yes...It reminded me of my brother.
"Why do you look so sad?"
"He..." She tried to choke back a sob.
"No never mind." He said panic slowly rising, as a gentleman, he does not allow people to cry. "Um... Would you like to dance?" The girl looked at her with (e/c) eyes and blushed as she nodded and followed him.
Now that they were in the ball room. They dance to the beautiful music surrounding them.
"I have not seen you in any of the parties my father has organized. Tell me, what house are you from." He asked to break they're awkward silence.
~~
As the man asked that I was now thankful for Lovino this time. While we were in the carriage he said to me that if someone asks on what house I am. I will simply say that.
"I am a relative to House Vargas." I said as we moved to the rhythm.
"Ah, house Vargas. So you know Italian?" He said.
"Not much. I was born and raised here in England and I never bothered to learn Italian" I smiled shyly.
"I see." He kept quiet and we dance. As the music came to an end we have bowed to each other.
"Tell me, what is your name?" He said. But before I could answer, a man interrupted us.
"Arthur your father is calling you." He said.
"Tell him, I am coming" He replied then he turned to me. "I am truly sorry, my lady, but I must take my leave." I simply nodded and let him go. "Arthur..." I mumble to myself.
"I see you have danced with the prince." Felicia said behind my back.
"What?" I said blushing
"You did not know that, that was the prince?" Elizaveta said while we head to our table.
"Do you fancy the prince (Name)?" Gilbert asked slyly.
"No. is father is a tyrant and he is no better than him." I hissed.
"Oh? But I heard that he usually rebels against his father." Roderich said.
"No, I still don't fancy him. Rebellious or not I'm not interested." I said, but do I really believed what I just said?
~~
"Father... where are you?" He said as he tried to open the meeting room's door. He heard a few voices. One was his father, then there was a familiar french accented voice.
'House Bonnefoy' he thought as anger bopiled inside him. He let go of the door knob and went to his room changing his clothes to his normal ones and went out of the window to enjoy the fresh air.
~~
His father notied Arthur's absence when they have arrived on the balcony of the ball room.
"Toris... thought you called Arthur.
"I-I did sir..." He stuttered " He said that he is on his way." the King growled and leaving the two people behind.
"Brother...what happened?" a young girl asked her brother as they saw the king stormed out of the hall.
"I do not know either." He simply replied
~~
After their teasing. I decided to get some food since my stomach has been growling. While I was at the table. I heard some snobby ladies conversing.
"Have you heard? Today is the announcement of Prince Arthur Kirkland and Lady Michelle Bonnefoy's marriage.
"Ah yes, such a wonderful couple they can be. But it would be much better if it was me."
"Oh please, you family can not even rise from you social ranking."
I soon realized I've been eavesdropping, but my heart can not take what I have heard. Yes it's true, I really fancy the prince, he is better than his father and soon to be married. Forgetting my hungry stomach, I set down my plate and made my way out of the castle. while I was running away I fought back those tears stinging my eyes. When I managed to reach the gates. The guards blocked my path.
"Halt. What is your house and where is your crest?" He commanded me. I was speechless. I forgot what they told me if they asked me. Then I remembered but I do not have Lovino's crest.
"Excuse us but she is a relative to House Edelstein." Roderich said as he showed them his crest. "Meaning that she is my cousin. I hope that is clear."
"We are sorry sir." They unblocked the gates and let us pass through.
"Thank you Roderich. I said as I rode te carriage with Roderich, Gilbert and Ludwig.
"You fool!" He said while crossing you arms.
"You were lucky to be saved by Roddy, frau." Gil said.
"I...I know..." I muttered under my breath.
"Why did you leave?" It was Ludwig's turn to ask.
"I-it was getting late." I lied. "Does Elizaveta know that I left?"
"Ja, she ws worried and tried to find you, we'll leave you to Eliza's hands, since she's the one who pestered you to come." Gil said.
"I... I understand." Then the ride was silent...
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Finally done! I had a mild writer's block here! Hope you enjoyed my effort! I posted this earlier than expected non? I know I'm supposed to post this last week but I got grounded then I had a writer's block. I promised to post this tomorrow (which is Saturday in my country) but I finished it this day (Friday) I know, I know, It has some RomeoxJuliet reference there. Yes the anime version. I loved that and I guess because I ran out of ideas. Try watching that sometime okay? I'm sory if reader-tan has been crying a lot. She's emotianally exhausted and haven't moved on from Spain's death. Even I haven't moved on TT^TT