Prelude to the Party

Prince Ren smoothened the creases from his newly-tailored black tuxedo with his hand. His mother had sent him the finest garment he had ever worn and she would be utterly disappointed if he would not wear it in the most perfect manner he could think of. It was no challenge actually. He was very meticulous with how he dressed. His father had always taught him to be prim and proper especially in formal occasions in which royal bloods from other kingdoms attended.

You should dress to impress. Carry yourself with the pride of a Tao.

He could hear the King of Kaminari's voice as if he was talking to him from behind his back. He took a final look at himself in front of the mirror before putting on his gold-trimmed mask. He was relieved that the family crest was nowhere to be found in his costume. Otherwise, it would have defeated the purpose of being anonymous in a masquerade ball. It's not that he cared about tonight's gathering. His pointy hair would have revealed his identity anyway. He had only one mission and that involved a certain enemy kingdom's princess.

He knew it was time to go when a series of loud raps came from behind his bedroom door. He swung his door open with a scowl.

"You look expensive Renny!" A jaguar's face with dry curly black hair complimented him.

"What in the Great Spirit's name are you wearing?"

"This is my personal insignia. Fearsome isn't it?" Chocolove muffled. He tried to remove the mask so he could speak more clearly but Prince Ren pushed back the mask with such a force that his unfortunate friend almost lost his balance.

"Don't. I think you look and sound better than without it. Where's Lyserg and Jeanne?" he asked noticing the absence of his two other friends.

"Duke Liam is currently talking to them in the visitors' lounge. Maybe he's giving them reminders about tonight's event."

"We'll let's just meet them there after I pick up someone first." Prince Ren walked past Chocolove into the direction of the girl's dormitories.

"Oh you mean your date?"

He could sense a wide grin being flashed by Chocolove from behind the ridiculous animal mask.

Aboard the Homura, the Kasai royal ship...

Anna grabbed onto the railing of the ship's deck to steady herself. It had been a long time since she had worn high heels and it's killing her. In fact, it had been quite a while since she was dolled up for a ball. The only difference was that she had to dress up by herself. No more royal palace maids to attend to her. Nevertheless, she felt like a princess again. She stared at the busy port below her where Homura had docked along with the royal ships from other kingdoms. A horse carriage which would bring them to the venue was patiently waiting for them to alight the ship. She noticed two burly policemen guarding the carriage door and throwing suspicious looks at anyone who would pass by the vehicle within a few meters.

Someone tapped her at the shoulder.

"Were you able to bring it?" She asked but didn't turn around to face her companion.

Prince Yoh ogled at her for a minute. She was truly elegant in her black lace gown. He wanted to compliment her but the only word that came out of his mouth was, "Here" as he stood beside her and handed over a small vial with bright yellow liquid.

The blond girl snatched the vial with her gloved hand and quickly stashed it away in her small pouch which also contained her mask in case someone would spot it. "I suppose you got this from your false father, Faust."

"Er.. yes. It's the last one. I used up everything else on our royal guards when I wanted to sneak out of the palace."

"I hope it's potent enough to drive your twin brother away."

"I can attest to that. It would give us enough time to find Prince Ren."

"Yes, then I can finally go home…"

There was a moment of silence. Today could have been their last day together. She's going back to Kouku to become the queen while Prince Yoh would have to wait for his own coronation. Then they would be enemies again at least in the eyes of their subjects and allies.

"Yoh, I ---"

"Anna, I ---"

They turned to face each other at the same time. This awkwardness was becoming a habit.

"Go ahead," the blond girl urged the prince

The Kasai heir took a deep breath. "Anna, I am sorry for everything. It's my fault why you got stuck in our kingdom in the first place. I was stupid enough to have brought you into our territory. Please don't be angry at me anymore. I hope we could stay as friends even if it's impossible."

"Yes, you are stupid, oftentimes naïve and laid back."

Prince Yoh lowered his head in embarrassment as the blond girl spoke.

"…but I couldn't be angry at the person who had saved my life. Bad things had happened, Yoh but I am not going to blame you for everything. You have been a very sincere friend to me." She gently grabbed the lapels of his black tuxedo to lower him and pecked his left cheek.

The prince was stunned. He did not know that his often angry and sometimes stoic personal maid had a little sweetness in her. He wanted to return the gesture but someone cleared his throat in an obvious attempt to shutter their moment.

"Brother, I see you have been accompanying my beautiful date in my absence." Prince Hao seemed to sparkle under the sun in his white tuxedo and ponytailed long hair as he approached them with the gait of a newly-crowned king.

"That's because your presence had made me sea sick. You should have worn the mask now," Anna muttered.

"Come my dear. The carriage is waiting for us." The cocky prince wrapped his arm around her shoulder and forced her to walk away from his twin.

Prince Yoh was about to join them when a freshly rouged Tamao finally emerged from the cabin in a frilled pink dress that once again matched the color of her hair.

"I'm so sorry Yoh if I had to make you wait. Let's go! I'm so excited to see Pirika and dance with you. Oh please don't step on my feet. I just applied ointment to the sore areas. Blah Blah Blah"

Tamao's words floated like bubbles around Prince Yoh's ears. The Kasai heir stared at the pair walking ahead of them.

I have to tell her…