Chapter 12: Christmas Ball

LUKE:

Once upon a time, there were two children, both with golden hair as bright as the sun. One had blue eyes that symbolised the day sky and the other had violet eyes like the moonlit night sky. One day, at midnight, the twin with purple eyes was kidnapped and held hostage with a knife at his throat. Luckily, he was not killed and was safely rescued, however, this gravely traumatized the loving couple and they decided to send the boy to learn swordsmanship at a young age so he would be able to protect himself. The girl was left with the parents as she was sickly and frail. The parents rarely visited their son as the journey was long and dangerous, and they lived by the rule that 'men had to grow up independent without their parent's help'.

Even after Ivory moved in with our parents, there were times I despised her as I slashed my sword around in the drizzling rain. Why was I born as Luke and not Ivory? But I always remembered that it was not Ivory's fault that she used to have a weak health. Sometimes, while I was slicing the air with my sword, I felt an unbearable loneliness in my heart and a yearning to be loved, yet I kept a smile on my face. I was learning sword so I could protect myself and Ivory! But the monster eating away at my heart continued so.

Frequently, I asked myself why I didn't give up swordsmanship. No one could stop me if I truly wanted to. I wondered these trivial thoughts as I finally stopped training and my coach dismissed me in the middle of the night. It was a truly cold and lonely night as I carefully placed my sword away and entered the dark and dreary halls towards my bedroom. As I neared my bedroom, I saw two dark figures standing in front of there. Mother and Father noticed me, and both rubbed their exhausted eyes.

"I'm proud of you. Get some rest." Mother would praise me as they walked back to their bedroom, smiling at me.

And I remembered, this was why I continued training. Because they were pleased with me and I wanted to be a son who they could continue to be proud of.

I would do my best.

***

IVORY:

Sunlight streamed in through the curtains and I rubbed my weary eyes. The Christmas Ball was today… what a bother. I would have to deal with so many people saying words that had hidden meanings. I wonder if Emilia would be at the ball…

The morning went by a blur as the maids dressed me into an indigo gown and did a complicated hairstyle with my golden locks. I went downstairs and Easton waited down there, lounging on the couch with a black suit. His silver strands of hair were now shoulder-length and he tied it back in a low, short ponytail.

"Sit down, the others are still preparing." He waved at me, while inspecting his white silk gloves. "It's a shame that these gloves will become incinerated if I use my magic. I should get a wand or staff to avoid that."

"Easton… I'm warning you." Rei stepped down the stairs in a grey suit and white gloves, "Remember your etiquette, no one wants to see Luke having multiple heart attacks thanks to your brashness."

Rei's glasses flashes as his grey eyes stared at Easton's light purple ones.

"Oh, are you all ready already?" Luke stepped downstairs in his white suit and black gloves. "Is Rei coming? Then I don't need to worry about Easton."

"That's correct." Father walked downstairs with Mother on his arm, "We need Rei to make sure you'll stay safe as we might not always be around you."

"Make sure you greet your fiancé." Mother smiled, pinching my cheek, "Let's go in the carriage."

***

The large, golden doors that leaded inside the ball room opened automatically by magic as we stepped closer and distant music reached our ears.

"…I'm warning you one last time Easton…" Rei side-eyed Easton, "Don't do anything stupid."

"Pfft! We'll see…" Easton chuckled and rushed into the ballroom before Rei could pester him.

As soon as Easton darted inside the ballroom, girls flocked around him, their eyes glinting with possible prospects of marriage. Easton laughed, his pale lavender eyes sparkling with joy and his silver hair gleaming in the faux light.

"…He's just soaking up the attention." Rei sighed, brushing his chestnut hair.

We settled to stand next to the refreshment table, trying to avoid any attention to prevent and conflicts. Alas, as a dukedom's children we attracted too many people's eyes and stares.

A leering boy darted up to us "Lady Ivory is such an astonishing beauty that could rival-"

"Unoriginal. Of course, she is beautiful, you can't even describe her beauty with mere words! Next." Luke smiled, tilting his head.

A baron instantly appeared right in front of us with a grin, "Lord Luke! I relieved to hear that you are much better after being kidnapped by brutal thugs. If you could find the kindness in your heart, we would be delighted to see you at our next banquet-"

"He's not better yet. I abhor lies. Next." I sipped some water from my cup.

"Are you sure it's ok to just interrupt them like that?" Rei glanced at us warily, staring at the amount of people watching at us.

"We're a powerful duke's children, we can get away with most things." Luke smiled at Rei, gesturing towards the crowd. "Besides, they're of low status."

"Lord Luke!" Sardonna came rushing towards us, her heavy, rosy gown swishing. "It's been a while!"

Sardonna pressed her hands together as her magenta eyes glinting, her dirty-blond hair tied back in low pigtails.

"…I suggest you run. We'll cover for you." Rei and I nodded solemnly at Luke.

"Oh! I just remembered, I dropped something over there…" Luke nervously laughed while edging away, "…Bye!"

"Ahahahaha…" I anxiously chuckled, "It's… a… nice day, today right?! Ahahaha! Your… uh… dress is lovely!"

"Lukie! Where are you going?!" Sardonna exclaimed, chasing after Luke, "Don't leave Donna behind!"

We silently watched as Sardonna struggled to follow Luke in the bustling crowd of people.

"…He's a goner." Rei saluted towards Luke's direction.

***

Rei and I strolled around the ballroom, purposely ignoring Luke's silent yet desperate glares and pleas for help in the opposite side of the room, as he was harassed by Sardonna.

I bumped into an individual as I was glancing at Easton,

"I'm sorry! Are you okay?" I apologised whipping my head to see who I had smacked into.

"Haha… I'm okay! Are you okay?" Raven chuckled, his golden eyes sparkling with mirth, "You came just in time! I was getting bored of the ball…"

"I greet the Second Prince." I curtseyed respectfully, ignoring Raven's pleas to stand up.

"You don't need to be so formal!" Raven laughed, shrugging, "Afterall, you're Brother's fiancé! You are practically family. By the way, where's Luke? I can't see him anywhere."

Rei and I sheepishly turned towards Luke, who was still on the other side of the room. Luke stared back at us with dead eyes while Sardonna continued chattering.

"Children shouldn't see such horrifying things." Raven laughed nervously, guiding us away from Luke, "Anyway, I'll take you to my brother."

***

EASTON:

I began to feel bored as I listened to the ladies' chattering about love and marriage. I spotted Luke being hassled by a young lady in pink and I smirked. I suppose I would have to save him.

I walked away from the gathering of females I had created and walked towards Luke, ignoring girls' disappointed stares.

"Do you need saving?" I slung my arm around Luke's shoulder.

"Haha… What do you mean saving? I'm having a very pleasant conversation with this lady here." Luke smiled amiably, his violet eyes screaming at me to get him out of the situation.

"I'm sorry… fair lady? I'll be taking my younger brother with me now." I smiled at the seething girl and dragged Luke with me towards Ivory and Rei. "Who was that?!"

"Lady Sardonna…" Luke heaved a relieved sigh. "Daughter of an influenceable marquis."

I spotted Ivory greeting the Crown Prince, her fiancé and headed towards them. Some music started and many people glanced towards Prince Kyle and Ivory's way, after all, it was expected that royalty leaded the beginning of the dance unless that had an excuse not to.

"Would you like to take this dance with me?" I saw Prince Kyle smile politely at Ivory.

I didn't like him. His smile held no warmth whatsoever, even though it may just be a defence mechanism for him to be distant towards anyone unfamiliar towards him, I still disliked him. Oh well, I suppose it was time to cause some trouble, after all, the ball was getting too boring and quiet.

I stared at Prince Kyle until he noticed and raised an elegant eyebrow.

Rei whipped his head towards me, and his patronising grey eyes seemed to scream 'You do know he's the Crown Prince of our country, right???"

I'm sorry Luke and Rei. I smirked.

Luke side-eyed me, his dark violet eyes glinting, "Don't you dare-"

"IVORY'S MINE!" I clung to Ivory's arm.

Everyone's eyes swung towards me and Rei strung insults at me under his breath.