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Avery’s gaze flickered everywhere, but the scenery in front of staring at the tall grandfather clock that ticked slower than it should. 6 pm. only…. 6 more hours of this torture. Only few people had walked in, seemingly early. And soon enough, many more entered. Either way. he was the prince, and King in yellow was the center of attention. Many of the higher ups and ancestors spoke with the king. He didn’t get how the man could be so social able with others, yet neglect him and use the maids to take care of him entirely. The maids weren’t bad after all. He hoped they weren’t gonna… Sabotage him. Whatever. He’s been listening far too many rumors.
It had barely been 15 minutes, and his brain felt like it was about to burst and have a migraine at the same time. His shoe tapped unconsciously, holding a glass of champagne he refused but politely took bro the butler. Out of politeness. He sighed, walking straight closer to the balcony. He needed more fresh air he intended to. Yet before he could stop at a table and place down the drink, the King in Yellow approached. With a girl. She seemed familiar.
Ah.
A fellow noble. Or more known as, lady lily. A young princess. Around Avery’s age. It’s not like he had anything against her. Just…. a little uncomfortable with her touchy-ness and how close she wanted to go near Avery. Almost… Too close. She liked him. For sure.
The King in Yellow smiled wide, despite his dark appearance and how covered he was, his creepy smile never seemed to waver at Avery. Not a genuine one. One for guests to stare. He knew the king only had chose to keep him because he was useful. But in anyway, neither did he invest in him at all. Not even knowing his type. But he sucked it up. Just waiting to sprint outside for fresh air. Not the suffocating stench of rich and lavish perfumes & colognes that the nobles wore.
"Avery, I say! Present thyself to the Lady Lily! Hath thou not been acquainted? I believe you’ve crossed paths with each other, no?”
The king in yellow exclaimed. Avery knew he wasn’t being genuinely He never was. Nobody could tell if he was being sly or not. Either way, nobody would consider that cold and calculating side of his. Only Avery. Yet he still decided to answer, this time to not get absolutely broken again by the king by midnight. He sucked in a cold breath, plastering a smile that couldn’t quite reach his eyes, but enough to seem perfect and friendly.
”Oh yes. Nice to meet you. Lady lily. You may call me Avery.” He mused, holding a hand out for her to shake. Built off politeness and the backhand he had been given. He’d been trained like livestock since taken in. Either not breathing quiet enough or not the right posture. No matter what’s wrong, it was always violence that bruised his back.
She shook it shyly. He smiled, though it twitched not enough for her to notice, too busy gushing in her head as they introduced each other. Once their hands retracted, he placed his arms behind his back. He planed to wash his hands after that poor performance of a handshake.
The king in yellow smiled wider, satisfied by Avery’s ‘good’ behavior. “Good tidings. I shall return anon. I have several souls with whom to parley. Tarry ye, and converse.”
And with that, the king ran off to talk to some random nobles. They both just sat in awkward silence, before Avery spoke up. “I… I shall excuse myself. I have as well more people to talk to… Shall our paths cross once more.”
He ran off quickly, not actually but, sped walked with that now warm champagne thrashing inside the cup as he walked with urgency. He skillfully placed the drink on an empty velvet table, which were aligned close to the wall as he walked closer and closer to the open balcony, which no one was there. Surprise. Thank god. He was lucky that Lady Lily didn’t mind his half assed excuse to just leave.
He sighed, sliding against the wall. His hand curled around the cuff of his tailored suit, one other hand that he rested his face against. Where was he? He’s late! Even if it was only 7 pm. He glanced back, the grandfather clock ticking lower than it should’ve, striking 7 pm. He was supposed to come by 6:45. Mmm… He was probably on a mission.
What a lowly excuse of a knight. He decided to rest for a bit longer, he could stop at the garden. Lucky it was most likely vast and quiet. Good enough for him. He sat himself up, dusting himself off of any non-existent dirt. Sighing and putting up his facade. The one for his people. He guessed.
He walked quietly to the garden, slowing down once in sight of it. The garden was always beautiful, and now the sun going down quicker than it was in the summer, fireflies roamed. Beautiful sight if you asked him. The stars twinkled bright. He wondered if would shine as bright as them. Maybe one day. One faithful day he would.
He stood close beside the old oak tree, larger than it should, It hung at a good 9 feet, with thick bushes of leaves. It was unable to produce fruit, but he didn’t mind, Less of him stepping on fresh fruit, he guessed. He smiled softly, genuinely. He didn’t know why. He guessed—-He just liked the stars?
“Enjoying the view?” A feminine voice cut through. He glanced, surprised by the sudden cut through of the thick silence. Lady Lily once again. He groaned internally. What ever. She wasn’t bad company. “You could say that.”
The stood side by side, in awkward silence before Lily cutting through it again. “ So. Why did you run off so suddenly.” He raised an eyebrow. “Wha—“
“I’m not stupid Avery.” She murmured, looking directly at him. He froze at her intense gaze, more surprised than anything at all. “What do you mean..?”
”I saw you. You didn’t even talk to a damn person. I was the only one who had spoken to you other than your ‘father.’” Avery didn’t respond. Her voice wasn’t sharp or aggressive, more like trying to fathom truth. Avery sighed shakily, trying to produce a bullshit excuse, like he always did. Her eyebrows softened, not even knowing her eyebrows were furrowed. “I-i’m.. I’m not demanding for you to love me… Just… Truth i guess. “
He sighed calmer. “I…. I guess my social battery isn’t as good as it used to be. Just a little tired.” She nodded along with that answer, not fully buying it. But whatever. She smiled. “Oh, alright. I was worried you didn’t like me at all.”
He perked up in surprise. “N-no!! Not like that at all! It’s just… I guess i was stressed out this week…” He smiled sheepishly, not choosing to use his usual service smile. Her eyes flickered slightly, he smile softening. “Mmm… Your smile… It’s much… Better than the one you usually use to make people faun over y——“
“Is everything alright over here?” A deep and masculine voice cut through, both Avery and Lily’s heads turned, surprised by D3rlords sudden appearance. He seemed slightly annoyed, but not enough to radiate off him. Avery smiled at him. Even if he was late, better than not showing up. At all. Again. His missions were very long. It wasn’t like Avery wasn’t able to see him often. Just that he didn’t see him as often when they were younger, since D3rlord was able to handle harder and longer missions. Grown now.
“Oh! D3rlord. Glad you came this time!” Avery flashed him a smile, only to get a nod back. Lily seemed only a little inconvenienced, since she felt like her and avery were about to have their ‘moment’. And yet D3rlord had to cut in!
“Yes… Yup… Hello. D3rlord.” She murmured, a flicker of annoyance, a contrast from how she looked and Avery and D3rlord. D3rlord shot her an equal amount of malice towards her, looking as if an angry cat. Only for Avery to approach closer towards D3rlord, making him soften slightly.
“Anywayyyyy.. D3rlord meet Lady lily. She’s… Nice!” He mused.
“Mmm…” He hummed, sighing slightly. He didn’t choose to shake her hand, just nodding at her. She shot another shit eating glare. It was pretty evident that… They didn’t exactly… Get along. D3rlords hand instinctively brushed against Avery’s, giving him a signal to leave.
“Ah! Right. The dance ceremony. We should get going!” Avery stuttered out, attempting to figure out a way to try and step away from the tension. D3rlord nodded, by Lily cut through. “Shall i walk with you two?” Without even an answer, she walked purposefully in between them, her heels clicking against the floor more aggressively than before.
D3rlord and Avery shot each other looks, wary of what her motive was for now, deciding telepathically that they should keep watch of their surroundings.
———————
It took a little while for them to shake her off their tail, but it took another noble to start a chat with her to stop following them to the dance floor. Of course, Avery had to step away from D3rlord for an hour or two, since the music had changed. Time for the… Main mission of the ball. That’s what the Yellow king called it. It was just the main part of the ball.
D3rlord watched as Avery talked and danced with Noble women, using that fake sweet as honey voice he used often. That service voice that he used around others. So polite. Yet so hidden. Mysterious.
Jealousy nearly radiated off of him, crossing his arms, awaiting for Avery to be done. He knew it would take a while. He was very much aware. But he just waited patiently, leaning against the wall. The clock striker 11:30 pm. 30 minutes before this dumbass party would end. He sighed, rubbing the metal of his armor. It was cold. He could even feel it between the thick gloves he wore.
He could feel a headache building up, tilting his head down slightly. His head felt heavier. So did his armor. Oh. He was tired after his mission. Might as well retreat to his chambers.
———————-
D3rlord sighed, resting his head on Avery’s lap.
“Long day. Hm?” Avery mused, stroking D3rlords cherry red locks. He nodded non-verbally, groaning with the ache of his body. Avery chuckled. You never change. Do you?
…..
“Mmm.. Suppose i don’t.” D3rlord mumbled sleepily. Avery smiled.
“Let’s keep it that way.”