YnM Cinderella Story - Chapter 2
Title: The Yami No Matsuei Cinderella Story *not creative*
Author: _superherogirl_
Genre: Humor/Romance/Parody
Rating: PG-13 to be safe.
Characters/Pairings: Just about everyone is going to be participating in this Cinderella re-enactment. >:) And as for pairings as of yet it has not been established, but ahem there's one that's a definite obvious pairing for now.
Chapter: 2/?
Previous chapters: 1
Comments: There are some spoilers from the anime and manga. But nothing major though. This is meant to be quite a laid back fic.
Summary: Tsuzuki is in the mood to read a fairy tale-esque story, and lucky for him Cinderella gets to be the perfect candidate. Is it wrong to want a happy ending?
Status: In progress
Disclaimer: Unfortunately Yami No Matsuei doesn't belong to me, and neither does the story of Cinderella. Only my wacky mind at work is mine. :)
“Tsuzuki…”
No answer.
“Tsuzuki!”
Still there was no answer.
“Tsuzukirella get up!”
That’s when Tsuzuki realized he was still lying on the floor, no one had even bothered to help him up. He looked around to see who had been calling out to him but he didn’t see anyone. “Could it have been my imagination?”
“Tsuzuki-san… we’re here!” Saya gave a little wave as Yuma tried to climb higher up on his still bare chest. They were no taller than five inches, and they had mouse ears and tails. In fact, they were mice. Tsuzuki immediately jolted backwards and his eyes widened.
“WAH!” Both the girls fell over onto the floor and glared at Tsuzuki.
“Now that wasn’t nice you know! We’re small, fragile creatures!” Yuma said as she rubbed her bum.
“Why are you…” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the cute dresses their mousey selves were wearing.
Saya turned a little pink at the way he was staring at them, “Do you like our outfits, Tsuzuki-san?”
“Well you should, since you made them for us,” Yuma finished off.
“I, what?”
The girls made their way towards him once more, and jumped onto his knee. They both looked up at him and nodded. “Yup.”
“You have made clothes for a lot of us actually. We’re really grateful. You give us food and you make sure that that evil cat, that looks like a chicken doesn’t hurt us! We’re forever in your debt Tsuzukirella!” After her semi-long speech Saya threw herself at Tsuzuki and landed just above his belt buckle. She blushed an even deeper shade of red than before, “Gomen nasai!”
He laughed and scooped her up with his hand, “It’s okay Saya, even if I’m still very confused. Cat that looks like a chicken you say? Is that even possible?”
Yuma rolled her eyes, “Of course it is. If there is a dog that looks like a chicken, then a cat that looks like one isn’t that much of a surprise.”
Tsuzuki blinked, “Eh?…”
“Tsuzuki-san, you better finish getting dressed. Muraki sensei is not going to be pleased with your extreme tardy.”
“Huh? What? Muraki…? What do I want with him? Who cares if I’m tardy, tardy for what!?”
Saya and Yuma sweatdropped.
“Oh no. What I saw… Muraki is actually…”
“Yes Tsuzuki-san, he’s your stepmother.”
“WHAT?! How is that possible!?” Tsuzuki was completely appalled. He had no clue how to react to that, other than the way he was doing so at the moment. Then he stopped panicking and put Saya down. It was best to just let it all be, once he wakes up from his nightmare everything will be all over. At least he hoped so. “Should I even ask who my stepsisters are?”
Yuma squeaked, “There’s no time, they’re all waiting for you downstairs! If you want to live for another day you have to go downstairs now!” She collapsed from all her squeaking, but thankfully Saya caught her on time.
Tsuzuki’s eyebrow quirked up, “Live another day?… Oh the irony.” He finally got up and put on the first flimsy shirt he found. It had taken him long enough. “Alright so here goes nothing. Although, I thought no one liked my cooking, I think my stepmother and stepsisters are going to be quite disappointed.”
Saya tilted her head and then looked over at her friend, “Don’t be modest Tsuzuki-san, everyone loves anything you make!”
“Eh, really? Wow now I’m certain this is a dream. Either way, see you two later make sure not to get eaten, okay?”
They both chimed cheerfully, “We promise!”
He returned the smile and opened the door to finally make his way downstairs. It was so dark, but he shouldn’t have expected anything less since his room was up at the tower. After two flights of stairs he was beat. “Why… are… there… so…many-” His whining was interrupted by an abrupt shriek followed by his name.
“TSUZUKIRELLA! Please help us!”
Tsuzuki arched a brow and looked around to see if he could spot the cause of the noise. Nothing. He finished going down the last flight of stairs and almost tripped over a cage. It was a small cage, to be more exact a mouse cage. He then felt a tug on his pant leg, “Huh…?”
A small version of Suzaku looked up at Tsuzuki, “Please Tsuzukirella we need help.”
“Suzaku!? You’re a mouse too?!”
Touda rolled his eyes, “Yeah, she’s not the only one.”
“Aye, that we are. But the little mousey clothes you’ve made us is definitely a plus!” Suzaku smiled and posed.
“How cute!” Tsuzuki squealed and picked her up ignoring Touda.
“Aren’t I? I especially like this little dress you made for me.”
“You two… have you forgotten why we were calling for Tsuzukirella’s help?”
Byakko yelped and stuck one of his hands out through the bars, “You guys, help me! I’m like in rat jail or something! And I’m quite insulted that I ended up being a mouse along with the two of you…”
Tsuzuki almost dropped Suzaku from the initial shock, and he made his way up to the small cage on the floor. “Byakko! What are you doing stuck in a cage?!”
“For some reason there was like this piece of cheese at the end of the cage right? Usually I don’t like cheese but I kinda liked it at the moment. So… um yeah.”
“And you’re naked?!”
“And anatomically incorrect, but that’s okay. But yes, while I was getting my cheese, that I don’t like but at the same time do- I sorta misplaced my mousey clothes.”
Touda sighed, “Do you have any spare clothes for him, Tsuzukirella?”
“I’d hope so, he could catch a cold!” Tsuzuki reached into his pocket. There were a small pair of blue shorts and a white shirt. Although, Tsuzuki wasn’t really sure how they ended up there in the first place. But that really didn’t matter at the moment. He opened the cage and reached in and grabbed onto Byakko. Then handing him the clothes, “Here you go, Byakko.”
“Thanks Tsuzuki-san, you’re a lifesaver!” Byakko then put on the clothes but caught Suzaku watching him from the corner of her eye. “Do you mind? I’m kinda getting dressed…”
Suzaku rolled her eyes and turned another way, “Baka.”
Tsuzuki smiled and thought they looked so adorable as small mice, but then remembered he was still to go downstairs and fix breakfast. If his stepmother and stepsisters don’t kill him first. Although he was sure his stepmother was more likely to molest him than the latter. “I’ve got to go you guys, but I’ll see you in a bit. Time to make breakfast!” He beamed and finally made his way down the stairs.
Tap, tap, tap.
“Eh?”
Tap, tap, tap, tappity, tap.
“What is going- EEK!” Tsuzuki saw the familiar faces all too well and how their shoes were tapping on the floor ever so violently. The faces of two of his co-workers, one being his partner. And the other he would’ve rather passed on the recognition. But anything was better than finding out Muraki was your stepmother.
“Where’s our breakfast Tsuzukirella?!”
“Yeah, you’re supposed to serve us breakfast in bed everyday!”
“B-but, why me?”
“Because you’re our maid, you dope!”
“No, I’m not! I’m supposedly, practically family!”
“Now, now Terazuma. You mustn’t upset Tsuzuki-san, he still does have to finish making your breakfast.”
Tsuzuki growled, “I am NOT making breakfast for him!”
Hisoka scoffed, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop dawdling and get the chore done already.”
“Agreed, I’m going back to my room until he’s finished.” Both Hisoka and Terazuma went and did just that, leaving a very dumfounded Tsuzuki behind.
“They’re my stepsisters? THIS MAKES NO SENSE! They’re guys!”
Muraki made his way up to his stepdaughter and smirked, “Your stepsisters are right, you’ve wasted enough time. Now go make our breakfast.”
Tsuzuki shivered and took a couple of steps back, “Yes, stepmother.” He cringed and made his way into the kitchen.
*****
“This is an outrage! I have to make breakfast for people I don’t like, for the exception of Hisoka but still! I wish I knew where the others are, this is so weird.”
The plates were set on the table and Tsuzuki was just about finished with the tea. He then heard a hiss of some sort. He arched a brow and looked down at the floor with wide eyes once more. “Gushoshin?!”
Gushoshin younger purred and grinned at Tsuzuki, while Gushoshin elder was on the other side of the kitchen barking.
“And here I thought I had seen some weird stuff in my day, but clearly this takes the cake- Ooh cake, I wish I had cake-”
“TSUZUKIRELLA!!!”
“Oi! They’re at it again! COMING!”
Saya and Yuma poked their heads from a hole from one of the corners of the wall. Their tummies grumbled in the process. But they were not to set foot into the kitchen, especially not when Gushoshin younger was there. The first thing Tsuzuki had told them was not to get eaten, and they planned on not letting that happen.
“Yuma, but I’m hungry. And we cannot bother Tsuzuki-san right now, he is finishing up those meanies’ breakfast.”
“Don’t worry, Tsuzuki won’t forget about us.”
“He better not I’m starving!”
“AGH!” Both Saya and Yuma squeaked and clung onto each other.
Suzaku rolled her eyes, “It’s just us.”
“Yeah, but yes like I said. We need to get at least some cheese or something,” Byakko licked his lips.
“I wish I knew why you have a sudden fascination with cheese all of a sudden,” Touda sighed.
“CHEESE!”
Touda went temporarily deaf, “That was completely unnecessary.”
Tsuzuki grinned as he placed a couple of pieces of cheese near the mouse hole, “Here you go you guys.”
“EEEE! Thanks Tsuzuki-san!” Byakko squealed and went for the cheese taking as many pieces as he could.
“Now to give them jerks their breakfast.” Tsuzuki walked over to the kitchen counter to finish off preparing their said breakfast.
Everyone of the mice had gotten some cheese except Saya. But thankfully there was still one piece left in front of the mouse hole. She crept towards it and when she held onto the piece, it was soon dropped onto the floor again. Saya was face to face with Muraki’s pet cat that had a remarkable resemblance to a chicken. She gulped and smiled nervously, “Hi Gushoshin, you’re looking mighty stunning today. Is that a new collar?”
Gushoshin younger hissed in response, causing Saya to run for her mousey life.
“YUMA HELP ME!!!!”
“Oh no, Saya!”
“Think Suzaku, think. There must be something to keep that thing away from-”
“There’s no time to think, it’s about to eat her!”
“SAYA!” Yuma rushed out of the mouse hole and tried to catch up to the chicken looking cat. She was close enough to grab onto it’s furry tail. “You’re not eating my best friend you cat bird thing!”
“MEOW!” Gushoshin younger cried out, but that’s when the other Gushoshin growled at the ‘cat’.
Tsuzuki turned around and saw the spectacle, “Holy hell! You guys stop it!” He made his way towards them and separated them all. All except for Saya that had escaped, and snuck into one of the teacups.
All the animals calmed down for now and Tsuzuki rubbed his forehead from the frustration. He then took the three serving plates, one he positioned on top of his head. The other two on either of his hands. It was then when Gushoshin younger realized that there was a little mouse peeking from inside one of the teacups. Naturally, he immediately followed.
First, Tsuzuki made his way into Hisoka’s room. He would’ve knocked but he had his hands full. So he settled for a casual morning greeting, “I’m coming in!” And so he did. He placed his breakfast on top of the night table next to his bed.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Hisoka.” He tried his best not to chuckle at the fact that he was wearing a very girlie nightgown. Why he hadn’t gotten dressed properly yet was beyond him. “That’s a cute little nightgown you got going there.”
“Don’t push your luck, now get out. Oh right, and don‘t forget my laundry.”
“Laundry?!”
“Yes.”
“This is so unfair,” He grabbed onto the bag of dirty laundry and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Now he had to go serve Terazuma his breakfast. In all his years of being dead, he never thought he’d be serving Terazuma anything. Although this version of Terazuma… was different. He wasn’t sure, but this version might not be cursed with any shikigami abilities or appearances. Once again he announced his presence and walked in, “Here’s your stinkin’ breakfast.”
“Good, put it over there,” Terazuma pointed to the night table.
“Don’t I even get a thank you?”
“No, you took long enough as it was.”
Tsuzuki tried his best to keep whatever calm he had left. But Terazuma always had to be such a complete jerk. He would fight him too, but he would probably just get into deeper trouble with his stepmother. And certainly he didn’t want that. He placed his breakfast where his stepsister told him, and began to walk away.
“Oh, you’re not done. You have to pick that bag of dirty laundry too.”
“Why do I have to do your laundry?!” The plate that was still on top of Tsuzuki’s head shook, almost dropping onto the floor.
“For the same reason you’re doing Hisoka’s,” He smiled cynically and pointed over to the dirty laundry.
Tsuzuki snarled and surprisingly enough still had a bit of patience left. It took a lot not to fight Terazuma, but he sure was trying his best. He picked up his dirty laundry as well, and without a single last glance he left the room. “How annoying…” He braced himself for the last room he had to leave the breakfast in. He was probably most worried about this last person he had to confront, again. He gulped and knocked, since he wasn’t carrying big trays this time around.
“Come in, Tsuzuki-san. I’ve been waiting.”
Tsuzuki shivered and opened the door. Upon him walking inside he spotted Muraki almost immediately. Although he wasn’t in bed like the others. He was fixing his suit. Why he was considered his stepmother was beyond him, but he was not one to dress in women’s clothing. Not even if it was Tsuzuki’s very weird dream. “I’ve brought your breakfast.”
“Good, place it on the night table.”
“I’m not going to get a ‘thank you’ from you either am I?” He did as he was told and placed the last breakfast he made on top of Muraki’s little table beside his bed.
“Of course you will Tsuzuki-san, it’s just you’ll be receiving another form of gratitude from me.”
Tsuzuki looked around the room nervously, “Huh?”
Muraki smirked, “Put down those bags of dirty laundry. If I was cast as the stepmother I might as well put the role to good use.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing, Tsuzuki-san.” Muraki smiled almost angelically.
“I… should go. Really. I have chores to get to and-”
Muraki made his way closer to him, “The chores could wait a little while longer. Besides, you took your precious time with the breakfast, no?”
Tsuzuki blushed, “I didn’t take that long!”
“That doesn’t matter now. Tsuzuki-san, why don’t you have breakfast with me?”
“Oh no, I simply couldn’t. I have so much work to get done,” Tsuzuki said hopelessly.
Muraki continued walking towards his stepdaughter, and Tsuzuki kept walking backwards to avoid any of his sudden advances. But soon there was no where else to back up, and Muraki had the boy cornered. Just the way he liked him. “But I insist.”
“B-but the dirty laundry is waiting!”
“I believe, I’ve been waiting longer,” He leaned closer to his prey and let a devious smirk escape his lips. As he placed a hand just next to Tsuzuki’s head, against the wall.
Tsuzuki fidgeted, this seemed all too familiar. He was not liking it one bit. “Your breakfast is going to get cold stepmother. There’s no point in having a cold breakfast…”
There was yet another bold move made by the doctor, as he snaked his free arm around Tsuzuki’s waist. “Not to worry if that’s the case, I’ll have you discard of it. While I go out and have breakfast.”
Tsuzuki’s eyes went wide and his impatience grew to pure rage, “Then what was the point of me making you anything?!”
“You’re not comprehending, Tsuzuki-san. We have to keep you working. It was our condition for you to continue living here. Since you didn’t have anywhere else to go, you had no other choice. Now,” Muraki brought the Shinigami’s body closer to his own. “Where were we?”
I have to calm down, this is just a dream. It’s not real. At the moment he was still completely livid. He couldn’t believe that he had to continue doing useless chores, to have a place to stay. When it was originally Cinderella’s house! Er, his! Or her dad’s… Eh, his- So that meant- Tsuzuki stopped thinking as soon as he felt his body closer to Muraki’s. He couldn’t help but blush shamelessly, the doctor was as fresh in his dream as in reality. “Could you kindly move away stepmother?”
Muraki let the hand that was around Tsuzuki’s waist migrate over to the front of his shirt. He felt on the material and looked up at him. “This shirt of yours could fall apart at any given time. It is quite worn out.”
“Once again it’s not my fault. I don’t have any new clothes because you treat Cinderella- I mean, you treat me like some worthless piece of-”
“-Oh no Tsuzuki-san, you’re far from worthless. But these flimsy clothes do come to an advantage when they have to be taken off.”
“That’s not the- WHAT!? My clothes are not about to come off!”
Muraki tilted his head to the side as if in thought, “Oh, no?”
“No way!”
“That’s a shame you won’t cooperate,” The Shinigami’s arms were pinned to the wall.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
Muraki shook his head and sighed, “Do you really have to… ask… Tsuzuki-san? I think we’ve both stalled long enough.”
A low growl escaped Tsuzuki, “Stop it, Muraki.” But soon enough he felt a pair of lips caressing his neck. The slight touches of lips against flesh soon progressed to more ravished kisses. He felt Muraki’s tongue make lazy circles on his skin, sending goosebumps to erupt all over it.
Silver eyes met amethyst ones and Tsuzuki felt the smirk spread across the evil doctor’s lips, “Oh but Tsuzuki-san, your body… seems to say otherwise.”
“You’re my stepmother for crying out loud, this is beyond wrong!” He turned to face away from Muraki, but he was all over him. Tsuzuki hated how his skin reacted to the attention it was receiving from that man. Even his skin deceived him. Before Tsuzuki knew it there was a loud shrill scream, and someone barging into the room.
“Mother, there was a mouse inside my teacup! He did it! He did it on purpo-”
Muraki immediately let go of Tsuzuki’s arms, and turned to stare back at the frantic Terazuma.
“Since when have you been scared of mice, Terazuma?” Tsuzuki scoffed having nothing faze him. Although he was still a little pink from the embarrassment of a couple of seconds ago.
Terazuma fumed and pointed at his stepsister, “I am not scared of mice! It caught be my surprise is all! Besides, what were you two doing?”
“We weren’t doing anything!”
“Mommy had you pinned to the wall! I might be dense, but not that dense! You two were about to do something naughty! EWW!”
Tsuzuki turned beet red all over again, “WHAT?! Naughty? No! I would never!”
“Shut up, the both of you.”
Both Terazuma and Tsuzuki looked towards the door, only to see Hisoka holding a mouse by it’s tail.
“Is this the cause of your troubles, Terazuma?”
Terazuma scratched his head a little awkwardly, “Maybe…”
“Saya…” Tsuzuki gasped.
The little mouse tried to wiggle out of Hisoka’s grasp, but she had no such luck. This is definitely not what she meant by being a little more daring. Yuma and herself had wanted to go out on more mousey adventures, but she never expected to have gotten caught in such a way. She saw a disgruntled Tsuzuki on the other end of the room and she pouted.
“Well, now that you caught the blasted thing, just feed it to dad’s cat,” Terazuma exhaled relieved.
“I’ll put it down your pants if you don’t show the slightest hint of appreciation. I was not the one hauling myself out of my room in fear of this little rodent,” Hisoka said a matter-of-factly.
“Hey!” Terazuma flinched and assumed it was a bluff.
Tsuzuki stepped forward and grabbed Saya--as gently as possible- from Hisoka’s grasp. “No one is feeding her to any mangy cat! Especially not any that resemble a chicken!”
“Who said you can talk or even go near us!?”
Hisoka rolled his eyes at his sister, “You’re all idiots. I’m going to go back to my room, and retreat my flute. Our music lesson will begin in about fifteen minutes, I wouldn’t want to be late.” He clicked his heel and turned to walk out of his mother’s room.
“I didn’t know he played flute,” Tsuzuki arched a brow and looked down at Saya. She seemed to be in one piece and he smiled. He would have to have a talk with her later, and how she should value her life a bit more. Mice don’t really have long life spans, but still with more reason.
“Such hostility,” Muraki finally spoke after having been completely and utterly silent for the duration of their argument.
“Well! Dad finally decides to speak! I’m going to go warm up my vocal cords for the music lesson too.”
Tsuzuki arched a brow, “That sounds dangerous.”
“I think you mean, to do your vocal warm-up. Is that right, Terazuma-kun?” Muraki chuckled almost menacingly.
Terazuma blushed, “Same difference! It doesn’t matter I’m leaving now, and keep that rat away from me! And my teacups, and my breakfast and everything of mine altogether!” After shouting for what seemed like a good amount of time, he stomped out of the room as well.
Saya squeaked and stuck her tongue out in Terazuma’s general direction, “How rude! I am certainly not a rat!”
“Rude is an understatement for him,” Tsuzuki sighed and placed Saya into his pant pocket. Then went to pick up the three bags of dirty laundry he had to get done. Seeing as afterward he had a rather long amount of chores he had to also get done as well. Surprisingly enough by the end of the day he always managed to finish it all.
“Oh Tsuzuki-san.”
Tsuzuki turned to Muraki with a very worried look about him, “Yes stepmother?”
Muraki handed him a piece of paper and smirked, “Here’s a list of some extra chores you have to do today.”
“What?! More chores?!- I mean, yes stepmother. I’ll make sure to have them done by the end of the day.”
“That’s a good boy, now run along. You have a lot of work to do. If you’ll excuse me, it’s just about time for the children’s music lesson.” He turned to walk out of his room, but not before giving Tsuzuki yet another completely satisfied grin.
Tsuzuki looked down the semi-long list of chores and stopped at the second to last one. His heart skipped a beat and let an abrupt animal-like roar escape him. But then soon followed by a squeak of embarrassment, “I am NOT going to give anyone a sponge bath! Especially not you!”
The mischievous grin grew wider, “Oh? And here I thought you wouldn’t notice that last one. Shame.”
“Honestly! How could I overlook such a chore?! I cook, clean, and do just about everything in this house-- but I’m not about to bathe you!”
Muraki’s scary looking grin soon became a frown of disappointment, “Very well. Then off I go. Hmm, maybe next time we won’t get interrupted ne? You didn’t seem so disinterested then.”
Another blush graced Tsuzuki’s face, he didn’t say another word. He couldn’t. He knew if he would his words would just be twisted around and thrown back at him. In a most distasteful way. That man standing a couple of feet away from him was just an expert in the art of seduction. Even if Tsuzuki wasn’t like that, it was still so awkward whenever he’d advance towards him. Naturally, all he could do was stand there immobilized and let Muraki do as he pleased. Although, he sometimes wondered if he did enjoy it. The attention was nothing short of bittersweet, but he knew he shouldn’t dwell on those thoughts. He wouldn’t mind if it were someone he cared for making such advances at him. Someone to plant soft kisses over every inch of his skin. Someone… he cared for in that way. Did Tsuzuki think of anyone in that way?
“Tsuzuki-san you’re daydreaming.”
“Huh? Right, I‘ll go finish my chores.” He soon walked out of the room and shook any of those prior thoughts out of his head.
Someone to care for. A life partner, a lover- even in death? But that will never be. A person such as myself is not worthy of someone that special. At all.
****
“Your highness, are you feeling alright? You haven’t even touched your food.”
The king sighed and took a sip of his tea, “Quite frankly I’m not hungry. I have too much on my mind to be able to enjoy this dish in front of me.”
Konoe shrugged and eyed the food on the king’s plate, “If you won’t eat it I’ll gladly-”
“Don’t you understand, my son is already in his twenties and he has yet to marry! I cannot take this anymore!”
The grand duke sweatdropped, “You can’t take it anymore, sir?”
“Yes me! Me, me, me! I want grandchildren already!”
“I’m sure Prince Tatsumi will find the right person soon. Not to worry, you’ll have grandchildren sooner than-”
“You don’t understand in the least bit! I want grandchildren now!”
The other man almost fell over at the king’s persistency, “Even then that’s quite impossible to accomplish in such short notice-”
Hakushaku stood up and smiled wide, “We will have a ball, in honor of my son! Yes! Why didn’t I think of this brilliant idea before? All the eligible ladies will be able to attend! Tatsumi cannot possibly leave empty handed by the end of the night!”
“A ball?! But your highness!”
“Tonight!”
“Tonight?!”
“Yes, tonight! We will have the ball tonight! Oh, I can already hear the pitter-patter of the future little ones roaming around the castle halls!” Hakushaku twirled around and clapped his hands together.
“B-but how are we going to get everything done by tonight? The preparations alone would take at least a week. And then to send out the invitations to everyone in the kingdom and-”
“I don’t want to hear anymore of your insolence, we will get it all done for tonight. And if we don’t,” He brought a finger across his throat and made the appropriate sound effect for such gesture.
“But, sir it’s impossible-”
“Nothing is impossible! Especially not for a king such as myself! Now make yourself useful and start getting everything ready! The prince will be back by tonight, and when he comes home I want him to see what daddy put together for him!”
Konoe grunted to himself, “More like for yourself.”
“Did you say something, Konoe?”
“No your highness, I’ll get right to it.” He then left the king’s chamber and went to get all the ball arrangements done as soon as possible. Or, it would be his head.
A maniacal laughter was heard as the grand duke left the king behind. He continued to smile wide and looked up at the portraits decorated all around the walls. “I simply cannot wait to see all these eligible maidens. My son is sure to find what he needs in one of them. Haha, oh yes I cannot wait! Although, if she’s too cute I’m going to have to steal her away from him…”
“Are you done talking to yourself, your highness?”
Hakushaku squeaked and hadn’t noticed that Watson was still in the room. As a matter of fact, he didn‘t even notice he was in the room in the first place. “Oh, how terribly embarrassing. Did you hear everything?”
Watson nodded.
“Oh, dear. Well, I didn’t mean I would… uh steal anyone away from my son… I was merely joking to myself!”
The servant simply blinked.
“Right, I think I’m going to go help with the preparations… Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do.” And that’s exactly what the king did. But not before staring at his reflection in a nearby mirror, “Damn do I look good. I might be able to find myself a little lady at the ball as well, muahaha!” He continued his laughter down the hall, and through the castle. Thankfully everyone in the castle was already very aware of the king’s more than odd behavior. The last minute ball was nowhere near surprising coming from King Hakushaku-sama.
*****
Author: _superherogirl_
Genre: Humor/Romance/Parody
Rating: PG-13 to be safe.
Characters/Pairings: Just about everyone is going to be participating in this Cinderella re-enactment. >:) And as for pairings as of yet it has not been established, but ahem there's one that's a definite obvious pairing for now.
Chapter: 2/?
Previous chapters: 1
Comments: There are some spoilers from the anime and manga. But nothing major though. This is meant to be quite a laid back fic.
Summary: Tsuzuki is in the mood to read a fairy tale-esque story, and lucky for him Cinderella gets to be the perfect candidate. Is it wrong to want a happy ending?
Status: In progress
Disclaimer: Unfortunately Yami No Matsuei doesn't belong to me, and neither does the story of Cinderella. Only my wacky mind at work is mine. :)
“Tsuzuki…”
No answer.
“Tsuzuki!”
Still there was no answer.
“Tsuzukirella get up!”
That’s when Tsuzuki realized he was still lying on the floor, no one had even bothered to help him up. He looked around to see who had been calling out to him but he didn’t see anyone. “Could it have been my imagination?”
“Tsuzuki-san… we’re here!” Saya gave a little wave as Yuma tried to climb higher up on his still bare chest. They were no taller than five inches, and they had mouse ears and tails. In fact, they were mice. Tsuzuki immediately jolted backwards and his eyes widened.
“WAH!” Both the girls fell over onto the floor and glared at Tsuzuki.
“Now that wasn’t nice you know! We’re small, fragile creatures!” Yuma said as she rubbed her bum.
“Why are you…” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the cute dresses their mousey selves were wearing.
Saya turned a little pink at the way he was staring at them, “Do you like our outfits, Tsuzuki-san?”
“Well you should, since you made them for us,” Yuma finished off.
“I, what?”
The girls made their way towards him once more, and jumped onto his knee. They both looked up at him and nodded. “Yup.”
“You have made clothes for a lot of us actually. We’re really grateful. You give us food and you make sure that that evil cat, that looks like a chicken doesn’t hurt us! We’re forever in your debt Tsuzukirella!” After her semi-long speech Saya threw herself at Tsuzuki and landed just above his belt buckle. She blushed an even deeper shade of red than before, “Gomen nasai!”
He laughed and scooped her up with his hand, “It’s okay Saya, even if I’m still very confused. Cat that looks like a chicken you say? Is that even possible?”
Yuma rolled her eyes, “Of course it is. If there is a dog that looks like a chicken, then a cat that looks like one isn’t that much of a surprise.”
Tsuzuki blinked, “Eh?…”
“Tsuzuki-san, you better finish getting dressed. Muraki sensei is not going to be pleased with your extreme tardy.”
“Huh? What? Muraki…? What do I want with him? Who cares if I’m tardy, tardy for what!?”
Saya and Yuma sweatdropped.
“Oh no. What I saw… Muraki is actually…”
“Yes Tsuzuki-san, he’s your stepmother.”
“WHAT?! How is that possible!?” Tsuzuki was completely appalled. He had no clue how to react to that, other than the way he was doing so at the moment. Then he stopped panicking and put Saya down. It was best to just let it all be, once he wakes up from his nightmare everything will be all over. At least he hoped so. “Should I even ask who my stepsisters are?”
Yuma squeaked, “There’s no time, they’re all waiting for you downstairs! If you want to live for another day you have to go downstairs now!” She collapsed from all her squeaking, but thankfully Saya caught her on time.
Tsuzuki’s eyebrow quirked up, “Live another day?… Oh the irony.” He finally got up and put on the first flimsy shirt he found. It had taken him long enough. “Alright so here goes nothing. Although, I thought no one liked my cooking, I think my stepmother and stepsisters are going to be quite disappointed.”
Saya tilted her head and then looked over at her friend, “Don’t be modest Tsuzuki-san, everyone loves anything you make!”
“Eh, really? Wow now I’m certain this is a dream. Either way, see you two later make sure not to get eaten, okay?”
They both chimed cheerfully, “We promise!”
He returned the smile and opened the door to finally make his way downstairs. It was so dark, but he shouldn’t have expected anything less since his room was up at the tower. After two flights of stairs he was beat. “Why… are… there… so…many-” His whining was interrupted by an abrupt shriek followed by his name.
“TSUZUKIRELLA! Please help us!”
Tsuzuki arched a brow and looked around to see if he could spot the cause of the noise. Nothing. He finished going down the last flight of stairs and almost tripped over a cage. It was a small cage, to be more exact a mouse cage. He then felt a tug on his pant leg, “Huh…?”
A small version of Suzaku looked up at Tsuzuki, “Please Tsuzukirella we need help.”
“Suzaku!? You’re a mouse too?!”
Touda rolled his eyes, “Yeah, she’s not the only one.”
“Aye, that we are. But the little mousey clothes you’ve made us is definitely a plus!” Suzaku smiled and posed.
“How cute!” Tsuzuki squealed and picked her up ignoring Touda.
“Aren’t I? I especially like this little dress you made for me.”
“You two… have you forgotten why we were calling for Tsuzukirella’s help?”
Byakko yelped and stuck one of his hands out through the bars, “You guys, help me! I’m like in rat jail or something! And I’m quite insulted that I ended up being a mouse along with the two of you…”
Tsuzuki almost dropped Suzaku from the initial shock, and he made his way up to the small cage on the floor. “Byakko! What are you doing stuck in a cage?!”
“For some reason there was like this piece of cheese at the end of the cage right? Usually I don’t like cheese but I kinda liked it at the moment. So… um yeah.”
“And you’re naked?!”
“And anatomically incorrect, but that’s okay. But yes, while I was getting my cheese, that I don’t like but at the same time do- I sorta misplaced my mousey clothes.”
Touda sighed, “Do you have any spare clothes for him, Tsuzukirella?”
“I’d hope so, he could catch a cold!” Tsuzuki reached into his pocket. There were a small pair of blue shorts and a white shirt. Although, Tsuzuki wasn’t really sure how they ended up there in the first place. But that really didn’t matter at the moment. He opened the cage and reached in and grabbed onto Byakko. Then handing him the clothes, “Here you go, Byakko.”
“Thanks Tsuzuki-san, you’re a lifesaver!” Byakko then put on the clothes but caught Suzaku watching him from the corner of her eye. “Do you mind? I’m kinda getting dressed…”
Suzaku rolled her eyes and turned another way, “Baka.”
Tsuzuki smiled and thought they looked so adorable as small mice, but then remembered he was still to go downstairs and fix breakfast. If his stepmother and stepsisters don’t kill him first. Although he was sure his stepmother was more likely to molest him than the latter. “I’ve got to go you guys, but I’ll see you in a bit. Time to make breakfast!” He beamed and finally made his way down the stairs.
Tap, tap, tap.
“Eh?”
Tap, tap, tap, tappity, tap.
“What is going- EEK!” Tsuzuki saw the familiar faces all too well and how their shoes were tapping on the floor ever so violently. The faces of two of his co-workers, one being his partner. And the other he would’ve rather passed on the recognition. But anything was better than finding out Muraki was your stepmother.
“Where’s our breakfast Tsuzukirella?!”
“Yeah, you’re supposed to serve us breakfast in bed everyday!”
“B-but, why me?”
“Because you’re our maid, you dope!”
“No, I’m not! I’m supposedly, practically family!”
“Now, now Terazuma. You mustn’t upset Tsuzuki-san, he still does have to finish making your breakfast.”
Tsuzuki growled, “I am NOT making breakfast for him!”
Hisoka scoffed, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop dawdling and get the chore done already.”
“Agreed, I’m going back to my room until he’s finished.” Both Hisoka and Terazuma went and did just that, leaving a very dumfounded Tsuzuki behind.
“They’re my stepsisters? THIS MAKES NO SENSE! They’re guys!”
Muraki made his way up to his stepdaughter and smirked, “Your stepsisters are right, you’ve wasted enough time. Now go make our breakfast.”
Tsuzuki shivered and took a couple of steps back, “Yes, stepmother.” He cringed and made his way into the kitchen.
*****
“This is an outrage! I have to make breakfast for people I don’t like, for the exception of Hisoka but still! I wish I knew where the others are, this is so weird.”
The plates were set on the table and Tsuzuki was just about finished with the tea. He then heard a hiss of some sort. He arched a brow and looked down at the floor with wide eyes once more. “Gushoshin?!”
Gushoshin younger purred and grinned at Tsuzuki, while Gushoshin elder was on the other side of the kitchen barking.
“And here I thought I had seen some weird stuff in my day, but clearly this takes the cake- Ooh cake, I wish I had cake-”
“TSUZUKIRELLA!!!”
“Oi! They’re at it again! COMING!”
Saya and Yuma poked their heads from a hole from one of the corners of the wall. Their tummies grumbled in the process. But they were not to set foot into the kitchen, especially not when Gushoshin younger was there. The first thing Tsuzuki had told them was not to get eaten, and they planned on not letting that happen.
“Yuma, but I’m hungry. And we cannot bother Tsuzuki-san right now, he is finishing up those meanies’ breakfast.”
“Don’t worry, Tsuzuki won’t forget about us.”
“He better not I’m starving!”
“AGH!” Both Saya and Yuma squeaked and clung onto each other.
Suzaku rolled her eyes, “It’s just us.”
“Yeah, but yes like I said. We need to get at least some cheese or something,” Byakko licked his lips.
“I wish I knew why you have a sudden fascination with cheese all of a sudden,” Touda sighed.
“CHEESE!”
Touda went temporarily deaf, “That was completely unnecessary.”
Tsuzuki grinned as he placed a couple of pieces of cheese near the mouse hole, “Here you go you guys.”
“EEEE! Thanks Tsuzuki-san!” Byakko squealed and went for the cheese taking as many pieces as he could.
“Now to give them jerks their breakfast.” Tsuzuki walked over to the kitchen counter to finish off preparing their said breakfast.
Everyone of the mice had gotten some cheese except Saya. But thankfully there was still one piece left in front of the mouse hole. She crept towards it and when she held onto the piece, it was soon dropped onto the floor again. Saya was face to face with Muraki’s pet cat that had a remarkable resemblance to a chicken. She gulped and smiled nervously, “Hi Gushoshin, you’re looking mighty stunning today. Is that a new collar?”
Gushoshin younger hissed in response, causing Saya to run for her mousey life.
“YUMA HELP ME!!!!”
“Oh no, Saya!”
“Think Suzaku, think. There must be something to keep that thing away from-”
“There’s no time to think, it’s about to eat her!”
“SAYA!” Yuma rushed out of the mouse hole and tried to catch up to the chicken looking cat. She was close enough to grab onto it’s furry tail. “You’re not eating my best friend you cat bird thing!”
“MEOW!” Gushoshin younger cried out, but that’s when the other Gushoshin growled at the ‘cat’.
Tsuzuki turned around and saw the spectacle, “Holy hell! You guys stop it!” He made his way towards them and separated them all. All except for Saya that had escaped, and snuck into one of the teacups.
All the animals calmed down for now and Tsuzuki rubbed his forehead from the frustration. He then took the three serving plates, one he positioned on top of his head. The other two on either of his hands. It was then when Gushoshin younger realized that there was a little mouse peeking from inside one of the teacups. Naturally, he immediately followed.
First, Tsuzuki made his way into Hisoka’s room. He would’ve knocked but he had his hands full. So he settled for a casual morning greeting, “I’m coming in!” And so he did. He placed his breakfast on top of the night table next to his bed.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Hisoka.” He tried his best not to chuckle at the fact that he was wearing a very girlie nightgown. Why he hadn’t gotten dressed properly yet was beyond him. “That’s a cute little nightgown you got going there.”
“Don’t push your luck, now get out. Oh right, and don‘t forget my laundry.”
“Laundry?!”
“Yes.”
“This is so unfair,” He grabbed onto the bag of dirty laundry and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Now he had to go serve Terazuma his breakfast. In all his years of being dead, he never thought he’d be serving Terazuma anything. Although this version of Terazuma… was different. He wasn’t sure, but this version might not be cursed with any shikigami abilities or appearances. Once again he announced his presence and walked in, “Here’s your stinkin’ breakfast.”
“Good, put it over there,” Terazuma pointed to the night table.
“Don’t I even get a thank you?”
“No, you took long enough as it was.”
Tsuzuki tried his best to keep whatever calm he had left. But Terazuma always had to be such a complete jerk. He would fight him too, but he would probably just get into deeper trouble with his stepmother. And certainly he didn’t want that. He placed his breakfast where his stepsister told him, and began to walk away.
“Oh, you’re not done. You have to pick that bag of dirty laundry too.”
“Why do I have to do your laundry?!” The plate that was still on top of Tsuzuki’s head shook, almost dropping onto the floor.
“For the same reason you’re doing Hisoka’s,” He smiled cynically and pointed over to the dirty laundry.
Tsuzuki snarled and surprisingly enough still had a bit of patience left. It took a lot not to fight Terazuma, but he sure was trying his best. He picked up his dirty laundry as well, and without a single last glance he left the room. “How annoying…” He braced himself for the last room he had to leave the breakfast in. He was probably most worried about this last person he had to confront, again. He gulped and knocked, since he wasn’t carrying big trays this time around.
“Come in, Tsuzuki-san. I’ve been waiting.”
Tsuzuki shivered and opened the door. Upon him walking inside he spotted Muraki almost immediately. Although he wasn’t in bed like the others. He was fixing his suit. Why he was considered his stepmother was beyond him, but he was not one to dress in women’s clothing. Not even if it was Tsuzuki’s very weird dream. “I’ve brought your breakfast.”
“Good, place it on the night table.”
“I’m not going to get a ‘thank you’ from you either am I?” He did as he was told and placed the last breakfast he made on top of Muraki’s little table beside his bed.
“Of course you will Tsuzuki-san, it’s just you’ll be receiving another form of gratitude from me.”
Tsuzuki looked around the room nervously, “Huh?”
Muraki smirked, “Put down those bags of dirty laundry. If I was cast as the stepmother I might as well put the role to good use.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing, Tsuzuki-san.” Muraki smiled almost angelically.
“I… should go. Really. I have chores to get to and-”
Muraki made his way closer to him, “The chores could wait a little while longer. Besides, you took your precious time with the breakfast, no?”
Tsuzuki blushed, “I didn’t take that long!”
“That doesn’t matter now. Tsuzuki-san, why don’t you have breakfast with me?”
“Oh no, I simply couldn’t. I have so much work to get done,” Tsuzuki said hopelessly.
Muraki continued walking towards his stepdaughter, and Tsuzuki kept walking backwards to avoid any of his sudden advances. But soon there was no where else to back up, and Muraki had the boy cornered. Just the way he liked him. “But I insist.”
“B-but the dirty laundry is waiting!”
“I believe, I’ve been waiting longer,” He leaned closer to his prey and let a devious smirk escape his lips. As he placed a hand just next to Tsuzuki’s head, against the wall.
Tsuzuki fidgeted, this seemed all too familiar. He was not liking it one bit. “Your breakfast is going to get cold stepmother. There’s no point in having a cold breakfast…”
There was yet another bold move made by the doctor, as he snaked his free arm around Tsuzuki’s waist. “Not to worry if that’s the case, I’ll have you discard of it. While I go out and have breakfast.”
Tsuzuki’s eyes went wide and his impatience grew to pure rage, “Then what was the point of me making you anything?!”
“You’re not comprehending, Tsuzuki-san. We have to keep you working. It was our condition for you to continue living here. Since you didn’t have anywhere else to go, you had no other choice. Now,” Muraki brought the Shinigami’s body closer to his own. “Where were we?”
I have to calm down, this is just a dream. It’s not real. At the moment he was still completely livid. He couldn’t believe that he had to continue doing useless chores, to have a place to stay. When it was originally Cinderella’s house! Er, his! Or her dad’s… Eh, his- So that meant- Tsuzuki stopped thinking as soon as he felt his body closer to Muraki’s. He couldn’t help but blush shamelessly, the doctor was as fresh in his dream as in reality. “Could you kindly move away stepmother?”
Muraki let the hand that was around Tsuzuki’s waist migrate over to the front of his shirt. He felt on the material and looked up at him. “This shirt of yours could fall apart at any given time. It is quite worn out.”
“Once again it’s not my fault. I don’t have any new clothes because you treat Cinderella- I mean, you treat me like some worthless piece of-”
“-Oh no Tsuzuki-san, you’re far from worthless. But these flimsy clothes do come to an advantage when they have to be taken off.”
“That’s not the- WHAT!? My clothes are not about to come off!”
Muraki tilted his head to the side as if in thought, “Oh, no?”
“No way!”
“That’s a shame you won’t cooperate,” The Shinigami’s arms were pinned to the wall.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
Muraki shook his head and sighed, “Do you really have to… ask… Tsuzuki-san? I think we’ve both stalled long enough.”
A low growl escaped Tsuzuki, “Stop it, Muraki.” But soon enough he felt a pair of lips caressing his neck. The slight touches of lips against flesh soon progressed to more ravished kisses. He felt Muraki’s tongue make lazy circles on his skin, sending goosebumps to erupt all over it.
Silver eyes met amethyst ones and Tsuzuki felt the smirk spread across the evil doctor’s lips, “Oh but Tsuzuki-san, your body… seems to say otherwise.”
“You’re my stepmother for crying out loud, this is beyond wrong!” He turned to face away from Muraki, but he was all over him. Tsuzuki hated how his skin reacted to the attention it was receiving from that man. Even his skin deceived him. Before Tsuzuki knew it there was a loud shrill scream, and someone barging into the room.
“Mother, there was a mouse inside my teacup! He did it! He did it on purpo-”
Muraki immediately let go of Tsuzuki’s arms, and turned to stare back at the frantic Terazuma.
“Since when have you been scared of mice, Terazuma?” Tsuzuki scoffed having nothing faze him. Although he was still a little pink from the embarrassment of a couple of seconds ago.
Terazuma fumed and pointed at his stepsister, “I am not scared of mice! It caught be my surprise is all! Besides, what were you two doing?”
“We weren’t doing anything!”
“Mommy had you pinned to the wall! I might be dense, but not that dense! You two were about to do something naughty! EWW!”
Tsuzuki turned beet red all over again, “WHAT?! Naughty? No! I would never!”
“Shut up, the both of you.”
Both Terazuma and Tsuzuki looked towards the door, only to see Hisoka holding a mouse by it’s tail.
“Is this the cause of your troubles, Terazuma?”
Terazuma scratched his head a little awkwardly, “Maybe…”
“Saya…” Tsuzuki gasped.
The little mouse tried to wiggle out of Hisoka’s grasp, but she had no such luck. This is definitely not what she meant by being a little more daring. Yuma and herself had wanted to go out on more mousey adventures, but she never expected to have gotten caught in such a way. She saw a disgruntled Tsuzuki on the other end of the room and she pouted.
“Well, now that you caught the blasted thing, just feed it to dad’s cat,” Terazuma exhaled relieved.
“I’ll put it down your pants if you don’t show the slightest hint of appreciation. I was not the one hauling myself out of my room in fear of this little rodent,” Hisoka said a matter-of-factly.
“Hey!” Terazuma flinched and assumed it was a bluff.
Tsuzuki stepped forward and grabbed Saya--as gently as possible- from Hisoka’s grasp. “No one is feeding her to any mangy cat! Especially not any that resemble a chicken!”
“Who said you can talk or even go near us!?”
Hisoka rolled his eyes at his sister, “You’re all idiots. I’m going to go back to my room, and retreat my flute. Our music lesson will begin in about fifteen minutes, I wouldn’t want to be late.” He clicked his heel and turned to walk out of his mother’s room.
“I didn’t know he played flute,” Tsuzuki arched a brow and looked down at Saya. She seemed to be in one piece and he smiled. He would have to have a talk with her later, and how she should value her life a bit more. Mice don’t really have long life spans, but still with more reason.
“Such hostility,” Muraki finally spoke after having been completely and utterly silent for the duration of their argument.
“Well! Dad finally decides to speak! I’m going to go warm up my vocal cords for the music lesson too.”
Tsuzuki arched a brow, “That sounds dangerous.”
“I think you mean, to do your vocal warm-up. Is that right, Terazuma-kun?” Muraki chuckled almost menacingly.
Terazuma blushed, “Same difference! It doesn’t matter I’m leaving now, and keep that rat away from me! And my teacups, and my breakfast and everything of mine altogether!” After shouting for what seemed like a good amount of time, he stomped out of the room as well.
Saya squeaked and stuck her tongue out in Terazuma’s general direction, “How rude! I am certainly not a rat!”
“Rude is an understatement for him,” Tsuzuki sighed and placed Saya into his pant pocket. Then went to pick up the three bags of dirty laundry he had to get done. Seeing as afterward he had a rather long amount of chores he had to also get done as well. Surprisingly enough by the end of the day he always managed to finish it all.
“Oh Tsuzuki-san.”
Tsuzuki turned to Muraki with a very worried look about him, “Yes stepmother?”
Muraki handed him a piece of paper and smirked, “Here’s a list of some extra chores you have to do today.”
“What?! More chores?!- I mean, yes stepmother. I’ll make sure to have them done by the end of the day.”
“That’s a good boy, now run along. You have a lot of work to do. If you’ll excuse me, it’s just about time for the children’s music lesson.” He turned to walk out of his room, but not before giving Tsuzuki yet another completely satisfied grin.
Tsuzuki looked down the semi-long list of chores and stopped at the second to last one. His heart skipped a beat and let an abrupt animal-like roar escape him. But then soon followed by a squeak of embarrassment, “I am NOT going to give anyone a sponge bath! Especially not you!”
The mischievous grin grew wider, “Oh? And here I thought you wouldn’t notice that last one. Shame.”
“Honestly! How could I overlook such a chore?! I cook, clean, and do just about everything in this house-- but I’m not about to bathe you!”
Muraki’s scary looking grin soon became a frown of disappointment, “Very well. Then off I go. Hmm, maybe next time we won’t get interrupted ne? You didn’t seem so disinterested then.”
Another blush graced Tsuzuki’s face, he didn’t say another word. He couldn’t. He knew if he would his words would just be twisted around and thrown back at him. In a most distasteful way. That man standing a couple of feet away from him was just an expert in the art of seduction. Even if Tsuzuki wasn’t like that, it was still so awkward whenever he’d advance towards him. Naturally, all he could do was stand there immobilized and let Muraki do as he pleased. Although, he sometimes wondered if he did enjoy it. The attention was nothing short of bittersweet, but he knew he shouldn’t dwell on those thoughts. He wouldn’t mind if it were someone he cared for making such advances at him. Someone to plant soft kisses over every inch of his skin. Someone… he cared for in that way. Did Tsuzuki think of anyone in that way?
“Tsuzuki-san you’re daydreaming.”
“Huh? Right, I‘ll go finish my chores.” He soon walked out of the room and shook any of those prior thoughts out of his head.
Someone to care for. A life partner, a lover- even in death? But that will never be. A person such as myself is not worthy of someone that special. At all.
****
“Your highness, are you feeling alright? You haven’t even touched your food.”
The king sighed and took a sip of his tea, “Quite frankly I’m not hungry. I have too much on my mind to be able to enjoy this dish in front of me.”
Konoe shrugged and eyed the food on the king’s plate, “If you won’t eat it I’ll gladly-”
“Don’t you understand, my son is already in his twenties and he has yet to marry! I cannot take this anymore!”
The grand duke sweatdropped, “You can’t take it anymore, sir?”
“Yes me! Me, me, me! I want grandchildren already!”
“I’m sure Prince Tatsumi will find the right person soon. Not to worry, you’ll have grandchildren sooner than-”
“You don’t understand in the least bit! I want grandchildren now!”
The other man almost fell over at the king’s persistency, “Even then that’s quite impossible to accomplish in such short notice-”
Hakushaku stood up and smiled wide, “We will have a ball, in honor of my son! Yes! Why didn’t I think of this brilliant idea before? All the eligible ladies will be able to attend! Tatsumi cannot possibly leave empty handed by the end of the night!”
“A ball?! But your highness!”
“Tonight!”
“Tonight?!”
“Yes, tonight! We will have the ball tonight! Oh, I can already hear the pitter-patter of the future little ones roaming around the castle halls!” Hakushaku twirled around and clapped his hands together.
“B-but how are we going to get everything done by tonight? The preparations alone would take at least a week. And then to send out the invitations to everyone in the kingdom and-”
“I don’t want to hear anymore of your insolence, we will get it all done for tonight. And if we don’t,” He brought a finger across his throat and made the appropriate sound effect for such gesture.
“But, sir it’s impossible-”
“Nothing is impossible! Especially not for a king such as myself! Now make yourself useful and start getting everything ready! The prince will be back by tonight, and when he comes home I want him to see what daddy put together for him!”
Konoe grunted to himself, “More like for yourself.”
“Did you say something, Konoe?”
“No your highness, I’ll get right to it.” He then left the king’s chamber and went to get all the ball arrangements done as soon as possible. Or, it would be his head.
A maniacal laughter was heard as the grand duke left the king behind. He continued to smile wide and looked up at the portraits decorated all around the walls. “I simply cannot wait to see all these eligible maidens. My son is sure to find what he needs in one of them. Haha, oh yes I cannot wait! Although, if she’s too cute I’m going to have to steal her away from him…”
“Are you done talking to yourself, your highness?”
Hakushaku squeaked and hadn’t noticed that Watson was still in the room. As a matter of fact, he didn‘t even notice he was in the room in the first place. “Oh, how terribly embarrassing. Did you hear everything?”
Watson nodded.
“Oh, dear. Well, I didn’t mean I would… uh steal anyone away from my son… I was merely joking to myself!”
The servant simply blinked.
“Right, I think I’m going to go help with the preparations… Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do.” And that’s exactly what the king did. But not before staring at his reflection in a nearby mirror, “Damn do I look good. I might be able to find myself a little lady at the ball as well, muahaha!” He continued his laughter down the hall, and through the castle. Thankfully everyone in the castle was already very aware of the king’s more than odd behavior. The last minute ball was nowhere near surprising coming from King Hakushaku-sama.
*****