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Prince of Wales stood still. For a moment, it seemed the world had stopped moving, giving its utmost focus on the person standing before her. Dressed in a light blue gown that cascades to the floor, a slit on one side showcases the wearer’s leg, stopped just an inch from the pelvic bones, revealing a simple garter that accentuates the skin around it. She had switched the white hat with another that matched the dress’s colour, a mesh of ribbons on top with a single feather also in blue. The earrings on her ears dangled down; on the top is a shape of a crescent moon made by an arrangement of rose-golden pearls.
The way the person’s eyelashes swept the skin as the pair of blue eyes gazed at her expectantly.
The very meaning of beauty.
The only person that has ever made her feel this way.
“You look beautiful,” Wales gave her thought after a few seconds of silence. She spoke the truth from the deepest part of her heart.
“Hmph, of course, she would look splendid!” The loud approval from the third presence in the room anchored Wales back in. “Bismarck would be a bloody fool if she sees this and doesn’t go, Ah! Hood is breathtakingly beautiful. I shall never let go of her hand. I shall whisk her away in the dead of night. ”
Albeit there’s no chance for the Ironblood leader to say something so brazen in the middle of the crowded hall they will be in, Wales silently agrees with the statement. If Wales is the one with the honour to hold Hood’s hand, indeed, she will never let her go.
Even now, she’s still stubbornly refusing to let Hood go.
Perhaps, she never will.
“Thank you, Victorious.” Hood smiled gratefully as she twirled one more time as if to make sure that the dress was spotless.
“Now that you’re ready, please go scram. I also need to get ready.” Victorious waved her hand to shoo them off. The blonde aircraft carrier exhaled loudly as she watched Hood move towards where Wales stood. “I hope that Tirpitz won’t come to pick me up using the same car with Bismarck in tow. Our dress will need quite a space to ensure it’s not crumpled, you know.”
“Rest assured she won’t. Bismarck is already in the hall because she has to meet some people before the ball starts.” Hood explained. “This is why I’m going with Wales and will meet up with her there.”
“I see,” Victorious directed her gaze towards Wales. Her expression said more than the two words she had uttered. Wales herself is having a hard time meeting the dressmaker’s gaze because that eyes seemed to sharpen, performing a silent judgment of Wales current predicament.
Wales tried her best to not overthink the way Victorious looked at her, but how could she not when she had overheard them talking about her around the castle a few times before. Wales wondered if Hood realised it as well. After all, Wales could be so obvious. The way she took the long way to the breakfast hall in the morning just so she could pass Hood’s quarters and go together. Those uncounted times Wales had been injured due to shielding Hood from incoming bullets during battles. That one time, Wales got into an argument with Bismarck for making Hood cry.
Victorious must have thought of Wales as pitiful. How could she not? With all the time Wales had spent next to Hood, not even once Hood had ever seen her the way she wanted her to. In the end, for Hood Wales is just a partner, the best friend, the one that will always be there whenever the need arises, so close yet not enough.
“We will be seeing you later, then, Victorious.” Wales have finally spoken, with a slight nod, offering her hand for Hood to take.
“Your highness, Hood,” Victorious nodded and performed a slight curtsy to bid both of them goodbye.
On their way to the chauffeured car of the Royal Navy, Wales stole glances at Hood from time to time, her mind trying to guess the lady’s thought but gained nothing that’s probably correct. For her, Hood has always been quite an enigma, hard to read and predict but nevertheless always chosen a logical solution when confronted with problems. However, today, Wales found one slight moment during their stroll across the vast building where Wales could read Hood perfectly. This was when they walked past one of the corridors and found the de-facto leader of Eagle Union waiting sheepishly in front of one of the doors. Dressed in a long dark dress, Enterprise of Eagle Union stood nervously; the eagle on her shoulder was trying to play with the white ornament on her head, and Enterprise gently patted the bird’s head to calm it down.
“Ah, Prince of Wales, Hood.” Enterprise seemed to finally let go of the breath she’s been holding the moment she spotted the two of them. “Heading out, I suppose?”
“Yes, we are. Are you perhaps waiting for someone, Enterprise?” Hood answered before Wales could say anything.
“Yes,” Enterprise rubbed her cheek with her index finger. “Uh… Belfast is still getting ready, but Edinburgh and Sirius wouldn’t let me wait inside.”
“They probably wanted to see the surprise look on your eyes upon seeing Belfast.” Hood smiled knowingly. She added more before Enterprise could think of an answer, “oh dear, I apologise for having to cut our meeting short, but I’m afraid a car is already waiting for us. I look forward to talking more with you in the event, Enterprise.”
Enterprise nodded, and Hood started to continue walking before Wales could say anything to Enterprise. Wales passed a small apologetic smile towards the aircraft carrier as she followed Hood away. Hood can be straightforward, but to end a conversation in a rush with no regard for the other person in the room is something that comes ill-matched with her mannerism.
As Wales observed the lady, she spotted the change of the polite smile on her lips turned into a sad one. Wales pondered upon breaching the subject, confronting Hood with the fact that seeing Enterprise provoked jealousy. However, she silently waited until they were seated in the car before finally speaking.
“You should have been clear to her,” Wales started.
“Pardon- of what should I be clear?”
Wales sighed, looking straight into Hood's ocean blue eyes. “You were envious of Enterprise, did you?”
Hood stiffened and tore her eyes away from Wales, “why would I be envious of Enterprise?”
“How could you not? The head maid had a dashing date waiting diligently in front of her door while a lady of your standing is left to escort herself to the ball.”
“Wales, please never compare my standing with any other members of the Royal Navy. I consider all of them on the same footing as me. Together, we bring glory to our nation. A status that comes with our names does nothing but guide one to a role that suits them.” Hood warned.
“I apologise; that was unbecoming of me to word it as such.” Wales acknowledged the mistake with a nod. “However, my point still stands. You did envy her. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you wish Bismarck had done the same.”
“I would be lying to myself to object to that,” Hood admitted with a sad smile. “However, who am I to forbid one from performing her duty for her nation? Bismarck had confessed her true feelings for me, and I, for one, has wholeheartedly returned her love. That’s sufficient, isn’t it? Besides, this is just some silly ball.”
“No! You deserve her devotion even for small things. If I were-,” Wales swallowed, suddenly finding it difficult to continue her words. “If I were her, you would be my utmost importance. Even if it’s some silly ball, I will be right there, in front of your room door, anxiously waiting to be one of the first to see you in your beautiful dress.”
Hood's eyes widened. The sudden emotional burst had taken her by surprise. “Wales, I-“
“Because if she truly loves you, then that’s what she should do.” Her final sentence came out quieter than before. Afraid that she will show Hood far too much than what she’s willing to.
But it’s too late. From the way Hood stared at her, Wales realised that had accidentally conveyed her deepest feelings. Things that she had been hiding from her for so long now came pouring down like summer rain.
There was no running away from this. Wales took a deep breath and continued.
“That’s why I am here, Hood. That’s why I found it unacceptable. Because while I can handle losing you to another, it pains me to see that the other person isn’t giving you what I am eager to give you.”
By the end of her sentence Wales heard her own voice breaking. Not that it mattered now that the aftermath of her confessions is becoming more evident in her eyes.
For so long that she couldn’t remember a time where her heart didn't race faster upon the sight of the battlecruiser. Now she has laid her heart out in the open, giving Hood the reign to destroy her hope to pieces.
Love is indeed strange.
Often Wales wondered why couldn’t it be her?
Wales is also as respected as the other woman. She is capable enough in battle to protect Hood from any harm. To add to that, she is the one who has always been next to Hood from the very first day.
So why?
Why couldn’t she look at her the way she looked at that person? Why is it guilt that Wales sees now? Why couldn’t she give Wales that wide beautiful smile that she would give the other person, who is often too stoic to convey feelings properly?
Prince of Wales knew the answer. She had always known. Still, it didn’t stop her heart from aching.
“Forgive my ignorance, Wales. All this time, I have been inconsiderate of your feelings.” Hood squeezed Wales’s arm gently and gave her an apologetic smile while she carefully planned her next words. “Wales, you are not merely a gallant prince in my eyes but also my dearest friend. I feel honoured that you think of me that way. From my deepest heart, I only wish the best for you, Prince of Wales. I hope that someday you will find the one that can return your love.”
Oh, how Wales wished Hood would tell her to stay away instead.
But instead, Hood showed her the kindness that had sparked her heart to beat faster for the first time. The way Wales were hoping for the lady to do something uncharacteristic of her is ironic. It’s as if she still craved anything that would make her distinct in Hood’s eyes. Of course, none of that happened. After all, Hood is kind. She always does. Even the way she turned Wales down- is very kind.
Who would have thought that kindness could feel so terrible that it brings one sorrow?
~ Fin ~