Chapter Text
Yuu was currently standing against a pillar at a ball hosted by the Queen. While he himself wasn’t nobility, he was adopted by one, hence why he is here. Most of the nobility his age avoid him and mutter about their bias against his presence while the older ones would at the very least acknowledge his existence with a slight bow or forced smile. The older nobles know not to mess around with someone who is under the care of Divus Crewel.
Just as Yuu was about to leave for one of the balconies, the announcement horn was blown. “Her Majesty and the Crowned Prince!” Everyone turns and bow as the two enter the ballroom. They move to sit in their thrones and Her Majesty stomps her staff to signal everyone to stand straight.
“Thank you everyone for coming. It’s wonderful to see everyone tonight. As you are all aware, Malleus will soon be of marital age. This ball is to help him decide on a future partner. My son is wise enough that I believe he is fully capable of choosing for himself, so I will not partake. Now, please mingle amongst yourself.” As if a silence spell was broken, the room is immediately filled with chatter and noise once again.
Yuu sighs, now they were feeling hungry. He heads over to the sweets table and scans over the options. There are too many options to pick from and he doesn’t really know what he is craving right now. “Might I suggest the cake?” Yuu looks over their shoulder, making sure the person is talking to him. What he wasn’t expecting to see is the Crowned Prince himself.
“I greet the Crowned Prince,” Yuu bows.
Malleus signals for Yuu to stand. “No need, I informally approached you.” Yuu nods and stands up straight. “I noticed you seemed to be having trouble deciding on a desert so I was just hoping to help you a little.”
“Thank you. I had just narrowed it down between the cake and the macaroons.”
“The macaroons are good, however there are more macaroons than there are cake slices.”
“That is true…” Yuu hadn’t thought about it that way. “I shall try the cake then. Thank you again for your advice.”
Malleus stops Yuu before he can bow again. “No need, I just hope you enjoy the ball.” The Crowned Prince then leaves. Yuu takes a slice of cake and eats it as he goes to stand in the corner of the ballroom.
~~~~
“Hello again.”
“Hello again your royal highness.” Yuu gives a small smile.
“I hope you enjoyed the cake.” Malleus glances at the empty plate in Yuu’s hands.
“I greatly enjoyed it. I was surprised to learn there was a layer of ice cream in it.” Yuu didn’t think that party would be so extravagant even with the food that it required preservation magic to keep the food from melting.
“Yes, it’s my favorite part.” Not knowing what else to say the two stand in silence for a few seconds. The music changes to one of a dance. “May I have this dance?”
Yuu gasps as the Crowned Prince bows to him. “You’re aware I’m male, right?” While their appearance does come off as more feminine, it should still be very clear that they are a boy.
“I’m aware. My question still stands.” Malleus lifts his head to give Yuu a smile.
“Uhh…” Yuu slowly lifts his hand up. “Alright.” He places his hand in Malleus’s.
“Thank you.” Malleus’s eyes seem to glow green as he pulls Yuu to the dance floor.
~~~~
It felt like they were the only ones on the dance floor. It was the most fun Yuu has ever had dancing at a formal event. It was very weird being the female role but Malleus was a very good lead. "Thank you for the dance," Malleus bows again.
Yuu decides to do a little curtsy. "No. Thank you, your highness."
Malleus chuckles and bids Yuu a farewell before going to sit in his seat beside his mother. Just as Yuu steps out of the dance floor area, a horde of people come to question his relationship with the crowned prince.
There was too many people for Yuu to get any word in. The only thing that saves him is Crewel forcing his way through the crowd to his son. This causes everyone to disperse, not wanting Crewel's glare and possibly being black listed from his stores.
"So, care to tell me how you became acquainted with the Crowned Prince?" Crewel smirks.
“I was at the desert table when he came up to me to suggest I try the cake,” Yuu shrugs.
Crewel scans Yuu’s face for any deception but it seems like his son was telling the truth. “Are you sure that was your first run in with him?”
“Yeah… Pretty sure. It would be hard to forget meeting the crown prince.”
“True.” Crewel adopted Yuu when he was pretty young, so there wasn’t much time beforehand that Yuu could have run into the crowned prince. Before Crewel could tell Yuu about having a bad feeling, the announcement horn goes off again.
“His Royal Highness has picked his future partner! Can Yuu Crewel please come forward?”
Yuu’s eyes go wide. “I didn’t tell him my name.” Panicked, he looks up at Crewel for what to do.
Crewel bites their lip. It’s definitely too late to get out of here now. He can see Malleus grinning mischievously in their direction. “Go on, but be careful.” Yuu nods and slowly approaches the stairs in front of the throne. There is an uproar in arguments from the crowd.
Her Majesty stands up and stomps her staff. “Is there anyone who dares to question my son’s choice?” The room becomes silent, no one daring to be the target of her wrath. “Good. The rest of you may celebrate until midnight.” She then turns to her attendant. “Please lead Yuu and their guardian to Malleus’s drawing room.”
Hearing that, Crewel was immediately by Yuu’s side. “Are you still sure?”
“Not anymore.”