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Vox tried to hold still as his tailor worked on his suit, but he was filled with too much excitement. “It’s fine,” he whined. “Hey!” he cried as the seamstress poked him with a needle.
“Stop squirming,” Velvette warned. “It’s done and ready when I say it is.”
Vox stopped moving. “I just want to go already,” he complained.
“Well, you’ve got to look your best,” she reminded him. “Even if it is a ball for the common folk. You’re wearing my creations, you’re going to look stunning.”
Vox took a deep breath to calm himself. “You know, Mom met Dad at one of these things,” he told her. “You think I might meet my future spouse?” he asked softly.
“It’s always possible,” she agreed. “I thought your father was hoping you’d fall in love with another royal though, not a commoner.”
“I don’t know why,” he replied, “since he was a commoner.” Every year the royal family held a ball meant for the common people; it was a way for the royal family to give back to the people who were the backbone of their kingdom, to show their appreciation. His mother was the heir to the throne and had met his father at this ball. Vox knew it was silly, but he liked the idea of falling in love with someone who lived a simple life; that was what Vox really wanted, simple.
“Well, your father has some suitors for you that he’s been really hoping you’d be interested in. Even a gentlemen.”
He scoffed. “The ‘gentleman’ on his list is Valentino,” he reminded her. “And he’s a great time, but I could never be more than just friends with him.”
She shrugged. “You never know. Most good marriages start out as friendships.”
Vox sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe I just have this ridiculous idea of what love is supposed to be. I mean, I look at my parents and that’s all I want, someone I look at and just know I could never live without.”
Velvette chuckled. “Despite the fact that your parents are a bit of an outlier and fell in love at first sight, most relationships like that take time and effort. You think I took one look at Emily and knew she and I were supposed to be together?”
“You adore her,” he reminded her.
“Yes, because we work hard to make sure our marriage thrives with communication and understanding.”
Vox sighed. “I just wanna find my person, ya know?”
Velvette nodded. “I get it and you will; I’m sure of it. I’m just not sure it’s going to be at the ball this weekend.”
***
“You’re crazy!” Husk told Alastor when he brought up the idea of them sneaking in to the ball.
“I am, yes, but why?”
“Because this is some kind of event the king and queen host for the commoners,” Husk answered. “And you, sir, are not a commoner.”
Niffty giggled. “There’s really nothing common about you," she teased.
“Come on,” Alastor encouraged. “It’ll be fun! Besides, since it’s meant for the common folk, it’s not like we’ll be recognized. Most of the royal families don’t even recognize us since we’re all basically last in line for our thrones, I highly doubt the commoners are going to recognize us.” He paused. “Please, Husker, say you’ll come!? It won’t be nearly as enjoyable without your sour expression there.”
“Hardy har-har,” he replied, unamused. “Fine, I’ll go, but only to keep you out of trouble.”
Alastor grinned. “As if anyone were able to do that.”
***
Vox threw himself into the throng of people. He chatted casually with all the men, danced with every woman; he was exhausted. There were some that didn’t know he was the crown prince; he found those the most enjoyable to be around. If they knew he was next in line to inherit the throne, they either acted like they were too coy to be around him or treated him he was a God almost. There had been one or two who practically snubbed him, angry because they thought he felt he was better than them; did they not know that he was born from common blood as well?
He sat down in a corner, tucked away from the view of the rest of the room; he hadn’t realized being social could take so much out of a person. Vox wouldn’t have considered himself anti-social, but he was, more often than not, with his nose buried in a book than he was spending time with others. He was having a good time though.
His attention was pulled back to the room when he saw a tall, tan skinned gentleman walk in. He was beautiful! Unfortunately, it seemed everyone else thought he was too; everyone seemed drawn to him. Vox stood and made his way back onto the floor. He spoke with another gentleman whom he’d been trying to get a chance to talk with most of the night, but now his focus was on the tall dark-skinned man.
“Can’t you go anywhere and not draw attention to yourself?” Husk grumbled as he and Alastor made their way to the refreshments table.
“Jealous, Husker?”
“Why would I be jealous? I’ve got Angel.”
Alastor grinned. “And yet you’re here with me instead of back home with him,” he teased.
“Everyone knows who Angel is; there’s no way we could have kept our identities a secret if we invited him along,” he replied. “Besides, can’t I spend time with people other than him?”
“Yeah,” Niffty chimed in with a giggle, “they’re only gonna spend the rest of their lives together, can’t he fill at least some of his time without him?”
Alastor shrugged. “I suppose I was just surprised when you agreed to come at all. I know if I had someone, I wouldn’t want to do anything without them.” Alastor wouldn’t consider himself a helpless romantic or even an idealistic person, but as he watched his parents together, the way his step-father treasured his mother, he knew he wanted that as well.
“Evening,” someone called to them as they approached. Alastor looked up and thought his heart stopped beating. The man before him was breathing-taking; pale with dark hair and glasses over his mismatched eyes.
Alastor offered a kind smile. “I suppose it is. It’s interesting to think the word ‘night’ means the same thing and yet we can't use it as a way of greeting. However, we can still use ‘evening’ as a farewell the way we do with ‘night’.” Good God, he felt like an idiot. Explaining language like he was some scholarly know-it-all.
Vox smiled. “I’ve never really thought about it before, but you’re right.” He extended his hand. “I’m… Vincent.”
Alastor accepted his hand; he had a firm grasp and he liked the way the other man’s hand felt in his own. “Alastor,” he replied. He knew it wasn’t likely his name would be recognized. “A pleasure to meet you, Vincent.”
“Would you care to dance?” he blurted out. Same gender relationships weren’t looked down upon, but Vox still knew there were certain activities that were considered to be only meant for the heterosexual couples and dancing was one of them. His face heated up. “Sorry, I mean-”
“I’d be delighted,” Alastor answered. He still had Vox’s hand in his. “Come along!” he tugged on his hand and pulled him to the dancefloor. “So, how has your evening been?” he asked as they started to move to the rhythm of the music together.
“I’ve been here since the start practically,” he answered, “so, getting a little overstimulated with people.”
“Perhaps we should find a quiet corner to talk, just you and I after the song,” Alastor suggested. “I haven’t been here long,” he admitted, “but I completely understand being able to sustain only so much when it comes to dealing with others. I come from a rather large blended family, so I understand needing and wanting time on your own.”
“Blended? Step-family then?”
Alastor nodded. “My mother married my step-father not long after they’d both lost their life companions. I was an only child before then, now I have four brothers and two sisters.”
“Wow! That is a large family.”
He nodded. “It is. How about yourself?”
“I’m an only child,” he admitted. "My parents tried for years, so when I finally came along, they felt like their family was complete.”
Alastor nodded. “I think my father had always been afraid of being a parent, so one was enough for him. But my step-father, As…” He’d almost said his step-father’s name and that certainly would have given him away. “Ozzie, that man was made to be a father; it was truly his life’s calling.”
Vox smiled. “That’s cool to hear. I don’t know, I feel like a lot of men don’t think they can want a family because it makes them look weak or something.”
Alastor nodded again. “Agreed, but if you knew my step-father, you’d know that his family is a source of strength for him.”
“Well, he sounds like an amazing person,” Vox replied.
“He is.”
Once the song ended, they quickly made their way off the floor, both of them wanting to escape any other potential suitors that wanted their attention. Vox pulled him out to the gardens so they could be alone. Alastor looked around in amazement at the flora. “These are beautiful!” he noted as he studied a cosmo. “My mother would love these! Chocolate cosmos are her favorite! How do you think they get them to grow so big?!”
“Oh, my…” He quickly cut himself off. He reminded himself that he couldn’t let Alastor know that he was the crown prince and tell him what his mother did to take care of the gardens. He cleared his throat. “My mom is a bit of a gardener herself, so I’m pretty sure it has to do with the soil content. My mom uses bonemeal when she plants something new.”
“Fascinating!” Alastor reached out and touched the petals of the flower, gently stroking them as though petting a beloved dog.
Vox smiled. “Were it in my power, I’d have someone dig one up and put it in a pot so you could take it home to your mother.”
Alastor turned to look at him. “My mother would love that. Too bad you’d have to have permission from the royal family.” He turned his attention back to the flowers in front of him.
Vox nearly gave in and told him the truth right then and there! He wanted to gift him with the flower and every flower in the garden if he could. He wanted to gift the man with whatever his heart desired. They continued to walk the gardens and talk.
Alastor hadn’t known what to expect when he and his friends came there that night; he was just out to be entertained, but as he listened to Vincent talk about the animals of the sea, his beloved hound dog waiting at home for him, and the names of all the constellations, he knew he’d found what he truly wanted that night. But Alastor felt guilty for leading this commoner to believe he too was one of the common people. He didn’t have a throne to his name, but he was royalty nonetheless. As he was building the resolve to tell him, they heard two sets of feet swiftly making their way.
“Al, we gotta go,” Husk told him out of breath.
“I didn’t realize what time it was!” Niffty added. “It’s midnight! If we don’t go now, we’ll never make it in time before our parents realize we’re gone!”
“Fuck!” Alastor turned to Vox. He took his hand and kissed the back of it. “Vincent, it was a pleasure.” Then without another word, he turned and dashed out of the courtyard with his friends.
Vox stood there dumbfounded. He couldn’t let him get away! But what could he do?! He sighed to himself as he watched them disappear. “Goodbye, Alastor,” he whispered to the night air.
***
“Why so tired, Al Pal?” Asmodeus teased at breakfast the next morning.
Alastor looked up at him from across the table. “Just didn’t sleep well.”
One of his step-sisters chuckled. “Is it because you snuck off in the middle of the night to hang out with Niffty and Husk?” Alastor glared at her, but she just giggled.
Asmodeus’ expression turned serious. “Alastor?”
Alastor dropped his gaze.
“Ally?” his mother called for his attention next. “Did you?”
“Can we discuss this later?” he asked, not wanting to air his indiscretion out in front of his siblings.
Asmodeus sighed and went back to his meal.
***
“Mom,” Vox called as he stepped into the room, “I found the man I want to marry.”
Her eyes lit up. “Really?!” She paused. “Did you meet him last night at the ball?”
He nodded as he came to sit next to her. “I know Dad wants to me to marry someone noble, though I still don’t get why. He was a commoner when you met him!”
She smiled as she brushed his hair out of his face. “Your father just wants the best for you. Who is this young man you met?”
He shook his head. “The only name he gave me was Alastor. I don’t know how I’ll ever find him!” He paused in thought. “Well, he gave me his step-father’s name, Ozzie.”
His mom paused. “Ozzie?” she questioned. “Alastor? Asmodeus’ step-son Alastor?!”
Vox blinked at her. That couldn’t be right! The ball wasn’t meant for those of noble birth! But then it clicked, everything he told him about his family, his mother marrying his step-father not long after both of them had lost their companions, the six different step-siblings… “It has to be him!” he shouted as he stood up. He knew who he was, but now what was he going to do?
***
“Your mother and father have requested your presence in the throne room,” one of the manservants told Alastor.
He sighed. He knew they weren’t happy about him sneaking out of the palace, but they’d already berated him, what more could they say? “Fine.” He set his book down and made his way down the corridor to the throne room. He stepped into the room and stopped abruptly, his eyes growing wide.
Alastor’s step-father, Asmodeus, grinned. “Someone came to see you,” he said.
Vox stood there looking almost shy. He offered a soft smile to Alastor. “Hi, Alastor,” he greeted.
“How did you find me?” he asked.
Vox stepped closer. “You weren’t really very careful about name dropping,” he answered with a grin. “My mom recognized ‘Ozzie’ for the nickname some of the other royals have for Asmodeus.” He paused. “I guess I should come clean… I don’t typically go by ‘Vincent’. You’d probably know me better as ‘Vox’.” He held his beath as he waited for the other young man to respond.
Alastor stood there silently and let that process for a moment. “Vox? As in the house of Whittman?”
He nodded. “I wanted to tell you last night-”
Alastor interrupted him by laughing aloud. “Why… Why were you pretending to be a commoner?!” he asked amused.
“There’s a lot of different reactions I get when common folk know.” He paused as he looked down, almost embarrassed like. “I guess I just wanted to be seen for me.”
Alastor smiled as he stepped closer. “Well, Vox, I do see you for you.” He stopped moving when he standing right in front of him. Vox looked up and met his eyes. “I enjoyed your company immensely last night.”
He smiled excitedly. “I enjoyed your company too,” he replied.
Alastor was hesitant, but he’d been wanting to do it the whole time they walked the gardens together, so he finally reached out and took Vox’s hand in his. “Perhaps you would like to stay for a while? I can show you our gardens,” he suggested. “And then perhaps you could join us for dinner?”
Vox’s heart beat fast as he smiled at Alastor. “I’d like that.”