His Hidden Jewel

Chapter 12

“Bunny, could you stand a bit taller?”

“Oh, yes Lady Yeke!”

Yeke sighs, placing her hands on her hips. “Bunny, how many times have I told you now? It’s just Yeke,” the elemental reminds kindly, but firmly.

“Sorry, it’s habit,” I blush rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly.

“Don’t worry about it, but could you please stand a bit taller? We’re almost done.” I stand taller, and Yeke finishes up tying the back of the dark red ball gown. It’s odd being in opposite positions, where someone else is helping me dress instead of the other way around. But in truth, I wouldn’t know what to do by myself, I’ve never worn or had to dress someone in a ball dress. Thankfully, Yeke was all too excited to help me.

“So? What do you think of the dress?!” Yeke asks excitedly as she moves me in front of a giant mirror in her guest room. The dress is a crimson red, with lace long sleeves that flowed at the end and laid off my shoulders. The dress encrusted with rubies and covered with lace, is thick with layers, adding more volume, and it goes down to my feet. The shoes are thick heeled shoes with the same red, and rubies encrusted on the heel. It’s extremely gorgeous, and way too pretty for me. Yeke also styled my hair, and had done my makeup.

I look very different.

“I love it, but it’s too pretty for me,” I admit softly.

“Nonsense! You are what makes the dress pretty,” Yeke affirms sternly, staring at me though the mirror.

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” master suddenly pipes in as he strides up to us. He must have come in when Yeke and I were busy chatting. My cheeks start to burn involuntarily; I suddenly feel very bashful.

After the night in the greenhouse, our dynamic changed a bit. He still acts the way he did before, but there’s a better understanding between us. It’s very odd being so close and yet so distant from master.

It was then I finally took in masters suit, and my blush goes up tenfold. We match. His ball suit is a crimson red as well, with black lace over it, and a few red jewels incrusted into it. He looks really dashin- “You know Marcel, I wasn’t sure at first but that color of red is perfect for Bunny’s eyes. I never realized this before, but Bunny’s purple eyes lean more towards reddish purple that straight purple.”

“I noticed that too,” Master agrees, and I don’t think my face can get any hotter.

When he meets my gaze, an amused smile curls at his lips. He reaches his arm out to me. “Shall we go, my dear?” My eyes widen in shock at the endearment, but take his arm nonetheless.

“I will see you both later in the ballroom, I’m going to go meet up with my date,” Yeke informs with a dopey smile, waving as she leaves the room in search of her pixie date. It was just master and I now, and why does his eyes suddenly feel so intense and yet so comforting?

“You do look very gorgeous Bunny,” master says again, and my blush instantly comes back, much to my embarrassment.

“Thank you,” I squeak, “you… look great too master.”

Master twitches slightly, but covers it with a nod. “Thank you. Now, with this ball you will be around more creatures than you ever have been before. Stay close to me, and don’t speak to anyone unless I permit it.” I nod in understanding, and master takes the initiative to start leading us to the ballroom.

We arrive to a large set of black doors encrusted with triangular rubies. The guards at the door instantly nod at master, and open the doors for us. My eyes widen. Inside is all jet black with blood red curtains and decorations. Tables filled with multitudes of food, and dozens upon dozens of creatures. They turn to stare as we pass, and I shuffle discretely closer to master, our sides nearly pressed together.

“Marcel!” Lord Heo Hofflock calls to master, a female were-creature with white, mousy-brown striped ears, and a thin pointed white tail, following behind. Her face is twisted in an annoyed scowl, visibly upset with something. I feel her watch me for a moment, only to quickly disregard my appearance. “Fashionably late as always.” Heo grins, clearly oblivious to his company’s mood.

“Heo, good to see you’re well.” Master greets in kind.

“As always, nothing can take me down,” Heo boasts with a feral grin.

“Not even Kipyo?” Master retorts, though it seems to be an inside joke between Heo and Marcel because even Heos company pulled a confused face.

“Oi! Shes a great warrior! Of course she’s gonna beat me in a fight. I just wasn’t expecting it okay,” Heo pouts. Suddenly the female were-creature clears her throat loudly, nudging Heos side as she did so.

Heo glances at her and perks up, as if he forgotten about the woman following him. “Oh yes Marcel, this is my fiancé, Lady Bebe Zeeke of Lybar. Bebe, this my old friend, Lord Marcillian Verdinin.”

“It’s a pleasure Lord Verdinin,” she answers sincerely, though I catch her discretely throwing a sour look towards Heo.

“Mine as well, my lady.”

“Have you seen Corrin yet?” Heo asks, seemingly forgetting about his fiancé yet again.

“Not yet, I just got here. I’m sure we’ll see him soon, as well as Yeke.”

Heo stiffens, a wry, fake smile curling his lips. “Yeke?” He asks, oblivious to the harsh look Bebe sends his way.

Marcel raises a brow.

“Yes, Yeke comes every year. That shouldn’t be a surprise to you Heo.”

“No, but I just… never mind. “ Heo shakes his head then plasters on a grin. “So, Marcel, interesting choice on red-“

“I think it was a lovely choice, they both look stunning in it,” Bebe cuts in, though while her words were genuine, there is a sharp smile on her lips. I had a feeling it was due to her company.

“I didn’t say it was bad,” Heo snaps, matching Bebe’s annoyed glare.

“This isn’t the place you two,” my master snaps in a low mutter, and in an instant both of the were-creatures straighten, and stop verbally fighting. But they do turn slightly away from one another.

“Why is everyone so tense?” Corrin remarks as he suddenly appears before the group, an easy going grin on his face. My hands involuntary tighten on masters arm, but I force myself to relax my grip.

“Corrin, you’re just in time. Heo and Lady Zeeke were about to stop acting like children.” Master comments with a cruel smirk, and both were-creatures flinch.

“Heo is no surprise, he’s always childish. It shouldn’t be a shock he would rub off on his fiancé,” Corrin laughs, with a cruel smirk directed at Heo, who Im assuming is glaring at him.

“Hmph, I have way more class than this overgrown cat,” Bebe huffs.

“You two may just be made for one another,” master sighs. Both Bebe and Heo share matching offended looks, I had to control a laugh, coughing into my elbow. Master catches my gaze my an amused look; he knew I just covered up a laugh..

“Hello guys,” Yeke’s voice suddenly cuts in, and out of the corner of my eye I see Yeke, and a golden version of Peta in a long, gleaming white dress, arrives.

“Yeke, welcome,” master nods.

“It was hard to find you all for a moment, and then I saw that dazzling red pair. You two really stick out in the crowd, in a good way! Everybody nearby can’t get enough of you two.” Yeke gushes, and I blush at the compliment.

“They do,” Corrin agrees. “If she wasn’t Marcels slave, they would probably look like the Silvonyas mascot power couple.”

“I can see that!” Yeke gushes even more. My cheeks warm but I’m quick to push it down. “Oh, Im so sorry Pria. Everyone this is my date, Pria Norin, Pria this is Corrin Blasmire, Heo Hoftlock, Heo’s fiancé Bebe Zeeke, Marcel Verdinin, and Bunny.”

“Nice to meet all,” Pria smiles sincerely. Her voice is deeper than Petas but was more smooth and soft. She already strikes me as a gentle soul; I hope her and Yeke work out. .

“Pleasure to finally meet you Lady Norin,” master greets with a slight head bow, and Pria curtsies back. Heo shoots master a discrete, hurt glare but either master didn’t notice or didn’t care.

“Please just Pria,” she assures gently.

“How did you two meet?” Heo suddenly asks, a tight smile on his lips.

I can imagine Yekes eyes narrowing. Yeke goes to open her mouth, but master suddenly interrupts the brewing the fight. “While this has been amusing, we’re going to go mingle. You all have fun,” master excuses himself, as Yeke nods.

As we walk away, for what would be a long night of him speaking business with many lords, we don’t hear Heo say, “did he say “we’re”?”

“So?” Yeke asks with an unimpressed expression.

“You know for master and slave, they seem pretty close.” Heo comments.

“Don’t say stuff like that in here,” Yeke chastises in a harsh whisper just loud enough for the group to hear.

“What?”

Yeke rolls her eyes at his stupidity. She gives Pria a sweet smile and holds her arm out to the pixie. “Would you like to dance, my lady?”

Pria giggles. “I would love too.”

She takes Yekes arm and the two head to the dance floor. Heo watching incredulously and slightly furiously.

“What was she even talking about? What stuff?” Heo says to Corrin in genuine confusion.

Corrin shakes his head. “You are an idiot.” He takes off without another word, leaving Heo gaping and confused. Finally remembering his fiancé again, the were-tiger turns to ask the were-ferret but a heated glare from her has him shutting his mouth.

OooooooooooooooooooooO

I’m not sure how long the party has gone on, my feet are starting to hurt, but master is still at it, flawlessly charming every noble with a practiced ease that it made it seem he could do this in his sleep. Eventually, as master was charming the shoes off a group of other vampires, King Volkari suddenly approaches master, placing a hand on masters shoulder.

“My nephew! How are you this evening?” He asks in chipper tone that seems genuine, but I can see his smile a tight, almost like he’s upset. Master stiffens just slightly, not enough for other people to notice and I only did because I’m still holding his arm.

“I am well uncle. Excuse us please, my uncle and I would like a moment to catch up.” Master excuses swiftly , and the nobles are quick to say they understand, and they disperse. Once they’re gone, master turns back to his uncle. “Is there something wrong uncle?”

“Why don’t you send off your slave for a moment too, to go get us drinks?” Volkari offers instead. Master clenches his jaw.

“Very well,” Master complies. “Slave,” he turns his head to look at me, “go to the table and get three glasses of punch.” I hide the flash of shock I feel, remembering masters earlier orders, but I comply with a small bow.

“Yes master,” I reply gently, and turn away from the two vampires towards the punch bowl on the other side of the massive ball room, gently moving through the crowds of peering eyes.

OoooooooooooooooooO

Marcel raises his brows once Bunny leaves. “Well?”

“Come, not out here,” the king urges, motioning to kings ballroom balcony. It’s quiet, except for the crickets out, and the night sky is filled with stars. “Marcel,” Volkari suddenly turns to Marcel, a dark look in his red eyes. “Where is your date tonight?”

“I didn’t bring one.” Marcel answers simply, as if it was obvious. “I didn’t want to bring one. I didn’t realize that would offend you so.”

“I don’t care if you bring a date or not,” Volkari huffs angrily. “However, do you realize how it looks when all you brought was your slave?! Especially dressed as it is?! You look like your trying to stake a claim on it.” The king shudders, like the very thought disgusts him.

Marcel stiffens, his chest tight in fury; his eyes narrow calmly. “But it’s clear I am not. The whole world knows about her existence now, and they also all know she’s a slave. They know she literally can’t life mate with anyone because of it; they wouldn’t make the presumptions and if they did they’re a complete i***t! Besides, she’s property of Silvonya, I can’t have her dressed in rags when she’s representing Silvonya.”

Volkari grinds his teeth. “Marcel, this still looks very bad, but I understand your reasoning. I think you should start distancing yourself from the girl though; no matter her station, it still looks a little odd.”

The younger vampire fights the urge to strangle his uncle, but nods. “ I understand uncle.” He lies.

“Good. You’re excused.”

Marcel gives a short bow before stalking out, grinding his teeth is annoyance. He pushes his anger towards his uncle away, focusing on finding a little Bunny running around.