Thief of Princes (Kid Blink x Reader)

thirty-six

𝔗𝔥𝔢 doors swung open and you forced yourself to walk inside. The herald, who'd assumed his job was over, scurried back and announced your presence, which you could have done without. 

Slowly you descended the stairs -- of course there were stairs-- down to the main floor. Your eyes darted around the room, taking in all the people. There were so many... and then you saw the familiar blond head pushing its way through the crowds and stopping next to you. 

"Princess," He greeted you, bowing. 

You dropped into a curtsy, conscious of all the eyes on you. "Your Highness," You murmured, straightening. 

He smiled, offering you his arm. As you took it, you heard the surprised whispers around you rise and then ebb again. 

"You know how to make an entrance, Princess." Blind Diamond mumbled in your ear, leading you towards the place he'd vacated to find you. 

"It's not my fault, I'm naturally amazing." 

He grinned at you, stopping near the table of appetizers that had been laid out. 

Your stomach growled lowly at the sight, and you blushed slightly. His smile widened. "I thought you might be hungry." 

"Why thank you." You smiled back at him, accepting the small gold-crusted plate he offered you and taking the liberty of filling it with those little sausage thingies wrapped in pastry. And honey mustard on the side. 

Kid Blink nodded and grabbed a couple grapes, popping them into his mouth. "Of course. So, crash course: everyone's nobility here, everyone wants to be ranked higher, everyone's in 'love' with me, and they're all self-centered narcissists." 

You raised an eyebrow slightly at him. "I take it you're not a fan of your court." 

"It's not my court;  it's my father's." He said, as if that explained it. Which it did, actually. "Now. As unfortunate as it is, the king has decided to announce the engagement at the end of the ball. Hence, it's required I dance with all those lovely young eligible daughters their parents are just dying to make queen." He screwed up his nose, looking so comical you nearly laughed. 

"I thought, if you didn't want to dance, you could hide out over here." He motioned to the food table. "But I do insist you dance with me at least once." He said in a soft voice. 

"I believe that could be arranged." You said with a nod. A dance or two with him along with these little sausages-- ooh, and you could see mini quiches over there-- didn't sound too bad at all, really. 

He smiled at you, pulled you close, and delivered a quick kiss to the tip of your nose before melting back into the crowd. You forced yourself to blink, glad you hadn't dropped your plate. 

Unfortunately, as soon as you'd finished the small plate of sausages and started to make your way over to the quiche, you spotted Zane coming towards you with very clear intentions as the band began a familiar song. Oh no. 

Your panicked expression must have shown as you turned to pretend you hadn't seen, because you were stopped by a young man, about your age. "Would you care to dance?" 

When you spied Zane over the boy's shoulder again, you nodded hastily. "I would love to." 

You quickly took the man's proffered arm as he swept you into the fast-paced rhythm of the dance. 

"So I haven't seen you before," He said, trying to make conversation. "I'm Jack." 

"Y/N," You responded, wondering how he'd missed your 'entrance'. "Who's your family?" You asked, since the name vaguely rang a bell.

"No one you'd know. I'm not technically supposed to be here." He explained with a daredevil smile. "But I thought you could stand with a bit of rescuing from the expression on your face. I can only save you for one dance, I'm afraid. The little sausage thingies need refilling, and Cook'll have my head if I'm not back in time to help with whatever weird things he needs." 

Ohhhh. He was a waiter. Okay, that made sense, actually. "Well it's lovely to meet you." You said politely. 

"Likewise." He smiled. "And who's your family, then? Anyone I'd know?" 

"Oh-- probably not." You said with a small shrug. The two of you spun past a couple. You immediately recognized the prince, who looked bored out of his mind, but who's expression brightened immediately upon seeing you-- and then immediately shifted into confusion and then what you thought may have been slight... jealousy. 

The dance came to an end soon after that, and Jack dipped you lightly at the end just for fun. You laughed slightly, surprisingly enjoying the dance. "I must thank you for that."

"Anytime, Y/N." He winked at you. "Shall I save you the trouble and just give these to you?" He teased lightly as he picked up his tray of small sausage things, beginning to place them in their spot. 

"Hey!" You laughed. "Actually I think I'll be having some quiche now, if you don't mind." 

"I'll make sure to send some extras out next then." 

You shook your head as Jack grinned and left you with a parting wave. 

Turning slightly, you were met with Blind Diamond at your elbow.

"Hello," You said, blinking at him.

"Hello. Who was that?" 

"Straight to the point." You smirked slightly at him. "His name was Jack." 

Blink was apparently waiting for more. 

"He was dancing with me so Zane wouldn't ask." You said pointedly. 

The prince nodded slowly, relaxing somewhat. "Case as it may be... you're mine for the next dance." 

You quirked an eyebrow at him. 

"Please?" He added meekly. 

"I suppose." You shrugged slowly and took a bite of your quiche. Oo, yum. Maybe Jack wasn't wrong about needing to refill them... 

"I'll be right back, just need to clear my card." Blink said, disappearing whilst you were eating. 

You shrugged a bit, sighing internally as another boy started towards you. I'm too popular for my own good.

This one looked young. It was probably his first ball, from the nervous way he looked around, and you frowned a bit. Maybe you weren't as scary as you thought.

He approached, but right as he was about to say something Blink appeared and took your hand. The boy turned tail immediately. 

"I think you've terrified that one." You commented as the prince led you onto the dance floor. 

"He'll be fine, as long as he stays away from my Princess." Blind Diamond said, perhaps a bit louder than strictly necessary. You rolled your eyes. The other couples around you scooted slightly away, and you rolled them again. 

"You're entirely too possessive." 

"I thought you liked me that way." 

"I don't, actually," You said, blushing for no apparent reason. 

"I'm just trying to protect you, Princess." He said, noting your blush. 

"What if I don't need your protection?" 

"But you do." He cut off your started protest with, "You don't know Kozmir, Princess. You need me if you're going to make it out."

"But you don't have to be a jerk about it," You mumbled. 

He softened almost immediately. "I'm sorry. I just want you to be safe." 

"Then you never should have 'captured' me." You said, right on cue as the dance came to an end. "Thank you for the dance, Your Highness." 

"The pleasure was mine." Blink said softly, watching as you spun on your heel and walked away.