When Blindfolds Fall

11: The Ball of the Five Earls

The following night, Viktor stirred awake when he sensed an unusual emptiness in his bed. He inhaled deeply and rubbed his eyes as he patted the mattress in search of Josiah's warmth.

"Good evening." Josiah's voice sounded from the direction in front of him.

"Hm? Evening." Viktor squinted to see him.

Josiah came to his side and leaned over him to kiss his lips. He had just seemingly showered while Viktor was still naked and half-asleep.

"Come here." Viktor mumbled and Josiah yelped when he suddenly pulled him down and on his body.

"Viktor, I have to get going." Josiah giggled, but still snuggled up against his bare chest.

"What for?" The doctor grumbled.

"I need to get ready to make sure the final touches of the ball are in place."

"That's tonight?"

"Yes. You knew that." Josiah replied.

"No I didn't. Am I even invited?" Viktor looked down at him with a light scowl.

"You should be. I sent out the invitations to all the families. Did you not receive one?"

"Who did you address them to?"

"The earls. All of them." Josiah blinked.

"Hm, then that's why." Viktor yawned. "I'm not the earl of my family."

"Really? I thought you were? You're the royal doctor."

"They're not equivalent titles. So, can I still go, or am I just not invited?"

"Well, of course you can come. You're still a member of an earl family, even if you're not the head for some reason."

All of a sudden, Viktor flipped Josiah on his back and pinned his wrists above his head. Josiah instantly blushed and looked excited up at his mate.

However, Viktor only leaned in close enough, to tease his lips with the illusion of a kiss and whispered:

"I think what I actually meant to ask is: Am I still invited to attend it as the mate of the earl of the Aspen family?"

"Oh Viktor, you know we can't--"

"In secret then. As long as you know it and accept it."

Viktor released his hands and Josiah slowly smiled at him, stealing a similar reaction from the doctor. He kissed his cheek before he replied happily:

"I accept. Let us attend this ball as mates, in secret."

After Viktor finally gathered enough willpower to let Josiah go out of the room, he himself went to get ready in formal gathering clothes.

From the early evening until the arrival time of the guests, the ambassador of Lamia, and the head of the highest noble family of the kingdom, made sure everything was in order for the ball.

Come around midnight, the first few carriages of the guests finally started arriving to the entry courtyard of the ball room.

"Announcing the arrival of the Aspen and Anthurium families! Please welcome elder lord Kristoph Aspen, his daughter lady Beth Anthurium in company of earl Xerxes Anthurium and their only daughter, Jenessa Anthurium!" The royal announcer of the castle bellowed in a glamorous voice.

"Thank you Charles, b-but that's not really necessary quite yet. I'm the only one here." Josiah chuckled awkwardly and patted the announcer on his shoulder.

"Just doing my job lord Aspen!"

"I'm right here Charles, no need for y-yelling."

"Oh Josiah!" Beth Anthurium went towards her older brother to greet him.