Sincerely, The Enemy. (BL)

The Banquet

    I approached the palace in my car, a long line of traffic ahead of me. It had taken a while to go up the hill already. I sighed patiently waiting my turn. Finally, once it got to me, I hopped out of the car, giving the valet driver my keys. I approached the main entrance, other guests buzzing with excitement. Large wooden doors opened to show a large staircase, breaking two ways to two different wings of the palace. I walked in the line of people up that gray carpeted staircase as we pooled into the main ballroom. The walls were a pale-pink color with swirls of gold trailing all the way to the curved ceiling above. Marbled floors reflected the light coming from the glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling. One half was covered with rectangular tables of food and circular tables for eating, the other half was a cleared space for dancing. A small orchestra sat in the corner chatting amongst themselves, until they focused their attention on someone in the front of our group.

    “Ladies and Gentleman, may I have your attention please,” The voice called out, I focused my attention on them. It was someone wearing a butler uniform and a black mask. “Thank you for coming to the Queen’s banquet,” He said. “Though you may be wondering what this banquet is for, we will tell you that once the banquet comes to a close,” Murmurs spread through the crowd. “Do not worry, it is not anything negative in any way, there is food to your left and you are able to dance in the space to your right, the castle is open to free roam, but east wing is closed off,” Everyone’s eyes followed the butler's hands, gesturing to general directions, as he explained, “The most important thing is to remember to have fun,” He closed off as he stepped back and the room bursted with music. 

    People dispersed some trying to grab some food, some dancing to the music. I decided to grab a glass of wine, stepping back and observing everyone. At the back of the room, there were cases of jewelry on display. A few people, walking up to the velvet stanchion separating them from the cases. No matter what, no one dared to go past the stanchion. Since it seemed that no one would steal anything, I decided to enjoy the party while it lasted. I walked back down to the dancing space, joining into the waltzing. I was partnered with a woman in a blue lace dress. She was a nice dancer, we had small talk while we twirled to the music. Yet after a while we had changed partners, this time it was a man. I didn’t judge. He was tall, and I didn’t bother to look at his face because I was still checking up on the glass cases. 

    “Business only? Can’t you just go to a banquet to have fun, or are you always on duty?” The man sighed. His voice. I recognized his voice, it was too familiar. I looked up immediately. That jet black mask shimmered in the light. Jack. His short blonde hair swayed with the movement.

    This is what he meant by ‘See you soon’?! “What are you doing here?” I yelled urgently, but quiet so no one else would hear. I should probably apprehend him right here and now. But for some reason, I didn’t.

    “Can’t a man enjoy a banquet without being questioned?” He smirked. I sighed and we continued dancing, the music was fast paced and rushing. “Though it was nice to see you again Flynn,” He dipped me, lifting me back up and twirling me in the air. He placed me back down gently. I caught my breath. He was a good dancer, I admit. But despite people saying he steals all these things, he doesn’t seem like a bad person. It confused me to the point of stressing me out. I stared at him blankly and he smiled, almost amused at my expression. 

    We had to switch partners again. I watched him twirl away from me as the song continued. My curiosity couldn’t handle it. Why is he acting this way? What’s his goal with me? Why hasn’t he stolen anything yet? I need to wait to make sure that he is who we’re looking for. The song slowly came to an end. As I looked around for him quickly. If I lost sight of him for one second something might happen. At least that's what I tell myself. Suddenly I spotted him, he pointed to his blazer pocket with a wink as he disappeared behind the doors exiting the ballroom. Blazer pocket? I reached into my own, skeptical. Surprisingly I felt a folded piece of paper laying in the folds. How did he- what? I took the paper out of my pocket, observing the contents. 

    “Meet me on the west wing balcony ;)” That was on the note. I flinched. I have to get up there as soon as possible. I took the note grasping it in my hand as I rushed out the door after him. 

    I pushed open the balcony door to see Jack unsurprisingly already there. He was faced away from me, seemingly looking up at the sky. I took a step forward as he turned around a bright smile plastered onto his face. 

    “Wow Detective! Didn’t think you would actually come~” He sang. 

    “Well I have to keep an eye on you so that nothing happens,” I shrugged. Jack nodded as if he was in the process of some understanding. 

    “Of course, of course,” He took a deep breath. “But I must say you are one hell of a dancer,” He held his hand out. I paused. After a few moments of silence he withdrew his hand. “Well, I’m slightly hurt but that was expected,” He was about to say something then stopped. “Though, it is odd how Detective Flynn Mernil is playing babysitter,” He turned back around and leaned forward onto the railing, continuing to look back up at the sky. Hesitantly, I approached the railing, leaning next to him. Those questions that I still have burning a hole in my brain. I would ask him now, but- should I? I faced him.

    “Say, Jack…” I trailed off, he gave me a side glance nodding. “Are you really JY?” He flinched as he turned to fully look at me, his eyes narrowing in confusion. 

    “What?” He asked. His shocked expression slowly dissipated as he started laughing. But something was definitely off. “Why would I lie about that? A prank? Some sort of revenge plot?” He continued to laugh, his face falling into his hand.

    “Well the question is, why did you tell me?” I gazed at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking, but he was just too hard to read. His gaze wandered. Then he hummed. 

    “Well that’s because I like you, detective,” He smiled. I paused. What? Asking this only made things more confusing. What does he even mean, is this some sort of clue or something? I sighed. Seeing as asking him anything, I don’t think anything he says can help nor can I trust. I’ll just have to do this myself. I turned back to the sky. The shimmering lights of the city underneath the castle on a hill. I smiled softly. I could feel Jack’s eyes on me but I care that much. Suddenly a nearby clock tower chimed, signaling that the time was 9 PM. The ball concluded in an hour. But with that chime, I saw a side of Jack I’ve never seen before. He looked almost panicky as he looked around frantically muttering “shoot” under his breath. 

    “Jack? Whats-” He immediately remembered my presence as his expression changed from a frown to a smirk. But I could still see the fear behind his eyes. 

    “Say it was great acting as a distraction but I have to go now, bye!” He ran back inside, the door slamming behind him. Distraction? What is he even going on about? Wait. Distraction. I rushed back in as well. I know with the way he was acting he might be lying, but just to make sure. I bursted into the room and people’s conversations stopped a few of them murmuring. I cleared my throat as my eyes wandered to the glass cases. Nothing happened, no one was even near them. I sighed with relief as I paid my attention back to the crowd. 

    “Sorry, as you were,” I smiled awkwardly as the conversations continued. But it was short-lived. 

    “Ladies and Gentleman!” That same person who addressed the banquet earlier stepped up on a platform as a curtain I didn’t even notice opened revealing the Queen smiling. Everyone stopped chattering as their attention all fell on the Queen. 

    “Hello everyone,” Everyone murmured a greeting back. “I’m glad to see nothing went wrong but I have an announcement to make.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I’m sure you all were wondering what this banquet was for, and I’m sure this may come as a shock to you but-..” She cut herself off, “Well-, I’m going to be stepping down as queen,” A burst of surprise spread through the crowd as a few people gasped, one fainted and a few started crying. The queen looked uncomfortable. “Now, now don’t worry,” She said into the mic as everyone fell silent. “I’m going to be entrusting this kingdom to my beloved son, Prince James Yael!” She announced. She stepped aside, leaving a boy to step up towards the mic. His blonde hair waved slightly, a clear smirk on his face. A light blue masquerade mask covered his face, but even with that who he was is clear as day. 

No way. 

Thank you for reading, if anything's weird or wonky. Just tell me and I'll get right to fixing it. I feel like from now on the updates are going to come pretty far away from each other because I have school. Sorryy. Thank you! - Fujo.