Freeing Cinderella

Ch.6 A Tangled Dance - Pt.1

[A\N: Photo above is Yugi's masquerade mask.]

"Yugi!" A female called.

The boy turned around to see a girl about his age running over to him. When she finally reached him, she leaned over and grabbed her knees to catch her breath since it looked like she had been running all over the castle just to look for him. Once the girl's panting had seized and she was able to breathe normally, she stood up straight to gaze at Yugi, both aroubd the same height level. The girl that had run up to him, seeming in a hurry for some reason, had chocolate brown hair that went a bit past her shoulders, her thick bangs framing emerald green eyes and slightly tanned skin. "I'm so glad I caught up to you." She said, seeming out of breath. "I've been running all over the castle looking for you, but I'm grateful I managed to find you in this huge place."

"What is it, Mana?"

"It's Princess Hikari. She told me that she would like to see you in her chambers -- she says it's very important and to fetch you right away due to urgency." She explained. "But you must hurry, for the ball will begin very soon and guests shall be arriving."

Yugi nodded with a smile. "Okay, thank you, Mana!" He said before running off to go see Hikari.

Knock knock knock!

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal Yugi as Hikari gave a warm smile. "Hello, Yugi. I'm glad Mana managed to find you."

"You wanted to see me, princes -- err, Hikari?" Yugi corrected himself as the princess smiled again at his adorableness.

"That is correct." She closed the book in her hands and set it down before getting up from the chair she was seated in. Hikari went over to her closet and took something out covered by a black cloak before bringing it over to Yugi and handing it to him. "Your costume is complete for the ball tonight."

Yugi took the outfit and pulled back the cloak covering it just to get a glimpse at it as he gasped in awe, the princess giving a warm grin at his enthused reaction. "Do you like it?" She asked. "I hope you do not mind the colors, however, I thought they might fit best, for they suited your eyes."

"It's amazing! I love it!" Yugi said in excitement before he set the outfit down only to throw his arms around the princess in a tight embrace.. "Thank you so much, Hikari! I don't know how I could ever repay you!"

She smiled softer this time, wrapping her arms around the smaller boy. "Nonsense, there is no debt to repay. I only wish the best for you, Yugi. Now you must hurry; the ball will be starting soon, so you should get changed quickly before everything is underway."

Yugi pulled back with a bright smile. "Okay! I'm going to help Mana and Joey get changed and then I'll put the outfit on. Thank you again, Hikari!" He then grabbed the outfit and took off, Hikari smiling happily as he made his leave.

"You are most certainly going to be in for a wonderful surprise this night, big brother."

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Yami looked at himself in the mirror, Hikari coming up behind him as she placed her hands upon his broad shoulders with a gentle smile gracing her beautiful features. "You look absolutely wonderful, Yami, simply perfect. The guests will surely take quite the liking to your costume on such a glorious evening."

The prince let out a depressed sigh. "Yes, though it would be even more perfect if only Yigi were there to see it this night... I do hope he will be there, for I wish to share this with him..." This alone saddened Yami, unsure of Yugi would be attending the ball.