Freeing Cinderella

Ch.7 A Tangled Dance - Pt.2

"Impossible... Is...is that really you...Yusei?"

He gave a nod as Hikari removed her mask, going up to the male, though still in shock and disbelief. "Yes, Hikari, it's me, Yusei..."

Tears brimmed her violet red eyes as she threw herself into the male. "Oh, by the Egyptian Gods! I thought you had perished during the war!"

"No, I didn't, but my father did..." He said sadly.

Hikari pulled away from Yusei to stare into those cerulean orbs she fell head over heels for as he wiped the tears from her face. "I'm so sorry, Yusei... When did you return to the kingdom?"

"Nearly a month ago. I'm staying with the king of your neighborhood kingdom."

"You mean King Jack Atlas and Queen Carly?"

"Yes, I'm staying with Jack and his steward, Crow with my younger sister, Kairi. You remember her as well, correct?"

She gave a nod. "Yes, I remember her, but why did you not tell me you had returned much sooner?" Hikari asked.

Yusei let his eyes trail away from her gaze. "Because I was unsure if you remembered me or not..."

Hikari lifted her hand, placing it on Yusei's cheek as he gazed at her again, grasping her hand in his own. "Yusei, I may have only been a mere child, but regardless, you were not only my very close friend, but my first love as well. I could never forget the one who held a special place in my heart. Once you left after my mother's death, I only thought of you every waking moment of every day... I have never forgotten about you, Yusei, nor will I ever..."

The raven gripped Hikari's hand tightly before wrapping his arms around her tightly. "I'm sorry for not coming to you sooner..." But Yusei suddenly pulled back, surprising Hikari as he put his mask back on his handsome face before holding an outstretched hand out to her, the other behind his back. "Princess Hikari, may I have this dance so that I may be your prince, even if for just this night?"

Hikari smiled as she put her mask back on before gently placing her hand in Yusei's larger one. "You are already my prince, Yusei, you need not dress like one. You have already stolen my heart..."

Yusei smiled as he pulled Hikari in. "And you have stolen my heart, my princess."

The two then began to dance, Yusei twirling Hikari around on that balcony. As they danced, both were very happy and content in each other's arms, glad to have finally been reunited once again after so many years of being apart...

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Joey walked around the ballroom through the crowd aimlessly, trying to figure out what to do. Joey's outfit consisted of a red, long sleeve, button up shirt, some of the buttons undone; black pants; black and red belt; black dress shoes; a black overcoat that was open; and a black tie loosely around his neck. The mask on his face was all red with black swirls and markings all around it. As he walked, the blonde male would get glances from other women, but each glance he got only seemed to sadden him... He didn't want to dance with any of the women there, for he just didn't seem to like the thought of that -- dancing with another woman. There was only one person he truly wished to dance with, though he couldn't seem to find him the entire night, not that he would likely get what he wanted even if he did find the one he wished to see. Soon enough, Joey let out a low sigh as he found himself on a vacant balcony, walking up to the railing. He folded his arms on said railing before leaning his chin on them as he let out another sigh. If only he could, though he was just a steward, so why would he want to dance with someone as low class as he? It didn't matter, for Joey simply wanted to leave, not wanting a reminder of something he knew he couldn't have, but desperately wanted.