Runaways [MikaYuu]

Chapter One

Chapter One

Our story began with a ball, which was typical for this kind of fairy tale. This ball was held to seal a business deal between two powerful kingdoms and successful families; the Ichinoses and the Hiragis.

Those who were lucky enough to attend the ball had brought their brightest smiles and most expensive outfits, those who didn't whispered among themselves about how it was the "dance of the decade" as they longed to join the guest list. Sealing a deal like this would create an alliance that would leave peace among the nation for centuries, but one final detail had to be dealt with before this alliance could be made.

To fully unite the Ichinoses and the Hiragis, the heirs, Yuichiro Ichinose and Shinoa Hiragi would join hands in marriage when they turned eighteen, and Shinoa would then become the Princess of Drelacia.

Just a few more months until I turn eighteen, Yuichiro thought, lost in his own thoughts as the party melted into background noise in his head. Who knows what will happen in that time.

The Ichinose ballroom sparkled with way too much crystal for Yuichiro's taste; whereas his mother loved the glittery diamonds that flaunted their wealth, Yuichiro found it tacky. Of course, he'd never tell his mother this. She'd be heartbroken, and his father would get angry that he spoke out of turn, and to be disrespectful, no less. Yuuchiro glanced longingly at the champagne on the refreshments table, desperately wanting another glass or two to help him get through the night.

The ballroom was massive, and even though almost a hundred people had been invited to the party, the room still felt empty with it's sky-high ceiling and enormous windows allowing the setting sun to cast in orange light.

Yuichiro watched the dancers for a while as he waited for his girlfriend to arrive on the scene. Shinoa was always fashionably late. She loved to make an entrance.

Five minutes after the clock struck seven, Yuichiro watched Shinoa stroll in. Her ruby-red strappy heels matched the blood-red carpet rolled out for the occasion. The carpet itself was a striking difference to the usual frosted-white furniture in the house.

She was striking. That would exactly be the word Yuichiro would use to describe Shinoa. Her breezy maroon evening dress swished against her ankles as she sashayed down the carpet, transforming it into a fashion runway. Her lilac hair was done up in an elegant braided updo. She wasn't nervous at all; Shinoa was the girl who truly belonged in this kind of world. She really did fit the mold for a princess.

When they approached each other, Yuichiro smiled warmly as he extended his hand out. She took his hand with her gloved one, and as their fingers intertwined for the billionth time, it felt normal, like they were born to be laced together. They immediately headed for the dance floor just as the musician began to play the waltz, dissolving into the crowd.

The music spun around them, sucking the gravity out of the room. The fluidity of the dancers melted into the steady melody of the piano, twirling like tops. The ladies' evening dresses unraveled in velvety colors. even with years of dance lessons, Yuichiro never felt like he belonged at these damn parties.

Shinoa's poised her body upright as they swirled around the room. She scoped out the other people, all adults in their late twenties, at least. Of course they'd be the only kids there, but Yuichiro subconsciously knew it wasn't her age that made Shinoa always stand out.

Uncomfortable as always, Yuichiro clenched his teeth but continued to dance. He nearly stepped on Shinoa's foot from time to time, and she would giggle and shake it off as he blushed and apologized.

When the song ended - finally, thought Yuichiro - one of the castle butlers approached them.

"Prince Yuichiro and Princess Shinoa, your fathers are requesting your immediate presence," He explained with a bow. Yuichiro and Shinoa exhanged a look before she thanked him and they headed towards the dining tables.