seventeen oneshots

beyond the masks (gyuhui)

LINK:

http://archiveofourown.org/works/12311520

Summary:

It was Mingyu's birthday, and his father, the King, decided to throw an extravagant masquerade ball. That night, he met the unforgettable "Violet Butterfly" of his dreams, but he let it flutter right out of his grasp the morning after.

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Mingyu looked down at the sea of guests mingling in the ballroom. Most of them were probably nobles, not like it really mattered. Despite the masks, Mingyu was sure he didn't know any of these people anyway, most of them were just here because, well, it'd be rude to turn down an invitation from the royal family. He had told his father thousands of times already, he didn't want an extravagant birthday party filled with people he didn't know, nor would he ever need to as he was the youngest prince in line. Unless his luck was really so bad that someone assassinates his twelve older siblings and leaves him alone.

He missed the days before his 13th birthday, back then only the princes that had come of age were treated so extravagantly. So every year Mingyu would sneak downstairs on his birthday, the servants would prepare a cake for him, and they'd have a quiet party together. But ever since he came of age, the King had restricted his activities more and more, stating that it was about time he understood the "line" between royalty and commoners.

Mingyu shook his head and plastered on a smile, greeting all the guests politely. It was easy to just stand there and look pretty, but it wasn't the best feeling in the world. When all the guests have arrived, Mingyu finally caught a break and promptly made a beeline to the balcony where he took in a deep breath of fresh air.

"God, that was terrible... just horrendous..." the young prince sighed, leaning against the white marble barrier, and looking up at the night sky. Such a waste of a beautiful night.

He heard a giggle, and glanced to the side, quickly straightening up his posture. A young man dressed in an emerald tux with gold embellishments stood by the door, a violet butterfly mask on his face. "I see I have found a companion. I am not so great with crowds myself." The masked young noble said, showing a friendly empathetic smile.

Mingyu showed a polite smile in kind, nodding towards the gentleman. "It is almost time for the last dance, are you not going to do some last minute mingling?"

"I was actually hoping I could have one dance with the young prince." The man replied lightheartedly, offering his hand as he did so.

Maybe it was the way he smiled so genuinely or the unassuming aura around him, but Mingyu found himself agreeing and leading the masked stranger onto the dance floor. Although it shouldn't be too surprising for a noble to be well-versed in ballroom dancing, the young prince found himself marveling at his footwork nonetheless. The way this Violet Butterfly carried himself with utmost elegance, yet smiles shyly when praised by onlookers. A sense of modesty that Mingyu hadn't seen in ages among the upperclass dwellers.

As they stepped off the dance floor to get refreshments, Mingyu decided to chat with the young man a bit more. The Violet Butterfly claimed he had come from a faraway kingdom just to attend the event, in the hopes of seeing the rumored youngest prince that could 'cause anyone to swoon right at his feet with just one glance.

"Well then, I hope I did not disappoint." Mingyu chuckled, embarrassed by the exaggeration.

The Violet Butterfly merely smiled mysteriously, so Mingyu turned his attention to the little pastries prepared at the dessert table. He swore he had only turned away for five seconds, but when he looked up again, someone else was already occupying the Violet Butterfly.