Street Mouse [Yandere Archduke x Female Reader]

45. A Winter Ball pt2.

Autumn passed quickly, and before the inhabitants of Castle de Crivell knew what happened, a thick blanket of white snow was covering the mountains. Over the past few weeks, the castle staff had been working tirelessly putting up golden decorations for the celebration of the previous Archduke and Archduchess' wedding anniversary.

It was the eve of the anniversary, and Y/N and Abela were currently engaged in getting themselves ready for the party that evening. It was going to be a much smaller affair than the party they girls had thrown on Frosino's return, seeing as only the castle staff and residents were going to attend, but the two girls still wanted to look presentable.

Just like before, the two girls helped each other into their gowns, only this time, they were both the same golden color. The dresses still had their differences though, Y/N's was slimmer in the skirt, and had a long train, while Abela's had a full skirt, and was very puffy.

After that Abela did up both her hair and Y/N's hair elaborately with golden pins and jewels. Abela also fastened a beautiful golden necklace around her neck, but Y/N refused to wear anything other than her ring necklace.

"Why do you always wear that thing?" Abela asked, grabbing hold of the chain to get a better look at the ring. "You have had it for as long as I've known you."

"It was a gift," Y/N said, snatching the wooden ring back protectively. "From a b-boy, I used to know."

"Oooh, spill," Abela squealed, holding Y/N's hands in hers. "What's his name? What does he look like? Do you fancy him?"

"Slow down Abela," Y/N said, blushing in embarrassment. "Of course I don't 'fancy' him, we were too young to be thinking about such things. All I can remember is that he had very striking amber eyes and that we were close. His name was Paety."

"What about you and Ilidoro?" Y/N asked, wanting to change the subject before Abela asked her if she currently fancied anyone. "You two seem to have gotten much closer ever since we went for that ride this past fall."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Abela protested, puffing out her pale cheeks. "You are just making things up Y/N."

"You can't fool me," Y/N teased her blonde friend. "You have already told me that you fancy him, and I think he fancies you too."

"Oh, nonsense," She argued. "I don't fancy him, and he certainly does not fancy me."

Before Y/N could push the topic any further, Abela grabbed her hands and started to lead her through the halls of the castle. "Come on, we best be going down to the ballroom now, if we don't hurry we will just be late instead of fashionably late."

. . .

The two friends entered the ballroom arm and arm. The room gave off a very different feeling now that it was not filled with people like it had been at the last party, but the golden glow shining from the chandeliers and reflecting off of the many golden things in the room kept the place feeling inviting.

Y/N was happy to see that all of the servants were in attendance, Frosino had given them the evening off and said that they were more than welcome to join in on the festivities. Her heart started to beat far too quickly in her chest as she made eye contact with a familiar pair of indigo eyes.

Frosino stood near the center of the ballroom, clad in a handsomely tailored gold waistcoat. Ilidoro was standing somewhere on Frosino's left, but Y/N didn't really notice as here attention was fixed solely on the Archduke.

He smiled at her approach and offered a gloved hand to her, she accepted it and returned his smile, hoping that the butterflies she was feeling in her stomach wouldn't come out of her mouth when she tried to speak.

"Good evening Y/N, you look absolutely radiant," Frosino greeted her. "Would you care to join me for a dance?"

Y/N looked at the floor as a blush spread across her cheeks, she would love nothing more than to dance with Frosino again, but she was too nervous that she would mess up to agree. "B-but there's no music," she protested meekly.

Just as she said those words, faint music started to fill the hall. Y/N looked over to see that several of the servants had started playing various instruments. It was not nearly as rich, and elegant as the music that the full Orchestra had played at the ball, but it was still pretty, and very well-suited for dancing.

Frosino smiled playfully at Y/N as the sound of music filled the air. "Is there anything else you need, or may I have this dance?"

Y/N nodded as she linked her fingers with Frosino's. They began gliding around the room in slow circles, Y/N was too nervous to make eye contact with Frosino, seeing how close their faces were, so she looked at the floor and watched her footwork instead.

Goodness, she thought. Why does fancying someone need to be so difficult? She wanted to curl up into a little ball, but unfortunately, she couldn't simply run away.

"Y/N," Frosino said. "I am sure you know this already, but it is improper dance form to look at the ground while you dance."

Y/N did know that she wouldn't be able to get away with watching her feet forever, so she turned her attention to the other people in the ballroom. She saw Abela and Ilidoro dancing together along with a few other pairs, the most surprising of these being Demetrius and Visca.

Without anything else to look at, Y/N finally turned her attention to her dance partner. He was watching her with warmth glowing in his eyes and he smiled as soon as she made eye contact with him.

"Y/N ever since I returned, I have been noticing just how many things have changed at the castle," Frosino said. "Having more staff for example."

"I'm sorry," Y/N apologized. "I know that you don't like being around lots of people, throwing that welcome home party was a mistake."

"That's not what I'm talking about at all," Frosino stated with a laugh. "I was going to say that it is nice to have people to celebrate this anniversary with again. Truth be told, I have greatly missed the life that you have returned to Castle de Crivell Y/N."

A/N

More of a filler chapter again, sorry. I promise that tomorrow's chapter will be better.

I am going to be so sad when this book ends, it has been really fun, and I love all of the characters so much. (But don't worry, I have plans for many of the characters after I finish this book.)

Until next time I'll see you on the other side

~J. C. Coltt.~