"A-Are you sure about this Leo? I mean, I know I was the one who urged you, however if it brings you any at all discomfort then I—"

"It's alright Lady Sharon" the noirette voiced, effectively cutting off the Rainsworth's nervous mumbles. "I agreed to it before and I won't go back on my word. Besides, I have to do my end of the deal as well"

"L-Leo…" Sharon whimpered, fingers trembling as she began to run them through the noirette's ebony locks. "Are you sure…?" she repeated, combing through his locks.

It is the day of the opening for the Pandora Academy's Winter Ball. So, what's happening exactly?

Well, it started when Oz finally got over his broken heart and decided to express his support by "conducting a plan to bring Little Sharon and Break –curse him— back together!" And because he noticed that Leo is the current closest person to her, decided to leave it up to him. "It's okay, you can do it Leo! I'll even cut your debt in half!"

Suffice it to say Leo agreed right away, much to Elliot's chagrin. "DON'T JUST PUSH THINGS ON TO OTHER PEOPLE SHORTY! JUST HOW THE HECK IS THIS YOU PROVING YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS?"

Well, in all actuality Leo had absolutely no idea what to do about it then, so he just did the most logical thing he could think of. He asked her.

And surprisingly enough she agreed. "So you want me to make up with Break? …Well, I suppose continuing such a childish tantrum is unbecoming of me. Sure, I'll talk with him" but of course, everything comes with a price.

Leo nodded once. "It's fine" he voiced with a smile, causing Sharon's eager hands to speed up. "But I do have to say I'm surprised Lady Sharon. To think you have this kind of hobby…."

The Lady made a point to blush at this statement, but reassured as she now was, a confident smile etched her face. "Yes, well, growing up in a household run by women does tend to have its quirks" she began, replacing her fingers with a more formal brush as she continued her ministrations with the other's hair. "My predecessors share the same hobby, so it is by no means a dishonor"

"That's… quite something…" Leo trailed off, sweatdropping.

"Break and Brother Liam have experienced it too in the hands of my mother when we were younger" she stated happily, making Leo gape.

"Eh?" the noirette gasped in disbelief. Well, he supposes it wasn't too unheard of with Break (considering how he always brings Emily around) but to think that the always-serious Liam have... he just couldn't imagine it… The Rainsworths seem to be quite the formidable bunch….

Sharon giggled at his reaction. "I've seen pictures of when my Grandmother was little too. She was quite fond of my Uncle Rufus. I've heard rumors that it's one reason Uncle keeps his hair long even now"

"Oh? He must really like her if that's the case" Leo commented with a chuckle, imagining the scene.

Sharon hummed in agreement. "He does. He loves her very much and doesn't even try to hide it. In fact he still hasn't given up on her even now"

"Given up?"

"Oh, Uncle Rufus has been asking for my Grandmother's hand in marriage since before my mother was born" she explained with a giggle, and Leo gaped at the thought.

"That's quite some persistence…" he trailed off. Years of fruitless courtship… wait. Huh?

The Rainsworth seemed to have on to his confusion and decided to clarify. "The Barma Dukedom is a close ally of ours so Uncle Rufus has known my Grandmother forever. Some say that he fell in love with her at first sight"

"But his love was never answered?" Leo asked, eyes gleaming at the complex romance. It almost seemed like a story from a book; a tragedy perhaps, and Leo couldn't help his curiosity.

"No. He was fifteen years younger than her" she stated, making the noirette gape. 15 years? It made him wonder about his loyalty. "She was already married and expecting when he came of age. He never gave up though" she continued with a chuckle, but Leo could sense a bit of melancholy in her voice. "Especially after my Grandfather passed away, his advances have been… very prominent…"

"And your Grandmother?"

"Ignores him"

Leo let out a burst of laughter at this, joining in the Lady's chuckles. "That's quite an interesting family" he commented.

Sharon smiled. "Indeed… My family's romances are quite…. complex, if I may say so myself" she explained, voice softening once more. "It was my Mother who fell for him… but her love was equally for naught"

"…" Leo didn't know what he could possibly say to that… but it seemed he didn't need to.

"But enough about that!" the Rainsworth exclaimed, releasing the noirette's tresses and cupping his chin. Her eyes gleamed as she stared down at him, and Leo had to gulp at the mischief on her face. "What about you Leo? Do you have any romantic endeavors to share?" she urged.

Leo blanked out for a fraction of a second, flinching a bit when the tip of a pen was suddenly placed much too close to his eye for comfort. "None, sorry to say" he replied. "It never really interested me, and I wasn't very good with people in the first place"

Sharon paused at this, tilting her head to one side in confusion. "Really?"

The noirette chuckled at the disbelieving look on her face. "It's true. In fact I never would have imagined becoming a host in my entire life, or meeting so many people…" he explained, voice softening a little at the end…

Whether the Rainsworth caught on this was lost when a pout appeared on her lips. "Really? With this face? Not even a crush or a confession?" she prodded, an unsatisfied look on her face. Leo sweatdropped at her reaction, closing his eyes when prompted as skillful fingers worked on his eyelids. "At least tell me about your first love!"

This made Leo pause, a thoughtful look crossing his face. First love huh…

"Aaand… done" the Rainsworth announced in an accomplished tone of voice, practically sparkling as she spun Leo's chair around to face the mirror. "What do you think? Uncomfortable at all?"

"…Whoa…" was all the raven could say as he stared at his reflection, eyes wide and mouth agape. He could barely recognize himself through the makeup and hair ornaments. In fact, he didn't even know if it was actually him in that mirror right now. (Wait, it moved when he did. Yeah it's him).

He was snapped out of his daze when a knock resounded from the door to the small dressing room they were in. "Milady? It has been prepared as you requested" Break's voice called, and if possible the girl's eyes lit up even more.

"Oh thank you Break!" she exclaimed when the albino let himself in. Whatever comment he might've had towards the noirette's current state goes unheard as the Lady made no room for it. Taking the garment from his hands, she grasped Leo's and urged him up. "Come on Leo, I'll help you put it on!" she squealed, excitedly pulling him along.

Leo practically tripped as soon as he made it to his feet. Sadly, it's way too late to regret anything now (…not that he was regretting it really, just a little overwhelmed is all…), he mentally sobbed as the girl pulled him towards the curtain. Huh? Wait. Wait just a moment! "P-Please excuse me Lady Sharon, but I think I can put it on myself!" he exclaimed, trying to free his arm from the girl's deadly grip.

"Nonsense! What do you know about these?" she reprimanded, taking hold of his collar to unbutton his undershirt.

Leo's flinched at the touch. "L-Lady Sharon?" he squeaked, prying her off him with a little more force than what was really necessary. She stumbled. "A-AH!"

"Milady" it was Break who saved the day, catching the lady before she could hit the ground. "Please, do show some restraint. It is very unladylike for a young girl as yourself to attempt to undress a man" he stated in all seriousness.

Sharon gasped, hands automatically closing over her mouth as a blush climbed up her cheeks. "O-Oh dear me what was I… Pardon me I…" she stuttered out, breaking away from the albino. "I am very sorry! I got too carried away…" she gave a bow, genuinely embarrassed.

Calming down, Leo shook his head. "No, I'm sorry too for pushing you" he apologized back.

"No, it's quite alright Leo. And it was initially my fault for intruding on your personal space in the first place" she shot back.

The noirette knew when a topic is forcefully closed, so he lets it pass. Taking the bundle of clothing from her arms, he flashed a disarming smile before heading for the curtain. "Ok. Then I'll put this on now"

…

"OY! WHAT THE HECK DID YOU PEOPLE DO TO LEO?" a familiar voice yelled from outside the room, followed by a cheery "Ah, Elliot, we've been expecting you for a while now" from a certain red-eyed albino.

"BREAK!"

"Hey Elliot, just in time" Leo decided to intervene before the brunette had a chance to break someone's eardrums. "Ready to go?"

"…"

Said Nightray gaped, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"I knew it would fit you Little Leo" Sharon squealed, hugging him tightly from behind but being careful not to mess anything up. "Quite a beauty I must say"

"But nowhere near as beautiful as you, Lady Sharon" the noirette replied. Indeed, the Rainsworth heiress herself was now out of the academy's uniform and donning a beautiful lilac ball gown that hugged her petite figure beautifully. On her ears and collar were simple golden jewelry, molded in the shape of a Lily-of-the-valley.

It wouldn't be an understatement to say she looked like a Queen.

"Milady?" Break appeared beside her in a black tailcoat with a similar shade of lilac for his cravat, a hand outstretched in offering.

Sharon accepted the offering, however refused to turn his way. "Then I suppose we will excuse ourselves here, little Leo" she gave the noirette a curtsey, to which he returned in a similar manner, before letting the albino lead her out of the dressing room.

Two steps from the door, she paused, turned to the brunette, still frozen like an idiot, and said in a rather too-sweet voice "You will be courteous enough to escort him, won't you Sir Elliot?" and they were gone.

"…"

"…?"

"…"

"…"

"…You're wearing a dress"

"Yep"

"…You're wearing a freaking dress!"

"Gee Captain Obvious, I had no idea"

"Is that MAKE-UP?"

"Come on Elliot! You can do it!"

"Why the HELL Are you WEARING A DRESS?"

"DING DING DING! He's GOT IT!"

"I'm gonna kick you"

"Stingy!"

~_~_~*o*The Winter Ball is Underway*o*~_~_~

"Ladies and Gentlemen! May I have your attention please!" Oz Vessalius spoke from perch at the top of winding staircase of the Academy's Grand Hall, head bent in a way that his face was shrouded in shadows from the lone spotlight on him. A green sash peeked across his chest, the word Best Dressed printed in bright golden letters, by-chance matching his gold and white themed attire.

The room went silent almost immediately, all eyes resting on his mysterious figure.

"…Tonight has been a night to remember" he stood up, eyes still hidden as he spoke through the microphone. Around him were five shadowed figures. "A joyous occasion filled with challenges—"

At this, a spotlight turned on, revealing the shadow to his left as Gilbert Nightray –his back half-turned to the audience, a single red rose in his hand. A silver sash over his long black coat –'The Knight'.

Excited whispers flittered across the room as the female students conversed in hushed voices, the female students conversing with one another in hushed voices about events that, sadly, will not be narrated here. (But if you're curious, it had something to do with a single glass of strong wine somehow finding itself among the buffet, which lead to a certain crybaby begging for a certain 'Prince's forgiveness for anything and everything)

"— surprises—" yet another spotlight, and squeals erupted from the audience as Leo shone bright in his amethyst ball gown. Beside him stood Elliot, pointedly turned away from the crowd and the guybeside him, face so obviously red. Royal Blue sashes stood out from their chests with the glittering words "People's Choice" printed in gold.

"—and ro-gr—mance." The blond forced through gritted teeth, a dark aura encasing him a the spotlight appeared over Vincent, planting a sweet kiss on a certain busty blond girl's lips, the sweet blush on her face making Oz swear to kill the man in his sleep within the next ten hours.

From within the shadows of the grand hall, a certain bespectacled blond teacher (history and language) vowed to do the exact same thing.

"But alas!" Oz exclaimed, the lights slowly fading out again before the entire room began to slowly lighten up. "Everything must come to an end!" he practically roared, glaring daggers at the blond Nightray. Clearing his throat, he continued. "And thus in the name of His and Her Royal Majesty, King Liam Lunettes and Queen Sharon Rainsworth—"

The room finally back to its original brightness, the two Thrones just behind the Vessalius glittered in splendored brilliance, seating the addressed King and Queen donning their Crowns and Scepters, golden sashes across their chests.

"—I call upon our People's choice couple to lead the Royal Dance!" he announced, extending a hand towards the addressed 'couple' just as confetti began to rain down on them.

Very stiffly, as it goes without saying how completely awkward it was for Elliot Nightray to offer the person next to him a dance, he began to lead his partner down the staircase to the center of the dance floor –all without looking once where he was going. (Safe to say he nearly face-planted on the stairs a couple of times, thankfully Leo was there to keep it from actually causing much damage).

Once at the center, a slow waltz began to play on the speakers.

"…Well this is ironic" Leo began, placing his hands on Elliot's shoulders, making the brunette flinch. He raised a brow. "Dude, Elliot, seriously. You've been acting like an idiot all night"

"WHO ARE YOU—" Elliot began, but cut himself off when he finally came back to reality, ears flushing even more from the added embarrassment. He reluctantly circled his arms around the other's waist. "…"

Leo tilted his head to one side, finally taking the lead when it was obvious the Nightray wouldn't be moving anytime soon. "You do realize we've been practicing like this for a week right? Why so awkward?" he teased.

Elliot grumbled, following the other's steps as much as he can. "It's cause you're freaking wearing a dress!" he hissed, eyes falling to his feet.

The noirette couldn't help but chuckle. "Yep. You said the exact same thing five hours ago. Seriously. Get over it. Everybody else has~" he hummed.

The brunette glowered, finally managing to look the other in the face. It was around this time that other pairs began to join them in the dance floor, not that he cared. "…" he stayed silent, eyes unreadable as he stared straight into Leo's eyes, making the noirette slightly uncomfortable, eyes shifting every few seconds from the intense stare.

"What?" he mumbled stiffly, brows furrowed in confusion.

"…"

"Elliot?"

"…"

"Hello?"

"…"

"Earth to Elliot? Do you read Sir Elliot?"

After what seemed like an eternity, the brunette finally looked away and Leo's let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. Rolling his eyes, he opened his mouth "Seriously Elliot, its times like these that make me see how you and Vincent are related. What the heck are you thinking?" he asked.

"You're not a girl right?"

Hearing this question, Leo stopped, sending Elliot a half bland are-you-an-idiot type of look. "What?"

This time it was Elliot's turn to roll his eyes. "Never mind. I just remembered something is all" he replied simply

Leo's brow rose in confusion. "And just what the heck could you have remembered that somehow made you ask me that?"

"…" Again with the unreadable stare. Leo had to watch his feet to make sure he doesn't trip on anything.

Finally… "Just something from a long time ago." He half-mumbled, closing his eyes and completely dismissing the conversation.

Sadly, this only served to make Leo more confused, but he knows he probably won't get anything out of asking further. Sigh. What is up with today and people's cryptic memories?

A long time ago…He paused, eyes becoming thoughtful as those words repeated in his mind. A long time ago…

~_~_~*o*Thank You for Attending!*o*~_~_~

"I know."

Two hours later found Sharon Rainsworth in the back seat of a sleek black Mustang, on her way back to the Rainsworth's English Manor House in which she is staying.

From behind the wheel, Xerxes Break flashed her a glance from the rear view mirror. "Milady…?"

Closing her eyes so she doesn't see him, she gathered up every ounce of courage she had. "I know Break. I've always known…" Sharon admitted, voice wavering with emotion. Her hands clenched tightly around the fabric of her skirt, sending her gaze towards the passing scenery outside the window.

She never really thought she'd ever have to speak this… but she had promised Leo— …No… that's just an excuse. A small sigh left her lips, recalling the noirette's confrontation and the opening it provided her. She'd been running away. Always running away. And he'd provided her with the excuse to finally stop and face the facts.

A bitter smile crossed her lips as she remembered her story. The tragic, true story that seemed to run through their very veins.

Taking a deep breath, she finally forced it out, ignoring the way her voice broke, finally admitting the truth to herself. "I know that the one you love is my M-other… That you agreed to… o-our engagement because she asked you to."

She did see the shocked look on the albino's face at her words, didn't feel the way the car jerked as Break nearly missed the stop-light. "Lady Sharon, that's—"

"You didn't have to" the girl continued, the steel in her voice not giving him any room to interrupt. "I would've been fine if you declined. I didn't want to force you."

"Lady Sharon—

"I know why you left Break" She cut him off again, tension filling the stationary vehicle as the timer from the stoplight continued its countdown. "I know how you must have felt. I can understand that… but…" she trailed off, a sob escaping her lips to which she immediately covered with a dainty hand. "…but did you… did you ever think about how I felt?" another sob.

"Milady, that's—"

"Did you not even stop to think how I would have felt? Ha-aving the one person I trusted with my life suddenly vanish when I needed him most? Leaving me all alone with no one to cry to?" she was visibly shaking now, not even bothering to keep her tears to herself. "Grandmother, Liam, Duke Barma, Me… did you not think we knew? That we felt the same"

"…" Xerxes Break could not speak. His lone red eye hidden beneath snow white bangs as he listened to his fiancé's choked sobs, his grip tight on the steering wheel. "I… I'm so—"

"DON'T YOU DARE APOLOGIZE!" Sharon cried, making him flinch. Her pink eyes were on him now, a trail of tears running down her pale cheeks. "It mean's NOTHING now…" she sobbed, hiding her face in her hands. "…I… I loved her Break. She was my Mother. And I know my love is different from yours but still!" she tried to wipe away the tears from her eyes in vain. "W-Why did youhave to leave?"

The light turned green and Break took this chance to park the car in a nearby lot.

A few moments passed by in absolute silence, save from the sound of the city outside and the remnants of Sharon's sobs.

A nostalgic smile stretched at the albino's lips at this. Recalling the times when the young lady was still just a little girl –both of them much much younger. Lady Sheryll had been a strong woman, and Lady Sharon greatly admired that of her. She had been six, but already she refused to show any sign of weakness to anyone. Even going so far as to not shed tears in front of other people, no matter how sad the situation.

And yet afterwards she would cry herself to sleep in his shirt. She would throw childish tantrums every now and again in the way a very spoiled child would if an unpleasant situation occurred.

Only to him. Not even Liam, who had been beside her longer, was allowed into her room when she was like that. It was a privilege on he, Xerxes Break, was allowed to witness.

And now he was granted the privilege again. But now he hopes more than anything to not be alone. For there to be someone else there who can comfort his Miss as he was now unable to. His heart clenched. Guilt, grief, self-loathing pooling in a monstrous mixture at the pit of his stomach.

Unable to. No right to.

He had no right to ease her pain.

"B-Break… Say something!" the young lady demanded, discarding all formality as she stood from her seat to grab him, small fists pounding at his chest.

He made no response, waiting until her attacks weakened and her sobs die down.

Sharon's tear-streaked face came into his view, eyes red from tears, and he felt he felt his heart lodge itself in his throat, his blood running cold.

…So she knew…

In all honesty he figured as much. She was a very smart girl. Perceptive. Mature. Strong. …And she knew him well. No… she knew him too well. But even so she was still just a child. A child who had always tried to follow in her mother's footsteps.

Even now she is still just a child.

Gently, he held both of her wrists in his hands, looking straight into her eyes. "Lady Sharon…" he began, his gaze flickering. "There's something you should know…" he trailed off, shutting his eye.

Slowly, he released one of her hands, bringing in up to the left side of his face, completely hidden behind thick white locks of his hair. He pushed it out of the way.

Behind it lay a gaping hole in place of his left eye.

What's this? What's this? An Update after 3 years?!

And it's a CLIFFHANGER?! *SHOT*

^^; Well I DID say I was going to update this fic in When Shakespeare and so here it is XDD

Although I really have been distracted by a million other fandoms (^^;;) I'd like to say I haven't forgotten about these guys!

...I'm just incredibly slow on updates... TTwTT (And heavy on blocks TT_TT;; )

So, This here is dedicated to TheAbridgedKuriboh-chan for getting me back into it after such a long time ^^ AND TO ALL WHO HAVE READ THIS FIC I THANK YOU! I SWEAR I'll update More often!

...

I hope you all still like it ^^;