Chapter 138 - Enchanted Masquerade Night Part 7

With Sir Long's help, it was easy for her to escape. She didn't get a chance to thank him, though, since he quickly left her. She didn't return to the market square but instead entered another building. Since she didn't use the front to enter, people's attention wasn't on her. The dancing had already started here.

No sooner did she arrive, somebody threw their arms about her happily. "Setsura!" she whispered in the girl's ear, squeezing her.

Setsura turned to find her friend Natasha.

"I'm so glad to see you! You look beautiful," Setsura complimented. "That dress suits you."

Natasha wore a gorgeous long red dress.

"I see you escaped him successfully."

Setsura sighed, "Your fiancee is so bothersome."

Both girls laughed, and then her face became more serious. "Um, have you seen…"

Natasha smiled, "Akito?"

Setsura bit her lip and nodded.

"He is here, I spoke to him earlier. Look, the balcony is closed off because of the weather. Why don't you head out there to wait for him?"

"Are you sure he got the message?"

Natasha winks, "Don't worry about it."

But, by now, Akito must know she met with sir Long. Even though nothing happened, Akito dislikes it whenever they are left alone together. Maybe he got angry and decided to leave? Or maybe he is even dancing with somebody else? What if the servant girl came here? This festival is free for anybody to attend. Social status does not matter.

That girl, maybe she is here right now. Dancing with Akito. Or maybe doing other things with him? Perhaps those two are.. Setsura shook her head, quit thinking about it. These thoughts ate very troublesome. She tried to shrug it off, but the heavy feeling doesn't disappear from her heart. She wonders if it's impossible, after all, for her to find a person who will love and treasure her.

Setsura quickly excused herself from Natasha and made her way over to the balcony area.

Even without having good senses, or whether or not she could see his face. Setsura knew she would have recognized Akito no matter where he was or how he was dressed.

Being able to see a person's face was it that important? There is no use in seeing a person's face when one can see behind that mask. A pair of eyes that looked straight into your soul. Nothing else mattered. It seems like he thought the same too. Akito was leaning against the ledge and smoking.

She belongs to another person. She was engaged and almost married. So, in the end, why did she accept another man's hand? Since she has no memories of the other guy, does that excuse her from dating another person? Even now, Setsura felt weird about it. It feels like she is cheating.

But Setsura knew she couldn't pull away from Akito anymore. She was addicted to this person so entirely that she couldn't live without him. It was an addiction she never wanted to cure. 'Break up?' Like it would be that easy. Even if she did it, her feelings for Akito would remain. Her thoughts broke of when she felt Akito approach her.

" A-" she began. Akito silenced her by placing his thumb against her lips.

"When wearing a mask," Akito mumbled, "...isn't it appropriate to keep your identity a secret?"

Setsura didn't reply right away, but instead, she scanned his expression. Akito wore the mask again, his eye patch no longer in sight. Still, it felt like he was purposely blocking out his gaze. She knew behind that mask; his gaze is dark again.

"Nice to meet you. This is the first time we've met, right? Who might you be?" Setsura ended her question with laughter. "This feels silly."

"Indeed," his lips turned into a tender smile, and he extended his hand toward her. "Then, let's restart. My love, will you dance with me?"

Setsura nodded and accepted his hand. With his free hand, though, he suddenly removed her mask. In the next second, something brushed against her ear, "This is for you. This is why I got delayed."

The initial plan was Akito escaping with her and not Sir Long. From the corner of her eyes, Setsura saw a gorgeous flower. "Akito.."

"If you don't like it, you can get rid of it after we dance. For now, wear it."

She could only dumbly nod as they continued dancing. Setsura wanted to say a lot of things to him. But now that she had the chance to, she was rendered completely speechless.

"Didn't you tell me that you didn't know how to dance?" Akito mumbled. Suddenly changing the topic like that, what a hopeless man. He really doesn't know how to court girls, does he? But then again, if he knew what he was doing. Then Setsura would worry greatly.

What a hypocrite. Since discovering that girl's existence, it feels like her thoughts have become muddled up.

"That was a lie."

"Hmm? A lie?"

Setsura sighed, "I was worried you'd force me to attend such tiresome events." The moment people find out you are good at something. Without any regard to your feelings, they'd force you to attend more classes or focus on that field."

"I would never force you to do anything you don't like it."

Anybody can say those words. But when Akito says them, it feels different. It feels real and more genuine. Or maybe this is her way of showing that Akito is different. Indeed, if she were to compare him to the many guys who tried to court her before, he is very different, he doesn't care about superficial things like reputation or her family background. Then again, Akito is rich too, so maybe that's why? Even then, she has never met somebody who is so foolishly honest.

His feelings show on his face, so even before he told her his feelings. Even long before he started kissing her, Setsura already knew he liked her.

"Couldn't I say the same thing towards you, didn't you tell me that you didn't know how to dance?"

Setsura shuts her eyes, that's right.

' Ha? A dance. Why would I attend something like that? I don't want to. It's boring. Let's swim like usual. It's better being surrounded by the ocean."

Setsura caught his gaze moving, which brought her back to reality. Reality? Dancing involves being close to your partner. He was so close that she could feel his warmth. The warmth from their inter winded hands. The warmth emitting from his face, which he kept bringing close to hers.

Setsura wanted so badly to pull him against her, to hold him close and ask him to hold her. But she was terrified that if she tried to do so, she might drive him away again. What if Akito thinks she isn't good enough? She gave him her first time. She has never done those things with another person before. What if Akito prefers that other girl? Unlike her, that girl is innocent and has a sweet looking face. Dainty height and yet a good face.

The more Setsura thought about it, the more uncomfortable she became. Akito is not the kind of person who judges based on appearances, yet there is this growing seed of doubt in her heart.