"I wish you hadn't entreated me so earnestly, sire. You know that I do not like to attend these events," grumbled Kurt from his position beside Blaine, squirming in a manner closely resembling awkwardness, as only Kurt could.

"I merely wish for you to appreciate the splendor of your own efforts. I must say, you have really outdone yourself on this occasion," replied Blaine warmly, smiling at the blush caused by his praise.

The praise was not exaggerated; the ballroom was exquisitely decorated, with chandeliers glittering and a full orchestra playing for the elegantly dressed men and women. It truly was the event of the year thus far. From where Blaine and Kurt stood at one end of the room on a raised dais, the majestic room could be mistaken for a fairyland. The night of the ball had well and truly announced its arrival.

Kurt looked at Blaine earnestly while his blush subsided. "I knew this was important to you. I – wanted it to be perfect for you."

Blaine took hold of his hand briefly and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you Kurt. I truly appreciate it." The blush returned in full force.

The time for private conversation then ended as guests started coming up to introduce themselves to the king. They addressed themselves exclusively to Blaine, not wishing to waste time on conversing with the king's aide. Kurt would have no say in who became the king's spouse, or so most of the guests supposed, although anyone close to Blaine knew that Kurt's opinion would be tantamount to Blaine's decision. But for now as Blaine became more absorbed in conversation, Kurt sank further back into the shadows, hoping that his presence would remain unnoticed. After a few minutes he slipped away altogether, moving to a far, less well-lit corner of the room where he could observe the festivities without being a part of them.

After several introductions Blaine decided that it would be impolite to delay the dancing any longer, and he asked the next fine looking woman to be his first partner. He spent a happy hour exchanging partners, some agreeable, some not, but none sparking the feeling he had spoken to Sam about. But he did not despair. With so many people here, he doubted that he would get to see everyone over one evening, and he supposed that he could at least cross some people off of the list of possible spouses.

He gazed around the grand room searching for Kurt, realizing that he had failed to notice his absence in his distracted state. After several minutes of looking he soon saw him in a dark corner with another man, seemingly deep in conversation.

"Unsurprising, he finds the most secluded spot," he murmured with some gruff affection as he began to walk towards the two men. As he approached however, finer details began to greet his eyes. The other man, a tall and big built giant of a figure, seemed to be standing closer to Kurt than necessary, leering over him. As Blaine drew closer he began to see that Kurt's face was stricken. Blaine's heart began to beat uncomfortably fast. He quickened his pace.

Blaine drew level with them and drew his arm through Kurt's in a gesture of comfort and friendliness.

"Kurt, I feel like I have not seen you all evening, and I must congratulate you again on this magnificence. The sheer number of compliments I have to pass onto you from my dancing partners are insurmountable." Blaine turned to the other man, expression hardening somewhat although keeping his tone civil. "And who is your companion? I have yet to be introduced."

"This is Lord Karofsky, Sire. We grew up together in my home town."

Blaine shook the man's hand. "Pleasure, I'm sure."

"Likewise," sneered Karofsky. "I'm surprised that Kurt has never mentioned me before. We were tremendously close."

Blaine felt the same feeling stirring that he experienced when he was with Sam the other day; a discomfort at someone else taking interest in Kurt, his Kurt. One glance at Kurt's face showed him however that his councilor was becoming more distressed with each passing second in this man's company.

"Indeed, most unusual, I shall have to chide him for it later. If you will excuse us Lord Karofsky, myself and Kurt have some business to discuss in private with relation to the rest of this evening's smooth running. I'm sure you understand."

Without waiting for a response he walked away, Kurt's arm still tucked securely into his own. They left the ballroom discretely through one of the large open doors that led out outside to the grounds. They progressed to the terrace overlooking the extensive gardens and lake, and Blaine brought them to a stop at the low marble railing, looking out over the water. The cool air was slowly restoring Kurt's cheeks to their normal colour. The moonlight shining down on them and reflecting off the black-looking water illuminated his face so that Kurt's face looked almost ethereal. Blaine had never seen such a sight.

"Has this man bothered you before?" Blaine asked quietly.

"I – We were never very friendly as children, Sire. It seems that no love has been lost since that time."

"Why does he bother you so much? And why does he continue to treat you in such fashion? Is this why you refuse to come to these events? For fear of meeting him?"

"So many questions, Sire," replied Kurt with a weak chuckle. "Surely you have more entertaining things to be doing on such a night."

"Do not attempt to divert me, my dear friend," replied Blaine sternly. "I will not be put off by your jokes. I saw how deeply that man's presence affected you."

"It is merely foolishness on my part sire, I assure you. I am easily intimidated, and I'm sure that Lord Karofsky meant no harm. As for these events, I merely do not like the crowds and the noise. They do not suit me."

"You are telling me falsehoods Kurt and you underestimate how well I know you. You are not easily intimidated in the slightest. I have never seen you scared before tonight. And you have a personality made for social occasions. With your wit and ease, you can converse with anyone. Tell me the truth!"

Kurt turned to fully face him with tears forming in his eyes. "I cannot. And I beg you not to ask it of me Sire, please."

Blaine merely closed his hand over the pale slender one resting on the cool marble in front of him. He relented on seeing Kurt's discomfort. "If you wish it Kurt, I cannot have the heart to command you to do something you are uncomfortable with. Only this incident has truly shown me how little I know about your life before you came into mine. Why have you not told me about it?"

"Because you never asked, Sire," replied Kurt sadly, looking away into the distance.

His somber reply cut Blaine deeply, especially as he knew that Kurt was right; he had never truly shown an interest in Kurt's life before tonight. "Would you care to dance?" he asked, hoping that light conversation would assuage the guilt beginning to form.

"I do not dance. You will find many a better partner inside."

"Will you at least accompany me in?"

Kurt nodded and they entered the hall again together. However, as soon as they entered Blaine was the centre of attention once more and began to dance eagerly and with many partners, immersing himself into the party. He did not notice when Kurt left the ballroom noiselessly an hour later. Lord Sam did, and noted it with a sad look as he turned back to watch the oblivious king dance and drink and be merry.

Blaine did not rise early the next morning and meet Kurt for breakfast as was his usual routine, instead only leaving his bed after midday. He had enjoyed himself thoroughly the night before and had almost forgotten the incident with Lord Karofsky. It did return to him that day however, and it made him uneasy. He was convinced that Kurt had not been wholly truthful and he greatly desired to be his confidante, though he suspected that Kurt would not open up to him readily.

After eating and anxiously thinking over this he decided to take a walk in the grounds, taking advantage of the bright clear day. He had been strolling in a leisurely manner for some twenty minutes when he heard a voice raised in song nearby. He was drawn to the sound by its melancholic beauty, desperately sad and mournful but resigned. He approached the source of the sound on tiptoe, unwilling to scare the owner of the unique voice away.

He found himself approaching the rose garden and made out a tall slim figure trimming some of the flowers there. As the figure turned, Blaine found himself exclaiming without thought, "Kurt!"

The voice stopped abruptly as Kurt realized that he was no longer alone. His cheeks flushed crimson, embarrassed at having been heard.

"Kurt, you are full of wonders and surprises. Not only have you excellent organization skills and quick wit, but also you have the voice to rival that of many in our kingdom. Why did you not tell me of your extraordinary talent?"

"I- I do not usual wish to sing for an audience. I prefer to sing alone and for myself. Some consider my voice to feminine for popular tastes."

"Disregard what they say my dear friend. You have a truly beautiful voice. I only wish that I could have known this sooner."

"I - thank you."

"What brings you out here to sing? I find personally that a stroll in the grounds helps me think."

"I come out here often to the gardens. The roses remind me of home."

Blaine was reminded sharply of Kurt's words last night and they cut him deeply the more he thought of them – "Because you never asked." Kurt had been here for several months and they had quickly grown fond of each other. And yet, Blaine had not thought to properly inquire into Kurt's life before coming here. He was saddened at his own thoughtlessness and determined to rectify it effective immediately.

He guided Kurt to a nearby bench. "Do you miss it? Home?"

"I thought I would. But I do not. I came here after my father died. I had nothing left there, no links to tie me to it. The memories were too painful, and searching for a reason to stay does not bode well. I miss my family and our happiness. But I have found a home and happiness here."

"Were you not singing about your family just a moment ago? What had you singing such a melancholic tune? I did not recognize the language."

"It is a language my mother taught me. The song is traditionally sung in English but I prefer to practice the foreign tongues, their elegance fits the song better I think. The song, it was merely for my father. Like I said, the roses remind me of home." Blaine knew that Kurt was not being truthful, but couldn't work out what he could possibly be deceiving him about.

"Did you find a suitable spouse yesterday evening? Anyone who you connected with at first sight?" teased Kurt, eagerly changing the subject. Blaine allowed the change, sensing that Kurt would not yet open to him readily. And while he waited for Kurt to be ready, he talked about the ball, smiling and discussing all the people he meet, and laughingly despairing of ever finding his true love.

As he spoke, the song that Kurt sang was mulling around in his mind. He tried to memorise the words so that he could discover their meaning when he had the time. He was sure that they would hold the secret to discovering more about the increasingly enigmatic figure of Lord Kurt.