Sitting down for dinner, we were asked how we met. I went into vivid detail about the Shtriga that had attacked Shunsuke in his bedroom all those weeks ago. "But, we didn't actually get to know each other until a few days later when HQ assigned me to him."
"So, you're his protector?" one of the duke's, who lived nearly four leagues away, asked.
I nodded. "Yes, I was actually kind of resentful about it at first, but going and living in the human world is a good experience. I learn new things everyday. For instance, they have showers there."
"Prey tell, what is a shower?" a nobleman a few seats away asked. All eyes were on me, all curious to the wonders of the human world.
"A shower is what the humans call bathing. Only, one does not sit in a basin, but stand in one twice as big as any basin and water shoots out of a tube. It is quite relaxing," I explained.
"Very interesting indeed," another man said before taking a bite of the food. "What other wonders are there in that realm?"
"You tell them Shunsuke, you lived there all your life," I said, smiling at him. HE looked super nervous, wanting to impress all of them and he went into a detailed account of all the different things the human world had to offer, and everyone seemed to really like him.
"So, tell us Shunsuke, what is your family like?" another man asked.
Shunsuke answered, "I lived with my grandmother and my uncle takes care of me from time to time."
"And what is it that you do for a living?" the Duke asked.
"I go to high school right now. I'm in soccer after school, so that doesn't leave a whole lot of time to do anything else," he replied.
"How do you expect to support yourself and Lady Kayden?" the Duke asked astonished.
I cut in to save Shunsuke. "We're both going to apply for some jobs once school lets out. And Shunsuke is going to a place called college which is where poeple go for a higher education."
They nodded, excepting the answer. I could see they weren't thrilled that Shunsuke didn't have loads of money to support us, but they seemed to understand that it was hard for kids our age. I smiled at them and we answered a few more questions.
Finally it was time for some dancing. Shunsuke and I started the dance. Shane must have given him a few tips because he was able to keep up rather well. then the song changed, and we were pulled apart and danced with others. I started dancing with Chance after a few songs.
"So, you're happy right?" he asked me seriously after a little chit chat.
I smiled. "Yes, I'm very happy to be with Shunsuke."
"Is he going to give up his life, his friends in the human world to come here and rule with you when the time comes?" Chance asked. I gave him a look that said he was crossing the line. "No, I'm being serious. I want to make sure you are properly taken care of."
"Shunsuke is a wonderful guy. He's too good for me." I smiled. "But, because we are both human, I can't really stay here conveniently and neither can he. It would be easier to stay int he human world."
"If you could be a Hollow again, would you?"
I hesitated, thinking about the answer. "No," I shook my head. "I like who I am now."
"That's good." he nodded. "You do know I always had a crush on you, right? Even after we broke up." My eyes widened in surprise. I had had no idea. "It's true. I regretted breaking up with you, but I had to go to the academy, and I didn't want to make you wait for me. I often wonder who we would be if I hadn't gone away."
I wasn't sure how to respond. I was so dense when it came to the whole thing. "I had no idea you felt that way, and I'm sure if you would have stayed things might have turned out differently, but this is how things turned out with us and you'll just have to accept that."
"What if I tell you I'm not going to stop fighting for you?"
