Karma ran into the forest, furiously wiping away his tears as he runs, but because his view was blocked by his hand the red head tripped and fell flat on his face.

The red head just laid there pathetically, feeling sorry for himself.

"What a sad sight" came a voice from above him.

Karma rolled on his back and looked up to the trees. There he saw a young man dressed in expensive clothes sitting on a thick branch, his strawberry blonde hair unkept yet somehow soft looking, and his violet eyes held amusement and maybe even a bit of pity for him.

"What are you calling a sad sight?" Karma demanded with a scowl, continuing to wipe away his tears with his hands.

The strawberry blonde jumped down, landing skillfully on his feet like a cat. "You are, what's wrong with you? Were you jilted by a lover? People tend to run into the forest to weep when their lovers abandon them. Or is it a dead relative? Then forgive my rudeness and I'll leave you to mourn"

"H-hey wait!" Karma called, not wanting to be left alone. "It's not a lover, do you honestly think anyone would be interested in me?"

The strawberry blonde raised a brow, and tilted his head to the side. "I don't understand why you don't think so, you're beautiful"

Karma blushed. "A-and no it's not a dead relative. My dad died years ago, and the only relatives I have are my step mom and step siblings. Who I would very much want dead"

The blonde sat down crossed legged infront of Karma. "Then what is the cause of your tears?"

"My step family mistreat me, and I didn't had much sleep. I guess I'm fed up with them, I'm so frustrated with my situation" Karma told.

"I see..." The strawberry blonde then stood up, and held out his hand. "Come with me"

"What?"

"I said come with me, I'll treat you to a day in the town, anything to bring a smile to your face" he offered a kind smile to Karma. "I'm...Shū"

Karma found himself smiling at the strawberry blonde nobleman. He didn't understand why but, he felt like he could trust this stranger.

And his life is already hell anyway so what was he going to loose?

Shū took him to the town, where he hasn't visited ever since the death of his mother.

They ate exotic food, and Shū bought him new clothes. "You look dashing" Shū complimented.

Next they went horse back riding.

Of course, Karma knows how to ride horses, he used to be the son of a wealthy nobleman after all, not a dirty servant who's lower than a dog even. And yes his step family treated dogs better than they treat him.

Karma enjoyed Shū's company, and he forgot about his sadness from his 'family', he and the strawberry blonde has this stranger connection, he knows it, he felt it. He just hopes Shū feels the same way.

Then, a carriage rolled up. It had the royal family's crest on the back, and a man stepped out looking important.

"HERE YE! HERE YE!" He shouted. "THERE IS TO BE A ROYAL BALL TO CELEBRATE THE CROWN PRINCE'S COMING OF AGE! EVERY FAMILY IN THE KINGDOM IS WELCOMED!" The man announced.

Karma stood up from his seat on the fountain, Shū stood as well.

"YES! THIS YEAR EVEN COMMONERS ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND! NOBLES, COMMONERS, SECOND CLASS FAMILIES! YOU ARE ALL WELCOMED TO THE ASANO ROYAL FAMILY BALL!"

Excitement rushed up to Karma's body.  Shū must have noticed this. "Will you attend the ball?"

"I--....Yes, I will" Karma responded with confidence.

Shū smiled. He stood up, took Karma's hand, and pressed a kiss to the back of it. "Then I shall wait for you, my princess"