Wooyoung almost missed breakfast because he started reading the minute he woke up. He got so involved in the books San had picked for him, he missed the usual hour when he would leave his room to venture downstairs. Mingi had to fetch him when he was late, and the red orb was worried if Wooyoung had fallen sick.

Embarrassed, Wooyoung had stored his book away and followed the giggling orb downstairs once he had soothed him that he had merely forgotten the time. San was as relieved to see him join for their shared meal.

The air was lighter since their relationship improved. Wooyoung wasn't apprehensive to discuss the books with San and the beast graciously gave nothing away and instead adjusted to the knowledge Wooyoung had gathered so far. Talking to him about the intricate plot and characters was a delight. San's educated mind provided lots of food for thought, and as their breakfast ended, Wooyoung brimmed with excitement to go back to his readings.

"Before you disappear once more into the world of letters, may I ask you a question?"

Wooyoung patiently shoved his hands under his thighs. If the beast asked so kindly, he would listen.

"I wanted to invite you to join me in the ballroom tonight. Since you cleaned it so beautifully, I agree it would be a shame not to use it."

With his mouth open, Wooyoung stared at San. Wasn't he repulsed by that room and the memories it carried? Did he try to let go of such harrowing recollections?

"You want to organise a ball?" A rush of delight sent Wooyoung's heart fluttering in his chest when San nodded. As an adult, he found them far more alluring than he had as a child. This cold and grey castle wasn't where he had expected to find such an event, but he wished for nothing more than to attend it now that San brought it up.

"It will be humble since there aren't a lot of guests, but I had hoped you would be one of them. Seonghwa can help you pick out some clothes and I will ask Jongho and Mingi to prepare a suitable meal."

When Wooyoung sprung to his feet, the beast tilted his head at him. He waited with bated breath for what Wooyoung's answer would be.

"I would love to join! Let me help prepare. I will carry the heavy things and then get dressed and accompany you."

San's grin was invisible and yet clear as day.

"Wear something pretty," he suggested. Wooyoung would. He would dig through this entire castle for a suit that both fit him and accentuated his natural beauty.

When he rushed out of the room to get ready, San looked after his retreating back with a chuckle.

For a few hours, Wooyoung fell into a frenzy about the ball. As he made do on his promise to help the feux follet carry the plates and tables needed for their buffet in the ballroom, he listened to Seonghwa's chattering. The pink flame was over the moon with the suggestion of the ball and he mentioned his disbelief about seeing San so lively and fun at least seven times.

Once the room was prepared and the sweet tunes of Hongjoong jumping over the piano in the corner to practise a melody filled the room, Seonghwa ushered Wooyoung to change. He dug through every wardrobe in the castle while Wooyoung waited in his room and brimmed with curiosity.

When Seonghwa finally returned, his call of delight was muffled by the pile of fabric he balanced on top of his floating shape. The elegant suit he brought was a stunning white. Time hadn't greyed the expensive fabric and the golden embroidery crawling up the linings took Wooyoung's breath away.

As he ran his fingers over the frilly shirt he was about to wear, they trembled.

"I can wear this? It's so beautiful."

"It clothing worthy of a ball," Seonghwa chirped. He nudged Wooyoung to get changed already and walked him through the progress of tying the necktie and smoothing out his lapels. Once dressed, Wooyoung felt as if he had slipped into the skin of a different person. On instinct, his back straightened and his chin tilted up as the royal blood in his veins matched the luxury of his suit. A white cape draped over his left shoulder and matching gloves cast him in a visual worthy of an angel.

Seonghwa swooned.

"Magnificent! I'm so happy it suits you! Now quickly, go dance with your prince before the clock strikes twelve!"

While nervous about seeing San downstairs, Wooyoung giggled along to Seonghwa's cheer. He allowed the orb to drag him along as if he were his ecstatic sister who dearly wished to see Wooyoung dance with the man of his dreams.

San was neither man nor someone Wooyoung would dream about, but he indulged them. When the duo entered the ballroom, Seonghwa zoomed right off to whisper with Mingi and Jongho at the buffet. In the corner, Hongjoong played his sweet tune. It was modest, for his jumping over the keys required time, but he had the pacing and the ear of a musician.

San awaited Wooyoung in the middle of the room. His white mask catered to the occasion for once, and Wooyoung wondered for a moment if he should have worn one to match. Though perhaps that would have thrown San too far into painful memories. Wooyoung wasn't here to appear as a faery ready to curse the poor prince.

When Wooyoung stepped toward him, San's fiery eyes soaked up his sight. Wooyoung actively kept himself from fidgeting with his sleeves.

"You look magnificent," the beast breathed. With a graceful bow, he offered Wooyoung his shadowy palm. "May I seduce you to this dance, beautiful Wooyoung?"

A blush dusted Wooyoung's cheek when he took the hand. Through his gloves, its temperature wasn't too chilling.

San led him to the middle of the ballroom. Wooyoung prayed he wouldn't forget his steps as the effortless proximity to San clouded his mind.

"Seonghwa carried these clothes from somewhere. I don't know where he got them from, but they would charm anyone," Wooyoung said. His fingertips ran over the precious golden embroidery.

"They were mine a long time ago."

Wooyoung came up short. His hand found San's shoulder as the beast cupped his waist with a gentle palm.

"Oh... I'm sorry, I-"

"No need. They suit you well. I am happy seeing them worn with such poise." His first step fell, matching the music, and Wooyoung followed along. They got used to each other's rhythm and the open space around them, slowly adjusting.

"You're good at this," San noted. Humble, Wooyoung followed his step. His body remembered the countless hours of training he had received as a child. Even with a long break since his last dance, he didn't forget them.

"Thank you. Also for this, tonight. I believe we all profit from forgetting our worries for some time." Wooyoung glanced at the feux follet. Mingi and Jongho still idled at the banquet, and every time San and his dance brought them closer to the pair, he heard their animated conversation only for it to fade out right again. Seonghwa had joined Hongjoong at the piano and cheered on him.

"Ever since you arrived, they have been so merry. You gave them back the joy they lost in our bleak situation and for that, I must be the one thanking you."

Wooyoung's cape swished behind him. The shadows shrouding San cradled him as their mismatched forms swept over the dance floor. Their feet never tired of their elegant trance. For once, Wooyoung wasn't scared of the horned mask so close to his face.

"I enjoy their presence. They are lovely fellows under all that racial confusion."

"They enjoy having you here as well. I heard only the sweetest of compliments concerning you. You make them laugh and help around the house. They appreciate it."

Before Wooyoung got to duck his head bashfully, San continued. His mask tilted in a frown when his eyes sought Wooyoung's shoulder instead of his face.

"I was agonised, for I believed we lost our touch. There are... things I couldn't bear telling them and that made me bitter as I kept them to myself. As lonely as I was, I must have made them feel just as lonely."

San lifted his head and looked straight at Wooyoung. Under the soothing light of the chandeliers that bathed the room in a homey glow, Wooyoung's heart skipped a beat. They were so close that Wooyoung felt San's chilly breath fan over his cheek.

"Your presence helped me ease around them and vice versa. Please know I appreciate having you here, even if our initial meeting was rocky."

"I understood your predicament after you explained it to me. When you said you wouldn't kidnap anyone if you weren't desperate, I believed you. You weren't unkind to me or them. The ice just had to break." Wooyoung smiled at him with all the warmth he had accumulated over this place in the past few days. When he had arrived, it had seemed cold and unfriendly, but he recognised the familiarity the servants brought to it now and the sympathy that was buried deep under the wisps of black smoke that surrounded the beast.

"I..." San's fingers tightened around Wooyoung's. He squeezed back, signalling for San to take all the time he needed. Under the mask, a fleeting smile graced the beast's features.

"I must admit, the same goes for me. I kidnapped you for my selfish gains, but I grew to enjoy your presence. Both what you did to us cursed fellows and the palace. I adore seeing it."

Warmth blossomed in Wooyoung's chest. He couldn't help his grin when San spun him around to dip over him in the middle of the dance floor. Soft piano notes doused Wooyoung in a weightless dream as he gazed into those burning red eyes.

"I wish we would become closer. So that I may learn from you, but also so that I get to bask in the warmth you bear. It heats me in this place I thought forever frozen." His firm grip held Wooyoung up, but he led their intertwined hands between their chests. When they pressed to the outline of a human chest in the black void, the thumping of a heartbeat kissed along Wooyoung's knuckles. Shy, he curled his fingers around San's.

"You do not need to reply to me right now. No matter how kind you are to me, I won't mistake it with anything more than your willingness for empathy. Seeing you dance and smile tonight while ever so gorgeous in these clothes, I know my hideous visage can't compare."

Wooyoung let go of his hand and San seemed ready to step back and give him space. Then, however, he allowed Wooyoung to wrap his arms around his nape and crowd their bodies closer than customary. Almost too naturally, San's hands settled on his waist, waiting. They hugged the coat to his side, creating a contrast in the coldness of his touch.

Under his fingertips, Wooyoung found the line of a neck and the feel of hair. San had become nothing but a vaguely humanoid silhouette after the curse, but beneath that hid the one he had once been.

"On the contrary. I wish to give you an answer. For I, too, learned to appreciate who you are. Underneath this appearance that repels you so, I found a person like any other. You proved to me there still lingers an attractive man, no matter the looks. Though I did not choose to be here, I find myself enjoying my time."

Their current position, embracing in the ballroom while piano music wafted through the air, was one of those examples. Everything about this castle was magical, both in its destructiveness and its charm.

San gazed at him from the few centimetres he was taller than Wooyoung. His thumbs rubbed circles into Wooyoung's hip, quite unsure of what San was about to say.

"Perhaps... if you'd like, we might sweeten that time further? I find myself drawn to the lovely creature that you are, and I wish to feel the passion of your love. If there is any way I can turn this teaching of yours into genuine affections, please guide me," San whispered.

Euphoria spread in Wooyoung's stomach like the sweetest of honey. He brushed his fingers through San's hair and those violent red eyes fluttered, their flame dying down as San relished the touch. It must have been ages since he last received a gentle embrace.

"I will do that for you if you do the same for me. Let me feel your affections, and I will let you feel mine. Though let's not chase to break the curse with them. I do not wish to disappoint you, and neither should my feelings be taken lightly."

"I promise," San muttered without missing a beat. The ornaments of his mask touched upon Wooyoung's forehead. The boy's lashes fluttered when their breaths became one. Though San was so odd and misshaped, he didn't mind this closeness.

"Then show me. Show me how you court someone and I will judge if I can love you no matter what you look like."

Wooyoung didn't feel this needed to be a challenge. Yet he liked the way San's grip around him tightened with determination.

The next moment, San tilted his head to kiss Wooyoung. His shadowy pair of lips found Wooyoung's without trouble. Their touch was chilly and made the boy shiver, but he didn't retreat. He kissed back to bring warmth back to San and the melody around them carried them off into a trance where both of them forgot where they were. They drifted away as if engulfed by a spell as they forgot everything that wasn't the beastly prince dawning on the sweet village boy.

San's embrace was cold, but not unpleasant. The touch of his mouth of Wooyoung's was soft, and the feeling of it chased pleasant shudders down Wooyoung's spine. Though San seemed eager and out of practise in his kissing, Wooyoung's heart bloomed with their shared clumsiness. When he smiled against San's lips, San smiled back. They fell into giggles and then kissed again, sweet but lingering.

When Wooyoung shyly lifted his hands to touch his lips once he stepped back, San tucked a strand of his overgrown hair behind his ear. His devotion carried in the simple gesture.

"Thank you for the dance," San smiled. He withdrew politely, careful not to overstep.

Wooyoung's beating heart refused to calm down.

"It's my pleasure, Prince San."

The tingling of his lips agreed that yes, it was.