When he reached the castle doors, Neo pushed through them and bustled down the steps, past the guards at the front and out until he reached the fountain in the circular driveway. He stopped, panting, and finally let go of his face. Staring out at the gate, he slowly slumped to sit on the edge of the fountain. Elbows on his knees, he held his head, and stayed there.
ㅤㅤSoon enough, little to his surprise, a tiny sparkle of green appeared out of the corner of his eye. "Neo! did you see me?" Daileth laughed triumphantly. "I saw that you two were having a moment so I did a bit of magick here and magick there - it made a mess, but it was a good distraction! Right, Neo?" He seemed to pause. "Neo? Neo, what's wrong?"
ㅤㅤHe floated down in front of him, ducking his head down so that he could peer under Neo's hands and at his face with a concerned frown. "If it's about all those people gossiping, don't worry about them! You got your kiss, and it worked!"
ㅤㅤ"In front of hundreds of people and Christopher," Neo seethed under his breath, shaking his head. "It wasn't supposed to start out like that, Dalieth! It wasn't meant to be a public declaration of my feelings!" Neo motioned wildly with his hands, only to lean forward again and groan.
ㅤㅤ"Who cares what Christopher and them think?!" Daileth huffed. "With Christopher, you can always talk to him and convince him to give his blessing, and the others don't matter!"
ㅤㅤHe flew up and gave Neo's hair a gentle pat, careful not to hurt himself. "But... you saw her face. I did, too. You two were in love. Even if it was just for a couple moments, you were together, and she loved it and you. Yes, everyone saw," He sighed exasper-atingly. "But is love really the kind of thing you just keep under wraps?"
ㅤㅤHowever, Neo was failing at listening very well. "Nope," He muttered, sitting up as he ran his fingers through his hair, Daileth fluttering back. "No, I'm an idiot, Daileth. I should not have asked her to dance, and I should not! Have kissed her. I can't even... show my face to her. Gods, I'm so embarrassed." He covered his face with his hands, as if she were there now.
ㅤㅤThen Daileth burst out laughing. "You're gonna have to eventually! That can't be helped." He wiped fake tears away. "But think about it. If you hadn't asked her, she might've asked you anyway. And then, you still would have kissed! Kissed, Neo!" He clapped his hands. "I mean, you don't... do that. You can't. But she had this purple energy about her, and... nothing happened. She was fine! Have you two... ever been that close?"
ㅤㅤThe bodyguard paused. "No." He mumbled, and Daileth beamed. However, he shook his head, sighing as he looked at the sky. "I have to go back." He said with a sharp realisation, standing up. "What if something happens while I'm gone? I'm still her bodyguard - I have to make sure she's safe."
ㅤㅤDaileth nodded. "Well, you can always do your job and whatnot, but the ring! You still have to give her the ring! You've got time, and I know that was probably embarrassing, but maybe she's waiting for you, y'know?"
ㅤㅤ"Yeah, right..." Neo huffed.
ㅤㅤWith a solemn look, he continued on towards the steps, Daileth twirled in a loop and disappearing in a puff of pixie sparkles. Neo went down the hall, past butlers, maids, and guards who had apparently heard of the news. They stared, gawked, glared, and hissed in his general presence. He sighed to himself, reaching the ballroom doors, and stepped inside.
ㅤㅤThere were eyes. Hundreds of them, all turning to look at him. However, as he glanced around, the only pair he cared about was the milky brown gaze from above. His queen stared down at him, opening her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. Then one good look around at all of the people gave her enough initiative for a scowl.
ㅤㅤ"It is rude to stare in my manor!" She shouted. "Why has the music stopped? Play! Why are we not dancing? Celebrate! It is my birthday, and I expect you all to have a joyous time!"
ㅤㅤGasps pulled back at her tone, heads turning to look at her. She took a deep breath, forcing an award winning but threatening smile. "I wanted this all for you to enjoy, so please, do so. I will be happy today knowing I have made my people feel the same."
ㅤㅤNeo couldn't help but feel perhaps even more embarrassed by her outburst. He lowered his head, trying to ignore the crowd as, even though they reluctantly turned back to their activities, they still whispered and talked. Loads of people were coating the dance floor, but Neo looked up to see as Quilliene seemed to be struggling not to slump depressively in her seat.
ㅤㅤFinally, he took a deep breath, slipping through as he pushed past people and slipped through gaps, attempting to find a clear path to the throne once more. He had to get back to his station, before Christopher thought he was better without a head. That was what was on his mind, as a hand landed firmly on his shoulder and a whisper came to his ear.
ㅤㅤ"Let the real show begin, Nathan."
ㅤㅤNeo felt a violent shiver run through the entire length of his spine as he recognised that voice, taking in a sharp breath. He turned quickly, grimacing, only to see... himself, grinning. Like a mirror, but not moving as he was. A sense of strange unease washed over him as something solid was slapped against his chest and he was shoved away. The other him stepped back, a device in his hand that he held high.
ㅤㅤ"I have a bomb!"
ㅤㅤQuilliene took in a sharp breath as she recognised Neo's voice ring out from below, struggling to process the words. People surrounding a certain spot seemed to scream and back away, the song and dance ceasing. They spread out, coming to form a circle around two specific people that she recognised. Neo, holding a detonator in his hand, and a man in a masquerade mask. Cries of shock and desperation exploded throughout the room.
ㅤㅤ"He has a bomb!"
ㅤㅤ"He is a mad man!"
ㅤㅤ"The very same one who put his putrid hands on our majesty!"
ㅤㅤ"How dare he?!"
ㅤㅤThey shouted at him, but none were brave enough to approach. Quilliene was the last to stand, as Christopher had already jumped to his feet and bolted down the steps by two. He pushed through the crowd, stopping in the middle as he put his hands out in a calming gesture to Neo, trying to calm him down with his physical appearance.
ㅤㅤ"Neo, what is wrong with you?!" He demanded, failing to control his voice. "I have no explanation for your erratic behaviour today, but I need you to put. That. Down. Now."
ㅤㅤSlowly, he stepped forward, hands trying to bring up to Neo's arm and take the detonator, but Quilliene's bodyguard jumped away with a sneer. "Stand back, Christopher!" He shouted. "Don't you recognise him?" He glared at the man in the mask. "The bastard who took her majesty from us only a month ago. Don't you know the England Ignitionist when you see him?"
ㅤㅤNeo felt his heart pounding. He watching himself say those things, holding that button in his hand with the antenna sticking out the top. What in all the hells was going on? He looked down at himself, seeing a black suit, tanner skin, and some sort of device on his chest, glowing red and blinking. Panic encased him as he scrambled to get it off, but a shout stopped him.
ㅤㅤ"Don't touch that!" Fake Neo shouted, pointing the remote at him with a growl. "Touch it, and I'll blow you to smithereens."
ㅤㅤNeo stared at himself, the self that was in front of him, then put his hands up slowly. He stepped backwards once, trying to remain calm, but he looked at his hands. No gloves. He didn't seem right - disproportionate. Shorter, skinnier, and something was attached to his face. It took him a moment, but he realised what was happening.
ㅤㅤ"Chris," He said quickly. "Don't trust him! That's not me- I mean, he's not-"
ㅤㅤ"Shut up!" The fake Neo seethed. "Speak again, I dare you."
ㅤㅤChristopher glanced between the two of them, frantic to understand, and apparently failing to do so. Neo looked at him desperately, silent in his pleas, looking at the fake Neo - the shapechanger - and back at him. He opened his mouth again to speak, but Christopher held out a hand to silence him, turning his attention fully to the fake Neo.
ㅤㅤ"Neo, please," He said slowly. "Calm down. It wouldn't make sense, not here," He whispered the last bit, but Neo still heard. "So be reasonable. You are scaring these people, stop!" He kept inching forward, but fake Neo kept taking retreating steps back. "This is not the way to do this. Not with all these people, you're smarter than that."
ㅤㅤ"Damn right, I am!" Neo - the real Neo - shouted, and prince glanced at him in confusion. "Frosty, that isn't me-!"
ㅤㅤ"Quiet!" The illusion of him snapped, pointing the detonator at him.
ㅤㅤChristopher opened his mouth to speak again, but he seemed to pause, and Neo saw why. A sparkle of green floated near his ear, and his eyes widened in further confusion, only to see and understand. He looked at Neo, who was taking a small step forward, and seemed to understand the plan. Christopher started stepping away.
ㅤㅤ"I swear to the gods, I'll blast you into oblivion, you bastard." The fake Neo hissed.
ㅤㅤNeo turned to look at Quilliene for a moment, his eyes hidden behind the mask on his face but begging to be understood as he turned to Christopher once more. Staring at him, he set his jaw and nodded - Christopher grimaced, as if he didn't like the silent agreement they came to. Then, Neo turned to the copy of himself.
ㅤㅤRight as he charged him, the illusion stumbled back in surprise and pressed the detonator.