Just as I began to enjoy my new surroundings, an odd rumble cut through the air. Masquerade paused at his work, and Garrett's head turned towards the bed. My face flushed immediately. I forgot I hadn't eaten since the early afternoon. I had forgotten to eat at the prom like I promised. That was hours ago by now.
"Excuse me," I mumbled.
The faint smile returned.
"Garrett," Masquerade said, "I think my guest is in need of further refreshment."
"Oh no, please don't bother. I'm—" the rumble cut down my protest.
Masquerade raised an eyebrow above his mask. I'm certain he was trying not to laugh. Then he turned to the boy.
"Would you?"
Garrett nodded, but his eyes asked what he should bring.
"Whatever is appetizing," Masquerade said, "and gentle on her stomach."
The boy bowed and left us. Masquerade bent again to his work. Watching him, it suddenly dawned on me that I was being tended by the owner of the house I entered without invitation. He hadn't even asked what I was doing at his ball! and here I was, lying on his bed as he cleaned my injured ankle. Guilt welled up inside me. I couldn't take advantage of his kindness. I had to tell him the truth.
"Masquerade—" I began breathlessly. "I'm sorry, I mean Lord Masquerade--"
"Don't be sorry," he said, squeezing the gauze.
My heart fluttered. I felt a little more confident in his forgiveness. When he raised his eyes, however, I lost my nerve.
"I—I—just...um..." I pressed my fingers against my palms, "I just want to thank you..."
He raised a confused eyebrow.
"I wasn't—I actually wasn't supposed to be here. I'm not rich or anything. I wasn't invited. I just got lost in the woods, and—came inside because I—I guess I just was drawn to this place."
He smiled. I blushed a little but quickly continued.
"I'm really sorry for trespassing. I really wouldn't have come in if I thought someone lived here. Really, if you'd thrown me out, broken ankle and all, I wouldn't have blamed you. But you—you've been so...kind—" I started to heave, "I don't deserve—any of it—"
The catch in my throat drew tears. I couldn't stop them and lowered my head. A few dripped onto my dress. Above my trembling breaths, I heard Masquerade stand.
"Oh, no, no, no, my dear," he murmured softly, drawing close.
His voice made me feel so safe.
"Hush now, don't let these betraying jewels fall," he said, lifting my chin. Caressing my face, he brushed away my tears, his touch gentle and warm. "Don't take off your mask for me..."
I groaned, "Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm not wearing a mask!"
"No?" he asked mildly, turning my face.
I found myself staring into a long mirror. I had not noticed it when we first came in. There was the bed and Masquerade crouched beside it, his gloved fingers grazing my cheek. There I was, sitting against the pillows, my red dress hanging just below my shoulders—and on my face was glistening a black masquerade mask. Its contours were so delicately webbed, I almost didn't see it.My hands flew to my face, groping for the mask. My reflection followed suite and touched the mask, too, but I could feel nothing around my eyes. This weird illusion really bothered me."I don't understand," I said, my voice trembling, "Why is the mirror putting a mask on my face when there isn't one there?""You say that with such certitude," he said with a soft laugh."What do you mean?" I asked, "Can you see it?""Oh yes, it guards your eyes beautifully," he answered, softly tracing its outline. His fingers moved so precisely, I knew he wasn't lying. Feeling lost, I caught his hand in mine. My thoughts were blending together, my mind reeling. Slipping free, my last tear wet the tip of his finger.I'm not going crazy! I can't be going crazy!I looked at him, my round eyes wordlessly begging for an explanation. I felt him tighten his fingers and I let go of his hand. He started to answer, when he noticed how labored my breath was. He must have sensed the depth of my visceral fright. He touched my arm, then gently traced my wrist with a single, delicate finger. His simple expression of sympathy subdued the thunder in my mind. Sighing heavily, I released the weight in my chest. With my eyes, I thanked him, and he lowered his with a quiet smile."Don't you see?" he murmured, "You've always worn the mask—it's a part of you.""How?" I asked.He moved away, returning his hand to my ankle. My feelings of fear were replaced with exhaustion, but I still wanted an answer."Why is there a mask? Please tell me," I begged him. He didn't say anything at first. Pouring the ointment onto a fresh bandage, he wrapped it over my injury. His hands moved deftly and he began to sing softly,
You've guarded yourself. You've kept the door closedMolded a smile to cover your sighsPretended to laugh when you felt so aloneSeemed so alive while your soul slowly died
His song was hauntingly lonely. It washed away the strings tightening my heart. I let my head rest on the pillows as I listened.
You moved like a dream, yet you felt like the damned With each new impression, a seam was then tracedAnd as every new love came to prove it was shammedAnother thread wove through the mask on your face
I felt my eyes close...his words became a soft melody in the distance...that faded away...
****************
Her chest rose and fell, her breath was calm. Her eyes closed...
The choices you make are what fashion the maskYour hopes, and your dreams, yes, your fearsWhen all are combined like the sheen of a glass That is how you truly disappear
He glanced toward her sleeping face, smiling faintly. Crushing a delicate substance in his palm, he sang the last verses as he rubbed his fingertips in the glistening powder:
Now, my dear, your secret's hidden, and none can followFor our secret will not be betrayed'neath the roof of my house, in the web of my ball, knowIt cannot be found...
He opened his hand, and glittering particles fell upon her bandage,
Don't be afraid For none ever find those of the Masquerade
The glow swirled around her ankle, settled on the cloth, then faded away. Standing up, he covered her with the blanket.
As he brought the covers near her shoulders, his hand hovered near the locks of hair tumbling across the pillow. He reached out to stroke the delicate strands, but withdrew his fingers.
Then he left her.
I stirred. My eyelids felt unbearably heavy and I rested awhile longer, feeling the soft sheets with my fingers. How long was I asleep? At last, I felt strong enough to open my eyes and my gaze fell on the blanket settled upon my chest. I noticed the delicate embroidery of flowers on the blanket. They were so beautiful.I looked around me. The lavish bedroom was darkened except for a few lit candles on the table. The golden filigree in the walls and ceiling faintly reflected the candles' glow and the dark mahogany of the furniture gave off a subtle sheen.I sat up, and t
From the corner of my eye, I saw that Garrett noticed how white my nails had become. My emotions were still in turmoil, but I relaxed my grip on the railing. I didn't want to worry him. He had enough to worry about, working in an establishment like this."Perhaps it isn't my place—" Garrett began. I looked back at him, "But it seems needless for Lord Masquerade to provide you an escort to the ballroom if you do not return to the ballroom."I sighed. He had a point. But my last dance didn't go very well, and I wasn't keen to get tripped again.
"Lord Masquerade!" I called, rushing forward.He was wearing a different mask! No wonder I hadn't found him before! Oh, no words can describe how relieved and happy I was! I slipped between the ladies' gowns and gentlemen's coattails."I thought I'd never find you!" I said, giggling nervously like an Anime girl. I reached toward him, "I've been looking all over—"Something suddenly slipped over my eyes. A thin black cove
The lady began fanning herself casually and Clarence made no effort to hide his smile. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat."Yes, my lord. I'm sorry for interrupting."I dropped a quick, painfully awkward curtsy and stepped away from the group. It took all I had not to run away. My eyes were swimming with tears. They stung my eyelashes as I stumbled down the hall. Busily trying to blink them back, I remembered too late that Luceyado was near the front doors and not the ballroom. I almost bumped into him.
Any other day, I would have been glad to see a little girl, but this one...she seemed strange. Her face was unusually pale, her eyes unusually keen. Her hair seemed to float gently, as if there was the faintest sigh of a breeze in the stillness of the hallway.The little one's hands clutched the railing, her wide eyes fixed on me like a trapped mouse. Before I could think, she leapt from the bottom stair and ran toward the doors to the outside. The right-hand door opened and she twisted through the crack.As I saw her disappear, I came back to myself.
I wanted to argue my case. But I knew my memories were a little wonky tonight, for whatever reason. I'd just have to wait and see if she showed up again. I don't want to raise unnecessary alarm. Gaining a reputation for being a drama queen was really not going to go over well. Besides, I guess I couldn't blame Luceyado for not believing me when I had already disrupted the party once.Although that was kind of your fault, too, buddy...Unaware of my thoughts, Luceyado smiled in satisfaction, "I knew your dress would please the master."
"Are you all right?" Cassiopeia asked, noting the far off look in my eyes."Yeah," I said slowly. "Cassiopeia, do you—have you ever seen any children around here?""No, I can't say I have," the woman shook her head, "Have you?""I saw a little girl. She was in the back hall, down there," I pointed to the crystal doors, "but she ran into the courtyard when she saw me."
"Forgive me, am I invading your thoughts?" he asked."Nah, you—," I began. Then a thought came to me, "you rather completely overturnedthem, I'd say," I said, mimicking the twang in Clarence's voice. I tossed my hair, "Good lord, whatwasI thinking about?"I sent him a grin, and he accepted the challenge."The importance of a graceful intrusion perhaps?" he replied, thickening his voice with a Ru