Masquerade

AUTHOR’S NOTE

I can’t promise updates will be regular, but just know I am working hard on the next chapter. I hope the world I am building will bring comfort to some, excitement to others, and a newfound inner peace. I worldbuild because I need a safe haven from the world. I only hope that sharing the worlds I have built will do the same for someone who happens to stumble upon this book. Have a lovely time reading. May many blessings find you, wonderous reader.

Kervaeya watched as countless men asked her younger sister for a dance. She leaned against her elbows, the dancing was no more than a bore. She hated being so invisible, and yet, she didn't even want the attention of the men. Those that did show her attention made her want to hide away. No. She wanted the attention of women. To be accepted as a friend among them. Instead, she kept herself in the shadows, watching how her sisters interacted so effortlessly within French Court.

"You seem to be having fun..." she sighed upon hearing her brother's voice behind her.

"Avandre, you should know better than to speak to me in public... you're drawing unwanted attention." She hissed, whipping around to see someone rather unexpected.

A stranger.

I should have known it would have been someone else. Avandre is well aware of the rules our family has in place.

"And who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?" She raised a brow beneath her mask.

“Someone who has been admiring you from afar, someone who has accidentally taken a liking to you.” The man replied, his stone mask hiding his identity.

“Would you at least give me the honour of knowing your name?” The man stiffened. Sensing his sudden wariness, she smiled warmly and focused her attention back onto her sisters. “Alright. No names, then. Wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” She spoke softer than she had been, feeling the sudden shift in his mood. She felt the man’s presence grow closer, his long black hair shifting into view of her peripherals.

“I am not of this country. My name would be far too confusing.” He admitted lowly.

“It’s not often a foreigner shows themselves in the King’s annual masquerade. Tell me, how is it you got here?” She was growing suspicious of the man. Masquerades involved lengthy, secret conversations with the King and his highly ranked nobles. It was hardly safe for an outsider to overhear such things. Let alone a foreigner.

“My Emperor commanded me to come here. I must do as the King asks until I am sent back home. It’s part of a cooperation between the countries.” He answered, his eyes piercing Kervaeya’s.

“There are currently three countries with Emperors, fine sir. Russia, which my King has already been in dealings with, China, which my country has yet to speek with, and Japan, whom my King has been speaking of more and more as of late.” She kept her eyes trained on her youngest sister, who was currently being cornered by three—rather large—men, her eyes showing fear. With a small frown, Kervaeya turned toward the staircase.

“I-“

“I’m going to have to cut this meeting short, my good sir. I have something important to see to.” She spoke rapidly, looking back over the edge of the balcony. It certainly wasn’t lady like, what she was about to do. And if she thought long and hard enough, she could feel the future lectures piercing throug her carefully laid bricks within her mind. She closed her eyes, forcing her feelings to shut off until she was past such an incident. She could feel later, after the danger had passed.

She leaped over the ledge, falling two stories onto the gold marbled floors of the King’s magnificent ballroom. The sound of her heels smacking against the floor caused everyone’s attention to turn to her. All Kervaeya could see was the group of men that surrounded her little sister, their nasty words ringing like alarms. She scoffed, storming over to the oblivious men.

Without much struggle, she pinned a man’s arm behind him, upwards so that the man doubled over in agony. She smirked as she heard a pop.

“Tell me your name.” She commanded softly in his ear.

“H-Hamond!” He cried out.

“Your surname, dimwit.” She hissed, her gip on his wrist tightening until she heard a crack.

“Marquese!” He exclaimed, groaning when she shifted her weight, causing his arm to shift along his back.

“I think I shall have a word with the King about your… endeavours. No one corners my sister. Is that understood? If you enjoy her company, court her like a proper man. Treat her like the goddess from which she was made.” She paused, turning him by the shoulders and pinning him against the closest wall. “Do you understand?” Power rang like a new bell within her voice.

“I understand!” The man cried, unable to look her in the eyes.

“Good.” She released him from her grasp, taking three steps back. “Get lost.” She whispered. He scurried off beyond the crowd that had formed. She scrunched her nose at the unnecessary attention and focused on her sister. “Are you okay, Ari? Those men seemed to be harassing you.” Ariadne seemed more relaxed with her sister’s presence.

“Oh, thank the heavens you arrived on time. I was starting to think they were going to hide me away before you could get to me.” Her voice wavered with relief from the stressful situation. “I’ve been hearing of such happenings lately. Especially with the masquerade going on.”

“Nothing to worry about, dear sister. Just men getting too big for their trousers.” Kervaeya soothed, extending a hand to her.

“Are you certain? Those men looked like they wanted to do violent things…” Kervaeya internally shuddered at the thought of her sister being wronged in such horrid ways.

“While I am around, sister, no man shall ever harm a hair on your head. Of that, I am sure.”

“I appreciate your dedication to my safety, Ker… But shouldn’t you be focused on finding a match? You’ll need to find a nobleman if you’re to keep your place in court.” Ariadne frowned, her eyes gleaming with concern yet again.

“Let me worry about my endeavours, Ari. You focus on stealing the hearts of those around you with your kindness and show stopping smile.” Kervaeya spoke hastily, feeling the strange man from earlier grow closer, his watchful eye causing her to become nervous.

“As you wish, sister. I’m growing tired and shall like to retire to our home for the evening. Do have fun with the King’s guests.”

“Fun indeed…” Kervaeya grumbled, watching her sister wander off towards tthe exit. Seconds later, her sister walked into sight outside the rather large palace window. She hefted herself inside, waving her hand out of the window to let the driver know to continue.

Will I ever be able to stop coming to these tedious events? She asked herself, turning to meet the man’s eyes peering down at her from the balcony. Perhaps this is all coming to a close, soon. Whoever this man is, he seems quite intersted in me. And with that, Kervaeya made her way back up to the balcony, meeting he strange man who wore the brilliant stone mask.