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Rosaimeé

Chapter 22 The Masquerade

The carriage stopped by the castle's receiving area, in the same place it stopped the first time Am came. The driver dismounted and opened the door of the chariot and Am stepped out carefully... those high-heeled boots were a problem... Even though Am practiced for a few days , she hadn't mastered walking in them.

The castle was teeming with color and music. Everybody was dressed so elegantly in their silky gowns, luxurious jewels, embroidered tunics and embellished masks. People appeared so festive, chatting in every corner of the foyer.

Am walked amongst the guests, attracting everyone's looks. "Who is that lady in white? She looks stunning! Who is the red haired? That is a fabulous dress! She must be a foreign princess!" The guests speculated in whispers.

It wasn't a lie. In fact she looked amazing in that white silky gown. She was a goddess wearing the luxurious white fur coat and the gorgeous white and golden mask. She chose to leave her red hair loose and its waves flowed freely giving her an air of natural beauty.

The porter opened the iron door that led to the salon. Am breathed deeply and walked in. Literally, the world seemed to stop around her. The salon appeared so pompous and shiny. The ornaments on the tables and walls and the sequins and crystals in the dresses and masks reflected the light from the chandeliers and gilded candelabrums. The ambience felt more opulent and festive than the night of the Prince's Birthday Ball. This was the most splendorous party she had ever assisted. There were hundreds of masqueraders dancing and chatting in the grand salon of the castle.

As she walk, she felt somehow list and confused... sometimes scared. Everyone was hidden behind the masks. Many greeted her and she didn't know who they were until they unmasked. It was funny though. It was like a hide and seek game... but the players were all pretty and rich people... Everyone except her, of course. Yet, she was winning for nobody recognized her.

Everyone praised Am's stunning looks and she blushed feeling flattered. When she took off her coat, the see-through white fabric over her shoulders and slightly pushed up breasts, revealed the sleek figure on her upper body. The corset accentuated the tiny size of her waist and the loose flow of the silk skirt made her seem to float instead of walking over the white marbled floor of the Throne Salon.

Am stood in a corner, looking for someone... but who? A young blond gentleman stood next to her. A pair of two sky blue irises peeped at her through the eye holes of an eagle motif mask. "Good Evening, milady. I want to introduce myself. My name is Damian Lesther, viscount of Eldershire. And who do I have the pleasure to meet?"

"My name is Amalthea de Albis. It is a pleasure to meet you milord." Am curtsied and smiled to the viscount.

"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Amalthea. I saw you standing in this corner by yourself, and I was wandering if you were alone in this evening."

Am was about to answer when a third person interrupted abruptly the conversation. "No, she is not. I am her escort, Viscount Damian..." He cut off the man in that moment. Then, talking to Am, he spoke. "Here you have the drink that you asked me for, my dear." And he handed a glass of wine to Amalthea.

Am was perplex and hesitated for a moment. But she recognized that deep voice... and those emerald eyes... It was Lord Roderick who came to rescue her -or that was at least what he thought-.

"I beg your pardon Lady Amalthea if I disturbed you with my intromission. I thought you were without companion this evening." Lord Damian told Am. Then he addressed the duke." Lord Roderick, it is nice to see you again. Allow me to tell you that you are very lucky my friend. You have the most beautiful lady for companion this evening... Now I beg your pardon, I will find a dance partner with no escort this time." And the viscount walked away filled with embarrassment. Both Lord Roderick and Am giggled.

"He doesn't need to tell me. I noticed already how beautiful you are tonight... Like the rest of the people in this masquerade ball."

"Thank you, milord. You flatter me with your kind words."

"I'm just speaking the truth. You seem to be ethereal in that luxurious white dress..."

"It was a gift." Am bursted out quickly knowing where did the duke was going with his comment.

"I know... the person that gave it to you really wanted you to come here and look remarkably pretty. However, that person made me a favor, because I knew he was going to invite you. See, now I have the privilege of your company one more time and admire the beauty of your essence."

Am stared at the duke without nothing to say. She knew exactly what Lord Roderick was talking about. She felt ashamed for an instant; for she was involved in some sort of game she didn't understand the rules yet. The duke continued talking to Am. "You are so innocent my dear... But I have to remind you that I came alone... and the prince that invited you... is not... For I am all yours... exclusively yours... And look... Speaking of the devil..." Am turned to see the devil... Well, the prince... who walked tightly gripped by the she-devil... Means... Lady Katharina.

Prince Alasther was staring directly to the couple. He was indeed regal in his dark indigo tunic, black pants and leather boots. He wore a black long cape and a royal blue and black feathered mask.

Lady Katharina was simply gorgeous in a silk red gown, embellished with golden laced trims. Her corset was so exquisitely decorated with feathers and sequins it looked surreal. The mask she wore was a big golden butterfly that matched perfectly the golden locks neatly organized in a loose chignon atop of her small and delicate head.

Looking at the blonde belle, Am felt so insignificant. The prince and the fair blond looked as made for each other. Both were royalty and that was exactly the way they appeared to be.

Short after, both the Prince and Lady Katharina were in front of the duke and Am. Prince Alasther was staring at Am. 'She looks so beautiful! Why is that idiot with her?' He thought raging inside.

"Good Evening, Lady Amalthea. You look absolutely stunning in white this evening." The Prince told Am winking an eye in conspiracy. Am managed to smile for she felt very nervous.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Am said and curtsied.

The gazes that the prince and the duke thrusted each other were like deathly daggers... not less lethal than the way Katharina was glaring at Am. Then, the prince spoke to the duke in a less polite tone."Good evening, Lord Roderick."

"Good Evening, Your Majesty." He replied with an exaggerated grin and reverence. The duke now addressed to Lady Katerina. "Good Evening, Lady Katharina, tonight you are simply flamboyant. Your beauty exceeds the others by far in this occasion, as usual." Lady Katharina reddened as the duke kissed her hand with flattering gestures.

"Oh, thank you, Lord Roderick. You are always so gallant." She gave the duke a coquettish smile. Then she looked at Am with disparagement, faking a smile... and failing in her hypocrite attempt as she talked to the maiden. "Lady, Amalthea... I have to admit you look graceful in that white gown. Congratulations, you chose very well your outfit for this masquerade... And I have to say, you two make a lovely couple... Haven't they, my dear?", asking to prince then.

Alasther stared at her as if she was hallucinating. Then he looked to Am and to Lord Roderick, like questioning himself if in fact they made a great couple. 'No they don't!' He thought.

"Thank you, Lady Katharina. That is exactly what I believe. I was lucky to meet this wonderful lady months ago in this exact place. And I have to be grateful with your Majesty, the king, for finding this fair nymph in the woods. Her chant has spelled me." And he entwined his arm with Am's looking directly to the prince, who seemed to be not too pleased with the comment.

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Am and the duke moved gracefully on the dance floor. They smiled and chatted merrily. The king stood up and instructed the music to halt. She asked the queen to stand up as well. The guests went silence and everybody was waiting for the king to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is a special occasion. Tonight is time for festivity and jubilee for the Royal family and the prosperous kingdom of Abhainn. My dear wife, Queen Cephora and I want to make an announcement that certainly will fill your hearts with joy. The royal family is about to expand with the gain of a new daughter..." Followed, the king turned to face the prince and Lady Katharina. "Come my son, come my daughter..." Lady Katharina stood up promptly. She jumped literally from her seat and grabbed the king's hand. She was about to hear what she had craved for years. The prince, on the contrary was startled. He showed no emotions as he walked to take the king's left hand. "I want to proclaim the formal engagement of my son, Prince Alasther Burkhart with Lady Katharina Cynbel. God bless the prince and the princess!" The crowd repeated eagerly "God bless the prince and the princess!"