Chapter 14 (continued)
There are no face masks to see
Finally, the hour has come. At least I thought so, and I came out of the closet. I corrected the mask that was hiding my face well and hurried to the sounds of music. The masquerade had already begun. Couples were spinning in the bewitching sounds of music. I wonder if Lord Laherney's lunch was poisoned? Judging by the fact that there were many dancers, most survived. I looked for Ari's eyes, and I couldn't find them. I wish I could recognize one of the lords! I decided to look for the proudest posture and a lot of ladies around. And I wasn't wrong. Soon it was discovered several such islands. Apparently, the lords did not consider it necessary to hide their identities. I approached one of them. There was a man in a green suit in the center, Liverani, judging by the red hair. The lord's admirer, his title, and his possessions gathered around him.
- I assure you, my dear ones," the lord filled with the nightingale, "even if I win the selection, which will certainly be the case, there is always room for you in my heart.
- I'm afraid Her Highness won't like it! - I couldn't stand it, but Liverani decided that I, like everyone else, just wanted his attention.
- Don't worry, sweetheart. - He smiled widely. - The head of the family was my husband. He decides what his wife is happy with and whatnot.
Ladies laughed. And I wanted to go to the garden and spoil the illumination. Even my hands were combed. I turned around abruptly and went away. Some dork in scarlet tights hit me with his elbow, then started to apologize awkwardly and asked me to dance. I refused because I didn't come to dance. More precisely, to dance, but not with him.
Yarden was next. Unlike Liverani, he was in no hurry to gather a crowd around him. But he was just recognizable by his slouchy figure. Yarden was intensely watching how drinks and snacks were served. Afraid things would go wrong? He's doing the right thing, considering the signs on the doors. Suddenly one of the servants tripped, and the snacks flew right to the lady's dress. Yarden immediately rushed there, and I giggled gloatingly - I wasn't the only one having difficulties. While Yarden was scraping in front of the lady and inviting her to the next dance, my gaze grabbed a man in purple standing aside. My heart missed the beat without a second's doubt that Wren was in front of me. So I accelerated my move. He turned around, noticed me, and smiled.
- Hello, Your Highness. - Reniard bowed to me.
- Hello, Lord Ayordan.
So, Ari is somewhere near here. And it follows the plan, too.
- Can I ask you to dance? - Wren asked.
- Of course.
I gave him my hand with a smile. The music rattled, and he spun me around the room. My legs didn't seem to touch the ground, and my breath was breaking in my chest. It was as if I wasn't dancing, but soaring. Wren's hands were confidently supporting me, giving me a feeling of peace and comfort. Yes, this evening was worth the risk. And I did not regret that I decided to take this masquerade. In every sense of the word.
- You dance beautifully," I told my partner, trying to shout out music.
- You too, Your Highness," he replied.
- It's better just Elisa. Let's not reveal my incognito. I hope to escape before everyone else takes off their masks.
- Can we go out to the garden and admire the illumination?
Rena's proposal I liked very much, although I wanted to dance until my feet hurt. He carried me to the exit from the hall. We passed the glass veranda and found ourselves in the garden. Little flashlights were everywhere. I must admit, Liverani did his best. Here and there, the vague lights went out. We shaved along the paths paved with wild stone. It was only now that I noticed that Wren had never let go of my hand. It seemed right. So right, it was as if that was what the world was all about.
- Tell me, Elisa, why did your father decide to make the selection now? - Wren asked. - You are only eighteen. Magicians live long, there is no hurry.
- He said he wanted me to enter into the full force of magic," I remembered the arguments of my beloved parent. - And that we need a man who will be the backbone of my kingdom and mine. As if I couldn't do it myself.
- Will you manage?
- Doubt it? - I stopped.
- Not a drop! - Wren hastened to assure me. - You probably don't like what's going on.
- More than that. But, alas, my father did not listen to me. If he had noticed what I was saying at least once in a while, he would have realized that I would never accept it. And if these lords were known three times, even four times rich, I am not a prize, Wren, but a living person.
Reniard looked at me with surprise. Of course, he was new to hearing such speeches from a girl, and even from a princess. But I decided to be frank, since we are on the same bank, and all the others - on the opposite side.
- You don't look like any other girl, Elise," he finally snapped off his lips.
- Is that a compliment or a reproach? - I winked at my companion.
- A compliment, of course. And you know, I'm glad I came to the damn selection because...
I heard cotton, and the first fireworks snakes went up in the sky. At least somebody had everything going according to plan. Or not? Because the ball only recently started, and the fireworks have already started.
We stood there and looked at the sky, which was lit up with hundreds or thousands of lights. A flash, another flash. Red, blue, green. So many colors! Even my head was spinning. Wren attracted me to him. Fireworks spatter was reflected in his eyes.
- I'm sorry, Eliza," he muttered and... kissed me.
I lost my head for a moment. The world had lost its clarity, the ground had floated under my feet. It was too late to break out and slap the lord in the face, so I let myself be captured by the kiss. The last fireworks salvo died out. I pulled away, feeling my cheeks blush.
- Elisa? Are you angry? - Wren asked quietly.
- No," she answered him with a smile. - I'm sorry, I have to go.
I rushed back to the palace so that Reniard wouldn't understand the main thing - I had already made my choice. You can't stay until everyone takes off their masks. And it is better to leave earlier because the masquerade gave me more than I could count on. The steps of my wing flashed under my feet. A couple of times I almost fell, stepping on the hem of the dress, but finally got to the coveted closet. This time I didn't ceremony with ties - I grabbed the scissors I had caught at hand and cut them open, and then quickly changed into Cavernel's usual clothes. The pendant came back around his neck. I glanced in the murky mirror - Elias returned! Nothing, three trials are over. There was not much left. So, the obstacle course. There won't be anything risky there, will there?
By the way, I remembered the missing staff. Or maybe he wasn't missing at all, and Daddy decided to joke about the lords and test their courage? Anyway, it is impossible to retreat. Only forward, to victory.
I opened the door of the closet and looked out into the corridor. Nobody. Now we need to slowly return to the wing of the lords. Maybe even put on a costume, provided by my father, and appear in the main hall. Yes, I will do so, so that later they won't say that Cavernel ignored the holiday. There is still enough time.
I turned around the corner and almost crashed into someone else's chest. I raised my eyes and froze in fear. Villain! Not this! Instead of having fun at the masquerade, the secretary was here. All in black, as if there were no other colors for him.
- Mr. Cavernel, what are you doing here? - He asked frowningly.
- Mm... I was looking for her Highness," he said. - But, alas, she hasn't returned from the masquerade yet, and...
- Enough," Villian interrupted. Something sparkled in his hand. The dagger!
I yelled and recoiled, but Villian immediately intercepted me and pressed me against the wall. The cold blade touched my neck. I closed my eyes and felt the necklace slip off. There was a knock of fall.
- I knew it," I heard and opened my eyes.
Willian looked carefully at my face as if it were the first time he had seen it.
- Welcome home, Your Highness.