A Lesson in Conduct

"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 covering dropped down and everything was blocked out. I stumbled on my heels and lurched forward. I felt Masquerade catch my arm and steady me.

"Oh, dear me!" he laughed. His gloved fingers pushed the covering back above my eyes, "For shame, my sweet, you do let your mask slip."

The gentleman and lady with him regarded my intently, the gentleman with intrigue, the lady indifference. I felt confused and embarrassed.

"But, sir, I told you," I said, smoothing my hair, "I don't—"

I stopped. My fingers had brushed something on my forehead. It was not skin. It felt like...embroidery?! Trembling, my hands felt all over my face. Delicate, embroidered cloth covered my forehead, temples, and cheekbones. 

A sick feeling gnawed at my stomach. My breath got faster and more shallow. My knees felt like water, and I didn't know whether to cry or scream. 

"What's happening...?" I whispered weakly. 

I saw Masquerade's eyes fill with concern. He touched my arm again, supporting me just below my elbow. I leaned into his hand, and his fingers held on more tightly. I think he was afraid I was going to faint. 

"There, there," he said softly, "Don't be frightened."

He helped me straighten. I took a few deep breaths, and the fog cleared from my mind. Feeling stronger, I wanted to squeeze his hand in thanks. I reached for his palm, but he suddenly raised it. The cloth on my temple had begun to fall, and his fingers gently smoothed it back in place.

"There, much better," he said, "Now, my dear, I believe you interrupted our conversation." 

With a nod of his head, he gestured to his two companions. 

"Rather completely overturned it, I'd say," the gentleman proposed, the sapphire sheen of his mask sparkling with every tilt of his head, "Good lord, what were we discussing?"

"The importance of a graceful introduction, perhaps?" ventured the lady. Her Russian accent was so thick! I could barely understand her when she talked. 

"Ah, young ones know so little of manners, don't they?" the gentleman agreed.

She didn't answer. Her pink satin mask curled so closely around her eyes, I couldn't tell her expression. She just daintily sipped the white wine in her glass, seeming neither happy nor offended by my presence. I didn't feel like she was pleased.

"I'm sorry," I said in a small voice.

"Don't be," the gentleman laughed, "If you were any less bungling, I'd wager you were scheming to sabotage Lord Masquerade's ball."

He had dropped his voice to a low hum, like he was telling a terrible secret. Masquerade looked down with a smile. Worried, I glanced at him.

Come on, you don't believe that, do you? 

Turning to the man, I shook my head quickly, "No, that's not what I—" 

"Hush, Clarence," the lady purred, "don't be so critical. It's clear she only means to sabotage Lord Masquerade himself." 

Her luscious lips smiled condescendingly while the gorgeous eyes bestowed a humiliating look on me. Clarence laughed through his nose and covered his amusement by drinking his wine. I didn't dare look at Masquerade, but I saw the fingers holding his glass tighten.

"No, no, I just wanted to tell him I was awake." I said, defending myself too breathlessly, "and—and the food," I forced myself to look at him, "it was excellent. I've never tasted anything so delicious. Thank you so much."

Silence reigned for a moment that lasted a little too long. His eyes were so still, I felt like I was burning beneath their gaze. Then, he softened and gave me a nod. 

"I accept your thanks," he said, “and I hope you enjoy more of my refreshments.”

“Oh, she’s staying?” Clarence asked. He looked amused.

The sudden eupohoria in my chest burst. A tension hung in the atmosphere. The lady looked like she would chase me away herself at any moment. My throat tightened as I looked at Masquerade. He seemed unsure of what to say.

“You’ve already done so much, sir. I’m sorry I bothered you,” I said quietly. “There are more fitting places for me to be. I’m happy to go.”

I had never told a bigger lie than I did just then. My heart beat rapidly inside me as I waited for him to agree. The gentleman regarded me quietly and the lady had a smug look on her face.

“More fitting places? Do you not like my halls?” Masquerade asked me.

I almost choked on a gasp, “No, they’re gorgeous! I’ve never seen anything more beautiful!”

“So true,” interjected the gentleman casually.

“Well, if you find them so beautiful, what reason is there to make you leave them so soon?”

“I don’t want to,” I said quickly. My mask shivered violently but I hurriedly caught it. “I don’t want to inconvenience you, I mean. Sir.”

“One more merrymaker can’t be that great an inconvenience,” Clarence commented.

“Indeed, my dear, you should be more concerned whether staying is an inconvenience for you,” the lady said sympathetically. “After all, it must be a great embarrassment to find yourself unable to dance at a ball.”

She flicked her fan to point at my bandaged ankle. I couldn’t help shifting my eyes downward. Having something wrapped around my leg was probably conspicuous at best. Maybe the other guests here would be offended by that. My ankle hadn’t been bothering me since I woke up, but I tested it just to be sure. Of course it stung as soon as I did. I was sure that was because I was nervous and not because my ankle actually hurt.

I looked up to find the two guests still regarding my ankle. Masquerade, however, was looking at me.

“I think my ankle feels better,” I said.

“I should hope so. I applied my finest ointment to it,” he laughed.

The lady coughed lightly then simpered a smile at me.

“So I can stay?” I asked hesitantly.

“You may do whatever pleases you most, Miss Phillips,” Masquerade told me.

“Just be sure it doesn’t involve falling,” Clarence advised.

The lady nodded. “True, Lord Masquerade cannot accodmodate all unusual pastimes here.”

“I won’t fall,” I said, my cheeks flaming.

A smile flickered on Masquerade’s lips, "As you wish. Now, you must divert yourself for a time, my dear." He added in a lower tone, "you are not my only guest."