Nocturne of the promise we made under the moonlight

Chapter 1, The Masquerade

The wind hissed violently through the trees, and the sky a dark royal blue. As the carriage came to a steady halt, you hear the crunching sound of twigs turn into the clacking of stone. The royal palace.

Your coachman stepped down from his perch, and lightly tapped on the doors window with his knuckle. "We are here my lady." He opened the carriage door and reached his hand out to meet yours. 

With a tight grip on his hand, and a gathering of skirts in your other hand, you stepped out from the carriage and onto the brick beneath you. You wore a long ivory ballgown, embedded with crystals. A dainty lace mask covered your eyes, unable to reveal your identity to any that would know you. "Thank you..." You thanked shyly, pushing back a stray lock of hair that was elegantly placed from your updo. 

Gazing at the grandeur displayed before you, a palace of merveilles. Many others where gathering at the entrance waiting for their turn to be let in. You could hear the beautiful sound of a quintet coming from inside, and the laughter of the party. 

"Let's not keep the others waiting my lady." The coachman bowed to you and gestured to the stairs leading up to the doors. 

"Right..." This is a masquerade, we shouldn't reveal our identities to one another. Therefore, servants shouldn't accompany us.  You strode towards the ball, carefully lifting your skirts before taking each step up the stairs. 

A royal servant stood by the door and happily greeted you. "My lady..." He bowed, and gently pushed the intricate door open. Light poured onto your body as he revealed the enormous ballroom. Figures held onto each other gracefully and glided across the checkered marble. The quintet played a melody unlike any other. You look into the sea of nobles chatting on the edges of the ballroom, with their faces obscured you couldn't recognize a single one. A hand reached out to you as you took in your surroundings.

"May I?" A tall male figure offered to dance, his dark ebony hair was tied back in a low ponytail and fell down his back in ringlets. He wore a gold mask with damask material, and an overcoat to match. 

You politely curtsied and took the hand he offered. "It would be a pleasure." He pulled you to him, your other hand rested on his shoulder, and you began to waltz. Effortlessly, the two of you blended into the ballroom with the other figures. Your dress billowed with every spin and turn. 

"You seem to be no stranger to this dance, my lady." He praised, twirling you gently. 

A smile lit up your lips. "I'm quite fond of dancing, it's a hobby of mine you could say." His steps following yours tightly, almost passionately. 

"A hobby you say?" He chuckled. "Many noble women take up dancing as a hobby, but yours is the best I've tasted I must say." 

As you passed the other couples, a man in a glittery purple lapeled overcoat and his partner spun in sync with the two of you. As he brushed against your shoulder, the two of you caught yourselves in a short lived glance. His mask was obscuring his face but you could catch the twinkle in his eye. We should switch partners soon, you thought to yourself.

The man that held you in his waltz loosened his grip on your hip, ready to hand you off to the next gentlemen. "Before we part, may I know your name?" He grinned.

You huffed. "My lord, I believe we are to remain anonymous at this ball." Almost annoyed at the fo paux. 

"I jest, I jest." He giggled. "Well, in part I do. You're interesting, I would love to dance another time my lady." The end of the song came to a blissful stop, and only a second later the next one began. "This is where we part, I do hope we meet again." He bowed as you curtsied.