Fate in Disguise

Chapter One

The ballroom resounded with the enchanting strains of music, its notes dancing in harmony with the flickering candlelight. Lively conversations with laughter were heard all throughout the room. Duchess Meredith's annual masquerade ball was in full swing, a realm where people wore extravagant masks; and pretended they didn't know each other.

The majority of them flirt with others. It wasn't uncommon for them to go to the bedrooms just outside the ballroom to take out their frustrations of an inadequate sex life with their spouses. They took the bit of anonymity they had and used it fully. The masks made them different people.

What transpired within the gilded walls remained an unspoken secret. Lips were sealed, for the threat of exposing their scandalous escapades loomed ominously. If there was a leak, people's lives would be ruined.

But amidst the swirling masks and whispered confidences, there was one who stood apart—myself. Although technically a noble, I occupied the lowest rungs of the aristocratic ladder, my sole claim to title being the modest "Lady."

In fact the majority of the people here would be insulted if they found out I dare still have a title.

I was hanging by the wall, observing the people dancing among each other. I felt a pang of envy seeing them happily chatting. I bit my lip. "How can I be jealous if I won't even go up and talk to someone?" I thought to myself.

I took one last glance before turning away. I focused my attention on the snack bar. Approaching the table, my eyes widened. I couldn't help but drool a small bit. It was filled with an array of sweets and small food. I quickly, but carefully, grabbed a plate and took a little bit of everything.

My plate quickly filled, normally I would be a bit ashamed; but I could tell nobody was looking at me...

Besides, it would be a shame if all this good food would go to waste..

I backed up trying to find a place to sit and eat when I hit a brick wall. "Strange, there wasn't one a moment ago?" I quickly turned. It was a chest.

I looked up to see who it was. My breath was taken away. It was a man, a very handsome one at that. His mask did little to cover up just how attractive he was. His dark raven hair was nicely combed but somewhat messy. His bright blue eyes shined like ice.  He had ivory skin and full pink lips. I felt his gaze piercing down at me. It was making my heart race. It

I just met this man but I already felt this attracted? What's wrong with me! I've never felt like this before!

I blinked a couple times before I realized I had been gawking at this mesmerizing stranger without uttering a word. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I hastily stammered, "Oh! I'm sorry!" I bowed politely as I could with a plate full of food

He didn't say anything after that. He was just looking at me, like he was analyzing me, judging me to my very core. I felt a bit nervous.

"Uhm, did you want something from the snack bar?" I asked him timidly. That was the only thing I could think of since he was over here. I moved a bit out of the way so he could get some food.

I couldn't help but notice a subtle curl at the corner of the man's lips, a cryptic half-smile. "Is he laughing at me?" I wondered.

"No need to be so apologetic, you did nothing wrong at all."

His voice was so deep and icy I swore the temperature of the room went down a bit. It caused me to shiver and my stomach to do flips. My heart was racing so fast it was like I ran a marathon.

We both didn't say anything after that for a long while... I could feel his icy gaze go up and down my body. It was like he was analyzing me, judging me. My heart raced even faster by being stared down by such a handsome man.

"Why am I like this we just met?" I scream to myself internally. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before I spoke again.

"Uhm," my voice cracked a bit, damn! "Did you want something from the snack bar?" I asked him shyly. I moved to the side a bit so he could see the table full of food. It was the only reason he would come over here... right?

"No. I'm not hungry," he replied, his tone chilly, but a faint glimmer of warmth lingered beneath the surface "Are you feeling comfortable at this masquerade? It seems as if you were alone." he asked bluntly.

A pang of loneliness stabbed at my heart, striking where it hurt the most—I was indeed alone. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Lifting my gaze to meet his, I noticed that despite the continued iciness in his eyes, there was a subtle hint of concern, even if it was just a tiny sliver.

"I, uh, am just having a swell time," I lied through my teeth. I cringed a bit, by how obvious it was. I was never a good liar.

I changed the topic, "I'm just excited to try the food," I said awkwardly. I was an even brighter red as I just held up my plate to show him what I got. "What the hell is wrong with me?" I asked myself as my cheeks get redder from embarrassment.

It wasn't typical for me to be this painfully shy around people. Was it because I could sense he was the most attractive man in the world, even with the mask covering some of his features? Or was it simply because I was utterly inept at social interactions, especially with someone of the opposite gender?

In all likelihood, it was a bit of both.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when he casually reached out and took the plate from my trembling hands. I stared at my now-empty fingers, then back at him, his expression holding a smirk. "Uhh," I said dumbly. I was just so baffled.