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In a garden hidden in the city of smeraldo bursting with shimmering flowers, he hid his face from the world, haunted by secrets and his own insecurities. One night, a bold girl slipped into his garden mesmerized by the blooms, making her steal n...
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He stood outside the small, humble house, his gloved hand hesitating before knocking. It was early evening, the faint golden light casting long shadows. The smell of fresh bread and a faint trace of wildflowers from the nearby market lingered in the air. Behind the mask, his expression was tense equal parts apprehension and determination. He had been searching for her since morning, walking through every corner of the town, asking after her from vendors, children, and even strangers who gave him wary looks. He hated it to be out like this.The tension from the last few days pressing heavy on his chest. He didn't know what he'd say to her, but he had to try. The vase in his other hand, housing the rare Smeraldo flower he had cultivated for years, seemed to weigh more than it should.
The door creaked open and to his surprise, a small girl stood there. Her bright, curious eyes widened when she saw him and to his utter shock, she flung her arms around him.
A warmth bloomed in his chest, so foreign it startled him. How did this tiny human know him? Why did she embrace him with such trust and joy?
"You're the masked prince, aren't you?" she giggled, pulling back to look up at him.
"Masked, masked prince?" he asked, baffled.
She nodded enthusiastically.
"She talks about you all the time!"
"She?" he asked, his heartbeat quickening.
The little girl smirked knowingly, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"You know who. She's not here, though. She's going to the Masked Ball!" He found the right door.
His heart stopped for a moment. The ball? The realization hit him like a storm. If she was there, then she'd gone to the lion's den. The thought of her among people who could tear her apart and it was the same for him, if they discovered her or his identity made him clench his fist. Yet under his mask, he smiled softly at the little girl's enthusiasm.
