A mask of innocence *On hold*

A mask of innocence ~4

***Sorry for how short it is :P but i hope you enjoy!**** 

As I moved out of the tent, I grinned a little to myself. Somehow, without my consent, this man had charmed me. Clearly it was to make a sale but I couldn’t help but revel at his dazzling smile.

“Madame! Madame, wait!”

His voice seemed so clear, even in my thoughts.

A hand gripped my shoulder and forcefully turned me around. With embarrassment, I realized that the man had, indeed, been calling me.

“You forgot your mask,” he explained, holding out my treasure. Silently, I took the mask.

Then, before I could react, the man reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. A small gasp left my lips, causing the man- I really needed to learn his name- to smile.  

“Until we meet again, mon fleur,”

Ask his name! Ask his name! I screamed at myself. But I was too shocked to close my mouth, let alone form words with it.

“Oh and my name is Jack,” he said with a wink. Loping back towards the tent, he disappeared behind it.  As soon as he disappeared, I regained control of my sense.  Well, at least some of it. I managed to walk down the aisles of the marketplace, avoiding the chaotic disorder of people and animals alike.

Never had any male shown attention to me. It was always for Della or Delilah that suitors called. And I could hardly blame them.  Not many times did I get to see my reflection but whenever I got the chance, I never stared for too long.  Dirt permanently, marred my face and stress distorted my features. My papa used to tell me that I was a beautiful girl, but in the years since his disappearance, nature has taken its toll. Nature and three certain women who lived with me.

Once again, my thoughts were overtaken by Jack. Was he paying attention to me merely because I’d bought a couple of masks? Surely that was the reason. I had no more time to dwell on the encounter because Greta, one of the market ladies, motioned me over.

 “Hello dear, I have something for you. Wait right here.”

With those cursory words, she disappeared into the back of her tent. Greta was a seamstress, an extraordinary one. So much so that the palace had offered her a place to stay in payment of making gowns for the royals. For some reason, though, she had turned it down, preferring to work on the crowded streets of town. I could never understand why she would turn down such an offer. I imagined being offered to live in the palace. To maybe meet the king and queen, or the prince. Not going to happen, I reminded myself firmly.

Waiting patiently, I took stock of all the gowns hanging in Greta’s tent.  No one could doubt her ability when the saw the proof. Each gown looked as though it had taken hours upon hours to create. In reality, I knew, Greta whipped up a dress in a little over an hour. Truly incredible.

A flash of blue caught my eye and I moved over to the far wall to see what it was. A brilliant blue dress hung majestically on the wall.  It was dark blue, unlike Delia’s, and the detail was far more intricate. Tiny diamonds imbedded in the dress and made it shine like a star filled sky. Although it was hanging up, the skirt billowed out in a princess-like fashion, instead of the thin material of Delia’s dress that was meant to cling to her body.

“It’s gorgeous,” I breathed.

“I’m glad you think so. Worked right hard on that one, I did.” Greta spoke proudly.

Her face glowed with pride as she observed her creation.

“Well it’s lovely, as are all your dresses.” I hurried to say.

Greta just looked at me with a twinkle in her eye. Feeling uncomfortable, I shifted my attention to the package in her hands.

“What’s this you have for me?”

Greta’s face instantly turned sour. “These are the dresses for your step-mother and the two pigs.”

Struggling to control my laughter, I took the package that she shoved at me.

“Such a waste. Beautiful, beautiful gowns that are going to waste on those ugly animals,”

She eyed me speculatively. “Although, one of those dresses would certainly compliment you. Maybe that pale blue one, eh?” She said knowingly.

I blushed; I suppose I was too obvious in my admiring of the dresses. Hastening to leave before I could be embarrassed further, I thrust the money into her hand.

“Thank you Greta!” I shouted as I ran from the stall.

Her gentle laughter followed me all the way home.