At Mercy's Will

Part 23

everything happened more or less like the servant girl said. her brother came back and threw Tristan and his father out, outraged at Lisa for letting only them in. the other suitors were soon allowed in and Lisa instantly hated them all. but most of all she hated her brother for being so rude, she didn't dine with him or speak with him, or if he tried to come her way she would turn around and leave. he knew she was mad, she knew she was mad the only ones who didn't seemed to be the suitors that were eating all the food she and the others had harvested. 

once the suitors came she had stopped leaving her room in fear of one of the drunken bastard molesting her in her own home. many of the young servant girls became 'sick' and avoided the home like the plague. she looked out her window as she wrote to Eileen telling her all that had happened, she knew that her brother was forcing her to attend the ball at the end of two weeks and she would be damned if Eileen didn't show up. 

she thought of Cinaed but now the memory of him didn't even faze her. she had written to Tristan apologizing so much that in his next letter he caps-locked every letter telling her she didn't need to apologize anymore and that he understood. she was still upset and told him about the ball, he had written back saying that he had a surprise in store and she was excited to see what it was. 

there was a knock at the door. Lisa sighed and stormed to the door throwing on a heavy black veil and pulling her black gloves under the black sleeves of the black gown. she threw open the door and glared at her brother.

"Lisa, why are you still wearing black?" he asked annoyed. 

she didn't answer.

"Whatever, you probably know that the ball is this Saturday.  you are going to choose a husband there and then, if not i will send you to a convent where you can marry God." he demanded.

"It is sad to see you want me away, i thought you loved me." she said coldly before slamming the door in his face. 

she heard him yell in anger, and she locked the door walking back to her vanity and continuing her letter. her brother roared and pounded on the door, she paid it no attention and soon the pounding stopped, she could hear the heavy footsteps of her angry brother and she smiled. 

she sighed and looked over to her ball gown, it's deep green color reminded her of her necklace. it was black and green, mostly green. the mask that accompanied it was green with black paint stretching across it like spider webs. she walked over to it and felt the smooth fabric, it was silky and she smiled. 

by the end of the week she was ready for the masquerade, she had made it that way, so no one would know who the real her was. she dressed herself and let her wet curls fall, she put her mask on and spun, letting her dress fall in place. she walked out of the room, the sound of music was loud and pounded through the floor ground.  she walked into the room to see it crowded of mostly men, the trumpets blared and everyone quieted down. 

"Lady Lisa McLean." the announcer yelled. 

men cheered happily due to the fact that they had been held at the door. her brother smiled and helped her down the stairs. she hated the cruel world she lived in, one of the first suitors came up to her asking for a dance. she agreed coldly and almost as soon as the music started someone else interrupted them. 

"Excuse me, may i enter?" the young man asked. 

he wore a deep blue mask, the other man started to protest but form one look the other and he gave up. The young man got into position and began to dance with her. she was so silent, for the truth was she didn't care. 

"Why are you so quiet, My Good Lady?" he asked softly.

"I have nothing to say to you, that is all." she replied coldly.