Mask

In a Daze

"Sir, I am the happiest by your side. Please do not say what you are implying."

Yaro smiled. "Well, I believe that if that were to happen, Anastasia would take you in." He looked down at me. "Wouldn't you agree?"

I couldn't say no to that smile. "I don't see why not? Pay won't be as great though."

Mark looked frantically at the both of us. "Please don't say such things sir. I do not wish to leave. Your mother insisted that once I find you to bring you back home as quickly as possible."

Yaro sighed. "I understand. Well, Anastasia, I must go." He grabbed my hand and kissed it.

I felt my heart skip as he looked up at me.

"I promise to come by again tomorrow."

Mark began to protest as he followed Yaro back to his carriage. I think I caught Mark glance back but I couldn't tell if it was a look of disgust or awe. He didn't seem surprised when I opened the door either. Maybe my mask isn't as ugly as I thought?

Closing the door behind me, I cleaned up the living room and went to wash the dishes. I felt my day was in a daze. I couldn't believe he came by. It seemed like a dream to have someone visit me just because. Did he also say he was going to come by tomorrow? What was he planning? Why would he want to come by again?

Was he only curious about me because of my mask? I do seem something out of a book. If I was in the same position, I know I would be curious too but would I have the courage to talk to the person wearing the mask? Going up to my room I began to think about the reasons why the prince would be interested in me. From what I could tell, I seemed to be different than the normal people he'd meet on a daily basis.

Maybe he was doing some experiment on seeing if there was a way to get the mask off, since he knows how to use magic. What kind of magic can he do? From what she could tell, illusion was one of them. That wouldn't help with her situation.

I sat down on a chair and began to write my thoughts. I learned early on that it was easier to write down my feelings rather than letting it consume me. After I finished writing down what was going on, I grabbed a few matches and lit it up. I didn't want some unnecessary person to find out my true feelings, especially with how mother is.

All I know is that I have to wait for tomorrow to see what will happen. I can't recall what else happened with my day. It seemed to blur together until I was ready for bed. The moment my head hit the pillow, I could feel the exhaustion hit me.

I woke up in a field of flowers. There were different colored ones spread all around me and some I couldn't recall their names. I slowly got up to my feet and felt the wind blow my hair away from my face. Was this what freedom felt like? I opened my arms wide and laughed.

"Is everything to you so funny?"

I quickly pulled my arms in and stopped laughing. I was nervous to turn around. Did I recognize the voice that called out to me? I wanted to turn around but something prevented me from doing so. It was like I was frozen in fear.

I saw an arm draped over my shoulder. Their check was on mine. The warmth unfamiliar to me. I could feel my heart racing. Then a soft kiss left its mark near my temple.

"No matter how many times I do this, you always react the same. I don't mind waiting until you feel comfortable with me."

Panic grew inside me. I wanted to protest, to say that it wasn't true but my mouth wouldn't open. I looked up and was about to say something when a bright light caused me to squint. I blinked and was confused for a moment when I saw the white ceiling. That's when I realized I was dreaming.

I put a hand on my face and felt the familiar moss. I sighed. "That's vexing."