Mask

Hexagon

When I realized what I was doing, I quickly pulled my hand away. I couldn't understand what had come over me. Did I sympathize with him because of our shared love for our fathers? Now that I think about it, if my father was alive, would we have met under normal circumstances? Would he have paid me any mind? I believe not. I clenched my hand over my chest, to try and bury these uneasy feelings coming over me.

No matter how I was feeling, I had to ask. I knew if I didn't, this heavy burden wouldn't go away. "My prince, I need to know. Are you only interested in me because of my mask?"

He stared at me for a moment, his face betraying his emotions. He was in shock. I almost wanted to laugh but I held back. As if noticing the absence of his answer, he quickly grabbed my free hand and squeezed it.

"Anastasia, I will not lie to you. At first, yes. You peaked my interest with your unique mask. Any woman would try to find one flattering for their face or to accentuate their figure. Those never appealed to me. The night I met you, I tried to brush you off as one of those women, no matter how strange you were. Now I want to get to know the person behind the mask. Is there any way to try and convince you?"

His warmth felt comforting. "You said you're a magician, correct?"

He nodded.

"You are able to do illusions but I can't seem to classify what kind of magician you might be."

He let go of my hand and waved both hands up in the air. Yaro recited some incantation as starlight illuminated in front of me. It slowly began to form a hexagon. Each end had a circular colored marble at the end of it. From left to right it went from red, green, purple, orange, blue and black.

"As you can see, each color is an element. Red is fire, green is earth, purple is air, orange is light, blue is water and black is shadow. Since I am royalty I am blessed with all elements but my strength relies in light. I can reflect anything I want as long as I have enough mana, which is why I can change my face. As I said, healing isn't my strong suite and that would fall under the category blue. Not that I can't get better at it but I need more intense training to get it to the level I have with everything else. Light is just easier for me to use."

I nodded. "That makes sense. I'm not sure if I have any sort of power, since I've never explored it or thought much about it. Maybe since I have you on my side, you can help me find a way to get rid of this thing that's been living on my face all these years."

The light slowly dimmed as he nodded. "It would be my honor."

I smiled back at him. This felt nice. Having someone to converse with and confide in. How long had it been since anyone spoke to me as a person and not as an object? I couldn't recall any such memory. Other than my father. I wonder what he would think of the prince if he was alive now? Would he approve of him coming over or try and have him leave the premises? The possibilities were endless.

Prince Yaro leaned forward. "Does this mean I get to see you more often?"

I rolled my eyes. "Were you going to try and stop visiting me without having a reason?"

He chuckled. "You are right. I would've found an excuse to come see this lovely lady."

I put my right hand on my cheek and tilted my head. "What of your fiance? Wouldn't she be dreadfully jealous of you meeting a strange woman for fun?"

The prince laughed. "Me? Having a fiance? You really think I'd be cheating on our presumed vows and meeting you in secret?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure. Wouldn't your parents have arranged it before you were born or even as you were growing up?"

He shook his head. "You have nothing to worry about Anastasia. I am not to be wed to anyone. That decision falls upon me alone." He leaned in closer again. "Were you hoping that I had one and intended to push me away?"

I looked away from his earnest eyes. "You really think I would come up with such a scheme after asking you to help me?"

Yaro moved back. "I guess not. Was just curious is all."

I was about to say something when Mark came running to us. I began to feel pity for the poor man who had to follow him around. He started to spout nonsense when Yaro stood up and slightly bowed to me.

"I am sorry to say that our time has come to an end but I promise to return in search of lifting this curse."

He kissed my hand and walked away. My heart thumped in my ears as I felt his lips faintly on the top of my palm. I closed my eyes and began to wonder, do I dare dream to hope?