A ball, a celebration. Candles were lit, keeping the cold night beyond the windows. Food was being served at a constant pace. A great many people were dancing around. Others were laughing with a glass of wine in their hand. Instead of the common, harsh leathers and tunics mostly worn outside the castle people now wore colorful doubles and absolutely stunning dresses. Much like anything in the noble world, the celebration became a competition. Who could out-dance the other? Who could boast with the strongest story? Who could conquer a kiss from the most beautiful maiden? The mood was filled with happiness. Everyone was genuinely enjoying themselves. Even the musicians on their stage.
William had spent quite a bit of time in front of a mirror in his own room. He could easily hear the laughing and music from the hall. As he stood there, trying on doublet after doublet he quickly started to realize he disliked all of them. Hard leather and strong spun cotton were more his thing. The soft, red wool felt foreign. He could count the times he had to wear it on one hand. One, particular moment stood out. The funeral of his father. Now he had to wear it to celebrate his brother’s betrothal. And ‘had to’ was very much the word to be used if you asked him. If he could choose, he would just have jumped ship. Maybe go hunting again. He was toying with the idea for quite some time in his room, trying on different clothes. The stewards would be more than displeased for sure if he ran away that night. But displeasing the stewards was becoming a bit of a hobby these days. Then he thought of Amaryllis. It would be unfair for the girl, no woman, to leave her like that amongst the people. He reckoned he could ask her forgiveness with a fox-pelt cloak. But still, it would be unfair. The final reason was the one that made him stay though. His brother. He saw the look on Maddox’s face near the carriages. His outfit displeased his older brother. So here he was, standing in front of a mirror, looking like a fool. Looking like some minor noble. Hell, not even that. He was noticeably devoid of any gold or silver jewelry. Instead opting for a his wolf-fang necklace.
Then he went and waited in front of the great doors of the hall for Amaryllis. An awkward time for him. He never waited for anything. Mostly the wind carried him around. And now the wind wanted to carry him out beyond the castle walls. But he willed him to stay, to wait for Lady Amaryllis, holding his mask in hands. Some loved the idea of a masquerade. Being hidden in plain sight. But William had no intention to hide himself. In rebellious defiance he had made his mask a long time ago. It left the space around his mouth and chin open. The mask itself was made, outward, of harsh, crude bark. With even some moss still on it. The side of the mask were two, smaller antlers he found during one of his numerous hunts. All-in-all, he looked very much like a creature from the forest with it. Few who knew of him wouldn’t immediately realize it was William.
Getting ready had not been an easy task for Amaryllis. She had spent far too long hung up over which dress she should wear - if she were to follow the usual attire for such celebrations then she would opt for a delicate, full-skirted gown set with embroidery and jewels the like. But instead, she found her hands hovering over a silken black middle-Eastern
dress. It had been a gift to her from some foreign lord, something that she had never cast a second glance towards, but now it called to her; the flowing skirt made it seem as if she were shrouded in midnight, and the golden pieces set in brightened her look from one of mourning to one of mystery. Some would say that the dress was somewhat revealing - that no lady would dare wear that to such a formal event, but it was Lissa's own small act of rebellion. She may not be able to openly express her distaste towards the marriage, but it was the small things like this that would make her opinion clear.
And so she allowed Clarice to tend to her hair and cosmetics - the final result was one she approved of greatly. She kept her face as bare from makeup as possible, bar the painting of black and gold around her eyes to create a cunning, feline look; and her hair was left loose and cascading down her back, adorned with a headpiece set with intricate gold medallions and an ivory veil. Lissa almost chuckled as she watched Clarice run her fingers over the material of the veil, the two taking a moment to marvel over the irony of it.
"It is perfect, Clarice. Thank you." It was rare for Amaryllis to thank anyone - never mind servants - so genuinely, so the maid's beaming smile surprised her little. The fleeting glimpse of her sentimentality was over in a matter of seconds, however, as she stood up from her vanity and walked to the door. She was already late, as was apparent in the loud music already playing in the hall that could be heard from all the way up in her room. It was fashionable to be late, she assured herself, as the door was opened for her by one of her guards. Offering him a small smile, she looked down at herself once more - ensuring that everything was perfect - before leaving her room, leaving nothing but the faint scent of her sweet perfume in her wake.
It was a relief to see that William was still waiting for her when she arrived at the doors, and Lissa allowed herself to relax. Her fluid composure righted itself, except for her hands which were now clasping and unclasping in a nervous gesture - through which anyone looking closely enough would realise that she was far more anxious than she would like anyone to think. Such was apparent in the tightness of her stomach, which she was now trying her best to ignore as she stopped a short distance away from the Prince and swept low into a graceful curtesy.
"Good evening your grace. I must apologise for my tardiness - on a night such as this, of course I have to be running late." She chuckled lightly, her eyes briefly running over what the prince was wearing before returning to his face with a warm smile. As handsome as he appeared, it seemed as if William was not as comfortable as he had been when they had first reunited - it was a feeling that she could not help but share with him.
She was taking her time, that William knew. There were few people in the castle William would wait for. But Amaryllis was now one of them. Even though he didn’t really like it. Every minute allowed his mind to wander further. It walked through the woods, yelled off the cliffs and showed him the world beyond the walls. Yet here he still was, waiting. Every now and then a couple passed him, entering the hall. Greeting him in a courteous manner before they continued on their way. But William knew that the courtesy was mostly a façade. He is not a part of them. He’s not like they are. After quite some time, William was on the edge of changing. Impatient as he was, he wouldn’t mind the evil eye he would get from Maddox. His brother probably knew by now. But then Amaryllis appeared.
There is very little in the world that could take away William’s breath. He thought that none of it could be found in the castle. But when he saw his childhood friend, dressed the way she was, he was absolutely stunned. So much even, that when she apologized for her lateness, William had to gather his thoughts before he could speak. She was beautiful, wonderful. Mysterious like the midnight sky and as enchanting as the full moon. It was then that William knew their joined plan would succeed. Maddox would not be able to take his eyes off Amaryllis. What man could!? She would make every lady inside look like a common fish-wife! Immediately William regretted not having anything to offer such a beautiful lady anything.
“My lady…” he had to take a moment still to choose the right words.
“I-I assure you. You do not need to apologize.” He didn’t really know anything about being fashionably late.
William’s mind grasped for the few bits of socializing he knew. Most of it came from books. So not knowing any better, he took her left hand in his, lifted it up and gently kissed the back side.
“With you, I now believe this celebration might even be pleasant.” He said with a smile, turning to stand next to her, hooking his arm in hers.
“Shall we then?” He said, putting on his own mask.
Despite her composure, it still made Amaryliss flush to see William so flustered. What was wrong with her?! She was not a silly little girl anymore! She would show everyone that she was poised, composed and the true definition of a lady. No giggling or blushing and certainly
no dancing.
Of course, when the Prince happened to take her hand to plant a gentle kiss on it, all of those rules flew out the window and she found herself dimpling. She had not been treated with this much affection since, well...since she first met her husband. He had showered her with gifts and he had been the true meaning of a gentleman - up until their wedding night.
Pushing back the dark thoughts, Amaryllis gladly took the Prince's arm and together they walked towards the hall. In all honesty, she
despised masquerades. It was a celebration for fools, she had told herself many times. You didn't need to see someone's face in order to recognise them! You could easily do so with their clothing, with the way they were standing, or even the mask itself. Nevertheless, she still couldn't help but feel a thrill as she fit her own
mask against her eyes and blinked a few times.
It was a simple thing - one that only covered the area around her eyes with gold, in a pattern that would only resemble dragon scales. Well, at least to her it could. She knew for a fact that she was still very much recognisable in the mask, but she would not have it any other way. She had been right when it came to knowing who people were despite the masks, of course. She could already spot a ridiculously stunning gown at the other end of the ballroom - one that made her look down at herself and frown - and didn't need to even guess who it belonged to. And the familiar figure next to the future queen had to be Lady Alice with her love for dramatic deep reds. Lissa almost stopped in a moment of confusion as she watched the two women converse - Alice had not been Julianna's chief admirer, that much was clear earlier on - so what had changed? The thoughts were simply brushed aside, however, as Lissa held onto William just a fraction tighter; a subconscious movement that went hand-in-hand with her twisting nerves.
Glancing sideways as they walked, Lissa finally registered the mask that the prince was wearing and allowed a brief smile to grace her features. Of course his would be from the forest, she didn't expect anything else. It was only as they came to a stop at the edge of the dance space that Amaryllis spoke, this time slightly leaning into William to ensure that he could hear her over the music.
"Your mask suits you, William." It was a simple compliment to anyone else that happened to be listening, but she hoped that he would see that it meant so much more. She approved of his rebellion and was there to stand with him against this marriage whenever he may need it.
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RosalineEleanor
