The masquerade ball was finally here.
For the nobles of Valtheris, this was more than just an evening of music and dancing. It was the season to impress, to be noticed, and, for many unmarried ladies, to attract a suitable suitor. Tailors had worked for weeks, jewelers had emptied their finest collections, and noble families had spared no expense preparing themselves for the most anticipated night of the season. Tonight, every gown, every jewel, every mask carried a message.
The ball was being held at the magnificent Ashford Mansion, which had been transformed almost beyond recognition for the occasion.
The grand entrance was lined with towering arrangements of white, crimson, and blush-pink roses, their fragrance drifting through the halls. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, scattering warm light across the polished marble floors. Long tables covered in white silk held champagne, fruit, pastries, and delicacies brought in from different parts of the kingdom. Musicians sat on a raised platform at the far end of the ballroom, their instruments filling the enormous room with elegant music.
Servants moved quietly through the crowd, carrying silver trays and refilling glasses while nobles gathered in small groups, laughing behind jewelled masks and exchanging whispers.
Then the grand doors opened, and every conversation immediately died.
Then, the royal announcement echoed through the ballroom.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
His Majesty entered first, followed by Her Majesty, Queen Lily Sterling.
The Queen wore an elegant ivory gown decorated with tiny pearls, while the King's dark royal attire carried the Valtheris crest across his chest. They walked proudly to the raised throne prepared for them before allowing the celebration to continue.
The nobles lowered their heads and bowed respectfully as the royal couple walked through the ballroom.
Not long after, Nathaniel arrived with Jasmine.
Nathaniel looked every bit the duke he was. He wore a white and gold royal coat, the gold embroidery running neatly along the collar, sleeves, and edges of the garment. A white mask trimmed with gold rested over his eyes, decorated with small emerald stones that caught the light whenever he moved. His dark hair had been carefully styled, and his entire appearance gave him a calm, commanding presence that made people instinctively make room for him.
Beside him, Jasmine was just as striking.
She wore a royal-purple gown that hugged her figure before falling gracefully toward the floor, the fabric shimmering whenever she moved. Delicate silver embroidery traced the neckline and waist, while small crystals decorated the sleeves. Her purple crystal mask covered the area around her eyes, making her already striking green eyes appear even more mysterious. She walked with her head held high, completely aware of the attention she was receiving.
Several noblemen turned to look at her.
Jasmine pretended not to notice.
Soon, the Ashbourne family arrived. Damon and Evelyn entered proudly, followed by Henry.
They were all dressed impeccably, but the moment Maya stepped through the entrance, several conversations seemed to pause.
She wore a burgundy silk gown that shimmered beneath the chandeliers. Gold detailing traced the bodice and waist, while the skirt flowed elegantly behind her as she walked. A burgundy feathered mask rested over her face, decorated with subtle gold accents. Around her neck was the necklace Nathaniel had given her.
She looked breathtaking.
Nathaniel noticed her immediately.
A genuine smile spread across his face.
For several moments, he simply stared.
The noble ladies who had gathered around him earlier quickly realized they had lost his attention and gradually moved away.
Nathaniel walked toward Maya, "You look beautiful, Duchess."
Maya smiled softly and dipped her head.
"You look even better, Your Grace."
He offered his arm, and she took it. For a moment, everything seemed perfect.
Then they spotted Jasmine.
Her face brightened immediately.
"Oh, Maya! You look gorgeous!" Jasmine exclaimed.
Maya laughed. "Don't flatter me too much. You look even better. Those curves of yours are practically impossible to ignore."
Jasmine's cheeks turned pink, "Oh my, thank you."
The two women laughed together, exchanging compliments and gossip as the music continued around them.
Then, a familiar presence approached.
"Good evening, Lady Jasmine."
Jasmine turned.
Her expression froze.
Duncan stood before her.
He looked nothing like the man she usually saw.
He wore a black velvet coat embroidered with deep crimson thread and subtle gold details. The fitted coat emphasized his broad shoulders, while a long black cape hung behind him, secured at the shoulder with a silver clasp bearing the Valcrest crest. A matte-black mask covered the area around his eyes, decorated with dark-red gemstones that glimmered whenever the light touched them.
His dark hair was combed neatly backwards, leaving his sharp features completely visible.
He looked dangerous.
Elegant.
Impossible to ignore.
For a few seconds, Jasmine simply stared.
Duncan raised an eyebrow, "Is something wrong?"
She quickly recovered herself, "Good evening, my Lord."
She bowed.
A faint smile appeared on Duncan's lips, revealing a flash of his white teeth.
He extended his hand.
"May I?"
Jasmine looked at his hand before placing hers in it.
"Of course."
Duncan led her toward the dance floor.
The musicians changed their rhythm, the melody becoming slightly quicker but still graceful.
The dancers formed pairs across the polished floor.
Duncan placed one hand carefully at Jasmine's waist while keeping the other clasped around her hand. Jasmine rested her free hand lightly against his shoulder.
Then they moved.
Duncan guided the first steps, leading Jasmine into a slow turn before they moved across the floor with the rhythm of the music. Their steps were measured rather than rushed-one step, a turn, another step backward, and then a smooth change of direction. Jasmine followed his lead easily, her gown sweeping across the floor with every movement.
As the music grew faster, Duncan spun her beneath his arm.
Her skirt flared beautifully.
The crowd reacted with delighted murmurs.
Jasmine laughed as Duncan caught her hand again, pulling her gently back into position.
They moved together with surprising ease, turning, stepping, and changing direction without bumping into the other dancers. Duncan's movements were controlled and confident, while Jasmine matched his rhythm perfectly.
The ballroom erupted in applause when they completed the final turn.
Nathaniel immediately clapped enthusiastically.
"That's my sister!" he called proudly.
But beside him, Maya wasn't smiling.
Her fingers slowly curled into fists.
She watched Duncan's hand resting at Jasmine's waist.
Then Jasmine laughed.
Something tightened inside Maya's chest.
When Jasmine turned and her hips naturally followed the rhythm, Maya's irritation intensified.
She knew it was ridiculous.
She knew she had no right to feel this way.
She was standing beside Nathaniel.
Her fiancée.
The man who had given her that necklace.
The man who had been smiling at her only moments ago.
Yet she couldn't stop looking at Duncan.
She clenched her fists beneath the folds of her gown.
Why does this bother me so much?
She finally looked away and sat down.
Nathaniel noticed immediately.
He turned toward her. "What's wrong, dear? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Maya replied quickly.
"You don't look fine."
"I'm just tired."
Nathaniel frowned, "But you just arrived."
Maya forced a small smile. "It might be the corset. It's choking me a little, but I'll be fine."
Nathaniel studied her face for a moment.
He wanted to ask more, instead. He nodded.
"All right. Tell me if you need anything."
He turned back toward the dance floor.
But this time, his eyes followed Maya's gaze.
And there it was.
She was looking directly at Duncan.
Nathaniel's smile disappeared.
A strange irritation settled inside his chest.
Why is she looking at another man when I'm standing right beside her?
His jaw tightened.
He folded his arms across his chest and watched silently as Duncan and Jasmine finished their dance.
The crowd applauded again.
Duncan bowed slightly to Jasmine.
She curtsied in return.
When they returned to the group, both Jasmine and Duncan immediately noticed the change in the atmosphere.
Jasmine looked between Maya and Nathaniel.
"Why do you both look so serious? Did you two argue?"
"Nothing," Maya replied, immediately looking away.
Nathaniel folded his arms, "Nothing."
Jasmine exchanged a confused look with Duncan.
Neither of them said anything.
They eventually sat down and continued talking, pretending not to notice the tension.
Nathaniel eventually smiled and joined the conversation, but every now and then, his eyes drifted toward Duncan.
Maya noticed.
She said nothing.
Later, Jasmine and Duncan stood to speak with a few other nobles.
Maya watched from across the ballroom.
Then Jasmine placed a hand on Duncan's shoulder as she laughed at something he said.
Duncan's hand rested lightly at her waist.
Maya's stomach twisted.
Her breathing became shallow.
She looked away.
Then, I looked back.
They were still talking.
Something inside her snapped.
She rose from her seat without saying a word and hurried toward the guest rooms.
The moment she entered one of them, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
She pressed a hand against her chest, trying to steady her breathing.
"What is wrong with me?"
She walked toward the mirror and stared at her reflection.
"I'm with Nathaniel..." she whispered.
Her eyes lowered.
"Why am I still getting angry whenever I see Duncan with Jasmine?"
She touched the necklace around her neck.
The very necklace Nathaniel had given her.
Guilt washed over her.
"No."
She shook her head firmly.
"This needs to stop."
She stood there for several seconds, trying to regain control of herself.
Then-
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Maya froze.
Her eyes moved toward the door.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
Then, a familiar voice answered from the other side.
"Maya."
Her heart skipped.
The voice came again, firmer this time.
"Let me in."
Maya's eyes widened. She knew that voice, and slowly, she approached the door.
For a moment, she considered pretending she hadn't heard anything.
But the knocking came again.
Her fingers tightened around the doorknob.
Finally, she opened the door.
And the moment she saw who was standing on the other side, the words caught in her throat.