After I finished on stage, I was easily mixing in the crowd with the masks. I was recognizable from anyone else. For all they knew, I was a noble's son. Which I was not anymore, but who the hell cared?
I was free now, my mind churning from everything that I could do tonight.
I was going to get as much food as I could, munching on snacks in a secluded corner when I saw her.
Helena is sad and alone, sitting on the table where everyone avoids her. She looks like the loneliest girl in the world.
It's been a couple of months since I last talked to her. She doesn't know it, but I was worn out being around her. I was brought into this court to be entertaining, but apparently playing with princesses is not part of the job description. The king saw me playing hide-and-seek with her, and he decided that I made myself too comfortable around her.
I tackled her to the ground, and we were really close to each other, a breath away from lips.
Recently I noticed things about her that I really shouldn't, like how her hair has grown into this golden curly perfection and feels so soft when I curl it around my fingers or how her lips look pink and soft when she is smiling.
I wanted to be around her to tell her that it wasn't my choice, at least that she knows it isn't her fault, but the risk is too high.
Tonight we are on masks so I can be whoever I want. I inch closer to her, coming near and near until I am a breath away from her ear. She jolts, but I have a firm grip on her shoulder to keep her still. I whisper into her shoulder ear, "Come with me."
I pulled her by her arm, keeping her to my front so she didn't see my face—not yet. I led her out to the gardens. She was following me and going along with the mood, but I could feel her curiosity prickling on the back of my neck.
She let go of my hold, gazing at the sky. I knew what she was doing immediately: looking for the water snake constellation, the largest star constellation in the sky. She always did that when she was out at night.
I missed being around Helean, but a part of me is nervous because I don't just want to be around her; I want something… that I cannot name quite yet.
I kept a distance, but I was a breath away from her lips when I whispered, "Do you like it?" She jerkily stuttered, "Yes, my lord." I kept my expression blank because who did she think I was? Did she not recognize me?
A pinch of disappointment touched my chest, but something else also took over faster than I could blink. I think an idea popped into my head: she doesn't recognize me. I could stay under this pseudonym pretending to be someone else. I could be around her once again.