Masquerade

Paper faces on parade

Masquerade

Hide your face so the world will never find you

("Masquerade," The Phantom of the Opera)

King Leopold insisted on hosting a masquerade ball to celebrate their first anniversary. Regina didn't feel like celebrating a marriage she felt trapped in, especially when it would be so close to the one year anniversary of Daniel's death. But like most things in her life, she had no say. She had no choice but to smile, nod and thank her husband for his kindness.

Before she knew it, the night of the masquerade arrived. She had decided to wear a silver dress, a feminine color that also symbolized mysteriousness. Regina curled her dark red lips into a smirk at the thought. Everyone was going to expect the queen to be wearing gold. And she was going to be wearing a mask which covered her entire face, something queens didn't do. She didn't care. Her entire costume had been planned to give her a chance to slip into the crowd unnoticed for a little while.

Until her husband intervened, starting with her dress. It was an opulent ball gown with a tight bodice encrusted with diamonds and a large silk skirt which was covered by a gauzy layer with pearls sewn into it. Leopold also insisted she wear some of the royal jewels to the ball. A heavy, diamond encrusted chandelier necklace weighed down her neck. Matching earring pulled at her earlobes and her fingers were weighted down by several rings. Diamonds even encrusted her mask, which was now a Columbiana mask—one that only covered her eyes and the bridge of her nose. Silver feathers rose from the ends to frame her face. It was more fitting for a queen, she was told.

Regina stared at herself in the mirror frowning. There was no missing her like this. So much for her dreams of escaping for at least one night.

"Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" Her handmaiden appeared in the mirror, worry over displeasing her mistress clear on her face.

"No, there isn't. Thank you." Regina waved her away. The handmaiden bowed and disappeared from sight.

Regina didn't move right away. If Leopold wanted his young wife to be seen, then she was going to be the last one to enter. Then all eyes would really be on her.

A guard entered the room, bowing to her. Regina frowned. "I don't need an escort down to the ballroom."

"Sorry, Your Majesty, but it's the King's orders."

"Why?"

"For your safety." Leopold entered her room. He wore a silver and black velvet robe that matched his black mask. "We've received word that the Merry Men have been spotted near the palace. You've heard of them, right?"

Everyone had heard of the Merry Men and their leader, Robin Hood. Court gossip said he was the son of a lesser lord who had gone rogue, leading a ragtag group of bandits on raids where he robbed the people he one associated with. Their base of operation was in Sherwood Forest, located at the very edge of her husband's kingdom, but the forest was vast. No one had been able to locate it yet. Capturing Robin Hood would be a great coup for her husband.

Regina sighed. "Yes, I have. And I don't think he's going to steal me. The escort is unnecessary."

"You may think so, Regina, but I must insist." Leopold kissed her and she tried not to gag. "I shall see you in the ballroom. Do not tarry."

The ballroom had no air. Between the torches lighting the room and the heat from the multitude of dancers, the room was hot. Regina sent a servant back to her room for a fan, but it did little to relieve her. She sighed as she snapped her fan shut.

This drew Leopold's attention. "Is something wrong, Regina?"

"I am hot and need air. If you'll excuse me, I think I will step outside for a bit."

Leopold shook his head. "It's too dangerous, my dear."

"I'm growing faint. I need some air."

The king beckoned someone to approach. Regina bit back a groan as two guards approached. They saluted their king and Leopold leaned forward. "Please escort the queen outside. She requires some air."

Regina had to smile, pretending she was grateful for her husband's concern. Deep down, she was seething. She just wanted a few moments to herself. Was that too much to ask?

She slid out of the ballroom, the two soldiers following her. Regina found a little corridor that had wide openings which looked out over the gardens. She leaned out of one, enjoying the cool night breeze on her face. It was refreshing. Almost freeing.

The soldiers remained close by, reminding her she wasn't free. She glanced at them. "I'm fine out here. You can go back inside now."

"No, Your Majesty. Our orders are to stay with you," one soldier responded.

Regina sighed. She relished these final moments of freedom. The soldiers would soon usher her back into the hot and airless ballroom. She would be trapped again, forced to pretend she was happy being married to man still in love with his deceased wife. Happy to be living in this palace and that she didn't consider it a very elegant prison.

A crash echoed down the hall, startling Regina and the soldiers. One dashed forward, looking about while the other hung back. Regina saw her chance and took it. "You should go investigate. It could be Robin Hood or one of his Merry Men."

"What about you, Your Majesty? We're not allowed to leave you. King's orders," a soldier said.

Regina had to think fast. "But if you let the Merry Men get away, he'll be more cross. I'm right by the ballroom anyway. I promise you that I'll run there right now."

The soldiers continued to hesitate as another crash resounded through the hall. Regina nodded at the soldiers. "You best go now or you'll miss him."

Without another thought, the two ran down the hallway they believed the sound came from. Regina sagged against the wall, relieved to be free at last. She knew she would have to go inside soon as the guards couldn't chase the noise forever. But she was going to take whatever she could.

Movement caught her eye and she turned her head. She didn't see anyone but she knew better than that. Regina stood up straight, squaring her shoulders. In her best queen voice, she commanded: "Whoever is there, show yourself!"

A man stepped out of the shadows, white gloved hands raised in surrender. Everything else about his outfit was black and simple save for some velvet on his sleeves. He wore a black Volto mask, which covered everything except his brilliant blue eyes. Regina had to blink a few times to prevent herself from falling into their enchanting depths.

"My apologies, milady," he said, voice muffled by his mask. "I didn't mean to startle you."

He sounded sincere but Regina didn't drop her cold, aloof queen persona. She knew better than that. "You should be careful. There might be bandits about."

"Bandits?" He chuckled. "I'm afraid the noise that distracted your guards was me. Not bandits."

"Why?"

"Because it looked like you needed a reason to get those soldiers away from you so you could have some alone time. I apologize for intruding on it."

He began to walk away when Regina stopped him. She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt the urge to hold on to him forever. "Don't go. I don't mind some company. Just as long as I can invite them."

"Is that an invitation, milady?" He tilted his head, blue eyes shining with mirth.

Regina nodded. "Will you accept?"

"Of course." He bowed low before her. "It would be an honor."

He straightened up and stood next to her at the window, saying nothing. Regina guessed he was waiting for her to speak so as not to be a bother. She, though, found she had nothing to say but still longed to break the silence.

At last, she found something. "Do you come to court often?"

"No. This is my first time here. The palace is beautiful."

Regina made a noncommittal noise in response. She knew to those who wanted to live there or didn't, the palace could look like a beautiful oasis. No one would believe she saw it as a prison.

He leaned closer. "You don't seem too impressed with it."

"You can leave tonight. I can't leave. Ever." Regina ran her hands along the stone railing. "This is just a magnificent cage to me."

"It is a shame then."

"That I do not like living in such luxury?"

"That you are so unhappy." His hand inched closer to hers. "A beautiful woman like you shouldn't be so miserable."

Regina blushed, something she hadn't done in year. Turning her face so he didn't see, she tried not to betray how affected she was in her voice. "You are a flatterer."

"I speak the truth."

She heard it in his voice and saw it in his eyes when she looked back. He thought her beautiful but most of all, she deserved to be happy. Only Daniel had ever told her that. Fighting back tears, Regina smiled. "Thank you. I wish I knew how to escape."

"If I could, milady, I would steal you away from here."

Regina let out a little laugh. "I wish you could as well."

"One day I will."

"Don't go making promises you can't keep," she warned.

He took her hands, turning her to look at him. "I promise that one day you will be free and we'll be together."

"Who are you?" Regina was breathless from the intensity in his gaze.

He leaned down to whisper: "A thief."

Good chills ran up and down her spine as she watched him push his mask up enough to reveal his lips. She licked her own, wetting them before his lips met hers. He wrapped his arms around her waist as clasped her hands behind his neck. We held on to each other as if we would both float away if we let go.

The kiss ended far too soon for Regina's liking, though he kept her in his embrace. His lips ghosted her ear. "Looks like I stole a kiss."

"Can't steal something that's been given to you," she whispered back.

He chuckled before releasing her. Lowering his mask, his entire face was again covered. "I am afraid I must leave. May I escort you back to the ballroom?"

Regina nodded, laying her hand on top of his outstretched one. They walked toward the ballroom and two servants opened the doors to let her re-enter. She glanced back at the masked stranger, swearing he was smiling under the mask. It was something in his eyes. She watched him until the doors closed again.

The next morning, she learned that Robin Hood and his Merry Men had managed to make off with some jewels and money from the royal treasury. King Leopold was outraged, demanding to know how they evaded capture. Regina sat there, listening to some poor guard stammer out an explanation but really thinking of the masked man from the night before. She smiled as she realized who was behind the mask.

A thief indeed.