The masquerade

Y/N POV

Of course things were not going as planned. I did not expect Valdemar to be in their dungeon during the afternoon. I just wanted some papers I knew they had and leave. Something that would lead Lucio to his doom. I had already collected all the puzzle pieces I needed from the other courtiers, hence, only Valdemar's information was missing.I tried uselessly to escape the straps that pinned me down to the table. What was I to do? I was going through the longest and most painful hour of my entire life. My extremities had begun to get numb; my wrists, ankles and waist were bleeding from my efforts to unbind them. Like a little kid who cries in fear of the demon under their bed, I cried because of the demon I wanted in my bed. I blushed violently at the thought of having Valdemar like that... It has been a while since I had started developing an attraction and attachment to them. Maybe it was the time they healed me after Lucio's doing, but I am rather inclined to say it was during the masquerade.Perhaps I should tell them the truth... I think there is enough understanding between us. Even if they are Lucio's friends... I am supposed to be too, and, honestly, I do not think they are very fond of him either. If I do not tell them... I may be risking everything... what... if they kill me? They do not want to, I know, but... Maybe they do cooperate and help me overthrone Lucio. I have the courtiers on my side. Slowly, strategically, I had gained their votes on decisions. Even Valerius'. And of course I have Lucio's back, he is so interested in humiliating me privately that he glorifies me publically, on the thought I will plunge into his arms for that. "Poor fool, he is digging up his own grave", I chuckled mischievously. I have them all eating from the palm of my hand; by interest, by passion, or by genuine admiration... I do. It is too much to dare lose my life in my hunter's hands. "'Little rabbit is going to talk", I muttered to myself.

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Valdemar's POV

It was the night of the masquerade. It had been a quite fecunde day for science, so many hangings and beheadings in honour of the count's birthday my dungeons exploded with subjects I made a feast with. Despite the masquerades being the most boring of his birthdays, there was always something fun to be entertained with. Perhaps an old apprentice, or a renowned doctor like the only Satrinava sister I bear respect for. I attired myself with a clean uniform and my favourite Death mask, and headed up to the ballroom.

There, I saw the same decoration I had seen for years. I started to roam around the room, searching for anything or anyone who caught my attention. Yet, everything tasted like a deja-vu. Volta gorging herself with pastries, Vulgora blaming Vlastomil for bringing one of his gigantics worms to the party and ruining half the stables trying to escape, Vlastomil claiming that his baby missed her daddy and that he needed to visit her, and Valerius drinking heavily and caressing Lucio's blonde hair on the couch at the main corner of the room surrounded by plenty of partygoers. I knew not the rest of the people there, I mean, I did, but I just did not care enough to approach anyone.I fled the ballroom and headed towards the veranda where the countess laid over a white haired person and a doctor of mine, Dr. 069. I greeted them with a slight bow of my head and descended to the garden, aiming to reach the fountain.

However, in the centre of the maze I found Y/N in a grey and black rabbit mask, curiously investigating a shiny flower in the corner of the cubicle."I would not touch it if I were you"."I know, it is poisonous, yet so pretty"."Are all pretty things not poisonous?", I inquired. "Even poison itself... the brightest colours, the most precious textures, the most amusing effects", I stopped myself. I could see confusion in her face. "And drugs, you see? They are shiny mixtures. Beautiful to the eye... with an intense glimmering substance... and deadly to the body", I grinned, despite her not being able to see my expression."I see, indeed", she replied."Do you not enjoy parties?" I asked, changing the topic."I do, it is...""Lucio, right?", I tilted my head. I knew I had guessed the reason why she would be alone in the centre of a maze.She nodded shyly."If you do not mind I can keep you company", I offered to sit beside her on a bench."Do you not dance, Quaestor?", she questioned."Not regularly, yet, in case it is an invitation instead of a query, I do", I replied blushing slightly.

In that moment, everything around me blurred. Was I blushing? Me? Valdemar? A thousand years' old demon? Blushing for a worthless human? She is not worthless... and... for what I can vislumbrate, she is blushing as well. No doubt she is beautiful and interesting... but... all humans are beautiful and interesting. They all make the best subjects sooner or later. Yet, she is gorgeous in another way. In that moment, I realized she was especial... and I was, in fact, growing fond of her.I took another moment to consider my most recent discovery. Was I fond of her, how much did I care about her? Did I consider her as a special subject? Was I yearning for her death with such passion? As a friend? Though, I am not truthfully acquaintanced with the sense of friendship. As a lover? Am I capable of loving? If so, she will need to be exposed to the truth, as well as I am going to have to sort out the mortality issue... perhaps another deal would solve it... having her as my immortal partner, was it really what I longed for?I was thrown back to reality when the soft waltz music reached my auditory organs. Y/N was still next to me, staring at the grass flustered.

"Do you dance, Y/N?", I invited her, extending my hand. "I give you my word. Lucio will not lay a finger on you tonight. And, should you ask, I can make that promise for the rest of your life", I whispered.Her cheeks were crimson red under the moonlight, they almost matched my eyes, a fact I found bemusing that led me to snort languidly."Are you ready?", I checked.She nodded with eagerness and we left hand in hand to the ballroom.

In there, there were plenty of couples, hence we could easily merge into the crowd and dance. I proceeded to embrace Y/N; a hand on the small of her back and a hand in her hand. We swang gracefully across the room, her warmth and the lively colours that lit up on her face and neck caused me to overload with a sense of contentment. She was smiling and so was I. I pulled her closer to me, had our masks not been on, our noses would have touched."Why a rabbit?", I interrogated. My love for knowledge was taking over me."I like rabbits. They seem naive, innocent, and yet their biting is tremendous", she replied."Indeed. Those are dangerous creatures"."Just like everything with outstanding beauty"."And, are you dangerous, little rabbit?", I said playfully.She smiled sheepishly."Many would say I am... I have lived here and there, struggling for a living. Either you learn to survive, or you are a dead man"."How were you brought in here?", I kept on asking eagerly."Lucio found me. I used to spend my days selling spices in the market. It felt so magical and unbelievable when he required my services in here...", she answered in a distant tone. "And you, Quaestor?""Please do call me Valdemar. And, in relation to your inquiry... I have been working here as the chief of physicians for a time longer than any human mind can picture".She laughed in disbelief."How long? Come on!""Hundreds of years", I replied seriously."What a great liar, was that possible I would have believed it, Valdemar", she replied laughing perkily while swirling in my arms.I smiled too."Do not believe me if that is what you please", I said, "But some day you will realize I am not lying. I have never lied, for that matter of fact. That is a very human like action; I still do not quite get it", I finished swaying her to end the piece.

She was about to answer, I could read the intention in her eyes, yet count Lucio approached us with the clear aim of asking her for a dance."May I have this dance, Y/N?", he invited her in drunk lustful eyes."Y/N is dancing with me. Besides, she came as my companion. Does Valerius not dance?""What? He does! He did! But he is already done with dancing"."Then, as your loyal courtier, I suggest you to rest with him"."I do not want to. Y/N. Please, do not tell me you prefer this creep over me".She said nothing but squeezed my hand tighter."You might excuse us, Lucio", she finally replied. "But I need some fresh air"."Am I that charming to you so as to steal your breath without touching you?", he asked, attempting to land a hand on her waist."I think you know the answer to that, Lucio", she purred, exited the ballroom and had me escort her to her room.

After I left her in there and wished her pleasant dreams, I remained in the corridor, just to guarantee the count did not approach her. My brain was perplexed: the warmth, the confidence, the intimacy... every sensation that had been through me while dancing... Was it genuine? The feeling of peace that overwhelmed me with the absurd desire of wanting to remain like that until the end of times... The moment in which we were face to face... the anxiety of wanting more... the increase of her heart rate... was that real? What is happening to us? Why is she such an enigma to me? Why am I willing to treat her the way humans would treat a precious gem? Why am I longing again for her embrace? What makes her different? What makes me crave for her company? And that uncomfortable feeling of unease that struck me the moment in which Lucio appeared? Was that jealousy? Why did I promise I would protect her? Why am I so concerned for her welfare? I no longer understood myself.After the party was officially over I retired to my chambers, unanswered questions spinning like a frantic carousel in my mind.