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i. The Masquerade

one more time, Laville. I will not hesitate to jump out of that window," Y/N said as her assistant harshly pulled the strings of her corset. Her assistant scrunched her nose over the exaggeration yet obeyed. "As long as it isn't that tight, I'll breathe, but I'm getting quite the opposite feeling as you pull."

"Apologies, miss."

"All is forgiven, Laville. It was an innocent mistake."

The assistant of the young girl then sighed as she tied the strings in a strong knot. She then prepared the dress the girl was about to wear to the masquerade ball.

After putting on the gown of elegance and femininity, she sighed contentedly as her fingers brushed the expensive silk. "I don't want anything too extravagant with my hair — " Y/N sighed, thinking it'll be too much work for her already exhausted assistant. "Oh, you know what? I can do it myself. It's getting late. You should go back to your family."

Her assistant beamed and nodded. "I wish I could come with you, miss, but despite your kind invitation, I have to look after my dearest brother. My mother is gravely ill, nothing but skin and bones. Though, I do not wish to burden you." Laville sighed and looked at her employer fondly, "You look very lovely. I wish you the best of luck with the project you and the young lord have been working on."

"Thank you," Y/N answered. "I'm sorry for making you come here from London."

"It's nothing to apologise for. It's my job to assist you. Now, I best be hitting the road. The Lord will be here soon. It's not my intention to restrain a wonderful opportunity to be alone together," Laville nodded her head to signal her leave as she smiled.

The girl watched as her figure left the door then faced her mirror and started doing her hair. It was a hassle, and although she wished for Laville to return and assist her with the million strands of burden sitting on her head, she sighed in defeat. Getting tired by all the pulling and tugging on her locks, she decided; maybe she should just braid the upper half of her hair and tie it in a bun.

And of course, who wouldn't forget the glinting imperfection of priceless stones sitting comfortably in a box? Yes, as soon as she recalled, she wore the necklace Tewkesbury had gifted her the other day. What a lovely touch to her appearance. The mirror would agree if it were alive.

She didn't mind how she looked at the moment. She just recited the words she will use later on in her head. A knock on the door was heard when Tewkesbury walked in wearing his mask. He smiled at her cheekily.

"Now, who is this lovely damsel in my lady's room? I am not familiar with her elegant grace behind that mask," he taunted as the girl giggled and stood up, quickly giving him a hug.

"And I don't recognize such a fine and charming man," Y/N replied, pulling away.

"May I?" He asked jokingly.

"If you must." The girl answered, joining this make-pretend first meeting.

The boy slowly untied the laces of the mask and gently pulled it off. "Y/N! I didn't know it's you!" He pretended to be surprised.

L/N laughed at his silly shenanigans. "Oh no! I've been exposed— but wait, if you know me, I must know you as well!" She dramatically exclaimed and took his mask off in return.

"Tewkesbury! Are my eyes deceiving me? Is it really you?!" She inquired in an exaggerated manner.

Both of them snickered then as their laughter faded, they stared at each other with a satisfied exhale.

"You look extremely breathtaking as always — obviously, but I'm glad I did not doubt myself of the faith that your beauty would reach a whole new rank exceeding what the stars could ever obtain."

"An awfully long yet well-delivered compliment by the Marquess of Basilwether." She beamed as she clasped her hands together, "You don't look bad yourself — always had a liking to how you do your hair."

"Is that all I get? Flatter me more, Y/N." He jokingly pouted, pulling the delicate heartstrings of the young woman that graced him by her presence.

"What else is there to say when no other word could describe you?"

"I'd take that. However, you forgot to mention one thing," Tewlesbury said.

"What?"

"I'm rather fortunate?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"You're awfully cliché — are you aware of that?" The young lord's gaze fell to the necklace around her neck. He couldn't help but smile.

"I thought you wouldn't wear that to the ball tonight. It looks quite ludicrous yet your neck makes it lovely."

"You always say something about my neck. It makes you seem like you have a certain atypical enthusiasm for it."

Ignoring her remark, he continued, "I have no skill in creating jewellery at all. My instructor almost quit his job when I couldn't get it right." He said.

"It doesn't look bad at all. You're just being negative. Plus, it's your first try, isn't it? Don't expect yourself to be quite good at it already. I find sentimentality in such a beautiful gift. I love it." Y/N replied.

" 'It's the thought that counts,' I presume. Alas, of all men, you chose me."

"Because you're you." Y/N simply interjected, tipping her toes in order for her lips to reach his cheek.

The sound of someone clearing their throat was heard, and not more than a second, they found a man nervously fixing his collar and speaking. "The ballroom has been opened. Your presence is needed, Lord and Lady."

"We'll be there in just a minute, Leo." Tewkesbury said. Y/N noticed his messy hair fixed it as she did with his suit.

"I remember the first time you did that," Tewkesbury stated. "Did what?" The girl asked.

"Fix my hair. Remember that time in London when we were about to 'save the world'?"

"I do," she laughed. "I remember how I consider the world to be England. How laughable."

"It feels like it just happened yesterday."

"Now you're speaking like an old man."

"Am I?" — "You are."

"Are we ready to go?" He asked.

"Certainly."

As they descended down the stairs, Y/N couldn't help but feel awkward and nervous from all the peering eyes in the crowd. Some looked at them with smiles on their faces, some were serious, some were scowling and some others felt mysterious.

"Is it just me, or is this really awkward?" She mumbled.

Tewkesbury held her hand that was looped in his arm and gave it a reassuring pat. "I'm afraid it is, but don't fret. Concentrate on your goal for tonight." He whispered.

As they finally reached the bottom of the stairs, Tewkesbury started to recite a speech and when it's done, he ordered for the band to play and invited the people to dance.

The young lord turned to his lady and bowed as she curtsied. "Will you dance with me?" He asked.

"How could I say no?" She replied. The boy kissed the back of her hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor. Then, they started swaying and dancing to the calm and pleasant music.

Y/N rested her head on his chest, listening to the pounding heartbeat of her partner. She smiled, "Your heart beats faster than a running horse, My Lord. Did you have too much coffee this morning?" She asked tauntingly.

"The woman before me is responsible for that issue. I've been taking too much daily dose of her affection that it makes me feel giddy." Tewkesbury answered.

"I can't take this much flattery," she said, grinning.

"My, are you telling me to stop taking her dose of affection?" He asked.

"No, not really. You seemed very upset to hear me speak of such. It makes her sound like a very addicting drug." she said.

"The only drug I never want to stop taking." Tewkesbury whispered raspily in her ear. She giggled and pulled her head back as they danced again.

The part where they switch partners came up. Before they faced their new partners, the young lord brushed his lips on her ear and said, "Don't get too close with your next partner."

"How possessive you are." She joked.

The girl is now in the hands of another boy who she does not even know of. "I can see why he's very much absorbed. You are a pretty little thing, aren't you?" Her new partner said.

She forced her smile. "Thank you," she simply answered. "Pretty, but so strange. Father was right about that."

"And who is your father?"

"The only Lord Barron, of course." He said. The girl's breath hitched. "You were "

"Your supposedly fiancé." He interjected. The tension was rising and Y/N can't even tell what she's feeling at the moment, but she knew she was deeply and utterly uncomfortable.

"Elliot. Pleased to meet you."

"Y/N. Unpleased to meet you."

"Rude, but understandable. I love a woman who familiarises herself with humour. I'm hoping to see you more. Good luck, by the way. I heard about the new project. It will take more than just balls and unity tours. There are more enemies to face. Just a fair warning, dear Y/N."

With that, they returned to their original partners. Y/N was bewildered. What did he mean by 'more enemies to face?'.

"Are you all right, Y/N? Do you want to take a break?" Tewkesbury asked as soon as he noticed the girl's sudden change of mood.

"I'm fine, but I believe I need a drink."

"I'll grab us some wine, then. I do hope you're doing well even if you deceive me with answers. Tell me what's bothering you later, huh?" He said, squeezing her shoulder. She nodded.

It does seem as though danger does await in every corner