The ball whirled round me, a flurry of colorful dresses and soulless tuxedos, and I felt my wandering mind snap back into the fullness of the moment as a stray hand found its way to my shoulder. A voice joined the hand. “Charlotte, I think that the Halls have just arrived. Would you care to join me?” Ah, my beloved Hugh. A most refined and tactful gentleman in the right setting. I found my own voice responding, “I would love to” and soon my feet were betraying me too. We walked briskly to the entrance of our ballroom, the throngs of dancers splitting and giving way to us.

The Halls had indeed arrived and the whole of our party had noticed, dancing or no. To be fair, they were the most powerful family in Meridania, but I could still detect jealousy emanating from my husband. I doubted anyone else was able to see it; no one else knew Hugh like I did. Madam and Messer Hall certainly did not see past the warm smile Hugh plastered on his face as he greeted them. “A beautiful ballroom dear,” Madam Hall began, “you really spared no expensive in the decor. You should come do some of my own parties. Marcello could never quite master the art of it.” Marcello just gave a polite shrug. What can you do? he said with his shoulders. I joined in and we exchanged pleasantries as it was custom to do in Meridania.

However, there was one strange break in our otherwise perfectly scripted exchange. Ginevra Hall, great Matron of the Hall Estate, gave me a stone. It was as smooth as a river stone; a perfect orb as large as the palm of my hand and several shades paler. I thanked her for the gift, and she replied, “Oh its nothing dear, one of my groundskeepers found it the other day. I didn’t want to show up empty-handed, and I just knew this was for you.” I smiled and nodded, turning the stone over in my hand. Gifts were not common for attendees to bring, especially not ones like these. What use did I have for a stone? Hard as I looked, I could see no imperfections and at times I could swear I could see my reflection. I politely excused myself to go put up the stone and begin my preparations for the final dance.

I walked up to the bedroom that Hugh and I shared, and let out a sigh. I placed the stone on our dresser and sat down beside our bed. I was to change into a dramatic red gown with a full skirt that billows out behind me, made of rich silk and adorned with intricate pearl beading. My favorite dress had not been enough for the patriarch, for the final dance I had to be in something that really popped. I massaged my temples and sunk a little lower in my seat.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The king of Caelunda could have been here and I wouldn’t have cared. The stuffy gesturing of power had never interested me, and Hugh knew it. The gown wasn’t a gift, but a punishment for my opposition to his party. It’ll bring us to the next tier of class he had told me, it will be that push that will get us where we need to go. And you need to stop fighting, his eyes had betrayed.

I put on the gown with a somber seriousness befitting a mortician. I picked up my mask and donned it in the same methodical manner. The white silk covered the top half of my face and the curling gold accents and protruding red feathers perfectly matched my gown and jewelry. I would be a spectacle even among a sea of color and class.

I walked down the stairs, each hesitant step bringing me closer to a world I didn’t belong in. I knew these people could smell it; they could smell my lineage. Every glance the whole night had revealed what I already knew, that no number of exquisite and tasteful balls would put us in that elusive high class of society. The born-ins could smell an outsider, and I reeked. Nevertheless, I swallowed my fear and finished the trek in but for why, I could not have said.

As I was seen, the music started to change. The relaxed melody faded and an epic melody began to surge. A song that conveyed more than any words ever had. My apprehension disappeared and even Hugh’s cold hands in mine failed to repulse me. Everyone else had halted dancing after my appearance and they waited on us to begin this final dance. While my plumage was the most vibrant, there was not a naked face to be seen. Yet I felt their eyes pierce me as I took a step, but I didn’t stop. Invigorated by the music, I took another and another and began a dance most vivacious. Hugh joined me for a few minutes and all was right in the world. I was lost in the music, my steps matching its tempo perfectly and Hugh’s right in line with mine. Our energy would rise and fall as the violin’s bewitching tune swelled and I could feel there was magic in the air.

I wished that moment to last a lifetime, but all things come to pass. Our dance had concluded and guests began to filter out. I glanced at my husband, hoping to see another glimpse of the man he had once been, but it had left with the music. I looked down glumly, and walked out of the manor into the cold night.