On the night of the Second Ball, Charlotte helped me add the finishing touches to my costume.

My sheer butterfly wings hung close to my shoulders, not extending too far, just enough to show. My hair was up and mostly hidden under a sea of brightly colored flowers. My mask covered most of my face.

leaving only my mouth and chin exposed.

Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I doubted anyone else would either. Despite what he

said, I even had my doubts about Nicholas.

Charlotte handed me my gloves one by one as I slid them on.

“Tonight, you can be anyone,” she said.

No one would know me. No one would know that I’m the outsider tonight. I would simply be part of the

group.

I nodded, unsure what to say. I didn’t know how that made me feel. I wasn’t ashamed of who I was, but I

had always wondered what it would feel like to belon

her wolf costume, ran circles around the bedroom.

Nanny and then at Mark, who both pretended to

himself was looking dapper tonight, wearing a crisp tuxedo

the ball himself, alongside the nanny, to help keep an eye on

didn’t know

the ballroom would be able to guess my identity simply from Elva’s

down to give Elva a hug. It would hurt me to have to pretend not to know

If she needed me, I would be there in

damned.

didn’t seem to mind so much. She hugged me tightly, her lanky arms

Then

too, just a little. “If

had done

alright.”

in very good hands, and I didn’t need

was easier than worrying about myself. I

down to the ballroom first. After waiting a few minutes, I followed in

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