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

in her wolf costume, ran circles around the bedroom. She

at the Nanny and then at Mark, who both pretended to

tonight, wearing a crisp tuxedo with

would be attending the ball himself, alongside the nanny, to help keep

and I were supposed to pretend we didn’t know each other. If

to guess my identity simply from

Elva a hug. It would hurt me to have

eye on her myself. If she needed me, I would

damned.

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

Mommy.” Then she giggled.

laughed too, just a little. “If you

my arm, like I had done so many times

alright.”

in very good hands, and I didn’t need to

worrying about Elva was easier than worrying about myself. I had no

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

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