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

wolf costume, ran circles around

at the Nanny and then at Mark, who both pretended to be intimidated.

crisp tuxedo with Prince Nicholas’s insignia

would be attending the ball himself, alongside the nanny, to help keep an eye on Elva

didn’t know each other.

ballroom would be able to guess my identity simply from

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

I would be

damned.

mind so much. She hugged me tightly, her lanky arms

Mommy.” Then she giggled.

too, just a little. “If

arm, like I had done so many times with her. “Everything will be

alright.”

was right of course. She was in very good hands, and I

about myself. I had no idea what to expect

the nanny went down to the ballroom first. After waiting a few minutes, I

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