Un Ballo in Maschera – A Masked Ball
A Carnevale Ogni Scherzo Vale
Damon Salvatore placed his black and blue mask on his face and offered his hand to his beautiful company.
It was carnevale in Venezia and an enormous festival took place. Tonight was special as there was un ballo in maschera organized by one of the richest families of Venezia and she had been asked by the gorgeous Salvatore brother to join him this night. Not that he would have gone to the ball alone otherwise, there were plenty of young women who would love to accompany the handsome son of Guiseppe Salvatore, but he seemed not to care.
She placed her gloved hand into his and he led her onto the dance floor where they mingled with the crowd.
"So, principessa, do you enjoy the festa?", he asked her.
"Oh yes, very much actually, mister Salvatore.", she giggled playfully while looking into his baby-blueish eyes.
"I am glad to hear that, signorina Katerina.", he smiled.
The Orchestra that had been organized only for this event, started playing and Damon placed one hand on her waist, with the other he took her slender hand and they danced the Waltz.
Earlier this week Damon Salvatore had asked if he could carry her off to the special event of the Venetian festa di carnevale that was held every year in Venezia. She had said yes, of course. She had been living with the Salvatore family for some time now and she really liked the oldest Salvatore brother. In fact it was more than just liking … The other Salvatore brother was fun to spend some time with, but not more than a toy. Speaking of the younger brother …
"Where is your dear brother, Damon?", she asked.
He shrugged. "I don't know, but what does he matter now? We are having fun!", and with that he swirled her around.
She laughed. "Yes we do! Thank you so much you took me here, Damon. I really like spending the night with you.", she added, smirking mysteriously.
Suddenly he stopped dancing. She looked into his eyes and knew he wanted to say something important.
"What is it, Damon?", she asked.
"It's just … nothing … I shouldn't …", he murmured.
"No, it's alright. Say it!", she said compellingly.
He took her hand and pulled her with him off the dance floor into a small room, away from all the people. He closed the door and turned around to her.
While taking a small dark velvet box out of his pocket, he knelt in front of her.
"Katerina Anna Rayna Vladimíra Petrova, do you want to become my wife?", he asked.
She didn't need time to think, she knew the answer already when he had stopped dancing because he wanted to tell her that oh so important thing.
"Yes.", she sighed. And he kissed her.
Elena woke up with a start. She had dreamed she was Katherine. And she had felt so comfortable being her. Maybe Damon had been right when he had said that she and Katherine had a lot more in common than just their looks. Thinking of Damon, the kiss came to her mind. It had felt so intense, so real and so … right. She was frightened of her thoughts – she loved Stefan, didn't she?
Elena looked at the peacefully sleeping body next to her and as if he felt her glance, he woke up.
"Are you alright, Elena?", Stefan asked her.
"Yeah, I – I just got a bad dream.", she lied.
"Elena, I'm here to protect you always, you know that, right?", he said.
"I know, Stefan, thanks.", she faked a smile at him.
"I love you, Elena."
She wanted to reply, but didn't.
She couldn't get Damon Salvatore out of her head.