/*Author's note - I keep wondering if there is such a thing as updating too quickly. Is it possible to annoy readers? And then I consider that I've written 5-6 chapters ahead of what I'm posting and how I get impatient when waiting to find out what happens in other stories and books and decide that I'm probably being paranoid. So, on that note, enjoy! */
Due to the anonymous nature of the masquerade, there were no formal announcements as the guests arrived. People entered as individuals, on their own time. Anna had had the opportunity to attend many formal functions while serving as an ambassador, but she was truly impressed by the scene in Svetland's courtyard. The weather had been excellent, so the masquerade was moved outdoors. As she scanned the edges, Anna could see where servants – also masked – were setting up and lighting elaborate candelabra to counteract the loss of daylight without the smoke or fumes caused by torches.
In typical fashion, Anna immediately detected the smell of chocolate and made a beeline for the delectable aroma. She took a deep breath to savour the smell before placing it on her tongue and closing her eyes to enjoy the velvety feel as it dissolved.
"You look like a connoisseur of chocolate," said a deep voice beside her. Anna opened her eyes and swallowed the remains of her chocolate. The gentleman in front of her was dressed in black from head to toe and wore an eye mask. "Would you do me the honour of a dance?" he asked with a bow.
Anna curtsied in return, "Of course."
Many partners and dances later, Anna found herself back at the refreshment table sipping a glass of wine and taking a break. Tessa had been right, it was wonderful to be able to be herself and not a princess or even an ambassador for a change. She knew that the compliments and reactions from those around her were genuine; and she had received many compliments on her ensemble. She would have to thank Tessa again after the dance.
She scanned the dance floor, seeing if she could identify either Queen Tessa or King Edwin (since they were the only people she had even a chance of recognizing) and spotted a likely looking woman wearing the brilliant blue and green plumage of a peacock. Anna started to weave her way across the courtyard when a couple unexpectedly backed up and bumped into her. Anna wavered and lost her balance, pinwheeling her arms in an attempt to regain it. She started to scream.
A hand appeared out of nowhere and caught her own, effortlessly pulling her back to her feet. "Whoa!" said a friendly voice, "Let's not have you fall now. You'll ruin your beautiful gown."
Anna looked up into the eyes of her rescuer and caught her breath. Through his mask, intense green eyes captivated hers. The mask was a plain back fabric that wrapped around his head and tied at the base of his skull, completely hiding his hair. He wore high-collared jacket in an intense green covered in gold rope work with matching green pants with a solid gold stripe running down the outside of both legs. The ensemble was completed by a short half cape. It all served to enhance the natural green of his eyes and Anna found herself drawn deeper and deeper until she suddenly realized that he was talking to her again. She flushed a bright red. "Uh, I'm sorry," she stammered, "What was that?"
He smiled kindly at her, "I was asking if you would dance with me."
"Of– of course." The man placed his hand on her waist and swept her through the crowd.
Dancing with the green man was effortless and delightful. He expertly manoeuvred between the other dancers without breaking stride or disturbing anyone else. He took her breath away when he dipped her deeply, then pulled her back up and immediately resumed dancing without missing a beat. When the song started to slow he spun her rapidly, then slowed with the music until she came to a rest with her back firmly tucked into his chest and their faces turned inwards. Feeling slightly giddy, Anna let out a breathless laugh and disengaged. "Wow," she said, "You are an amazing dancer."
The green man bowed politely and offered her his arm, "Why thank you. You look like you could use a minute to sit down. May I escort you?"
"I would be honoured," said Anna, reverting to formality in an effort to regain her self-possession.
Anna placed her hand gently in the crook of his elbow and allowed herself to be escorted away from the press of people and over to some wrought iron chairs and tables. The green man pulled out a chair for her, then sat down opposite her. "So did you come just to Svetland just for the masquerade?" he asked.
Anna jumped slightly in surprise. "How did you know that I'm foreign?" she asked.
He leaned back and shrugged nonchalantly, though Anna saw the slight twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth. "I have always been good at observing people. You move in the slightly awkward way of a person who is in unfamiliar circumstances and location."
"You can tell all that just from the way I move?" Anna asked in surprise, "What else can you tell?"
This time his smile was deliberate. "I can tell that you are a competent young woman who knows what she wants," he stated confidently, "You are also obviously good at judging people and their intentions, when you don't let your own emotions get in the way."
This time Anna was momentarily dumbfounded. "How can you tell all that about me?" she demanded.
His cheeks coloured slightly. "To be truthful, you caught my attention the moment you arrived in that gorgeous outfit," he admitted. "I have been watching you for most of the evening, so I've seen how you reacted to the various partners who have danced with you and the woman who have talked with you. I've also been watching how you react to me, so I've seen your normal good judgement be ignored because of something you liked. Good looks or charm perhaps?" he suggested.
Now it was Anna's turn to blush. "Are you implying that I should be avoiding you?" she asked, dodging his question.
"Not at all," he replied, "But you didn't give me the same evaluation that I saw you give all the other people you've danced or talked with tonight. Perhaps you'd like to evaluate me now?"
Anna straightened and did her best to suppress the smile that was threatening to break through her scattered composure. "Perhaps I should," she said. Anna cleared her throat and deliberately looked him up and down, though avoiding direct eye contact. "First, I would have to say that you are extremely good at making others feel safe and comfortable around you. Unless we've met before?" she teased, then continued before he could answer, "Of course not. As you said, I'm a foreigner, and you are clearly in familiar circumstances." Anna's gaze rested on his bare hands. "Second, unlike most of the guests here, you aren't wearing gloves, which tells me you don't believe in doing something just because others are doing it." She then looked him in the eye and let her own small smile show. "And third, you're single."
His eyes widened and he jerked back slightly, "And what makes you think that?"
Anna's smile widened, "Because your personality is so unique that any woman who was in love with you would be able to find you immediately. And she wouldn't leave your side all night in order to prevent you from charming some other poor unsuspecting woman."
The man in green laughed heartily. "You give me too much credit," he protested, "I'm just good at understanding people. Rather like you. I imagine you could charm any young man that you wanted."
Anna couldn't hold it any longer and burst out laughing. "Alright, enough seriousness. Obviously, since you've been watching me all night, you've seen through me."
He stood quickly, stepped around the table and dropped into a crouch in front of her. "Oh good," he said with obvious relief, "You've seen through me too. Shall we go find something fun to do?"
Anna smiled, "My thoughts exactly! Have you ever tried running down a hallway without shoes?"
He smiled right back, "Once. I'd love to try it again."