**I don't own BATB, Catherine, Vincent or any other characters mentioned. I also don't own any places mentioned or any scenes that may be similar to another work.**
Previously on Masquerade...
Catherine: "As of today, I could not tell you. I have known you for less than one week's time and even then I have not known the truth."
Vincent: "Pray tell, when might you think you could possibly forgive me?"
Catherine: "I do not believe I can forgive you Vincent...
"It may be better in your favor if we were to start over from when we met and leave everything behind." Catherine said confusing Vincent.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"I cannot forgive you for what you have done, but I can forget what has happened and we can start anew." Catherine said with a smile as she stood up. She then looked at him and waited for him to do the same. Once he was standing facing her, she curtsied to him before he realized what she was doing. He followed suit by bowing before speaking.
"I am Vincent Andrew Joseph Keller, and my title is as the third prince of York."
"Tis a pleasure to meet you your highness." Catherine said as she giggled while trying to keep the facade up. "I am Catherine Annabelle Chandler, and my title is as a lady."
"Tis a pleasure to meet you, Lady Chandler. If it pleases you, you may refer to me as Vincent and I know that we have just met, but I was wondering if you would possibly consider accompanying me to the royal masquerade in two day's time?"
"If it pleases you, you may simply refer to me as Catherine. I am not sure that I am available Vincent. I must confirm my free time with my father. Is there a way I could get word to you?"
"If tis alright, I would like to call upon you tomorrow and I shall take your answer then."
"Tis quite alright. Would you mind accompanying me on a walk?"
"It would be my pleasure Catherine." Vincent said be offering her his arm. This time she took it with a smile. They started to slowly walk the path in a silence.
"Vincent, I ask because we do not know each other, but would you mind telling me about yourself? For now all I know of you is your name and your title."
"I would not mind telling you about myself. What do you wish to know?"
"How about of your family?"
"My family currently is my mother and father, Marie and Michael Keller whom are the queen and king of York, my elder brother William George Jackson Keller and then there is my eldest brother Daniel Jacob Andrew Keller, whom is the the crowned prince. I am the youngest out of my siblings. My brother Daniel will soon be married to her highness Princess Alexandria Isabella Diana Salter and will take the last name of Salter when he is crowned king of Nigera with her as the queen. William will take control of the throne of York once he becomes betrothed."
"And what of you?"
"I am free to take a position of high power unless something is to happen to William, in which I shall then take the throne in his place. What about you Catherine, what of your family?"
"Well, my family is my father, Lord Thomas Chandler, his wife, Lady Brooke Warrens-Chandler, her daughter and my stepsister, Heather Warrens, and my cousin, lady Teresa Vargas whom my father took in after she lost her parents to illness when she was young. I am the eldest, with Teresa following and Heather bringing the rear. There is also my mother, Vanessa, but we lost her to illness soon after I was birthed so I was never able to know her."
"I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you." Catherine said before they fell into a comfortable silence. "May I inquire the reason in which you chose to pursue me? I mean, I am but a lady and there were many at the masquerade whom were of higher standings."
"To be forthright, I pursued you because you intrigued me. I could tell that you were not of an extremely high standing for you never once approached anyone whom was. I was also intrigued by your choice of animal for I rarely ever have seen cats at a masque. Pray tell the reasoning behind your choice?"
"I had taken the disguise of cat for I identify quite well to them. We both like to be to ourselves and wish that we can simply be left to do as we please. I much prefer their ways of keeping to themselves but for few people. They live a hidden and untroubled life where their position is free to be which ever they wish." Catherine said with a tone of passion.
"What could one do when there is no other soul around? To be alone so much must be so terribly boring."
"Quite the opposite actually. I enjoy the written world and when I am alone I indulge in the written word."
"So you prefer to read?"
"Yes, it provides a welcomed escape from everything."
"Have you a favorite?"
"My favorite would have to be the work -Peter Pan: The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up- by the playwright J.M. Barrie. I find the story most intriguing."
"Pray tell which part was the most intriguing?"
"That a place existed in Mr. Barrie's mind where people could escape time and stay young forever. A land made purely from imagination and strictly for those who wished to escape time. Much similar to the land featured in the work -Alice's Adventures In Wonderland- by Lewis Carroll."
"So you prefer tales of lands nonexistent? To which would you prefer more; Neverland or Wonderland? Both are quite spectacular."
"You know of Wonderland?"
"Yes, I read -Alice's Adventures In Wonderland- before. Quite recently actually and I found it rather intriguing."
"How so?"
"To think that a world such as Wonderland could possibly exist. And to think...tis just down the rabbit-hole. Much as Neverland is the second star to the right and straight on till morning."
"All we need to do is find a rabbit in a waistcoat with a pocket watch or simply learn to fly." Catherine said with a laugh as they circled back around to the front of the manor where they were met by the sight of Brooke speaking with Lord Marks. "Oh gods. I cannot believe she invited him here."
"And he is?"
"That would be Lord Evan Marks of England. He wishes to court me, but I cannot stand him. My step-mother believes that I welcome his advances though I wish of nothing to do with him."
"If you would like I could help you avoid him."
"How? And we have just met. Why would you help me?"
"Well, a prince's job is supposedly to rescue maidens in distress."
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