Unmasked Love

*I did not write this completely. This was a roleplay with Mayel as Heron and me as Jennasin so that is why the format is a bit different from other submitted work.*


Unmasked Love

It’s been almost a month since he’s been here. A long breath, that was apparently kept inside of him, was let out as he tucked a strand of loose dark black hair behind his pierced studded ear. Putting his chin on the back of his hands as he leaned on his mop he looked around. He thought it will be completely grand to work in a huge palace like this. And damn was it hard to meet all the qualifications in order to work in the Prince’s palace! But after weeks of just mopping and cleaning the dining room, which does not seemed to be used, the living room and helping out with other chores like garden work and in the kitchen. Venturing up to the upper levels has yet to be his privileged and will probably not be for years to come. But the palace, even the lower levels or maybe especially the lower levels was a sight. And oh what a sight it is. The tiles shimmered with the many twinkling lights from above, the carpet was soft to the touch and the mirrors and windows were completely spotless, so clear that one might be able to go through it! It was any commoner’s dream come true to work at an exclusive place such as this, and he /was/ very happy to work in this place and actually get paid the wages he got, even though it was the lowest of work here. But oh oh OH! Did he want to venture up to the upper levels. Rules are meant to be broken… aren’t they? But… Sighing, he moved his mop to this way and that as he spot the Big Maid come around the corner, nodding in grave approval before turning around to inspect the others. But… he didn’t want to be thrown out… But then again… A small wicked glint came to his eyes. But that’s only if he was caught. Sooooo… he just won’t get caught! A small barely-heard chuckle escaped as he now planned his little ‘adventure’.
_______________________________________________________________________


The sunlight poured through the crystal clear window in the prince's room. Stretching his strong arms, the young prince got up from his bed, noticing it was already fairly into the day. He grumbled lightly as he ruffled his messy ebony hair. Getting up off the bed, the young male, appearing to be in his mid-twenties, made his way into the beautifully adorned closet which homed all his clothing. Picking out some of his more common clothes, he sighed as he button on his shirt then slipped his leather coat over. Life in the palace was so boring these days. Making his way out of his room, he was immediately bombarded by a multitude of maids who asked him what he'd like to eat, and what color he preferred for the tablecloth in the dining room. When they finally left him, he sighed tiredly as he looked over the rail overlooking the bottom floor. So many people working just to keep the home clean and tidy to his parents expectations. "Prince Heron! There you are!" The young man snapped out of his daze and looked up to see one of the head maids, sighing with displeasure, "What is it?" The older woman huffed and crossed her arms, "You've woken up late again! You're parents are going to be furious if they find out!" Heron chuckled lightly and shrugged, "That's IF they find out, Marianne, and I really don't care." With that, the prince walked off, keeping his arms crossed as he looked out the passing windows at the outer scenery.


_______________________________________________________________________

When morning finally heightened into a warm clear afternoon, its rays were rushing in through the tall clear windows as many of the servants that range from the maids, the butlers, the cooks, the bell boys, the gardeners and so on was lined up in the long servant hall and staring at the one who managed and commanded them all to their tasks and receive words from the masters and mistress of the household, their King and Queen; or at least other commanding higher ups that also obeyed their beloved leaders.

Being new to this service as he only has worked here for a little less than a month, Jennasin had no idea what was going on. But even when his mind was filled with questions, he stood straight and unmoving like those that were next to him and to the next, all the while... just waiting.

Three top servants stood in front of them all with grave attention while holding themselves proudly and maybe a little smug as they looked around them before the one with a tight bun on top of her hair opened her mouth and began to speak.

"It is that time again when aristocrats and other royalties from other countries gaze upon our King and Queen. It is where friends, companions, and treaties are made. And that is why," The woman began to walk up to them then up and down, looking into their eyes as if daring to take a step back. "it is so important that we make everything perfect to show our kingdom's and the King and Queen's home in the grandest perfection that it can be." She whipped around to stand where she stood initially before continuing. "Many thoughts have been planned out with all the materials, and foods already ordered but we have till a week to set everything up perfectly throughout the palace for the Queen's Week Ball."

The impact of the last few words was murmuring and mutterings as interest was impregnated throughout the servants in the room before they were silenced by a elder man, a butler that's been working here for years, who was standing amongst the three. He looked towards the woman with the bun and inclined her to continue with the curt nod of his head.

"Yes, the Queen's Week Ball. And that means the gardeners have to decorate and put any last minute touches to the gardens. There will be new garden benches and chairs and rare fish will be added to the ponds. A menu for the week has already been set up for the cooks, the only task remain for you is to actually cook the foods. And-"

As the woman continued, the young male of 18 began zoning out in his contained excitement. A ball! And not just any ball but the Queen's Week Ball! Inside, he was whooping and hopping with glee to be able to see the event and be apart of it. And...oh! Heh... This is the perfect time for me to make my adventure. When everyone's busy doing this and that, there will be no notice when i slip away to the actual ball going on upstairs! He thought as the woman continued to drag on about everyone's duties and how they not only have to prepare for the ball but also be vigorously active during the ball too.

_______________________________________________________________________

The prince glanced over the upstairs railway as he noticed the head maid speaking out and instructing the other servants. Heron watched with slight interest as he listened to the elder woman's words. That's right, the ball was next week. He'd forgotten all about that. Well, this was going to be a slight nuisance. Having to get all dressed up for a silly party full of snobby individuals from different countries and towns all sucking up to his parents.

Sighing, the young man grinned lightly as he stood up straight and made his way towards the stairway, walking down slowly as he scratched his head, ruffling his dark ebony locks of mid length hair. "Mm...I see you're giving out the instructions for the ball next week, thats good," Heron commented as he brushed back his messy bangs and crossed his arms with a smug smirk. The head maid almost jumped in place at the sound of his voice and she gave him a steady glance, "Yes, and it'll be a good time for you to finally find a young lady, Prince Heron. How do you expect to take the thrown and not have a woman with you so you may have heirs? I say you start courting for once."

Heron rolled his eyes as the older woman spoke and he chuckled lightly, "Yes yes, ofcourse. Have children and spread the family line, I know I know. You just concentrate on this, I'll be fine." With that, the prince looked away from her and examined all the servants carefully as he kept his handsome face curled in a light smug smirk.

_______________________________________________________________________

One moment, Jennasin was spacing out as he planned his grand adventure in his mind and the next he was stunned speechless as his cheeks faintly went aflame. Dear god… his sexy dream love was suddenly conjured up out of thin air and he was walking down slowly towards them! He barely looked around to see if it was only his mind playing tricks on him or if there was actually someone in front of him before he was shocked /again/ so that he couldn’t speak even if he wanted to. T-t-t-t-the PRINCE! He could feel his eyes widen like everyone else around him as they mumbled excitedly as some of the younger maids giggled shyly as they bat their eyes at Prince Heron.

The head main frowned with disapproval as the chatter in the room began to crescendo. Pointedly, she looked at the Prince and spoke with a very polite tone, “Now, Prince Heron, I beg you to go to the dining hall where you will be served with a simple but delicious break- well, now lunch.” Her eyebrows drawn together at the reminder at the Prince’s overslept-ness. “You don’t need to burden yourself with the servants’ tasks and plus, I can’t continue giving instructions with you here…”

Jennasin all but wanted to sob at the thought of the Prince going away but knew there was nothing he could do about it. But god in heaven. The Prince was a /hunk/ of a man and just a look at him made his blood boil with anticipation and strained pleasure as he looked down, hoping to hide his delicate flush to began to bloom on his soft cheeks.

The preference of enjoying a sexual relationship with the same sex was still looked upon with disapproval so the servant boy never flaunt his interest around but have had a couple of relationships here and there with members of both sexes. Some of the maids even giggle and smiled at him when he winked his bright chocolate brown colored eyes and flirted here and there. But all thoughts of any other girl or boy completely vanished from his mind as his mind committed itself to memorizing every inch of the Prince as he felt so stupid for feeling like a sissy as he was becoming a little faint. Dear god… but he couldn’t help it. Prince Heron was H O T and he knew after seeing the Prince, there was no one else who he’ll rather look at. He suppressed a sigh though as he continued to look at the Prince though now wistfully. But why would the deadly handsome Prince take any interest in him?

_______________________________________________________________________

The prince frowned as he heard the head maid's words, and he looked at he, "Yes yes, I know. I'll be off then, and you get back to the instructions," he replied softly, his deep voice seemed to run like thick molasses. Heron began to walk off in a calm stride, glancing back at the giggling maids and winking a shimmering emerald eye before walking off to the dining room. The head maid always ruined his fun.

Entering the dining room, he waved off the servants who approached him as he made his way into his seat and flopped onto it lazily. He was immediately catered to by a young chef who smiled brightly and held up a steaming dish, "We've made one of your favorites today, Prince Heron!" Placing the plate down carefully, he walked off happily. Heron prodded the chicken with his fork as he rested his cheek upon his hand, looking at the food with disinterest.

The sound of the dining room door swinging open caught the young man's attention as he looked up with a raised eyebrow to see his parents walking in. The Queen had a bright smile on her face as she approached her son, "Oh isn't it wonderful, Heron! A gorgeous ball, with many young ladies! I'm sure you'll find you'll find your queen there! It's almost time you take the throne! And you're going to need heirs son..." Heron grumbled as he was embraced by his mother who was an elegant and beautiful older woman with long silky black hair and warm brown eyes. The King approached and nodded. He appeared sterner, with his old green eyes and light hair.

Heron sighed softly and nodded, "Of course, mother. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll find someone that will please you. I'm not very hungry now, though...I'm going out." Getting up, the prince bowed lightly to his parents and made his way out the dining room and towards the outer grounds. He made his way into the gardens and lay back on one of the benches, looking up at the sky and watching the clouds go by. It was much too boring around the castle. Why couldn't he just live a normal life and have fun like others.

_______________________________________________________________________

And so the entire week, the palace and its surroundings have been all but in a frenzy as maids scurried from here to there, mopping, cleaning the windows again and again. The head cooks barked out orders like mad to tremendously busy minions as they did their bidding whether it was to put the mixing batch in the fridge, shave the potato skins, add water there or here. The butlers practiced themselves of their duties and also polished the floors and the champagne glasses until they sparkled under the lights. And speaking of lights, the grand chandelier in the ballroom had about ten servants cleaning and polishing every single crystal so that when the light was lit up, it was a magnificent beauty that reflected on the gleaming spotless ballroom tiles. Jennasin helped furiously like everyone else not that they really had a choice as orders upon orders where barked into all servants' ears until they thought they can hear it even as they slept in the night. As the King and Queen have power over influence, the Queen made sure that all of their hundreds of rooms where all spotless and filled with new bedding sheets of the latest and most popular colors and styles. An array of duties where issued in the ballroom to put the chairs here and the plants there and the tables over here. The decorations where as important as masks impregnated with sparkling gems and glitter with colorful feathers were scattered over the room with other breathtaking decorations as this year Queen's Week Ball was masquerade, an event that was long since due and brought excited talks all over the Ton and other countries and everyone who heard of the Queen's Week Ball.

- - - 6 d a y s l a t e r - - -

Almost everything was finished and the only things left were last minute touches. This was the day were the Queen herself inspected every room as the servants take a break from their seemingly endless hours and hours of work. Many servants took this opportunity to request the day off to leave the palace and visit the family, the town, their friends or other activities while some other servants just took the time to rest, knowing that tomorrow and the days after that will be even more hectic.

With everyone taking their much needed breaks, it was the open opportunity that Jennasin was looking for. Opening his door softly, he tried not to look suspicious as he calmly exit his small but comfy room and went upstairs. He continued to walk down the soft carpeted hallways before opening the door to a particular guests' room though the door looked similar. He quickly opened and closed the door discreetly when he entered and almost slumped with relief. There was no one in the hallways or any other rooms that he did not get caught. Now he smiled as he walked gleefully towards the particular large closet and found what he was looking for.

Because every room was for the guests for a week, there were optional dazzling costumes in the closets for the guests to change and when he was putting them in the too many rooms, he noticed a particular costume and that was what he reached out to retrieve. It was an eye catching black dress that fell past knees and over the dress was light black lace that bellowed out of the dress's bottom. The dress was held up by two thin straps and it also had black butterfly-like wings spouting out. And with it was a matching black mask that was made out of leather and decorated with small drops of moon-light pale pearls over the brows.

[ pics : dress(http://i15.tinypic.com/4t87qxe.jpg) - mask(http://i4.tinypic.com/4or26o2.jpg) - Jennasin(http://i10.tinypic.com/6h4fslx.jpg) - ]

These were the kind of times where having a slender feminine-like body was useful. He was very slender and was easily mistaken for a girl when he goes out in an attire that could be assumed as a boy or a girl though most would assume he was a girl with his layered hair falling past shoulders though his face still holds a boyish look, with his moon-light soft skin, it was disregarded. And now, he'll take this and hide it in his room so that tomorrow he can slip it on and mingle with the other rich and/or royalties. No one will recognizing him as his face will be obscured in the mask and if someone found him missing, it won't be odd as all the servants will be busy so they will assume he was being kept by other duties. Grinning with anticipation, he placed the costume delicately into a hamper bag as a disguise before tucking it under his arm. He opened the door to the room and looked both ways before exiting quietly and back into his room to prepare for tomorrow and the days after.

_______________________________________________________________________

When the first day of the ball finally arrived, Heron woke up in the mid- afternoon, grumbling tiredly. One of the maids hurried to get him up as he ushered him into his closet, tugging at his clothes and helping to get him ready for the ball that night, which was beginning in a couple hours. The prince allowed her and two other maids to dress him, not bothering to put up a fight. Finally, he was clothed in a fine red and gold outfit, his mask was a stunning crimson with an assortion of feathers fluffing out of one corner. The outfit made him appear even more handsome if that was even possible.

[Heron(http://i11.tinypic.com/5zpw5c5.jpg) -Outfit(http://i14.tinypic.com/6gmhyrb.jpg) -Mask(http://i14.tinypic.com/6arwx2e.jpg)]

Brushing himself off, the young man left his room and made his way downstairs just in time to meet his parents at the bottom. The King and Queen smiled proudly at their son and walked with him to the main ballroom. In the uppermost area was the throne where the King and Queen would be seated, the prince had his own seat there but it was normally unoccupied. "Now son, try to dance with some girls tonight, won't you?" the King asked as he placed a hand on Heron's shoulder and looked at him.

"I'll try..." the prince mumured softly before looking up as a servant called out to them. "The guests are arriving your majesties!" The King and Queen nodded and assumed their positions on the throne, Heron boredly following from behind. They greeted every guest as they arrived, none of the girls seemed that special to him, but he'd promised his parents he'd tried. He kissed every girl's hand and smiled warmly at them, making some swoon and blush before they went off to join their families.

_______________________________________________________________________

Black silky hair fell past his bare shoulders as he examined the reflection of himself. As he thought, the costume fitted him perfectly as he swirled around slowly, keeping his brown eyes on the mirror as he looked at the black dress float around him perfectly. He looked at his painted-black nails and leaned forward to brush his lips with slow strokes so that in seconds, they became dark black. Pressing his lips together before kissing a tissue, leaving over ink on the light sheet before placing his mask on his face. He opened his eyes and stared at the mirror again and smiled, his perfect white teeth practically glowing from the darkness around them as he completed his costume. And with that, he turned and opened his door, his eyes shone excitement as he couldn't wait to go downstairs.

_______________________________________________________________________

Heron was slouched over in his seat, looking over the guests with dull interest. A sudden slap to the back of his head made him sit upright once more as he looked up to see his mother glaring at him. Smiling sheepishly, the prince shrugged before looking back at the guests as he now sat straight. Glancing over at the King and Queen who were now busy speaking to a noble from some distant country, the young man slipped out of his seat as he began making his way towards the open doors leading out of the ballroom. Almost there!

A sudden tug on his arm held him back from reaching the open doors. Looking back, the prince noticed a young lady grabbing onto his arm and he furrowed his brow as he looked the blonde girl over, not recognizing her due to the mask. "It's me! Evelyn!" the young lady snapped as he she pouted and ketp a firm grip on the the prince's arm. Heron was shocked and he wanted to get away even more, "Oh...hey Evelyn...yeah, I have to go now...I'll dance with you later!" Slipping out of her grip, the young man darted off making his way towards the stairs.

Heron ran up quickly, glancing back as he reached the top to make sure Evelyn wasn't following. She'd always cling to him when they were little and many believed the two would be wed. Not in Heron's mind, no siree. Never! She frightened him more than anything. The prince was busy glancing back when he suddenly bumped into another thin figure and stumbled back, "Oh! I'm sorry..." Looking to see what appeared to be a thin girl in a black dress, Heron blinked and frowned, "Please forgive me, I was umm...looking out for someone...yeah, bye."

Who was that? The prince had never seen that girl before, though she seemed vaguely familiar. She seemed different from the other girls in their bright gaudy dresses and curled hair. Maybe he'd look for her later...that didn't seem so bad.

_______________________________________________________________________