Unmasked Love

The Attempt to Woo the Maiden


Omgz...omgz...omgz... th-that just /had/ to have been the Prince. The aura... the musky unique scent... the hair... the height. He haven't even gotten to the ball room and he's already having fun. Maybe he should just go to his room... seeing the Prince was already enough... ...HA! Jennasin giggled slightly before bouncing down the steps. He wouldn't miss the Masquerade for anything~! And true to word, when he descended the steps, he saw an array of people in different costumes and color. Most of the females did their best to dress stunningly from expensive ballroom gowns to angel outfits while the males attain their image as knights, princes and so on. While he looked on with interest, he didn't notice that some male in the room looked at /him/ with interest as they began to approach him. At their steps, Jennasin blinked and smiled dazzlingly before whisked away for a dance. This was going to be so much fun~

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Heron decided he had been gone long enough, and knew Evelyn would have lost him by then. Heading back into the ballroom, the prince took his place back in his rightful seat to get an interested glance from his mother. "And where were you?" The young man looked at her and hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I was...simply getting a drink, mother." The Queen frowned at the response and sighed as she shook her head and went back to speaking with her guests and the King. Heron on the other hand kept a look out for the mysterious girl he had run into. Who was she? He'd never seen her before at all. He had met a couple of these girls before when he was in his early teens, but never this black haired maiden. Keeping an eye out for her, the prince scanned the ballroom almost hoping to find her.

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He didn't mind that he continued to dance as he was having fun. He didn't mind that they all thought he was a girl. He didn't even mind when some of them held him closer than necessary and even tried to feel him. He /did/ mind however when none of them interest him. Before, when he did something similar like sneaking into other dances, he would enjoy himself immensely but now he could just enjoy it because he is dancing in the Queen's Week Ball surrounded with glittering magnificence. But the changing partners in his arms never really interest him. He wondered if it was because none of them was the Prince. He vaguely wondered where the Prince was and if he was dancing with someone else. Jennasin sighed.

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Heron sighed as he looked away from the dancefloor in slight frustration. There was only one other way he was going to find her and that was to dance. He knew he would eventually end up dancing with her, if she was dancing at all. Getting up, the prince walked toward a young lady and held a hand out, leading her to the floor and dancing skillfully before passing her to another and being joined by another young maiden. It seemed almost impossible after an hour or two of dancing. Then he noticed a black dress and butterfly wings. It had to be her, she was the only one he knew with an outfit like that. Heron passed a young lady over to another man and began walking towards the black dressed girl who was dancing with another young man.

The prince lightly tapped the gentleman on the shoulder and smiled, "May I?" The other smiled and nodded, though he almost regretfully gave up his position to the young prince. Taking her hand, Heron led the black dressed girl into a light dance before finally speaking, "I've been looking for you. I think...you're much more interesting than those other girls." Heron smiled handsomely at the other as they continued dancing.

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The music was wonderful as he continued to be spun around the dance floor. And a little before, he sampled the food there, it was heavenly. He never tasted such delicious food before! That’s royal delicacy for you… And then back to the delightful dancing. He wondered how many partners he danced with today but it didn’t matter because none of them really interested him. Oh, maybe if the dance was last week or just when he didn’t met the Prince it could have been much better but now… He sighed inwardly again, while he kept his feigned interested smile on the outside. Jennasin barely noticed who lead him as the faces all just blended together.

Until somewhere and sometime, a man dressed in red came up to them. Immediately, the black haired young male could feel his body change as it got a little warmer as he lifted his eyes to stare right into the Prince’s own eyes. He could only watch silently as his partner gave a short bow and lifted his gloved hands to bestow a small kiss before departing him unwillingly. But he hardly noticed as his brown eyes stared at his new partner. A million thoughts went through his mind while at the same time, it seemed as if his mind drew blanks as he just stared while he was ushered around the dance floor.

And at the handsome man’s words, Jennasin blushed slightly. H-he… was looking for me… Then taking a small breath to build up his courage, he smiled strikingly as a small petal of laughter escaped from his pouty lips. “And why do you think I’m more interesting? I don’t think you even know me… though I know you” he murmured wickedly as his eyes danced with mischief as he pressed just slightly closer.

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Heron blinked as he looked down at the 'young lady' and raised an eyebrow, "You know about me...is that so? I may not know much about you, but you've caught my eye unlike some of these other gaudy females." The prince responded to the light press by approaching the other just a bit more, leading his new partner into a soft steady dance.

"May I ask what your name it?" The prince asked curiously as he looked down with his stunning emerald eyes through the crimson mask. The plummage was a beautiful fluffy black and red, which made him appear more like a character from a story book. His eyes never once left the 'girl's' gaze as they continued dancing away.

The Queen caught sight of this and smiled brightly, nudging the King as he pointed. "Look, Heron seems to be finally enjoying himself!" The prince didn't care what his parents thought, though. Right now he just wanted to find out who this mystery 'lady' was.

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He, dressed in a delicate black dress, only giggled as he responded, “And who doesn’t know about Prince Heron? One of the most handsome man in the country?” He asked before trying to suppress a blush of pleasure of having the Prince press back in return though he didn’t step back or shrink away from his touch but only press closer still.

“Mmmm…? And why do you wish to know?” Jennasin murmured, his tone turned into one of teasing as he continued, “I doubt you’ll look for me again after the dance… After all, I’m really just nobody, especially to you Your Highness.” He whispered the last sentence into the Prince’s ear as he leaned very closer, wrapping his arms around his neck and not caring if people around them gawked at their closeness.

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"I don't know about one of the most handsome...but I guess you're right about people knowing me," Heron chuckled lightly as he looked aown at the other with his light shimmering emerald eyes. The prince noticed others had begun to look in their direction and he did his best to ignore the staring eyes. Some full of envy from the other young women.

He blinked as he felt those arms wrap around his neck and his gaze once again met the 'young lady's'. "Can I now know? What is so wrong about wanting to know a beautiful maiden's name? Or is that now considered a sin?" The prince smirked handsomely as he placed his hand's on the other's waist, "Must I give you something to find out your name? Jewels? Gold? Anything of worth? You've caught my eye, and now I want to know more about you..."

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Once again, Jennasin did his best not to blush like a stupid maiden as he continued to smile prettily as he giggled softly again. “Oh Prince Heron… Wooing me with promises of jewels and gems?” He whispered into the other’s ear before resting his head on his shoulder and looked out to see the glass doors that opened to the gardens that was surrounded not only by colorful blooming flowers but the night sky and its millions of stars. “How about… we go to the gardens for fresh air and a little rest? I’ve been dancing all night… And… maybe, just maybe I’ll tell you my name…” He leaned back with twinkle in his eyes.

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Heron chuckled lightly and nodded, "Alright that sounds fair enough." Taking the 'young lady' by the hand, the prince led 'her' out to the gardens, waking through the maze-like structure it had. "Come I'll show you my favorite spot.." he mumured softly as he continued to hold onto the mystery girl's hand. The finally arrived at a small clearing in the garden where a small pond with koi lay. Across from it was a beautiful wooden bench surrounded by a multidude of many different flowers.

"It's nice to just sit here and think..." Heron explained softly as he lead the 'maiden' over to the bench and helped 'her' sit. Sitting beside her, the prince brought a hand up to brush back some of his messy strands of ebony hair. "Is my wooing not working up to your expectations?" He asked with a light grin as he looked over at the other with his mesmerizing green eyes.

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Jennasin hoped that the Prince couldn’t feel his pulse as he held his hand which made him blush slightly and made his heart sped up. He could feel eyes on their backs as he was lead out of the ballroom and towards where the cool night air entered the heated grand room. It was a welcome to have something cool his hot body as he inhaled deeply, enjoying the perfumed scent of flowers and the sweet raw taste of the wind. It was nice.

He rarely got any tasks regarding the gardens so he didn’t know much or seen much of it. And at the suggestion of knowing and going to this Prince’s favorite place made him happier as he could feel his heart beat even faster. He followed the Prince as the moon light lit their path. He could see the many flowers in the pale light and even some of the guests that were examining the plants and the ones that are doing much… more intimate pleasures. The sound of laughter, murmurs and kisses faded away as they walked farther and farther away from the ballroom and into a place where guests weren’t allowed or even if they did, they would get too lost to find their way back.

When they finally arrived at the destination, Jennasin smiled his thanks as he gratefully sat down. He eased his dark slippers off and sighed in relief as he felt the slow burning loosen. Dancing in these shoes was a bother and he didn’t care if it was ‘unlady-like’ or that many Mamas and ladies would find that simple action appalling as it was not customary and polite to do such a thing especially in front of the Prince. But polite be damned! His feet were hurting and that’s that! He let his silk stocking-claded feet to rest on the soft blades of grass as he turned to answer the prince after sweeping his long layered hair and tucked them behind his pierced ear. “Wooing? All you did was offer my jewels which I don’t really have an interest in… compared with the other things you can offer me that is…” He smiled wickedly as he leaned back against the bench and looked up to see the twinkling lights that were much more beautiful than the artificial light and the chandelier that was inside. He didn’t notice that the moon light showered his form and seemed to outline his form and made his shoulders pearly white and made him glow beautifully…

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Heron looked over the 'young lady' and chuckled lightly, "So I'm bad at wooing women...nothing wrong with that. What then can I offer you so I may simply know your name? I think this may drive me mad if I don't find out." The prince leaned in a bit closer, placing a hand on 'her' pearly shoulder. Why was he getting like this? Over some girl he'd never met before, too. This was strange even for him, but he couldn't help it. There was something about her that made him want to know more.

Taking one of the flowers that hung overhead, he brought the crimson rose to his own nose. Looking at the fair 'maiden' with his amazing emerald eyes as he lightly sniffed the sweet perfume the flower let out before bringing it to the 'girl's' cheek then placed it above 'her ear. Heron gave off one of his handsome smiles as he brought his hand down, "There...I think it makes you look quite lovely. More than you do already." Well there was one thing he was good at. The prince knew how to flatter a woman, unless it was just with those other ladies where he could do anything and they'd swoon like silly little girls.

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Jennasin's smile widened at the Prince's words. He enjoyed their little 'game' and he loved it even more than the Prince was being driven mad by the fact that he wouldn't give his name. And when Prince Heron placed his hand gently on his round soft shoulders, his heart raced with glee. This was the first time he touched him.

Eyelashes drifting closed slowly, he could feel the petal's soft kiss before it was tucked behind his ear, the flower bright against his pale smooth skin and void dress. And he couldn't help the small blush that bestowed onto his cheeks from the Prince's words as he called him 'lovely'. It was very flattering, especially when it was the Prince himself who spoke those words and looked at him with those absorbing eyes that made him want to swoon.

But he didn't. He just smiled and murmured a soft, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness..." before letting his long lashes skim his cheeks then blink open his eyes again. "But i never said you were bad at wooing... i just said all you did was offer me riches in which i don't have any interest in right now..." Jennasin stood up, letting his dress brush the back of his knees before falling down smoothly. Walking barefooted and not caring, he went near the pond to look at the koi inside, his face delighted as be crouched down and skimmed the water with his fingers. Out of the shade of the trees, the full moonlight seemed to only shine beautifully on his skin, bringing its stunning essence to view as he tucked loose strands of hair behind his ears, letting a little of his neck's skin shown.

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Heron blinked as he watched the 'girl' with his curious emerald eyes. "I.." he was beginning to speak but was silenced as 'she' stood up and walked over to the pond. Sighing softly, the prince stood up and approached 'her', crouching down beside the other from and looking at her with intense eyes, "You really are something...you know that." His voice was deep and smooth, an almost mesmerizing tone as he spoke ever so calmly.

"Most girls would so easily give in even without me offering anything...but, not you. You're more like..." the prince spoke softly as he looked at the koi swimming around in the pond as he pondered what to say,"...like a puzzle. I offer you things and you still won't give in, and it's difficult to tell what you're going to do next." He furrowed his brow and frowned as he brought a hand down into the water and swirled it softly.

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"Well... i guess i'm just not like those girls in there... I guess, i'm a lot different from them..." He teased slightly though his tone seemed to be secretive, as if he was sharing an inside joke that no one knew but himself, which was actually true as he really /wasn't/ born high class or even a girl! Just a servant boy.

"And maybe..." he knew if someone heard them, he might get into trouble as it could be an insult.. especially if the Prince thought it was but, he just wanted to be himself as he continued with a slow smile as he continued to skim the water's surface. "it's just that i don't think you can buy everything with money and riches and jewels... maybe you should get to know me before offering anything. You may be the Prince but that doesn't mean i can't treat you like anyone else and so to me, your still a stranger..." His smile turned wicked as he murmured with his lashes lowered. "My mother always told me not to tell my name to strangers..." Before turning his eyes upwards and stared right into the Prince's emeralds with his own warm chocolate brown eyes.

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"Ah.." Heron looked at 'her' with a blank expression then sighed as he simply smiled. Bringing a hand up, he pulled off his shimmering and feathered crimson mask before running a hand through his silky black hair, "No ones...ever said that to me before. Really, most would be scared to say something like that to me." He looked over the mask in his hand before letting out a soft sigh.

Staying silent for a moment, the prince smiled, "But, you said you know me already...remember? If you insist, though, I guess we'll have to fix this problem about being strangers." Standing up, Heron brushed off his coat and held his hand out toward's the young 'lady' to help her up, "How about we get aquainted properly. I'm Heron, and it's a pleasure to meet you miss." The prince smiled dashingly as he kept his hand out for the other, his other hand holding his mask.

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Jeenasin felt his heart skip a few beats as he watched Heron take off his breathtaking mask though it barely registered as he saw the face that was underneath. Dark locks over the man's face, he was as handsome as one could be all the while looking so entrancing like a Fallen Angel that fell so that he could see him. He blushed slightly again before accepting Heron's offering hand and stood up.

Holding the delicate skirts of the dress, he curtsied perfectly as he murmured, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Jennas- It's Jenna." Before fully standing up again, smiling prettily before stepping close to the Prince. "You don't mind if we dance here to you?" he asked. "I love to have the soft sound of the crickets and the pond as the music..."