Unmasked Love

Truth Unmasked...


Heron smiled and nodded softly as he dropped his mask and took hold of one of Jenna's hands, "Jenna...it's a lovely name. Certainly suiting of a young lady such as yourself." Softly gripping 'her' hand, the prince placed one hand on 'her' waist leading 'her' into a slow steady dance. He kept the other's thin figure close to hid own as he sighed softly and smiled warmly, "You know...I've only met you just now and I already like you more than most people I've known for so long. You seem to be the most understanding of them all. They're all so blinded by riches and such that they don't look at what's infront of them. I must be ranting now, hmm? I just find the simpler quiet life so much nicer than what I have now...I hate having to be dressed up and so proper always. I'd like peopel to see me for who I am, not what I am..."

Sighing softly, Heron leaned down somewhat to rest his head on Jenna's shoulder. It was a rather comforting touch. He felt so peaceful and calm in this garden with 'her'. The prince had never felt this way before and it puzzled him a bit as he glanced at the young 'lady' with an emerald eye. "Why don't you take off your mask? I'm sure you're much more beautiful without it.." Heron reached up to lightly run his fingers over the dark mask before nudging it lightly.
_______________________________________________________________________
But 'she' leaned back slightly. "Uh uh uh..." Jennasin scold him teasingly, "We're dancing in a Masquerade Ball so it only makes sense for me to wear this..." He raised his arm from Prince Heron's shoulder to around his neck as he pulled the Prince close to him, hoping he's not overstepping his boundaries as he rested his head on the Prince's shoulder. "Why don't you just dress normally and go out to town sometimes? If you can't then sneak out... i do that sometimes too..." he murmured quietly into Prince Heron's ear, letting his warm breath skim softly on the other's skin as he pressed closer.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron pouted as he was scolded and looked at 'her like a child would when he was told he could not have something. Feeling the light pull, the prince allowed himself to be pulled closer, glancing over at Jenna with a curious glance. "It would be the same though...sure being rich and ruling a country is nice, but I think it would be so much more fun to live a normal life," Heron replied softly, "See...many would think I'm crazy for saying this, but the truth is I feel like I'm trapped. There's so much I have to do. Ever since I was a child my life consisted of etiquette lessons and rules of what I couldn't do. It's just so boring here...but I can't leave. I couldn't do that to my family. I'm the only heir they have."

Shrugging, the prince pulled Jenna closer so they were now pressed together, "Do you know what it's like to live out there? You know, I don't even know where you're from? What country is it you're parents rule?" Now Heron looked at 'her' curiously. He'd completely forgotten about the people he was around.
_______________________________________________________________________
"Oh... I'm just a friend of someone that got invited that's all..." Before the Prince could say anything however, he launched into his own questions, "But why not for just a while though? I don't mean to leave the palace forever... just visit the town now and then to get away... It's the same for me too. Even though the palace is so grand and all, it gets boring and lonely sometimes that can just drive me mad... So sometimes i slip away when no one is looking and look around in town." Leaning back slightly so that their faces were inches apart he murmured, "i do that when i'm just too stressed or bored... I know i shouldn't encourage the Prince to do devious acts but..." he shrugged his pearly shoulders. "Everyone should get their own 'timeout' times... Even a Prince like you..."
_______________________________________________________________________

Heron smiled and shook his head before pressing his own forhead against Jenna's in a child-like form, "You're so...simple. I like it. I could do that, but I won't. The truth is I'm a terrible coward, and I can't upset my parent's anymore. I'm already their lazy son with no future queen to help the family." The prince shrugged, keeping his bright never fading smile, "This whole time I've been dreading this ball's arrival, but now I see I'm glad it came. I would have never met you. It'll be a loss to have to see you leave." At the thought, Heron frowned and his gaze fell.
_______________________________________________________________________
His pearly shoulders rose up in a shrug again. "You'll never know, Prince Heron... We just might meet again..." He smiled again before whispering, "I'm glad that i dared to come to this Ball too... and i'm glad that you noticed me... I would have thought you wouldn't notice someone as plain as i am... But really..." he continued. "i don't think you're the big coward you think you are... one day i'll take you out of the palace and we'll go have some fun..." he smiled, hoping that one day he can make that wish come true.
_______________________________________________________________________
"Please, just call me Heron. I get enough of the prince title from everyone else," Heron mumured with a light chuckle, "I don't want you to go. You're the first person I've ever gotten this close to...I just..." The prince really didn't know what else to say. Frowning, he looked away, slightly embarassed by his own loss of words. Looking back up at Jenna, he leaned forward and pressed a light gentle kiss on 'her' lips before pulling away, holding 'her' close to his form, "Please don't go...I don't want to be alone anymore. I'm tired of only being able to speak with those silly girls or old servants...I'd rather be with you. I'd like to go out of the palace with you and have fun." Heron looked at 'her' with his pleading emerald eyes.
_______________________________________________________________________
"Mm!" The kiss came so quick and left so quickly that Jennasin barely had time to get use to the unexpected feeling as he blushed deeply. Blushing, he let Heron bring him close so that their chests touched as he sighed a little happily and did his best to resist the other's begging eyes as he murmured, "Oh you little baby..." he giggled slightly. "I've been near you all the time, it's just you never seem to notice me at all..." And with that as he threw all caution into the air, he leaned forward and kissed Heron's mouth, opening his own as he blushed and kissed deeply, letting his tongue tease the other's lips before retreating, and beckoning the other to do the same. His arms tightened around the other's neck as he moaned slightly, enjoying this while his heart raced a million beats per second...
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron blinked at the sudden remark and was caught surprised by the other's sudden motion and those lips against his own. He really was like a baby. Feeling the tongue against his lips, he hesitated for a moment unsure what to do. Being so closed off from others, the Prince had never had any intimite relations with someone, something a bit surprising for someone who was so handsome as he. Slowly opening his own mouth, he allowed the other to guide him a bit as his grip tightened somewhat as he mimicked Jenna's motions and attempted to do the same with his own tongue. Blinking, he quickly pulled away before coughing into his hand and blushing lightly in embarassment as he caught his breathe, "I-I...I've never done something like that before, I must admit. I was terrible wasn't I?" Heron looked down and smiled sheepishly as he shrugged.
________________________________________________________________________He blushed as he, too, looked down before shaking his pink Embarassed face. "N-no... i-it's was..." Blushing redder, he whispered, "indescribable... s-so intense..." He, too, never had any real intimate relationships, not when there's work to be done, money to be made for his parents and siblings, and didn't have any interest in girls. "I-i've never done something like that either..." just here and there... he thought, blushing as he buried his burning face into the Prince's chest. "D-did you not like it?" he asked against Heron's chest as he closed his eyes and savored the smell of the other.
______________________________________________________________________
Heron blinked noticing 'her' bright pink voice and couldn't help but chuckle lightly as 'she' hid the sudden outburst in his coat. "It's my fault, really. If you must know the truth I've never kissed someone before now, or even held someone this close," the prince admitted with a light shrug, "How about we try again...but this time a bit softer, let's not get too carried away." Leaning down, he slowly tipped Jenna's head up and pressed his warm lips gently upon 'her's'. Heron kept his arms around 'her' thin figure as he slowly broke the kiss and smiled handsomely as he looked into 'her' eyes with his own, his voice was deep and poured out like smooth molasses as he spoke spftly, "I think that was better."
_______________________________________________________________________
His fingers grasped Heron's costume's fabric as he let the Prince kiss him and he kissed softly back. It was wonderful, and his blush said as much as he lost himself into the feeling of the warmth from his body, the arm around his slender waist, his musky taste and smell... And when they broke apart, Jennasin almost felt a little faint so he placed his head onto his chest again, breathing evenly as he tried to hide his blush. "Y-yes... they're both... good..." he murmured before leaning back. "Let's go back to the ballroom. It's getting late and i think some of the guests are retiring. I don't want the company i'm with to get mad at me for slipping away... with the Prince of all people" he giggled a little before holding Heron's hand and walking towards the Palace while his black slippers in his other hand.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron blinked and smiled lightly as he felt Jenna rest 'her' head on his chest, "Well I guess that's good..." The prince gently stroked 'her' back before she leaned back and their eyes met. He frowned at the words and nodded in agreement, "Yeah...you're right. I guess we should head back before they start to worry..." He smiled at the light blissful giggle and allowed 'her' to pull him lightly by the hand back towards the palace. Jogging along beside Jenna, he slowed down and stopped 'her with a strong hand, "Wait...I...no it's stupid. Nevermind, let's just go inside. My parents are probably wondering where I've run off to." Heron smiled warmly and took hold of 'her' hand before leading teh way back to the palace.
_______________________________________________________________________
Though the musicians continued to play their classical music with their expensive instruments, the guests already started to retire as servants directed them towards their rooms in the palace for their sleep... or nightly pleasures. As some of them began to leave, the other guests also began to retire and Jennasin took this opportunity as the crowd thickened to leave. Slipping his gloved hand from Heron's grasp, he place them on his chest lightly as he stepped up to murmur in his ear, as it was too loud to speak normally otherwise with the crowd's noise, "I had a good time..." And before he could do anything, he dashed away into the crowd...


Rushing towards the women's john to take off the costume. He placed them in a plastic garbage bag in the cabinet just under the sink. He took out the formal attire for the servants and hurries to don it on before putting his hair in a long droop ponytail. Then he went in one of the elegant stalls and put the seat down to reach up to the air vent and unscrewed the bolts that kept it up. Putting the metal up inside the vent, he climbed up before rescrewing them back on with the mini screwdriver he tucked inside his servant clothing's pocket. And then in the next moment, he was running here and there with cleaning the dishes, mopping the ballroom's floor, and other lowly tasks before going to bed in late night. In bed, he stared at the dark ceiling, remembering everything that happened with Heron and he could feel his cheeks heat up as he smiled under his blanket. It was a wonderful night... now i know how Cinderella feels after the ball and meeting with Prince Charming... And with that, he closed his eyes and fell asleep from exhaustion and excitement all the while dreaming of emerald eyes...
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron didn't get a chance to respond as Jenna spoke swiftly and left. As the crowd of people slowly disappeared, the prince stood there alone. A bit confused and sad at the same time. Sighing, he placed his hands in his pockets and headed up to his room, walking down the long elegant but dark corridor. Pushing his bedroom door open, Heron pulled off his coat and shirt, tossing them off to the side onto a chair and began to tug off his pants. He made his way into his closet and pulled on a comfortable pair of pants before flopping onto his large bed draped with silky sheets.

The prince gripped his pillow tightly and sighed as he down at his bed. What if he never saw 'her' again? That would be terrible. Even though he'd only known 'her' for awhile, he already felt rather close. 'She' was different from all those other girls. "Mmf.." Heron grumbled as he burried his face in his pillow and managed to fall asleep after awhile.

Heron awoke when he heard a loud bang on his door. Grunting, the prince glanced up from where he lay and sighed lazily as he tried to get up. His attempt failed as he tangled himself in the bedsheets and fell over with a loud thud, "Ah! Ow..damn it!" A low stream of profanities could be heard from his bedroom as he fumbled to get to the door, not caring that he wasn't wearing a shirt. What did he care what someone thought of him? The prince opened the door to find his mother standing there in a royal blue dress and a bright smile on her voice, "Over-sleeping again, Heron? Oh why does that matter! I saw you with that girl last night! How did it go?"

Great just what he wanted the moment he woke up. "I don't want to talk about it mum.." he grumbled as he shut the door not caring for her protests and scolding. Heron shuffled to his bed and sighed as he rubbed his eyes and looked around his room lazily. This was going to be some day.
_______________________________________________________________________
It was wonderful beautiful sunny day which was completely perfect as the guests enjoyed their time at the Queen's palace either having a long refreshing stroll in the garden maze, or having breakfast outside in elegant tables and chairs and eating simply delectable food. And in the afternoon, there were contests for the women and girls in a playacting, archery, or siting in a marvelous and large room for them to sit, drink tea and cookies while doing what they do best, gossiping. The men, on the other hand, had fun playing croquet over small talk while other men tried their hands in target shooting with different kinda of guns. It was a very wonderful day...

Jennasin, though, did not participate in any of this. Not only because that required him to go without a mask, though that itself is not a problem because he has a sort of pretty face, but he just did not want to, especially with so much to do like preparing food for lunch and making sure the ball room was spotless and picking up after the guests' in their rooms whether it was making the bed, changing the sheets, and so on. And with so much to do, there was no other thought until the sky became dark as the guests came out of the incredibly vast dining room to get ready for the second night of the ball in which only more guests came. Back in his room, Jennasin, too, began to dress up as his heart thump excitedly. He wondered if the Prince would be happy to see him again.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron got dressed in some of his lest regal clothing as he made his way out of his room. Scratching his head, the prince looked over the grounds in hopes to find Jenna and be able to see 'her' again. Though, after awhile of searching, he found it to be useless and sighed. All he saw were the other guests going about their daily activites as they enjoyed their stay at the palace. That didn't help him, though. He didn't care what they were doing. Feeling it was a bit well, hopeless, he simply walked around the palace in a lazy fashion as he usually did.

As the sky began to darken, Heron began to get dressed, pulling on his crimson, black, and golden outfit. He had managed to find a replacement mask due to him losing it out in the maze. The prince got dressed but didn't bother to fix his messy, silky mid length hair as he made his way into the ballroom before the guests arrived and slumped down on his seat beside the throne. It was customery for him to have to sit there for greetings as always. As people arrived and they said their hellos to the King and Queen, some men nodding their heads at him and girls giggling as they waved.

The prince had no care for these guests, though, as he sat slumped in his seat and examined the ballroom, looking for Jenna. Would 'she' be here tonight? Or was she gone already? No 'she' had to be there, he couldn't thing negative. He just had to keep looking for that black dress.
_______________________________________________________________________
God dammit!, Jennasin thought. Damn, damn, damn /damn/! He was in the dining room, putting away dishes before washing them in the back. At the last minute, right before he got out his costume, a servant girl managed to catch him and told him to hurry and help out since they would rather clean before the ball then after so they can retire to bed earlier tonight. And now, here he was. He sighed as he raised his arm sleeve to wipe his brow. He washed as quickly as he could, hoping to finish as quickly as he can so he could go to the ball though there were hundreds and hundreds of plates in front of him. The other servants that also washed the dishes stared at him in amazement at his hardworking speed while the head maid only nod with deep approval.
________________________________________________________________________
Heron's hopes seemed to be crushed as the wave of people came to an end and eveyone seemed to have already gotten there. Everyone but Jenna. The prince remained slumped in his seat as he watched the couple's dancing happily, and other's chatting together. He couldn't take it anymore, sitting there was only making everything worse. "I'm going to bed, mother," Heron stated blankly as he got up and made his way out of the ballroom, pulling his mask off as he made his way towards the stairs.

He was suddenly caught off gaurd, though, as he felt a hand around his wrist and he looked back to see none other than Evelyn. "What is it? I'm going to my room, and I don't want to be bothered," Heron told her sourly as he tugged his arm away. Frowning, she stood infront of him and pressed the prince back against the wall. "I saw you with that girl last night. What is it she has that I don't? I've tried everything for you Heron and you keep pushing me away..." she mumured softly seeming to be almost close to tears.

The prince furrowed his brow, "I don't like you Evelyn! I've told you that, just leave me alone!" Before he could say anymore, Heron felt her lips against his own and he squirmed as he pushed her away, "Stop that!" He didn't took hold of her wrists and pushed her back as he looked at her with a stern almost angry expression. He had had it with this day, it was terrible and now it only seemed to get worse.
______________________________________________________________________
Quick footsteps could be heard as a wisp of black fabric and the edge of pure inky black fairy wings could be seen rounding around the corner after a barely suppressed gasp.

Jennasin ran away from the scene as he tried to banish his mind from the image he just saw.... Heron... kissing.. someone else. A tear fell as he escaped into the gardens and ran, not caring what people said as they gawked at him. He continued to run until he was out of breath and found himself at the pond where he was yesterday. Now he didn't know if he wanted to go to the ball anymore... He was practically screaming with frustration back in the kitchen and felt like he conquered the world when the last plate was placed on the rack to dry. And in his room, the entire time he was imagining what new wonders he would discover tonight with Heron only to find all of it crushed in an instant. He took so much time making sure he was completely perfect in the costume as he scrubbed his skin and matted the soft skin of his with lotion and brushed and rebrush his hair so it was silky soft. And now... and now... none of it mattered as he slumped onto the grass and placed his arm on the stone bench, and buried his sad face into his arms.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron looked up at the soft sound, and darted after it. It had to be 'her.' "Wait! Jenna! It's not what you think!" The prince ran as fast as he could, making his way through the maze to the same spot they were in yesterday. He slowly approached Jenna and placed a hand on 'her' smooth shoulder as he spoke in his soft deep voice, "Jenna...please it's not what you think. I don't like that girl. She's just one of those persistent ones that thinks I like her. Please, I only like you...I promise. Why would I lie to you?" The prince knelt down beside 'her' and wrapped his arms around the thin form as he sighed softly, "I'm so sorry..."
_______________________________________________________________________
"Y-you... you shouldn't make promises like that..." Jennasin murmured softly against his arm as he refused to sit up. "You barely know me... and you already say you like me... a-and i barely even know you... how do i know you're not just saying that... that you're lying and you have an entire line of girls who think you like them... who has their hearts beating fast when you're near... who thinks about you when they go to bed... who knows how you taste when you softly kiss them... how you smell... the warmth of your hands... t-" He couldn't say anymore as he pushed the Prince's hands away and stood up, not turning to face him as he quickly wiped his tears away as he took of the leather mask before putting it on. "I-...i should go..." he whispered as he began to walk away.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron frowned and shook his head, "No! Don't say that! You must not know me well then, because I'd never do a thing like that! I had never kissed anyone before you last night...Please, Jenna.." The prince reached out and gripped 'her' arm, pulling 'her' close and embracing the thin form in his strong arms. "I may be a lazy, good-for-nothing prince...but I can keep a promise," he mumured softly before placing a soft kiss onto Jenna's forehead, "Please...you can trust me. Evelyn just thinks we're meant to be together ever since we were little. I don't like her. I've known her longer than you and I already like you more..."

The prince leaned down and pressed a soft kiss onto 'her' lips as he held 'her' close and sighed softly.
_______________________________________________________________________
He let the Prince kiss him before he could feel his blood beginning to heat up from the close contact. Lashes fluttering shut, he moaned before opening his mouth and wrapping his arms around Heron's neck, pressing oh-so-close as he moaned again, his tears trailing down and forgotten as Jennasin kissed the Prince with increasing desperation. He let their tongues mold together perfectly as he continued to kiss wildly so that his knees felt weak. Within moments, he stumbled back onto the grass with Heron on top of him but he didn't let that get to him as he pulled the other's head close and kiss him again and groaned slightly as their bodies pressed together intimately. "H-heron..." he moaned out.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron blinked as the kiss was returned but much deeper. Pressing into the kiss, though this was all still new to him, he felt their bodies stumble onto the grass. Not caring as they continued. "Jenna...y-you don't think we're getting a bit...carried away?" the prince looked at 'her' with a worried expression, though that didn't stop him from pressing another kiss onto Jenna's lips. This all felt so strange and new but nice. He'd never let himself do this with someone else, but he couldn't help it with Jenna. "Sh-should we stop?"
_______________________________________________________________________
"Mm..." he moaned out again before dragging some air into his system as he felt a little dizzy as heat seemed to course all through his veins. "I-i don't know b-but i can't seem to stop..." he murmured as his arms tightened around the other's neck. "We can stop if you want to though..." he whispered, nuzzling the other's neck. "especially if you think i'm forcing myself onto you or i'm not good enough or something..." he whispered.
_______________________________________________________________________
Heron shook his head and gasped softly for air between kisses, "No...you're fine, and I like...this. Here let me help you with your mask." The prince continued kissing Jenna as he reached up with a hand to begin slipping off 'her' mask. Feeling the nuzzle on his neck, Heron shuddered softly and returned the motion with a kiss to the ear, lightly nipping 'her' cheekbone before skimming those lips once more and stealing another kiss.
________________________________________________________________________
Jennasin didn't fight him, and wouldn't even if he wanted to. But right now his head was swimming from the pleasure on his mouth that he couldn't say no to anything as he returned the other's kisses with feverish passion before he too shuddered softly at the kiss to his ear and the sweet nip. He leaned forward and bit softly on Heron's neck before sucking the small bite away then licking it with his tongue. "Heron..." he moaned again, pressing their bodies close and could feel the passion through the Prince's clothes. "Mm..."
______________________________________________________________________
Heron pressed his from close to Jenna's these touches and kisses starting to arouse him. He pushed off 'her' mask, though didn't open his eyes as he kept the deep pasionate kiss going. The prince blinked as he suddenly stopped, keeping their bodies close he could feel the tension between their bodies and the aroused sensations, but that wasn't just him...Heron looked into Jenna's eyes and froze for a moment, blinking and not knowing how to react before he gasped and stumbled back, "A-Ah! Y-you're...I...ah..."
______________________________________________________to be continued…