"Some masks conceal secrets; others reveal them."
Notty tightened the ribbon of her silver mask, staring at her reflection in the polished mirror of her dressing room. The face that stared back was poised, elegant, and completely at odds with the storm raging inside her. The events of the past few days had left her shaken, but tonight, none of that could show. Tonight, she had to be the picture of control, a designer at the peak of her craft, not a woman haunted by curses and shadowy figures.
The masquerade ball was more than a social event; it was her lifeline. Her designs were being showcased in front of Ridicullus’s most influential elites, and if tonight went well, it could smooth over the rumors swirling around her name. If it didn’t… She couldn’t afford to think about that.
“Ready for it?” Ludikrousz’s voice broke through her thoughts, smooth as silk and just as sharp. He leaned casually against the doorway, his own mask—a sleek black creation with silver detailing—already in place. His tailored suit fit him like a second skin, and the smirk beneath his mask was pure Ludikrousz.
“Do I have a choice?” she replied, turning to face him.
“You always have a choice,” he said, his tone light but his gaze serious. “Though I suppose walking into the ball arm in arm with me is the least painful option.”
Notty rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “You’re not entirely insufferable when you’re trying to be charming.”
“High praise,” he said with mock reverence, offering her his arm.
She hesitated for a moment before taking it. “Let’s get this over with.”
The ballroom of the Grand Hall was a masterpiece of enchantment. Chandeliers floated lazily above the crowd, their crystal facets casting soft rainbows over the marble floor. Tables draped in shimmering fabrics lined the edges of the room, each centerpiece an enchanted creation—glowing flowers that opened and closed on their own, miniature waterfalls that sparkled like stardust. The air hummed with the faint buzz of magic, a reminder that this was no ordinary gathering.
Notty stepped into the room, the murmur of conversation briefly pausing as heads turned in her direction. Her gown—a deep violet creation that shimmered like moonlight—was one of her most daring designs. The enchanted fabric flowed around her as though alive, its movements perfectly synchronized with hers. The mask on her face was adorned with intricate silver filigree, giving her an air of mystery that made her both alluring and untouchable.
“Showstopper,” Ludikrousz murmured under his breath, his voice filled with quiet admiration.
“I know,” she replied, her voice steady despite the knots in her stomach.
The pair moved through the room, pausing occasionally to exchange pleasantries with nobles and merchants. Notty’s polite smile never faltered, even as whispers followed her like shadows. She caught snippets of conversations—some complimentary, others less so.
“Her designs are brilliant, but they say she uses forbidden magic…”
“Did you hear about the incident at her last show? The gown came alive!”
“She’s cursed, they say. No one should be meddling with that kind of power.”
Ludikrousz’s arm tightened around hers, a silent gesture of support. “Ignore them,” he said quietly. “You’re here to remind them why you’re the best.”
She nodded, drawing strength from his words. “Let’s keep moving.”
As the evening wore on, Notty found herself surrounded by a group of nobles admiring one of her gowns on display. The piece—a breathtaking ensemble of silver and midnight blue—hovered in a glass case, its enchanted fabric shifting subtly as though breathing.
“This is extraordinary,” a noblewoman said, her voice filled with genuine awe. “It’s as if the stars themselves are woven into the fabric.”
Notty inclined her head graciously. “Thank you. The enchantments are meant to mimic the constellations as they appear in Ridicullus’s night sky.”
“And it’s perfectly safe, I assume?” a man in the group asked, his tone pointed.
Notty’s smile didn’t waver. “Of course. All my designs are thoroughly tested before they’re showcased.”
Ludikrousz stepped in smoothly. “Notty’s work is unparalleled. It’s why her pieces are sought after by nobles and royals alike.”
The man’s skepticism faltered under Ludikrousz’s confident tone, and Notty silently thanked him. Together, they moved on, leaving the group murmuring behind them. Hours passed in a blur of introductions, compliments, and thinly veiled barbs, and Notty was beginning to feel the strain. She excused herself to a quieter corner of the ballroom, letting Ludikrousz entertain a group of merchants while she gathered her thoughts.
She took a sip of champagne, the cool bubbles soothing her dry throat, and allowed herself a moment to breathe. The ballroom’s glamour was dazzling, but it also felt suffocating, a gilded cage filled with expectations she wasn’t sure she could meet. As her gaze wandered, something caught her eye—a shadow moving along the edge of the room, darker than it should have been. It was quick, almost imperceptible, but Notty’s pulse quickened.
She set her glass down, her heart pounding as she scanned the room. There, near the grand staircase, the shadow flickered again, lingering longer this time. It wasn’t natural. It wasn’t human.
Notty stepped forward, her instincts screaming at her to stop, but her feet carried her toward the darkness. She wove through the crowd, the laughter and music fading into the background as her focus narrowed on the shadowy figure.
When she reached the staircase, the shadow had moved again, this time toward the far end of the room. Notty followed, her movements quick but deliberate. She passed enchanted tables and masked guests, her breath coming faster as the shadow led her toward a dimly lit alcove.
“Notty!” Ludikrousz’s voice cut through the haze, pulling her back to reality. She turned to see him weaving through the crowd, his mask slightly askew, his expression a mix of annoyance and concern.
“What are you doing?” he demanded, reaching her side.
“There’s something here,” she said, her voice low. “Something… unnatural.”
Ludikrousz frowned but didn’t dismiss her. “Where?”
She gestured toward the alcove, but when she looked again, the shadow was gone. The air was still, the space empty save for a decorative vase glowing faintly in the low light.
“It was right there,” she said, frustration lacing her voice.
“Notty,” Ludikrousz said carefully, “you’ve had a long night. Maybe you’re just imagining things. You're delusional...”
“I’m not imagining it,” she snapped. “I know what I saw.”
He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before nodding. “Alright. Let’s get out of here. We can figure this out later.”
Notty hesitated, her eyes lingering on the alcove. But the shadow didn’t return, and with a reluctant nod, she allowed Ludikrousz to lead her back to the center of the ballroom.
As they walked away, Notty couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Unseen by the crowd, the shadow flickered once more, retreating into the darkness as if biding its time.