masq5_7

Chapter 5 - Meeting Dare

She woke at six in the morning the next day, and got out of bed,
and put on a sweatshirt and some sweatpants, and went down the stairs,
and out running.
The air was cool and nice, and though it was dark, Serena knew the
grounds of the Castle very well, though the grounds were large. She
always jogged the same route, by the pond, up the hill, through the woods,
across the wooden bridge over the stream, past the lighthouse, and down
the beach, and back to the Castle.
As she jogged in, truly awake, and went up the stairs, she smiled at
the young man from the night before as he came in the front door as she
was about to go down the hall. Apparently, he had decided to go jogging
as well. *He IS hot, whoever he is. I don’t know who the Dredsdale
prince is, but this guy is MUCH hotter than the prince could ever be!*
She made that judgment on the fact that her cousins and herself had far
different tastes in men, and while they examined the bank account and the
looks, she preferred something much more deep. *The Dredsdale prince is
probably some self-centered twit snob!*
She then took her shower in her private bathroom and changed into
a pair of jeans and a white blouse. It was time to bring down her presents,
for the kids would be up in a few minutes.

After breakfast, Serena wandered into the Castle library later, to do
some paper grading.
Again she found the young man she had seen before! She decided
it was time to meet him. He was correcting some papers as well. “Good
afternoon!” she smiled, sitting down next to him.
“It is indeed, Miss…?”
Serena, mistaking his attempt to find out her name for a sign of
respect just because she was the former first daughter, smiled and said,
“Rena, please. Just Rena.”
Darien smiled. Rena. She smiled beautifully.
“And you are?”
“Dare,” he smiled, giving her his nickname, being friendly.
“Nice to meet you. Are you a teacher?”
“Yeah. And you?” he asked, gesturing to the bag at her side, with
a paper popping out with a grade. Being a prof was being a teacher, he
supposed.
“Um-hm. I think teaching’s so much fun, don’t you?” Serena
answered, not really distinguishing being a prof and being a teacher. In
her mind, they WERE the same.
“Why else would I live it?” Darien asked.
“Yeah.” Serena sighed. “I’m liking you a lot already, Dare.”
“Me too, Rena,” he said, putting aside the papers he was reading
by students who were trying for their PhD. He found Rena a lot more
interesting.

They went into dinner together.
By that time, Serena had found out that Dare was indeed a
Dredsdale, and he was very into biology and sciences, and was an
excellent conversationalist. He had a motorcycle at his home, by the
university. He was a professor, and loved what he taught.
Darien found out that Rena was a Larynce, and a happy person
who loved to talk and laugh. He liked her smile, and could tell that her
teaching must have drawn many students, if there were THAT many
student papers for her to grade. Of course, she had only responded with
the fact that she had procrastinated the grading of the papers, which made
him like her even more.
“Hey Rena! Kinda late are we?” Lita smiled at Serena, confused.
*Rena’s already tight with the prince! Woah! Just before, she wasn’t
liking him much!*
“Yeah, I was talking with Dare here about life in general!”
Lita then realized that Serena probably DIDN’T know this man
was Darien Dredsdale. *Well, let’s not unprejudice her right now. She
likes him, and so, let her, and when she likes him for him, we’ll let her
know who he really is. This will be so much fun!*
“Sit down, Dare. How have you been?”
“Fine, Lita.”
Serena smiled. *I didn’t know Lita already knew Dare!”

Chapter 6 - Preparations and Reflections

After dinner, Serena rushed upstairs to get into costume. The
masquerade was to be tonight, in an hour. For that reason, dinner was
served early at 5:00. Now, it was 6:00.
She went into her closet. *Well, now to make myself look like
someone other than Serena Larynce. If they found out who I was, then I
wouldn’t be able to leave the ball room. However, if they had no idea who
I was, well, no harming them, and I’ll leave early!*
She pulled her hair into a tight blond bun and pinned it tightly.
She then took a long black wig and placed it over, the tresses falling to her
waist. She pinned it securely and combed hair out. It was a rather
beautiful wig, and she DID look pretty in it, even if it wasn’t her actual
hair color.
She then looked at her mask. She was right in her beginning
judgment. Though the mask covered her eyes, she need insurance. So,
she put in her black contacts and blinked as she saw someone else’s face in
the mirror. But she took some foundation of an almost white shade than
her usual and placed it over her face. She also put sliver glitter on her
face. She looked different enough. It would work. She then got up and
went to the closet. She was not going to be an angel, for yet another time,
as she had been in childhood. This year, she was going to be a ice queen,
for of all the things the Larynces knew her to be, they never guessed she’d
actually GO as the Ice Queen the newspapers all said she was. She put on
a shimmering gown of white satin, embroidered everywhere with slivery
thread and jeweled with diamonds and pearls. Over that, she put on a
chiffon overdress, which was also seeded with pearls and diamonds,
though not embroidered. She liked it. The sleeves were loose and she
wore white satin gloves underneath, and tons of silver rings on each hand.
She wore thin intricately bent silver wire snowflakes at her ears, and one
on a silver chain at her exposed throat, which had also been whitened and
glittered. She then put on a white mask which was also decorated with
pearls and diamonds, and edged with white swan feathers. She then put on
the glittering tiara, and slipped her feet, which were in white pantyhose
with silver glitter, into some silver dancing slippers.
*I might just stick around tonight. I actually still look like a rather
pretty dancing partner, so who knows, I might actually get asked to
dance!*
As she sat and sighed, with five minutes to spare, she’d thought of
the reason why she never wanted to stick around anymore. Back to a
Christmas ball when she was sixteen years old…would HE be here?

(Ten years ago)
She was beautiful. She was an angel this year, as usual, but she
was enthusiastic about it this time. A white silk gown, edged with gold
flowed to her feet, which were in gold slippers. She wore white wings, out
of real swan feathers behind her back, and a gold halo at the top. She
looked pretty. Her golden hair was let down this time, flowing to her
waist in waves, and her blue eyes flashed with excitement. She wore a
gold mask, jeweled with diamonds.
She entered the ballroom, excited and feeling glamorous. She
relaxing after studying hard for the past few weeks, and she was happy.
Tonight, who knew? It was out of a fairy tale! She might meet the prince
of her dreams.
Of course, that was only a fantasy, she thought slightly bitterly.
Being a Larynce Princess wasn’t being royalty, as she had found out. She
sighed at that…she only wished.
*Please, anyone who’s up there, if you’re not going to let me live
happily ever after, at least give me Prince Charming*
As her eyes fell back from the ceiling to the crowd about her, she
froze. It was him.
But shockingly enough, he was there. Standing out on the balcony,
with black hair and he was very tall. He was dressed as a prince, in forest
green velvet tunic and black pants and black boots. He wore a gold crown,
and a forest green mask. A forest green cape was about his shoulders.
Serena caught her breath. He was HANDSOME!!!!!
She weaved her way through the crowd, not really caring where
she went, but not approaching her prince. The prince had to come to her,
as Mina always said happened.
And he turned and he saw her, and that moment, time stood still, or
at least Serena’s heart did. He stood up from his place by a table, and
approached her.
She caught her breath and smiled warily at him.
“Good evening, bright angel,” he said, taking her hand, and kissing
it softly, lingeringly.
“Good evening!” she smiled, a blush creeping up, and a warmth
making her hand tingle. Her heart was pounding, and her mind was
dissolving away. What had happened tonight? Magic?
“Do you care to dance?”
She nodded, smiling widely.
His eyes glittered with mirth and admiration.
Her teeth were perfect, and dazzled him.
They danced the whole evening. Serena’s mind was in the clouds
the whole time, every thought tingled her mind, and her heart. Her whole
body was almost floating. And her heart felt VERY warm and full. It was
wonderful, and before the last dance, he drew her out to the balcony and
smiled at her, his blue eyes, which were sparkling underneath the mask,
smiled in hers.
He bent forward, and kissed her on the forehead, then, trailing a
small path down her cheek to her mouth, where she met his in equal ardor,
exhilarated and happy. Her mind and her heart had fused in a glory of
sensation. His lips were warm, and so were his arms, and everything
about him. She curved her arms around his neck, and held on for life,
reveling in the youth of love.

(Now)
It was her first kiss. It was indeed, something very special.
Serena remembered her prince, and kept on remembering him to
this day. She didn’t ever find out who he was, but she knew that she was
waiting for him, and some day, they’d find each other.
So she came to every ball, and waited around, but no one came, so
she’d leave.
Now, she started to forget about him, except for whenever she was
preparing for a ball…then she’d always remember him…she always
looked beautiful for him, in case he ever just “stopped by”. But he never
came. He was part of the past, and he’d never come for her. She’d given
up when she was twenty-three.
Sure he was handsome, but they weren’t destined, and it was all a
bunch of teenage foolishness. It had to be, as she reasoned now.
As she looked at the clock, she noticed her five minutes to herself
were up, and got out of her chair, to come out her room, meeting another
person who was already in the hall, about to go down the hall when he
heard Serena Larynce’s door open.

Chapter 7 - Get Out the Swords!

Darien suddenly stepped back as he saw Serena Larynce in person
for the first time in his life.
She was very beautiful. She had black hair, and dark eyes, though
he couldn’t tell what color in the dim light. He smirked…so she WAS as
superficial as to dye her hair. But she looked gorgeous, nonetheless. She
was very regal. Her figure was outlined in white, which emphasized a
very shapely figure. She was an Ice Queen, and the way she looked made
him think immediately of winter.
“Good evening,” she said, in a cold voice, which she practiced.
After all, the Ice Queen couldn’t go around with her warm cheery voice.
That voice chilled his blood, and he felt the warmth drain out of his
face. No one’s voice had EVER froze his heart before, but he felt it now.
Serena looked curiously at the young man before her. Strangely
enough, her companion was apparently a sun king.
His hair was golden, a very light brown sun-streaked blond. His
eyes were gold, underneath the gold mask he wore. His attire was also
gold, a gold velvet tunic, golden velvet pants and golden leather boots,
with a gold velvet cape with gold satin lining. It outlined a fit, very built
body. His face was also a golden tan.
He was entirely too handsome, Serena caught her breath.
“Good evening,” he said, condescendingly. Darien had disguised
himself well this time. He was aware of the destiny thing, and assumed
that if the Larynce princesses all knew it was him, they’d go after him and
try to end up at the end. For that reason, he dressed himself in gold, wore
the gold contacts, put on tanning lotion, and a nice golden wig, that went
in a full waving mass about his head under a gold crown. It was going to
work, he determined.
“Darien!” Ken smiled. “You look quite royal-like. Sun king, cute.
Just make sure you don’t insult her too much! I couldn’t really tell who
you were until I noticed your stride.”
He saw the second of the two figures in the hall.
“Serena! The ICE QUEEN? Good choice! I wouldn’t have
known you except for the fact that you’re standing in your doorway. You
two are perfect complements of each other! Sun king and Ice queen! You
two will have lots of fun tonight! I had no idea you guys already knew
each other! I was going to introduce you when you started working
together at the White House, but I guess that isn’t necessary!”
Serena felt a queer feeling in her heart. So this was Darien
Dredsdale, no mistake. He was handsome, VERY handsome, and his
name was Darien. There were not many other possibilities.
It was just as well he had chosen to be arrogant royalty! She
inwardly sneered. *HIM, the SUN KING? Already assuming too much
are we, Prince Darien? Ha!*
But her heart jumped some beats. He was FINE! She felt her cold
white cheeks bloom into summer roses.
Darien, meanwhile, was trying to find a way to get away from the
Larynce brat. The former first kid was undoubtedly some prissy snob, and
her voice was cold enough to freeze his toes. But fearing he wasn’t being
courteous, he offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
“Shall we what?” she asked, with a smile quirking in one of her
mouth.
It was a kissable mouth. Very kissable, and though appearing cold
looked soft ad inviting, with smooth curves. “I only offered my arm for
fear you may trip yourself…” *over that ego!* he completed in his mind.
Serena was determined not to show that she cared for who he was,
and determined to show him that Serena Larynce would not be led around
like other women. She wanted to walk away from him, coldly snubbing
him. However, he was offering his arm, and as a matter of courtesy and
pride, and somewhat intrigue, she took it. “We shall,” she said, in her
smooth, icy queen tone.

The evening was a far cry from perfect.
Serena despised Darien. He was snobbish, arrogant, and too
handsome.
It was obvious to every female in the room who he was and when
he had entered. Serena couldn’t deny the fact that her partner was more
handsome than any other person in the room. *But he still doesn’t beat
Dare! Dare is handsome AND sweet!*
As she drank punch with him and danced with him, she saw the
way the other Larynce princesses wished her death. She wasn’t blind.
And because she pitied him only for that reason, she kept on dancing with
him. Besides, Darien was a good dancer, and if Darien didn’t dance with
her, then she’d end up dancing with Melvin Morris, who was looking at
her in that weird way again. *He dances horribly, my feet are always
blistered when I stop dancing with him, and he gives me these weird
goggle-eyed looks!*
There was also a matter of pride, and because she was NOT going
to let Darien Dredsdale triumph over her, she stuck to him. If he chose to
be a cold arrogant partner, then she could just as easily be one to. *Just
remember who started it, Dredsdale!*
Darien, meanwhile, was not about to let Larynce triumph. She was
gorgeous, and she knew it. That cold beauty, the dark hair and dark eyes
with the delicate look to her almost made him believe that she was not a
witch underneath all that. He also saw the way the Larynce princesses
wanted to get to him. Preferring this Larynce to the others, he decided to
tough it out.
At least this Larynce had spirit. Lots of it. She was different, and
separate from others, distinct. She had an attitude that bit him, but set her
apart, in a good way, even though it made him think even worse of her
ego. Darien thought, as he danced with her, that even though she acted
like a two-year-old snob, she DID dance well, and her pride and character
was, well, SLIGHTLY admirable.
They danced around the room, each trying to out-dance the other.
They caught eyes, and the spectators all wondered when the “entranced”
two were going to “come down from their cloud” and find other people.
Serena was scanning the room for someone that wouldn’t mind
cutting in on them.
But Darien just HAD to look intimidating, didn’t he? With his
thick, luxurious gold hair and his piercing gold eyes, he WAS the sun
king. He could cast a spell on her if she let herself, but she wasn’t going
to let THAT happen.
She had to admit though, that this man was a maverick. Not at all
like the other men she’d danced with, dined with, and talked business
with. Some of them were attracted to her, some of them weren’t. But they
all couldn’t stay out in Serena’s storm very long. Men came by and
looked, but they NEVER pushed it. She had the impression that Darien
Dredsdale could and would. And the fact that they were going to work in
the White House together made the prospect of attorney general a lot
more, well, frightening, but very interesting.
Sure, she didn’t like his type, but there was nothing wrong with
some harmless bantering and debating with a worthy opponent.
“So what office will you hold in Washington?” she asked, slowly,
curiously.
“Surgeon general.”
“Nice,” she said, slightly surprised.
“And you?” he said, twirling her out and into his arms.
“Attorney general.”
He seemed quite surprised at that.
“Really?” he asked, almost skeptical.
“Um-hm,” she said, a little out of it. *WHAT WAS IT WITH
THIS GUY?*
*She’s clever, intelligent, beautiful. And a shrew. Interesting.*

As midnight approached, Serena was still dancing with Darien, and
having danced three straight hours after they last had a punch break, she
should have felt tired, but she was not. In fact, she felt like she was
dancing on a cloud. Though the company was not superb, the dancing
was. He made her feel so light and dainty, like a fairy with his dancing.
With his remarks, he made her feel like a bitter old maid who had nothing
better to do than be unpleasant.
Darien was enjoying the beautiful woman dancing in his arms.
She had a lot of spirit. And stamina. Three hours. He didn’t really feel
tired, and in fact, he’d never felt better. This girl really gave him the
workout.
And though they didn’t talk much, he enjoyed their bantering.
They didn’t seem to agree on ANYTHING! But then again, he didn’t try
to agree with her. She’d say something, and he immediately decided to
peeve her by stating that his opinion was just the opposite. Evidently, he
had to change his opinions on almost everything they had talked about.
On the other side of the room, a woman with a black velvet gown
and a black sequined mask approached another woman dressed similarly.
“Gail, I think they’re falling for each other.”
“I don’t know. They don’t really appear to be enjoying each
other’s company. Only the concept of fighting for their dignity. They
look like they’re dueling.”
“But they’ve danced for three hours!”
“Their pride wouldn’t allow for anything less. He’s determined to
dance longer than her and her longer than him.”
“But that still doesn’t explain why I saw them talking this
afternoon in the library.”
“I saw them introduce themselves. They’re Rena and Dare, not
Serena and Darien. But I’d much rather that way, because as their true
selves they are getting absolutely no where.”
“It was so perfect when they were younger. Remember, ten years
ago, they had snuck off and kissed for the first time! Oh, I was so happy
that night!”
“Yes, but we can’t just tell them that. Oh!” Gail looked at her
pocket watch. “It’s time to unmask. Let’s see the expression on their
faces when they realize that the person they’d been dancing with all night
and despising is actually the person they had met this afternoon! This
should be fun!”
“All right everyone!” Gail Larynce went in front of the orchestra,
and said into a microphone. “It’s time to unmask who you’re with!”
Around the room there were squeals of delight and excitement as
person after person removed their partner’s mask.
As Serena stopped dancing, she felt the true weight of her body,
and her feet began to feel sore. She looked at Darien. *Should I bother?*
“Go on, Serena!” urged Mina, who stood next to her.
“Oh, all right,” she mumbled.
She carefully reached up to removed the golden sequined and
jeweled mask. The face she saw was a familiar shape.
He reached to slowly remove her white mask. No, that angle of the
cheek. It couldn’t be, could it?
“YOU?” two voices simultaneously stammered out.