The following day I said goodbye to my parents and watched them depart for the coast. When I would see them next was still unknown.
Walking back into the mansion I gave the servants the rest of the day off. Instructing the stable boy to ready a carriage for me at dusk, I then returned to my chambers to bathe and get ready for the masquerade. I took my time preparing myself, soaking in the warm scented water. I washed my hair gently and applied a mud mask to my face, I also gently scrubbed my body to exfoliate and leave my skin smooth and blemish-less.
Once I was done bathing I sat at the bay window basking in the sun as I allowed my hair to dry and fall in its natural golden curls around my waist.
The bath had left me smelling faintly of magnolia and jasmine, sweet and subtle.
It was nearly dusk now and Ella had come in to light candles in my chamber,
"Ella you can tell the others that I won't be home for some time, there is no need to wait up for me, I am sure the party will go one for a while."
If I was honest with myself, I did not know what state I would be in when I got home and would rather none of the servants saw me. I'm sure my mother had asked them to keep an eye on me and report back to her.
Walking over to the dressing table I began to braid my hair in large puffy ruffles and I sprayed soft gold dust over it, so it shimmered in the light. Seeing as the mask covered most of my face I decided to not apply any eye shadow and opted to just apply black mascara to my lashes and a little black eye-liner to the lids of my eyes. I chose a vibrant crimson rouge for my lips that made my lips appear fuller.
Slipping into the dress I went over to the mirror to have a proper look at myself, finishing it all off with the golden-winged mask.
I was not instantly recognizable and would be able to blend in unnoticed in the crowd. Apart from my dress that stood out – being so different from what was currently in fashion. But I liked how it looked. It wasn't large and uncomfortable like the rest.
I was now ready.