The hall was decorated, in gold, white, and black looking like something created by the gods. The masquerade was crowded with dancing, laughter, and whispers. The string quartet played in the background, the mood and song was lively. One could even say the night was perfect, a dream, or a perfect dream. A beautiful girl with auburn hair and emerald eyes and a red mask danced merrily with multiple partners, her list always full and her hands never empty.
Her smile could be seen in her eyes and she was the epitome of goodness and beauty. How could one not fall in love with her by the mere sight of her? In the distance thunder could be heard and the lightning seen. The storm was moving quickly. But the dancers danced and the band played.
One man watched from the corner of the room, his eyes never leaving the beautiful woman. He watched and he waited, his time would come. But the woman with the emerald eyes did not see this man, she did not feel his gaze burning a hole through her very being.
The woman with the emerald eyes and the red mask scanned the room when she had a moment in between dance partners. They were all wearing masks, it was a masquerade after all but the man she was looking for wouldn't be wearing a mask.
However, the moment her eyes fell upon the bright blue eyes, her heart sang as she had found him. She finally had a feeling of bliss and a moment of ease. But they would not dance together, not in public at least.
The couple had stolen glances and secret kisses, hidden from everyone who would consider it wrong. But all that would matter is that he love her and she loved him, right? They had shared their world with each other, their hopes and their dreams.
Somewhere in her mind she knew that it was forbidden, but love could conquer all. At least that is what she hoped.
The woman feigned a sprained ankle, saying she would have to sit the next couple of dances out to the dismay of her admirers. She made sure nobody was looking and headed out of the ball. She would be in his arms in mere seconds and the thought was overwhelming. She saw him standing under the gazebo. The lightning illuminated the sky and as she got closer she realized it was not her bright blue eyed lover.
"What did you do to him" the woman called out angry.
"Nothing you need to concern you pretty little head over."
"Bastard."
The man grabbed her wrist and slapped her hard against her cheek. She raised her other hand to caress her red cheek.
"I've already asked for your hand in marriage, your parents accepted. You are mine."
The emerald eyed woman's face contorted, "No."
"Oh yes and I expect a more obedient wife."
The man did not let go of her wrist and it was starting to hurt her, she called out but no one came to her aid.
He left her in the gazebo as the rain began to fall and only got harder, the pitter patter on the roof made it difficult to hear anything else. As the rain began to fall hard, her tears fell even harder. She had her face buried into her palms. She didn't want to go back in. She didn't want to be seen in the state of disarray she currently found herself in. While she was crying a young gentleman with bright blue eyes came up and put his hand on her shoulder.
"My love?"
The emerald eyed woman looked up and jumped into his arms. "I thought he hurt you!"
The man looked confused, "Who hurt me? I just got delayed in the kitchen is all."
"A wicked man who tricked me and maybe he lied about other thing as well?"
Now the blue eyed gentleman was truly confused now, "what other thing."
"Well, he said that he hurt you, but that was a lie. He also said that he asked my parents for my hand in marriage and they said yes."
The man looked at the woman in front of him. The woman that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. But they were worlds apart, he couldn't ask her to live a life of poverty. But he didn't have to, because she said, "Let's run away and get married? I don't care if my parents disown me, you are the only thing I need, I want you!"
The man hugged her, "I love you. E-"
***
Emmeline sat up, did she doze off? Did she dream or did she have a nightmare. She tried to think about it, but she couldn't recall any part of the dream or nightmare. But she did have a feeling of unrest and she was almost sure that whatever had played in her mind did not end well even if it started as a dream.