At the ball

I can’t see your face behind the mask, but I accept your request for a dance. You whirl me around the floor, and I can hear people muttering. _Who is that dancing with the princess?_ I’m not sure myself, but your grip on my arms is strong, and I find the way you never take your eyes off my face mesmerising. I can’t look away, not even when the music finishes and you bring me gently to a stop. We stand facing one another, oblivious to the rest of the court, and I can barely bring myself to breathe, afraid of breaking the spell. Suddenly you let me go, and I’m left gasping for air by myself. My friends and sisters rush toward me. _Who was that? Did he say anything to you? What was his name?_ I can’t answer my own questions, let alone theirs. I try to follow, but you’ve gone, disappeared into a sea of ballgowns and capes.