The palace had transformed into something magical - constellation-themed decorations lined the walls, and tangles of invisible wire speckled with glittering stardust hung from the ceiling like frozen rainfall.

  No one looked twice at me as I reached the bottom of the stairs. For once, there were no announcements, no heads turning in my direction, no courtiers rushing to engage me in tedious conversation. I was just another masked guest, and the anonymity was intoxicating.

  I followed the music to the grand hall, pausing at the entrance to take in the spectacle. The usual faerie lights had been dimmed, allowing the crystal chandeliers to twinkle like distant constellations. Silver and blue ribbons twisted around the columns, and floating mana orbs drifted near the ceiling.

  The guests, as expected, were far more extravagant than my own costume. To my left, a tall figure had glamoured themselves to appear as a dark void - their entire form a slice of night sky with a skeletal wireframe person-shaped constellation projected within.

  On my right, a woman twirled in a gown that shifted patterns slowly, resembling the nebula surrounding the Rift. Purples, blues, greens, and hints of gold swirled across her dress, occasionally brightening as though new stars were being born within the fabric.

  I moved deeper into the hall, accepting a glass of sparkling wine from a passing servant.

  "-and I told him that no self-respecting merchant would accept such terms, not even in Roosendrecht."

  I froze, recognizing that voice instantly. The accent was unmistakable, and once I saw the source, the choice of clothing was a dead giveaway - Raphael stood near one of the columns, gesturing as he spoke to a small group of listeners. He was wearing another of his ruffle shirts, though this one was speckled with glitter. His vest was midnight blue to match the theme, and his usually russet hair was temporarily colored with streaks of fiery yellow and red, like the Firestar.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  A strange boldness overtook me. As Queen, approaching the ambassador required protocol and formality. But as a nameless masked woman, I could be anyone - do anything - without consequences.

  I circled around his group, waiting until his audience dispersed in search of refreshments. Then stepped directly into his path.

  "Ambassador!" I said, pitching my voice slightly higher than normal and affecting an accent closer to the high courts of Venetia, "I must say, your stories of foreign lands are captivating."

  He turned, surprise flickering across the visible portion of his face before melting into a charming smile. "I see my reputation transcends appearances. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, my lady. You know who I am, but I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

  "Oh, but I'm sure you have - plenty of ladies dream of being carried to far-off lands by a well-traveled stranger. The romance of wandering the world, seeing such sights these halls seek to shadow!"

  He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere more private."

  My heart skipped a beat. This was dangerous territory - the Queen alone with a foreign ambassador would cause a scandal. But I wasn't the Queen tonight, was I? I was just a masked woman at a ball, flirting with a handsome man.

  "A wonderful suggestion." I replied. Then a mischievous idea struck me. "But let's make it a game."

  "A game?"

  "Hide and seek." I said. "I'll hide in one of the rooms off the main hall. You have to find me."

  "Intriguing. And if I find you?"

  I stepped closer, my lips nearly brushing his ear. "Then we'll see where the night takes us."

  "I accept your challenge, mysterious lady."

  "Close your eyes and count to sixty." I instructed, already backing away. "No peeking."

  With an amused smile, Raphael closed his eyes and began to count. "One... two... three..."

  I turned and hurried away, my heart racing not from exertion but from excitement. For the first time in my life, I was acting purely on impulse, without consideration for duty or propriety. And it felt glorious!