The Masquerade
Story by Annie B.

Tatiana was only a newborn baby when she got her first and only glance of an unmasked world, before her view was obstructed by a mask of her own: securely fastened around her glowing green eyes. Her mother, Rose, possessed the hands that were performing this dreadful task. However, as the leader of the royal dance troupe, and as a member of the ‘modern world’, she, like everyone else, wore her own mask, which she intuitively knew was slowly, but surely draining the world of all its freedom and individuality.

“Oh, my darling child,” she softly whispered to her daughter, “Someday, you will grow up, and we will perform side by side, expressing our true feelings through dance the only way we can. I only hope that you will look out at the world we live in, and crave to make a change that will impact our world. That’s what my mother told me, and though I fell short, I have no doubt, you will succeed.” Rose knew when she said this; her daughter had a life ahead of her of restriction and rules. However, she had inherited her mother’s fiery spirit, and unlike Rose’s, Tatiana’s had a streak of rebellion in it. A streak, that as she grew older, became harder and harder to control.

“Oh, come on Andrew jump in! It’s feels glorious after having been under those hot lights for so long. Come on!” Tatiana pleadingly called to her best friend. The green-eyed beauty is now eighteen, and much is changed. Her mother is still an amazing dancer, but at the request of Lord Rupert, she and Tatiana have been moved into the castle, so they can perform whenever the Lords wish to see them. The vulgar Lord Rupert has always fancied the beautiful Rose, but she has always fought off his disgusting ‘charm.’ However, since she and Tatiana are both his subjects she was forced to move to the castle, although she makes it well known to the Lord that to free-spirits such as herself and Tatiana, the castle feels more imprisoning than luxurious. They’ve been living there ever since Tatiana started performing, which was eight years ago.

For Tatiana, her smothering castle experience began to breathe a little bit when she was thirteen. It was that year that she met Andrew, a fellow fiery, independent teen, the same age as herself. Andrew is the son of Rupert’s chief noble, who also lives in the castle. He hates the masks of their world just as much as Ty, as he calls her, and deeply wishes to strike out against the age old practice.

“Alright, Ty,” Andrew replied sportingly, “But you’re getting the cannonball!” With a huge splash, he disrupted the inky black lake water that had been mystically reflecting the silver moon, and started leisurely floating on his back, enjoying the beautiful array of stars that Mother Nature had set before him. The lake in the center of courtyard had been their secret place ever since they had met there long ago in the middle of the night, when they were both sneaking to the kitchen for a midnight snack.

“Ty, do you think we’ll always be here? Penned inside this castle like animals, never given our freedom and masked so we never experience the real world?” Andrew wondered out loud. “I know we always talk about it,” he continued, “But when is anything ever going to happen?”

“You know that I, just as much as you hate this place, but where else could I go that would allow me to dance as often as I please and be with my mother?” Tatiana replied frustrated and growing louder. “And why do we have to wear these worthless masks that make it impossible for us to get a taste for real life? So that no one knows who we really are? Or so that devil Rupert can feel as if he has an inkling of control over his people? We’re all labeled by some color or decoration, which people think tells them everything they need to know about someone. But a person’s true character lies beneath skin.” Quietly she continues, “I only wish you and I weren’t the only ones who knew.”

“You just spoke the words of two mouths, mine and yours,” Andrew replied. “Maybe one day, we will live in a world that we helped build, one that forces every soul to be an individual. Just imagine Ty! How wonderful it would be!” Ty closed her eyes and let her imagination take her to this wonderful place Andrew had just verbally painted.

“Nothing could be better, Andrew!” Ty replied, her voice beginning to boom, “We wouldn’t have to wear these blasted masks that burn my face so! I could rip it off right now, cast it away forever, and never think of it again!” she menacingly reached her hand towards her face, her rebellious spirit pounding in her head.

“NO, Ty, stop it!” Andrew quietly shouted, gently pulling her hand down into the water. “You know there are guards on duty, that wouldn’t think twice of bringing you in front of that rat Rupert. You see how he treats you regularly, as if you were a mere peasant, imagine what he would do should you anger him.

Realizing what she was about to do, she slightly shakes her head to acknowledge what Andrew said. “I know you are right, but the only times I am happy, are when we are alone enjoying our sliver of freedom or when I am on stage, when no one can touch me,” she says longingly, pausing in thought. Looking up at the moon, she exclaims, “Goodness, Andrew! It’s near dawn, and Rupert expects Mother and me to breakfast with him. Which will be the quickest way, without disturbing the guards? The passageway or the corridor?” she hurriedly asks her friend.

Thinking fast, Andrew replies, “To be sure, go through the passageway, but be sure to check for the guards when you get to the South hallway. You know how they like to steal drinks from the kitchen at this time of night. If I do not see you tomorrow afternoon at the May Day celebration, I’ll meet you in the stables afterward. Good night!” Ty jumped out of the water, and ran quickly to the passageway, only looking back to make sure Andrew was on his way to the north end of the castle, where he lived.

The next day, before the breakfast with Rupert, Rose paid a visit to her daughter. When she heard the knock at her door, Tatiana quickly answered, “You may enter,” thinking it was a servant with a fresh basin of water. “Mother!” Tatiana said surprised when she saw Rose’s reflection in the mirror behind her. “I’m very glad to see you, but what brings you here at such an early hour? And why are you wearing that awful gaudy green mask? Where’s your own?”

“A gift from Lord Rupert, showing his ‘care for me’, that he is forcing me to wear, since he has destroyed my other mask,” Rose said, looking extremely annoyed, “Believe me, darling, I considered showing him how I really felt about this ridiculous policy, by not wearing one at all. Oh, just imaging how sensational that would feel brings a smile to my face! However,” she continued controlling her anger in an angry whisper,” That louse knew exactly what was on my mind, and threatened me with banishment from the castle, and enslaving you as his personal servant!” Just thinking of his crude statements brought a crimson tint of anger to the beauty’s cheeks.

“I would have gotten right close to his beady eyes, and told him exactly what I thought of his plans!” Ty fumed rather loudly. “How dare he insult you like that, when you are the one person that actually brings joy to his crooked soul. What a hypocritical, cold-hearted-”

“Tatiana! Hush!” Rose quickly cut her off. “Did he not hold the key to our happiness, believe me I would personally take you to him, so we could make our opinions of his preposterous mask-wearing policy known loud and clear to his dense brain! Unfortunately, you know as well as I do, that to dance we must stay put, and keep our mouths sealed. Well,” she said with a slight smile, “a slight outburst every now and then wouldn’t do too much damage, I suppose. Just to keep our minds from bursting at the seams, and that’s it. I warn you to venture no further than to make him get all puffy with rage like he normally does. I shan’t see any steam coming from those hideous ears, alright?” Rose asked her daughter, now with a full-fledged mischievous smile on her face, but still with a serious note in her voice.

“Alright, Mother I promise,” Ty said beginning to giggle. “Could you just imagine what his prune shaped head would look like with steam billowing out?” her voice now breaking up, because of how hard she was laughing. “Is he really making you perform around the May Day pole?” she inquired, regaining her composure and remembering what day it was.

“Since it isn’t a major celebration, I see no reason why I should put forth much effort. The only reason anyone pays any tribute to this frivolous holiday is because Lord Rupert has some bizarre fixation with the month of May. However, before we have to leave for the Great Hall for breakfast; if I am not mistaken, I believe I heard a bit of hubbub in the corridor last night, and since my ears are rarely wrong, I’m sure it was not a suit of armor falling to the ground. Would you like to explain?” her mother asked, not prying, but simply interested.

“I cannot lie to you Mother, nor do I want to. Andrew and I met at the lake after the jester’s presentations last night, and lost all track of time. Had the moon not begun to fade, we probably would have been there all night. It’s so great to have a friend here that feels the exact same as me. Well, other than the fact that I love to dance,” she said with a giggle. “You know Andrew, wants to someday create a world, where everyone is there own person, with no masks to cover their character. He’s so passionate about being a free-spirit, maybe even more so than you and me, you can’t help but become inspired when he speaks of his dreams,” Tatiana drifted off, daydreaming back to that beautiful picture Andrew had painted with his powerful words.

“Let’s keep our feet on the ground dear,” Rose said gently to her daughter.

“Believe me when I say the time will come. One day, maybe soon, you, Andrew, and I, will have the opportunity to show all the kingdom how literally ‘masked’ their lives really are. If we could just outline a plan to-”

Rose stopped mid-sentence when the ‘whoosh’ sound of the heavy wooden door swinging startled her. She looked towards the door to see Lord Rupert’s wide framed body filling the doorway, throwing both women back in surprise!

“Hello, my fair ladies,” he addressed them in his deep, gruff voice. “Rehearsing for a future performance to please me already?” he asked with a sly grin. “Normally I would not object, however you both are presently causing my stomach to grumble and you know we cannot have that. I must say, Tatiana, that disheveled appearance and ugly smirk you have on your face will simply not do. The only thing keeping me from gagging is that lovely mask, but then again they can even make a stable hand look decent, so maybe I should re-evaluate my inspection,” he rambled on, enjoying the sound of his own voice and also the fact that no one had challenged him yet. However, he had always underestimated the wit of redheads, like Rose.

“Pardon you my Lord, but I couldn’t help but wondering. Wasn’t it you that was preaching just the other day how one’s personal space should always remain private and be well respected? And if I’m not mistaken, seeing how these are my daughter’s chambers, you’re contradicting yourself just by standing here,” Rose stated with a hint of sass to her voice, knowing she had him defeated.

His face now matching the dark violet curtains hanging around the bed, he replied, “I don’t need this from you. Be in the Great Hall in exactly ten minutes, looking somewhat presentable you!” this last comment was directed straight at Ty, but she was concentrating so hard on not laughing out loud, she hardly noticed at all.

The slamming of the door and the heavy stomping of flat feet, moving rapidly down the hallway, signaled to the two ladies it was alright to speak freely again. Bursting out in a fit of giggles Tatiana addressed her mother, “Mother, that was brilliant! You froze him on the spot. I believe he finally realized he can’t control everything under this roof. He forgets when he insults people, that he has nothing to back himself up, if he’s tested. And you realizing that took full advantage!”

“Thank you, Tatiana I appreciate that. Now, let’s go to breakfast, and save our celebrations, for when we truly defy him!” Rose said hopefully, patting her hair, and heading for the door, with Ty following behind her.

When they reached the Great Hall, it was the typical breakfast Lord Rupert had made whenever he felt like spoiling himself, which was quite often. They took the seats they were always assigned, directly across from Rupert himself, and focused intently on doling food out on their plates. However, the silence the mother and daughter were beginning to enjoy was rudely interrupted when Lord Rupert pushed back his seat and smashed the large gong next to him,  which insured the immediate attention of all of the nobleman, ladies and gentlemen of the court that were also breakfasting with them.

“Attention! Silence! I have an announcement to make! As all of you, my loyal subjects know I am lucky enough to have two wonderfully talented dancers at my disposal. Since I am so fortunate, starting this next month, at every week’s end, the day before the Sabbath, Rose and Tatiana will dance for the entire kingdom all afternoon long! Now let’s move to the courtyard theatre, to enjoy a solo performance of Rose,” he said loud and clear with a very recognizable tone of wickedness in his voice.

While his subjects were applauding he turned around and his wicked smile grew even wider when he saw the identical looks of shock and anger on the mother and daughter. Rupert knew perfectly well that dancers at Rose’s and Tatiana’s skill level can do no more than one performance of two hours maximum every two weeks. Although Ty was still mulling over how she could ever do this-she knew she had to do it or else she would face exile, even if Rupert did fancy her mother-, the wheels had already started turning in her head, and soon enough she knew exactly how they would survive Lord Rupert’s terrible plan for them.

Although Ty had promised to meet Andrew in the stables after the May Day celebration, she was so anxious to tell him her idea that she managed to catch him as he was leaving the kitchen, where he had eaten a quick breakfast.

“You sure missed some fireworks today at the breakfast,”she whispered fiercely to him. “We’re going to the stables now instead. Mother won’t mind if we miss it; it is the same one that Rupert forces her to perform every years on this pointless ‘holiday’, now come one let’s go before we get questioned about why we’re going in the opposite direction of the theatre.” They quickly ran back into the kitchen, and out the back door which was rather close to the stables.

“Now will you tell me what happened at the breakfast?” Andrew asked anxiously, rather disappointed he’d actually missed something interesting at the generally dull event. “If you’re just putting me on, let’s turn around now, and go get some snacks from the kitchen.”

“I would never joke about something that we are both deeply passionate about, that I have finally found a way to make happen,” Tatiana said to Andrew, with a straight face, looking him right in the eyes.

Not one to pass up the opportunity for a joke, he replied, “You mean you’ve finally convince the royal court- they’re letting you get a pet tiger? Why, this could be the happiest day of my life!” he said in mocking, but joking tone.

Cracking a smile, Ty brushed off the joke and said, “Close, but think back to what we talked about last night. Well, at breakfast, Rupert announced to the entire courts that starting this next month, at every week’s end, the day before the Sabbath, Mother and I will dance for the entire kingdom all afternoon long!”

“He knows that impossible! What’s he trying to do? Break your spirit? I would not expect even that good-for-nothing scoundrel to stoop this low!” Andrew cried, rather upset. “But, wait. How does this have anything at all to do with what we talked about last night?” Andrew asked, rather confused.

“Well, I think that eventually, once we have it all planned out, one of these performances would be the perfect place to show the entire kingdom our brave faces without our masks! It would be the perfect place, everyone would be there, not to mention, we would have a quick escape route, if Rupert ordered the guards on us: just through the trapdoor in the stage, take the left tunnel, and in a few hundred feet, we’re outside the castle’s walls, free as birds.”

“Why, it’s ingenious!” Ty replied. “I wish I had come up with it myself, but no matter; the wonderful thing is you did, which means we’re one step away from having a clear, unrestricted view of the world!” Ty was almost giddy with happiness, and there was no mistaking a very distinct gleam in his eye.

When they reached the stables, they went to the last corner stable, which was used mostly for storage, to sit down and plan out their course of action. They both already automatically assumed that Rose would jump at the chance to be involved. Now, all they had to do was plan out the specific details that would ensure their actions would make a deep impact on the people. Of course, there was no doubt that the people would be shocked, but, Andrew and Tatiana especially, wanted the public to see that they were living in a masked society.

By the time Tatiana and Andrew had finished in the stable, the May Day performance had been over for a quite a while and most people in the castle were taking their late afternoon nap that usually lasted at least two hours. This left the two young adults plenty of time in which to talk to Rose about their course of action.

They found her in the royal library looking longingly at the huge globe, that so few people found interesting, but ever since she was a little girl, Rose had been fascinated by it. At first, Tatiana did not want to disturb her mother, because of the peaceful and serene look that was on her face, but Ty knew it would be worth her while.

“Mother, would it be alright if Andrew and I talked with you about something?” Tatiana asked boldly, considering it was a rather sensitive subject that her mother usually only preferred talking about in front of her daughter, and only Tatiana.

“Of course dears, what is it?” Rose asked with a tired smile.

“We have a plan to show the entire kingdom, what we think of the mask-wearing policy. This is the plan: since Rupert is forcing you to do these weekly performances, you will fall ill for four weeks which will save you from injuring yourself, Mother, and also leave time for Rupert to become very anxious for a performance. When you are finally better, that is the show where it will happen. You will start off normally, but when you come backstage to get your new props, Andrew and I will be there waiting. We will go back out with you, and declare our wearing of the masks stops now. We will also tell the people of the reason why Rupert uses them, and also why we will no longer wear them.”

Ty paused to catch her breath and then started up again, “Then when all of the words have been spoken we will rid our covered faces of the dreaded masks forever! And if Rupert is still breathing by then, we will either escape to the exterior of the kingdom, if he sends the guards on us, or we will stay put and watch how our ‘performance’ impact the people.”

“Well, Mother,” Ty said slowly, “I know it’s a lot to process, but what do you think?

“I am hands down all for it. In fact, I think I’m feeling a bit of illness coming on,” she said with a broad grin. “Maybe it will be influenza or possibly the spots. Who knows? I certainly don’t,” and with that she winked and slowly started walking back to her quarters, adding a realistic cough now and then to get the ‘illness’ started off on the right foot.

Soon word got around the castle that Rose was very ill, and could barely walk let alone perform the very next weekend. When this news reached Lord Rupert, he tried to play the role of concerned ‘lover’, but that did not last long. Very quickly, his own wants and desires overtook him, and he could be seen constantly during the day banging on Rose’s door rudely inquiring if she was going to be able to perform the upcoming Saturday. Luckily Rose was not forced to answer, because the castle physician was always checking on her, so he would always kindly respond, “My Lord, I’m afraid, Rose is still very ill, and needs more healing time. I beg you; let her recuperate in peace and silence.”

Of course, this infuriated Lord Rupert even more, but he would unwillingly storm back to his quarters very displeased and angry. He absolutely hated not being entertained, and the court jesters and freaks drew nothing more than a few claps of applause from him. So he was forced to sit idle among the castle walls, doing nothing, and consuming quite a bit of food, to make the time of Rose’s recovery pass quicker.

Tatiana and Andrew could often be seen spying on Lord Rupert, watching him unsuccessfully try and imitate Rose’s dancing, which was downright hilarious. It was very hard for them to control their laughter and often times, they had to run away, in order to not be discovered by their loud laughing. Normally when they were finished enjoying Lord Rupert’s pitiful dancing attempts, they would scurry off to Rose’s room. Since she was not allowed to perform, and leaving her room would show she was not ill, Rose was forced to stay cooped up in her room, and the only amusement she got, was the daily stories of Rupert’s dancing fiascos from Andrew and Ty.

“Well?” Rose asked, as soon as Andrew had closed the door. “What was it today? Did he trip and fall over his own thrown? Or did a servant walk in on him? Well, come on speak up, one of you-I’m dying to know!”

“Today topped them all!” Ty replied, very excited. “He got one of the court guitar players to sit in with him, and play while he ‘danced.’ Well, the guitar player was trying so hard not to explode with laughter, I thought he was going to blow up with the pressure!” Ty said, not able to hold back her laughter any longer.

“It’s true Rose,” Andrew continued for Ty. “Whenever Lord Rupert would turn around and face the guitar player, whose name I believe is Gilbert, he would wipe the silly grin off of his face, and replace it with a serious, concentrated look, that completely fooled Rupert. I believed the Lord actually entertained the thought that Gilbert was, dare I say it, enjoying his dancing!” By this time all three of their faces were red with laughter, and they’re stomachs were aching too.

“Mother, I hate to break up this moment, but,” Ty said, pausing to regain her composure, “But this is the Friday of the fourth week of your ‘illness’, and the plan is completely fool-proof. I think that you should appear at dinner tonight, and announce your full recovery. I know it will be rather hard, keeping all of this a secret, but I have complete confidence that you will be able to pull it off flawlessly, just like your dancing,” Ty said lovingly to her mother.

“I’ll admit that I completely lost all track of time- I was so bored. But if that’s what time it is then, I’m ready. In fact, I’m more than ready; I’ve been waiting for this day ever since my baby hands felt this mask covering my face, and nothing will stand in the way of me ripping it off and throwing it away,” Rose replied confidently. There was a gleam of want in her eye that truly showed how she longed to rid herself of the awful mask.

“Well, then I guess it is all set,” Andrew said, a very noticeable tone of excitement inhabiting his voice. “Perhaps we should all make our ways to the Great Hall separately, to avoid anyone’s questions or suspicions,” Andrew suggested.

“Well, I think it would alright if I went with my mother,” Ty answered, and Andrew nodded in agreement. “But I do think it would be better if you went by yourself. Rupert’s guards are so nosy, and are always competing to see who can bring the best information to their ‘Master’,” Ty said, obviously annoyed and rolling her eyes.

“Alright, well I’ll be on my way now,” Andrew said, heading off to the door. “Oh, and I can’t wait to hear the news,” he said dramatically, with a wink. And with that, he opened the door, looked both ways, and quickly, but softly began his way down the hallway.

Rose and Tatiana waited a little while, before they headed off to the Great Hall. They walked slowly, with Ty holding her mother’s hand to make it look as though she was still a little frail. It was a rather short walk, even walking slowly, and before they knew it, they were seated on either side of Lord Rupert, watching as the Hall filled with all of Rupert’s masked subjects.

Before Lord Rupert could begin with his long, boring welcome speech, Tatiana jumped out of her seat, tapping her water glass, with a butter knife, repeating over and over again, “May I have your attention please? Excuse me! May I please have everyone’s attention!” she said, growing louder and louder every time.

Finally, it was quiet enough so Ty could make her announcement. “As all of you good people know, my mother Rose has been quite ill for a little over a month now, which has kept her from performing. Well, I am very happy to announce that over the last few days, she has made great improvements, and is ready to perform for everyone tomorrow afternoon!” Ty said this last bit with as much fake enthusiasm as she could muster.

Once the shock of the announcement had wore off, Lord Rupert immediately, jumped off his throne and began shouting, “Finally! It must have been the treatments I recommended to the doctor. I knew they would work!” Rupert said haughtily. Of course, Rupert had no contact with the doctor, other than being told to go away. He just simply wanted to make sure the spotlight never completely left him.

Rose and Tatiana deeply wanted to verbally retaliate against these comments, but knew better. They would save their fiery rebellion for tomorrow afternoon. After Rupert sat down, the feast was brought out and the noise level once again rose and stayed that way as everyone began conversing and enjoying the good food. The feast lasted only a few hours, and after that Rose, Tatiana, and Andrew went along with plan and immediately went to bed. Ty and Andrew thought it best not to meet at the pond, because they would need every ounce of energy for the next day.

The next afternoon, everyone crowded into the courtyard theatre for the highly anticipated performance. Backstage, Rose was having a hard time finding the buttons to fasten the hideously ugly costume that Lord Rupert had selected for her. Nevertheless, she could hardly wait for her prop change at the end of the first scene. That was when Tatiana and Andrew would join her on stage from the corner dressing room; she knew they were hiding in.

She heard the noisy crowd grow quiet, and Rose knew that was her cue to head on stage. Rose glided on stage, and her body went through the motions of her very well-rehearsed routine. After all, she may have been bored sitting in her bed chamber for that four weeks, but she did do something to pass the time. Her first scene routine ended to roaring applause.

Rose had now joined Ty and Andrew on the side of the stage, where they all took a deep breath, and then walked confidently, side-by-side right to center stage. The audience had been applauding before, but slowly went mute, perplexed at what they were seeing on stage. Lord Rupert looked rather annoyed and irritated, but he hadn’t done anything yet.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Andrew started off, not the least bit nervous. “Look around you. Have you ever wondered why we where these blasted masks that prevent us from seeing the true beauty of our brothers? The true reason- the people who supposedly ‘govern and make our world better’ are afraid that if we were all individuals, free to be ourselves, that they would have no control over us. And to these so called ‘superiors’ having power and control over someone else, is the only thing that makes them feel powerful.”

“So, why should we continue to let them walk all over us?” Ty said, taking her cue from Andrew. “The answer- we shouldn’t. We should reveal our true selves from beneath these masks that are censoring our outlook on the world. I know all of you have thought about what it would be like to be mask-free and independent. And now those thoughts can be fulfilled right now, on this very day,” Ty finished, feeling very powerful and uplifted.

And with that said, and the crowd and Lord Rupert, still under the spell they had just cast with their powerful words, Rose, Tatiana, and Andrew, reached behind their heads,  untied their masks, and let fall to the ground. While the audience was gasping and awestruck, the three rule-breakers stood onstage amazed at how they felt and what they saw. To shocked to speak, they simply gazed with wonder, at their surrounding and the crowd. They realized when they began to look at the audience behind everyone’s mask inscribed on their foreheads, was each person’s deepest fear or insecurity.

“Everyone!” Ty shouted to the people, “I bid you, untie your masks and cast them aside. Look at each other and discover something new about a person you have known all your life. Gaze kindly at their foreheads, which serves as a doorway to the depths of their soul,” Ty pleaded with assurance.

Rose came to her side, and pointed her finger menacingly at Lord Rupert. “Take off your masks and feast your unobstructed eyes on the fear of a man who has for so long prayed on the fear of others. If that does not inspire you, than just think of how it will feel to go on living, without feeling as amazing as we three people do right now.”

That sealed the deal. Slowly, but surely people began to hesitantly untie their masks, and look around them with a look of pure happiness on their faces. No one was ever rude to another, because of their fear, but rather they embraced and comforted each other, and assured them that whatever their fear was, it could be conquered in time.

Once everyone’s masks lay on the grassy earth, they turned to their ‘Lord’ Rupert, who had yet to take off his mask. Realizing, with excitement, that the people were turning on him, Andrew cried out menacingly, “Untie your mask Rupert, or be at the mercy of these angry people who you have so long treated wrong!”

Looking like a chicken about to be butchered, Rupert looked around him at the slowly advancing people, and being the coward he is, he made a mad dash for the exit, but was caught just in time, by Andrew, who held him tightly in his arms. Rose joined his and together they untied the cruel man’s mask.

When it lay on the ground, everyone read his forehead that said Not being powerful. “Well, Lord Rupert, I believe from now on power will be the last thing on your mind. I believe I have the support of everyone within this theatre when I say; you are banished to roam outside these castle walls, where only a person who does not know your evil ways will take pity on you. Now go!” And with that, Rupert, scared silly, fled for his life to the castle gate, and kept running right through it.

Over the loud cheers and applause of the crowd, Tatiana realized she had yet to gaze at Andrew’s forehead. His back was to her, so she tapped his shoulder, and when he turned, she saw that written near his hairline were the words Not being able to tell her I love her.  Looking very pleased and thrilled, Ty said, “Now, Andrew read mine!”

“I have Ty, and those words are making my heart want to jump out of my chest!” Andrew said to the beautiful girl as he swept her into her arms and kissed her. For across Tatiana’s forehead the words Not being able to tell him I love him were inscribed.