~8~

"Curiosity is what killed the cat, (Y/N)," a vaguely familiar voice cooed into my ear.

I used all my force and shoved the person away from me, causing them to stumble back, just barely catching themselves before hitting the floor. I turned and grabbed the closest thing near me, which was a sconce that I pulled off of the wall. The fixture itself wasn't very sharp, but I wasn't afraid to beat to hell whoever it was who pulled this stunt on me.

"You certainly pack quite the punch, I must admit," the figure chuckled, and I concluded they were a male from their tone of voice.  Though the room was as dark as a cellar, I could just manage to decipher a mask on the shadow. I came to realization that the mask was familiar to me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. The masked enigma must have noticed me studying them, for they replied soon after, "Do you remember me?" It took me a moment, but I recognized the Japanese mask.

"You're... You're the masked man from the ball, who left by the time the prince was introduced," I perplexed. "So you do remember, that's great to hear," He said with a hint of relief.

"So what are you doing here? And hey did you have to pull me in here?" I asked suddenly uncomfortable with the situation. "I would love to tell you, but I can't tell you anything while you still have me at 'knife' point," I stated. I looked where his eyes were planted and realized I was still holding the sconce. I quickly put it down in embarrassment. "Sorry! You startled me! I thought I was being attacked!" I exclaimed in my defense. "I know I know, I was only kidding. It was the only way I could get you here without you being incredibly suspicious."

"So, tell me, why are you here in the first place?" I asked yet again. He breathed deeply for a moment, then sighed. "I want to help you," he replied

"Help me...?" I echoed in confusion. I didn't really know what he meant by help, I mean I'm safer than I've ever been in this castle, right?

"Listen, I just can't tell you here, and now, but keep your guard up, alright?" He answered. "What for?!" I queried, slightly raising my voice out of even more confusion and a hint of fear.

"I told you I can't tell you just yet, you need to be patient. Meet me in the south wing around this time tomorrow, got it?" He stated.

"The south wing... that's the servants quarters area, isn't it?" I clarified. "Yes," he replied confirming my inquiry. "Make sure no one else is with, and or following you."

"Remember all that, and make sure your on time, time isn't free around here," He added before cracking open the door and looking around first. "Goodbye (Y/N), and stay safe."

"Wait!" I whispered rather loudly before he left the room, causing him to turn his attention to me with haste.

"Since you know my name, it only seems fit I know yours as well," I demanded in the kindest way possible. He smiled softly, unexpectedly.

"My name isn't important, but if you wish to know..." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen, I'm sorry but it's best you don't know, you'll find out soon enough, I'm sorry. Farewell (Y/N)." With that, he hurried around the corner and disappeared.

"But-" I began but he had already disappeared into the dark hallway. I sighed in disappointment. "Might as well head back to my room before the prince gets worried."

I stepped into the dim hallway once again and cautiously looked around. I continued walking out of the doorway, shutting it slowly to avoid any disturbance. I casually walked back the way I came, praying I would somehow miraculously remember how to get back.

I followed the paintings as usual, keeping track of here I was going. The area I stumbled into seems unused or abandoned, but still well kept, though it still seemed empty. The paintings were still the same, one every ten feet it appeared to be, but nothing out of the usual.

Ok, family painting, king, another king, a general, Me.... Wait what?! I stopped suddenly. I looked at the painting to my right, seeing something vaguely resembling myself. The woman was dressed in expensive robes, looking somewhat oriental, and I could've sworn I saw a resemblance between her and that of my own reflection.

"That's strange..." I thought out loud. It's just someone who looks like you (Y/N), maybe a distant ruler or something like that... I thought trying to convince myself.

I shook my head trying to escape my thoughts, continuing down the hall. I planned myself collapsing onto the luscious bed and not even bothering to change. I yawned just thinking about the comfort of the queen sized mattress, craving sleep even more. My pace slowed, and every step led by dreariness. I didn't have a care for the time, but I knew it was past my designated curfew.

I found my way to the area which the servants quarters were located and continued from there, knowing my way. I yawned once again, sleep overcoming me with every step. I thought about falling on the floor right there, but I knew it would be much less comfortable than my room, so I trudged on.

I ascended up the stairs, with much effort, finally making it to the top. I walked a few steps and faced two large doors that I didn't hesitate to open. Though my vision was filled with drowsiness, I saw the large bed and dashed with newfound energy and hurled myself into it. I didn't care to change my current clothing, and I snuggled into the warm sheets. Oddly, the bed felt bigger than it did the night before, but I didn't care to think about it.

I drifted off to sleep, but I heard the soft tapping of shoes, similar to the sound of a fuller metronome, before my slumber. I briefly heard the door creak open, but I didn't have the energy to look up. I assumed it was just a servant doing something in the room, and fell asleep within the time frame that I heard the door shut as the person left.

I drifted peacefully to sleep, processing everything that happened, and planned my journey to meet the mystery man in the morning.