$MASKS

“The Enigma of the Silver Mask” Part 4

He led her to a hidden balcony overlooking the moon-kissed canal. “Look,” he said, pointing to the water. Reflected in its ripples was not Lord Cedric but a different man—a younger version with laughter lines and unburdened eyes.

“Each mask,” he explained, “holds a fragment of our true selves. The silver reveals my nobility, but it also conceals my sins. Tonight, I am both sinner and saint.”

Lady Isadora’s heart raced. “And what do you seek, masked one?”