Roses for Rosalind

Night has fallen, but tonight, a certain place in the city of Rome is still as bright as day.

As a nobleman, Rosie can say without boasting that she has seen big scenes.However, at this moment, she still couldn't help but marvel at the magnificence here.

The dome made of white marble is extremely high, and the curved surface connects every stone pillar here.No matter which corner of the hall you are in, there must be vivid murals above your head.The works of art that are of great value outside are treated as ordinary decorations and randomly placed in every corner, large and small, and no one cares about them.

A complex and gorgeous chandelier is hung on the dome, and flaming torches are fixed on the walls at intervals.Under the light of this bright flame, the resplendent hall brings the most intuitive visual enjoyment to the entrants.Even in the dark night without sunlight, it is still as bright as day.

Like the harvest festival ball in Verona, this time the ball is also a masquerade ball.As time went by, the number of people in the hall gradually increased. Some people held their masks in their hands, and the thin golden rods supported the mask body, which looked very elegant; Masks are worn directly on the face.The masks worn by the ladies are all decorated with gorgeous gauze flowers and feathers, and without exception, they are only half-faced, so as to reveal their petal-like delicate lips and delicate chins.In contrast, the men's masks are much simpler, and some people even wear a pure white mask without decoration, just like the haunted theater ghost in The Phantom of the Opera.

Rosie was wearing the mask she had worn at the Harvest Ball, and Juliet said the color of the mask matched her eyes.She has never been very interested in dances, so she found a place in a relatively secluded place in the hall, and sat down to think about things.It seemed that someone was staring at her all the time, she turned her head in displeasure, but stretched out when she saw the other person's appearance.

It's Romeo.

Coincidentally, he was wearing the same old mask that he had worn at that time, and the mask made of crow feathers was as black as his hair.He and Rosie looked at each other from a distance across the dance floor for a while, then smiled and walked towards this side.At the same time, Rosie stood up from her chair and stood there smiling for him.

If there is someone next to him at this time, it is not difficult for him to find that the smiles on the faces of these two people are the same at this time.

Romeo stopped in front of Rosie.

"May I have the honor to invite you to dance? My dear lady." He put his left hand on his right chest, bent down and bowed to Rosie.

"Well." Rosie pretended to ponder for a while, and stood up from the chair a second before Romeo wanted to speak again, "It was originally impossible," she nodded to Romeo pretending to be proud: " But I finally decided to promise you reluctantly."

"Thank you for your kindness." Knowing that this was just a harmless joke made by his lover, Romeo sighed helplessly. "Then," he asked dotingly, "may I ask your mercy? I would venture to ask you, can you be my only dance partner tonight?"

"why?"

"Because you have my full attention, and of course you are responsible for it," said Romeo. "Although I am doomed to miss all the other good partners tonight, I am not sorry. For even then, tonight My eyes are always on you."

"But don't you think that's too unfair to other men who might want to pursue me? This gentleman?" Rosie pretended to be serious and raised her face, but the sparkling smile in her eyes betrayed her at this moment real mood. "If someone else comes to tell me that, what should I do?"

"I assure you, dear lady, no one will come to pursue you." Romeo leaned closer to her: "If anyone dares," he whispered in Rosie's ear, "I'll stretch out Get out and trip him up."

Rosie stared at him angrily for a while pretending to be surprised, and finally couldn't help laughing: "Okay then." She got up and put her hand in his: "If I accidentally step on you, you must not Come back with revenge."

"Follow your orders." Romeo replied with a low smile.

Their place was a secluded corner at the edge of the hall, where no one would ask them to switch partners.So, Romeo took her hand and led her to dance one song after another to the melody of the music.It wasn't until the end of the third song that they finally stopped.

Rosie's face became flushed because of this, and she took a deep breath to calm her breathing.Romeo's fingers slowly reached her ear, and carefully pinned a strand of her forehead hair back behind her ear.

"May I ask you to dance?" A hand was suddenly inserted between Rosie and Romeo: "Miss Anderson?"

Rosie was taken aback by this man who came halfway.She looked in the direction where the arm was extending, and was about to reprimand him for being rude, but the words that came to her lips were swallowed back in her stomach the moment she saw the man's face clearly.

—It was Alcod Niro.

The smile in Romeo's eyes disappeared, and he took a step forward, blocking Rosie behind him: "I'm very sorry," he said, "but I think this lady already has a dance partner."

"Yeah, I know." Although he was talking to Romeo, Alcor was not looking at him.He looked over Romeo's shoulder and looked straight at Rosie: "But I insist."

"I have something I'd like to have a good talk with Miss Anderson, and I'm sure you do too, don't you?" he asked Rosie.

"There is no need for that." Romeo categorically refused, "You—"

He was about to say something to Alcor when a soft but firm force from his back interrupted him. "Romeo," Rosie put her hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him away.She squeezed her fist without any trace and put her hand in Alcor's: "...I don't think I have any reason to refuse your invitation, sir."

"Oh," said Arcor, bringing her hand to his lips, and kissing it in Romeo's face, "thank you for your generosity," he said.

"I think we should go inside the hall, what do you think?" He suggested to Rosie politely: "It's quiet here, not suitable for talking."

Rosie pursed her lips: "Okay." She said.

Alcor and Rosie walk onto the dance floor hand in hand.A new dance song is about to begin.So the two of them stood up, saluted, and danced, leaving only Romeo standing on the edge of the dance floor with a dark face, staring at this side without blinking.

"So," Rosie spun around to the melody of the dance music, "what do you want to talk about, sir?"

"Please forgive my offense, dear miss." Alcor frowned slightly, with a little dissatisfaction and reproach in his eyes: "But I have to say, you are really a little unkind in this matter." He The meaning of the words: "Since you already have a watch knight, you shouldn't have proposed Mrs. Anderson's proposal, or you should have informed me earlier, so that I can understand the situation."

"It was you who gave me the wrong signal." He led Rosie on the dance steps: "At first I didn't understand why Montague was so hostile to me, but I think I understand now. Um, Is it because of that ribbon?" His eyes seemed to quickly glance in a certain direction behind Rosie: "This is the second unkind thing you do. If you can't refuse under certain circumstances Mrs. Anderson's proposal, at least you should give me an explanation when you hand me the ribbon—I don't mind doing a little favor for a lady."

"...I'm sorry." Rosie lowered her head embarrassingly: "I didn't expect the situation to become what it is today, and many things were beyond my expectation. I did have the idea of ​​accepting you at the beginning, But… I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

"Huh?" Alcor raised his eyebrows: "So, what changed your mind?"

"A lot." Rosie replied vaguely.

"Is there no room for turning things around? You know, I actually have a lot of affection for you." Alcor paused for a moment, as if he was considering his own words: "You and the other noble ladies I have met are not the same. Same...you're special, and I think that's good."

"...I'm sorry." Rosie apologized again.

"Ah, it's okay." Alcor said with some disappointment, but then changed the topic: "Anyway, I've already got my revenge."

"……what?"

"Don't you see it yet?" Alcor shrugged innocently: "Actually, I did it on purpose tonight."

"...=mouth=?"

"I won't haggle with Ms., but that doesn't mean I won't haggle." Alcor said pointedly: "Excuse me, Miss Anderson, although my favor for you hasn't risen yet. To the height of obsession, but this does not prevent me from being a hindrance to other people." Alcor glanced at Romeo behind them who was staring at them, and the corner of his lips raised a subtle arc.He moved a little closer to Rosie, so that the two seemed close: "Especially after the 'other guy' knocked me off my horse in public, I was more willing, even Can’t wait to do this.”

"..."