Lost amongst the crowd, Isaac idly wandered through the other courtiers. He joined in a few groups for conversation, only to excuse himself when he was either bored or offended. As usually, the rumors were flying about and the young lord could care less. Grabbing a goblet off a tray, he quenched his thirst with a couple of gulps. He clutched the cup in his hand, trying to keep his drink from spilling while he moved. Yet again, he joined another group of courtiers for a quick chat. He greeted them all politely, bowing whenever was required.

"I do hope you are enjoying the masquerade," he said in general, but he was looking at a particular woman within the group.

Everything seemed so wonderful, so right. It was as if all her pain, her sorrow had been melted away. Maybe it was the dancing and the drinks that did it. Whatever the cause, Rose found herself among a few other women engaging in conversation and laughing along. Rose laughed, yes, but she had not heard a single thing that would have normally caused her to laugh.

In a subconscious state she wondered what was the matter with her, and it begged her to go back to her former state. Rose wouldn't have that, though. Going back to her normal self would mean sadness, pain, and loneliness...who would want that when they were full of joy and merriment?

Suddenly as Rose turned her head to observe some of the dancers she noticed a man approaching the small group and he gave a slight bow.

"I hope you are enjoying the masquerade" he said politely.

Rose's smile immediately vanished as she noticed that he was looking at her.

The other ladies quickly chimed in to agree that the masquerade was quite wonderful and that they were having a great time. Rose struggled to form her own response.

"Y...Yes, I am quite enjoying the masquerade," Rose answered with a small awkward grin and a small curtsy.

Curious, he wondered why Rose’s expression changed when he had arrived. He had hoped that he didn't interrupt a particular conversation that they were having. He nodded politely as the other women in the group threw in their responses. The young lady he had addressed, though, seemed shy as she replied. Isaac gave her a small bow in return and smiled.

"Would my lady like to dance?" he asked, offering a hand to Rose.

She had not known why he had singled her out. She had been used to being ignored and left alone. Now this man asked to dance with her out of all the other ladies that had stood beside her. What had made her stand out?

Tilting her head slightly, Rose letting herself examine this man. All suddenly became silent, the laughter and music faded as her mind became focused.

Rose figured he seemed nice enough, but she would have probably let herself refuse him, if one of her companions had not whispered in her ear, "Go ahead, enjoy yourself."

Well what harm could a dance do? She found that she liked dancing immensely. Why should she deprive herself of enjoyment? Dancing had allowed her to forget the pain that had engulfed her upon first arriving. Why should she refuse?

Rose stood up more straighter now and gave a polite smile. "I would be delighted." she answered.

The night was getting late and this would probably be her last chance to dance. Rose intended to make the best of her last moments.

"Wonderful," he commented, taking her hand in his own. He guided them both onto the dance floor. Placing his hand upon her waist, he began to dance. His dark eyes peered at her curiously, wondering who was behind the mask. He had noticed that she was a shy girl and he wanted to slowly pull her out of her shell. Isaac liked to target the wallflowers, wanting everyone to enjoy the festivities.

"You look very lovely tonight, my lady," he complimented. "I'm sure you have danced with many a gentleman. Have you been in the courts for very long?"

Rose could not help but notice the man's constant stare. It made her feel a little uncomfortable and a little exposed.

After a few turns and twirls, though, Rose just began to ignore him, and let herself enjoy the dance. The man seemed to keep silent as well for a few minutes, until as the song rose to it's climax

"You look very lovely tonight, my lady," he complimented. "I'm sure you have danced with many a gentleman. Have you been in the courts for very long?"

Rose felt her face getting red with small embarrassment. She wondered if his compliment was intentional. She had met many a man who had tried flattery and indeed it did not turn out so well for that man. Her former lover had said many words such as that, but in the end she found they had meant nothing. What exactly was his intent in complimenting her?

She just couldn't figure it out. She certainly didn't feel beautiful or important.

"Why thank you." Rose finally answered faking a smile. "But I assure you not many men have asked. I am supposing that I carry a new air about me that makes them think twice about asking me. You see, I have only been here for a month."

Maybe by disagreeing with the man's compliments, he will stop the flattery, Rose thought.

Isaac chuckled softly, keeping in step with the dance. He assumed her to be modest after hearing her answer. The blush upon her face was a hint as well. But her words seemed more display more that just modesty. It was like she didn't want anyone to ask her. Isaac had picked her out because of her shyness and she quite literally stood out from the crowd. But he didn't mind that she was 4 inches taller than him. In his family, he was regarded as the smallest of the children his age. He was used to his younger cousins growing up and surpassing him in height. He had to admit, though, he wasn't used to a woman being as tall as Rose. Regardless, he kept his eyes up and paid attention to her.

"I doubt that you have that air, my lady. I asked you to dance, haven't I?" he asked rhetorically. "Only for a month? You have much time to attract the men of this court. Of course, be wary of the attention you gather. The court gossip here, if you have noticed, can be vicious as well as kind." Isaac thought to himself all the gossip that was floating around about him. His mother was furious to hear that he was supposedly a father. Once the rumor was dispelled, she had calmed down a great deal.

Well, that's quite true, Rose thought.

Gossip was one of the things that irritated Rose the most, because most of the things that they said were not true, and yet they go whispering in each other's ears as if they had seen the action themselves with their own eyes, when they just heard it from someone else. Gossip was utterly cruel and insensible, in Rose's opinion. They hurt people without even intending to.

"Thank you for your concern" Rose finally replied, "But I assure you that you or the other courtiers should not worry about whose attention I capture, for I do not plan to involve myself romantically with anyone."

After what Rose had gone through, she didn't feel that any man could be trusted completely.