In the cold light of morning, Aleksandr found himself restless. He turned, his reflection flickering in the mirror—his usual composure fractured by last night’s encounter. He had hosted countless masquerades, entertained hundreds of guests, and yet this one man had unraveled him.

He sat up, rubbing his temple, when his gaze fell upon something unexpected—resting on the floor hallway was a mask, not just any mask but it was the mask of the man he had danced with last night. The mask is black adorned with delicate golden embroidery, elegant yet haunting. Aleksandr’s breath caught as he reached for it, fingers tracing the intricate patterns. the stranger had left it behind by accident

His mind flashed back to the ball, to the way the man had moved through the crowd as if he belonged to another world entirely. Their dance had been intoxicating, each step charged with a tension neither dared to name. Aleksandr had tried to press for a name, for something real beyond the masks and whispers, but the man had only smiled, eyes gleaming behind the mask’s cover and now, only his mask remained.

Aleksandr exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around the fabric. Whoever the man was, he had left something behind—a challenge, perhaps, or an invitation.

A knock at the door broke his trance. His valet entered, bowing. "Your Grace, a guest has requested an audience with you. He says it is regarding something… lost."

Aleksandr's pulse quickened. He stood, his grip on the mask firm. "Send him in."

Moments later, the doors opened, and there he was—the man from last night, now unmasked.

Aleksandr's breath caught.

Without the disguise, he was even more striking. Tousled golden hair, piercing blue eyes, and a confident smirk that hinted at mischief.

Aleksandr clear his throat as he begin to speak

"May I help you with something?"