At twenty years old Champagne Star had already proven to be a capable ruler of her small kingdom. However, it was apparent to those closest to her that her desire was not rule, but to travel, for she was constantly reading of far away lands and always eager to hear the stories that ambassadors and diplomats to her kingdom brought to the court. Through these she had learned of the ways and manners of the outside world, but these visits form outsiders were few and far between, and therefore the longing to go abroad was always with Champagne Star, even though she knew it was her duty to rule her kingdom. Most of the day to day business of her Majesty was to hear the complaints of local officials and to settle disputes that were beyond the means of the provincial courts, which for such an imaginative mad as she possessed, was a very daunting task. But all of this was soon about to change.
One day, much like any other that had been spent in the court of Champagne Star, which consisted of the complaints of the local officials and other such personages as mentioned before. But there was soon news of an unexpected visit from the Ambassador of France who had come to settle some trade agreement with this part of the world. This was confirmed by Champagne Star's advisor who had whispered that the Ambassador only moments before he had entered the throne room. Champagne Star was intrigued for the sole reason of having someone from outside of her kingdom who could share stories of the high society of Europe and especially the French court, of which she admired due to it's extravagance of style. When the Ambassador was announced, however, she become interested in this particular visit for another reason, the handsome young man that was with the Ambassador. Although Champagne Star wore the veil of the symbol of ruling authority of her kingdom, she could still make out the features of this young man enough to know that he was indeed very handsome, although not clear enough to see his individual features. It came as both a surprise and disappointment to her when he was not announced along with the Ambassador. As the Ambassador was making his formal salutary speech to the Prince, Champagne Star beckoned her advisor to her side.
"Who is that young man who came along with the Ambassador and why was he not announced?", she asked her advisor.
"I do not know the answer to either of your questions Your Majesty, but I shall find out," vowed her advisor.
He interrupted the Ambassador in mid sentence in order to say, "The Prince has requested that you announce who your companion is to the court."
"Oh, excusez-moi Your Majesty for not announcing my friend," said bowing low, "but this is my apprentice Andre Pierre. He will soon be in line for consideration for my position when I retire, so I brought him along to give him some experience in the matter of diplomacy. Is it acceptable for His Majesty if he stays at court here?"
"He is very young to become a diplomat, let alone and ambassador of so great a country," she noted to her advisor, who in turn said to the Ambassador, "His Majesty has just expressed awe at how young your apprentice is to be involved in such a great work."
To this the Ambassador bowed again and said, "Yes, he is but 23 years of age, but Mr. Pierre has proven himself reliable beyond a shadow of a doubt."
Andre Pierre: very handsome and twenty-three, only three years older than myself! she thought, but told her advisor to tell the Ambassador that it would indeed be a pleasure if Mr. Pierre could stay at court.
After more formalities of business, those present at court were dismissed and Champagne Star went to her private chambers, all the while thinking of the handsome, and apparently very much accomplished, Andre Pierre. Later that evening she told her best friend and confidant, Karstine of the days events.
"I must see him again outside of court and someway I must let him know that I am a woman. Hee hee, maybe then he will fall in love with me," said Champagne Star.
"I admit that he is very handsome and that you have a very good chance of having him fall in love with you, but to reveal true identity to those other than your very close confidants is dangerous not only to yourself, but to our government and stability of our kingdom," said Karstine.
"I know all of this", Champagne Star said with a sigh, "but he is much too handsome to just let go by. I will have to be cunning and tactful in how I reveal myself to him."
And it was this thought that she went to sleep with on her mind: How can I reveal my true identity to him without giving my away my secret to everyone else. It would be like I was masquerading as someone masquerading as their true self. But how? And as the final throws of sleep came upon her, she discovered the answer: a masquerade ball!
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