(First time actually tried writing.)

The night had finally arrived, the night of the Masquerade Ball celebrating the Jubilee of the Great Queen Isabel Cantione, and her 50 years on the throne. Everyone had been talking about it for weeks to come and now the night was finally here, from the peasents on to the Nobles everyone was invited to see the Queen and take part in the festivities. And for one young woman it would mean change in her life, a wonderful change. 

"Invitations, please."   The Guards asked those at the door, and in a flurry of ruffling paper each guest gave there invitations to the guards and were waved through. Except for the young woman whom had snuck in behind a Baroness's gown. Once inside she went straight for the banquet tables,

Careful she was to make sure she wasn't seen but that had put her a prime position to watch one of the waitors place some powder in a golden and jeweled cup that she assumed was for the Queen. Placing her plate on the table she followed the server over to the dias where the Queen was sat splendidly dressed in a brilliant golden gown and her crown seated proudly upon her brow. 

"Your refreshment, Your Gracious Majesty." The Server bowed and handed the silver tray over to the Queen bearing the golden and jeweld cup. With a grand smile of thanks the Queen reached forward to take the cup from the tray and raised it up to the server as if in Salute then she placed it upon her ruby lips to take a sip.

"NO, NO, no do not 'tis poisoned Mum." The young woman cried as she ran up to the dias and leapt on it ignoring the many murmers and shouts of protests of herself a grubby peasent on the royal dias. She shoved the server away where he was caught by the many guards rushing to assure the Queen's safety. The Queen sat much stunned and slowly lowered the glass from her ruby lips to hold it steady in her hand. The many jewels from her fingers creating a beautiful contrast to the jewels on the cup. By then the young woman was caught and was struggling against her many captors.

"Be at Ease guardsmen, let the poor chlidspeak."The Queen graciously spoke her voice sounding so sweet and soft at the right time like a perfect harmony. Upon her words the young woman was unhanded and immediately she fell to her knees before the Queen.

"'Tis poisoned Mu" Her voice was stalled by a cuff on the back of the head from the guard behind her. "I mean your Majesty. The drink its poisoned I saw the waiter put it in meself." Upon the complete of her words the Queen gave the drink back to the server.

"Drink."She ordered upon the server and he dared not refuse. So he did and after his first swallow his faced turned beat red and he clutched his throat and then he fell dead on the dias. The guards watched in stunned horror that lasted for a mere few seconds then ordered the entire dance to be stopped and the kitchens searched.

"It seems we are in your dead dear child, come tell us your name."

The Queen smiled on the young woman kneeling before her and asked kindly in an angelic voice.

"Adelaide, its Adelaide your Majesty" Spoke the frightened young woman as she gazed upon the Queen.

"Adelaide, we thank you and are beholden in your debt." The Queen smiled upon Adelaide, and spoke with her ladies in waiting. "We will name you our handmaiden for your kind rescue of us and will hold you forever in our trust. And you will wear the name Masquerade so you may always remember the great service you have served upon your Queen." With a smile she reached upon her own face and removed her mask and gave it to the young woman Adelaide. "And this will be yours to forever keep safe. A minor gift from us to you for the saving of our life."  She stood and smiled upon the young woman and then left to her chambers to rest. As she left the entire population it seemd that made it inside the ball clapped for the Queen and her new young handmaiden.

"Thank you your Majesty" Adelaide whispered to overcome with her emotions of joy as she clutched the mask tightly to herself. Then she also left escorted by the rest of the ladies in waiting into a small room of her own and there she stayed. Known by the court and by the entire kingdom as Miss Adelaide Masquerade the savior to the Queen and her most trusted handmaiden.