Long Lost Memories
Amidst the chaos of the masquerade, Robert finally spotted the woman in the blue dress again. She was with another man, yet this time her expression was not cold, but troubled. He approached them once more.
"Elizabeth, I’ve been looking for you," Robert spoke gently, but she turned to him with a look of surprise.
"How…why…?" she stammered, clearly unsettled. Despite his concern, Robert's doubts overwhelmed him, and he pressed her with a barrage of questions. "Elizabeth, who is he? Are you betraying me?! Do you not love me?!"
"What are you saying? Why would you think that…?" Elizabeth recoiled in fear at his intense tone. "I love Robert," she insisted.
"Lies! How dare you…!" In a fit of rage, Robert drew a pistol and aimed it at the man.
A gunshot echoed through the mansion.
In that instant, Elizabeth screamed and threw herself in front of the man, shielding him.
Robert tried to pull the gun away in time, but the bullet struck Elizabeth. She collapsed to the floor.
"Elizabeth!" Robert cried out in despair as her mask fell to the ground, revealing her pale yet beautiful face. It was indeed Elizabeth.
"Robert…" Elizabeth gasped with her dying breath. "Why…?"
As her life faded away, Robert realised the grave mistake he had made. Just as he had mistaken another for her, she too had mistaken the man for Robert, trying to protect him.
Why had she mistaken the other man for Robert? And why had he aimed his gun at the man? It was as if his mind had been manipulated by some unseen force.
Because of the doubts that drove him to such a reckless act, Elizabeth had sacrificed her life to protect the man she loved. A deep sorrow and despair engulfed Robert’s heart.
When he looked up, he saw the man who had removed his mask, revealing Lord Harold's pale face.
Harold seemed speechless, struck by the shock of what had happened.
"You… It’s all your fault…" Robert raised the gun once more, aiming at Harold, but his hand trembled. He could not pull the trigger. After killing Elizabeth with his own hands, he could no longer bring himself to shoot.
"It wasn’t me who shot her. It was you…!" Harold spat before turning and walking away.
Robert stood frozen in place as the masquerade ball carried on behind him. He could no longer hear the noise. His world had vanished along with Elizabeth.
It felt as if all the masks worn by the guests were mocking him.