Oscar tossed and turned beneath the soft Thai quilt covers of her bed. She had an overwhelming feeling she knew the knight in the blue mask. His gentle touch gave her a familiar sense of security and comfort just when her world crumbled down at the discovery of Fersen and Lady Antoinette in the garden.

She felt like screaming in frustration and anger, crying out her disillusionment and anguish till there were no more tears left, running away from everything even crossed her mind that time but the knight's gentle touch and soothing words wiped out all damaging thoughts in her mind, cured every agonizing wound in her heart, making her forget all things but the wondrous, and thrilling moment of their first kiss.

Oscar was awakened by the rustling sound at her balcony. She glanced around the darkened room faintly illuminated by the moonlight and found her surroundings cold and empty. She tightened her wrap to disperse the cold as she rushed out of the balcony. The night was shivering cold and lonely as she looked at the quiet surroundings of the garden. Suddenly she felt soft petals brushing her cheek, grazing her arm, and the wind blew a pleasant faint scent of roses that she drunk in delight as she drew her wrap tighter to keep her warm. She glanced up the sky and found hundreds of red and white rose petals pouring from the sky, bathing her and caressing her with each soft petal and it's intoxicating sweetness.

She twirled around in delight, catching the petals with her palms, and as the shower of petals dwindle, she stared at the petals at her feet and found a single white rose with a bow tied to its stem with a note bearing "To My Lady Oscar".

Oscar swallowed hard and kissed the white rose. She glanced about in search for the knight whom she knew left the rose for her. "Where are you? Please, show yourself. I've missed you," cried Oscar. But all was silent but the wind bustling wilder against her scantily clad form.

"It's been two weeks. I wish to see you," she begged.

"You do not have to see me. I am always close by, watching you," said a warm enchanting voice that melted Oscar's heart.

"Please, where are you? I cannot see you...Don't you want to ask my father for my hand?" she asked.

"A hundred times I almost did but I know I would be condemned...I know I have no right to have the heart of a lady such as you," replied the voice.

Oscar couldn't help the tears streaming down her eyes. Somehow she knew, she felt that her mysterious knight would say good bye.

"Do not cry, my Lady Oscar. Though you do not see me, I will always be nearby loving you and watching over you. Good night, my lady. May my love bring you sweet dreams."

A bright and cheery day woke up Oscar the next day. She sat up as she was welcomed by warm sunshine the lovely chirping of the birds outside her window. She threw the bedcovers and found the single white rose on the pillow beside her. It wasn't a dream. She ran excitedly out the balcony and found her flower petals still on the balcony floor. As she bent down to pick them up she saw a pair of sandaled feet a few yards from her. Her heart skipped a beat. My mysterious knight. But when she glanced up she looked into the smiling green eyes of Andre Grandier.

He was her best friend and his presence made her emotional. He threw herself in his arms sobbing.

"Oh Andre...I have lost my heart twice...Love is a very terrible thing," she cried

Andre stroked her hair and drew her firmly against his chest, kissing the side of her head , "Don't cry, my Lady Oscar. Sometimes love can be as painful as it is wonderful...The sight of your love, the mere presence, is enough to draw your breath into a stop, she is the reason you live, the reason you look forward to each day, she paints your world with magnificent and dazzling colour...but the ache is in you... knowing she would never be yours."

"Have you ever had your heart broken, Andre?"

Andre kept silent for a moment before smiling and changing the subject.

"Come, Oscar. I'll take you the Lovers Falls. You'll love it there," he invited.