We can find an answer to this question in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the story.
Prince Prospero and his followers retreat to the palace in order to hide from the "red death," the highly contagious and lethal illness that's run rampant through the rest of the country.
The prince only brings his healthy, happy friends with him, a great many of them, and they lock themselves into his "castellated abbey" to keep themselves safe from the infected citizens outside, and to amuse themselves with entertainment, food, and wine.
Although they act as if they aren't afraid, they know that outside the walls of this building is a terrible disease that causes copious bleeding, one that will kill you within thirty minutes once it's infected you.
If you're wondering why Prince Prospero is hiding and partying instead of using his vast wealth to help the suffering citizens of his country, you'll be satisfied to read the rest of the story and see what happens to them inside that supposedly "safe" palace!
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