CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Ten: Three Left Feet

After breakfast and "acting" lessons, Kindle decided we should check on Faye and see how she was coming along with my outfits. I agreed, and went along with him down the winding corridors-- How he was able to navigate them without getting lost was beyond me, I would never be able to do it!

I'd made the decision not to hold Kindle's... relationship... with the queen against him. I mean, maybe they were really in love, and for some reason Lydia had to marry Seraphim, but didn't want to give up on being with Kindle. That made sense, I could accept that, I guess. Actually, I was nearly positive that they were in love, or at least Kindle was. During our "role-play" in which he was the prince, he told me to practice flirting, and when I did as he asked he immediately distanced us. He probably felt uncomfortable acting like that with me-- even if it was only pretend-- because he was with Lydia.

Yes, I could accept that just fine, and I would accept that. I could count the number of people I'd met in the Shadow Realm on one hand, and if I couldn't bring myself to at least be civil with Kindle, I would be completely alone in a world that was unfamiliar to me. Just the thought of being alone there, with no one at all, made me feel increasingly empty inside.

"Taken a vow of silence?" Kindle questioned, waving a hand in front of my face as we walked.

"Hm? What?" I replied stupidly.

"I've been carrying on a one-sided conversation for the past five or so minutes, it's really not good for my sanity if you don't reply at some point." Kindle pointed out.

"Oh, sorry." I'd been so deep in thought that I hadn't even noticed he'd been talking to me. "You were saying?"

"I was having a lovely conversation with myself about how, after we check on your dresses, we should begin dance lessons." Kindle explained, "After all, a month may seem like a long time, but when you think of all I have to teach you in that period, it's much shorter."

"That's very reassuring, thank you." I replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"Look on the bright side," Kindle said with a smile, "At least I wasn't stupid enough to say a week, which was actually my original plan."

I raised my eyebrows at him, saying nothing, and he smiled wider.

The trip to Faye's room seemed much shorter this time, and she was able to answer the door without getting herself tangled up in her supplies. "Oh, good, you're here!" Faye chirped, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the room.

She tugged me to the other side of the room, chattering excitedly about how she worked successfully all night long without needing a single cup of coffee, as Kindle followed silently behind us. On one of the standing mannequins was a new dress. It was simple, yet elegant, with a long, flowing train and tiny roses embroidered into the peach-colored satin.

"Oh my goodness, Faye, Is that mine?" I gasped, squeezing her hand. "It's beautiful!"

"You think so?" She pulled her dark hair over one shoulder in a futile attempt to tame it.

"Yes, it's stunning!" I insisted, stepping closer to run a tentative hand over the delicate looking fabric.

"If you like your practice dress so much," She laughed, unzipping the back of the dress, "Just wait until I finish your first real one!" She draped the dress over my arm.

"Whoa, wait, this is only my practice dress?" I questioned, examining the no doubt hand-stitched roses more closely.

"Yes, of course. That gown is only a one night job, you think I'd allow you to wear it out in public?" Faye scoffed.