CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Thirty-Five: For The History Books

I watched my reflection carefully as Lydia pinned one final section of hair into the elegant up-do she'd styled.

Lydia was doing my hair. There was something very wrong with this situation.

"And I suppose that's the best I can do," She sighed, stepping away from me and placing her hands on her hips. "You still look plain, but at least the style fits your face shape for once."

"Thank you?" I was pretty sure that was more an insult than a compliment, but at least I had someone helping me get ready for the ball.

"Hmph," Lydia sighed, twirling a silver curl around her finger as she studied me in the mirror with critical eyes.

When I woke up this morning after my day of moping and crying and generally acting like a heartbroken teenager-- which I was-- I found a beautiful red gown waiting on a mannequin in the room. It was strapless and simple, but still stunning, just as all Faye's work was.

I had been prepared to ready myself for the ball alone, since obviously Faye and Serpina wouldn't be helping me, but just as I finished pulling the dress on there had been a knock at the bedroom door.

I'd answered it eagerly, hoping maybe Faye had had a change of heart, but instead I was met with the disdainful face of Queen Lydia.

I'd heaved a large sigh before saying, "Look, I have had enough crap for one week, so can you just take your miserable self elsewhere?"

Lydia had crossed her arms and tipped her chin up hautily. "Please, like you'll be able to do your own hair for the ball," She'd snapped, then held up a small tote-bag, "and what about makeup?"

And the next thing I knew I was seated in a chair, waiting in silent disbelief as Lydia did my makeup and styled my hair.

Now that she was finished, I grudgingly admitted to myself that she'd done a good job.

"So um... why did you help me?" I asked her as I stood from the chair and smoothed the front of my gown.

She rolled her eyes, "Because you're leaving after the ball, right?"

"Yes," I replied. I would go to the ball and say my goodbyes to Cas, then I would go home to Elle. I couldn't stay any longer in the world I didn't belong to.

"Obviously no one else was helping you, so Seraphim told me to." Lydia explained, her lips curved downward, "And anyway, I'm happy to ensure that you attend this final ball because as soon as you do you'll be out of my way." Lydia gathered up her makeup and hair supplies.

I cast my eyes to the floor, fighting back tears. "I was never really in your way to begin with," I mumbled, unsure why I was even telling her this, "Kindle was never actually interested in me."

Lydia laughed, though her face was still dark with a frown. "If only that were true," she muttered, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Her words upset me. Of course it was true, Kindle said so himself! Lydia was only trying to confuse me, maybe even give me a tiny bit of hope to make the pain worse. Yes, that's exactly what she was doing.

With a sigh, I turned my attention to the clock. It was just about time for me to begin the nearly two hour journey to Lumina, and so I pulled on the strappy red heels and black shawl that had been waiting with the gown and made my way out into the hall.

I started off toward the stables, which housed the Abandoned Order's only carriage, and an old brown mare named Serendipity.

Just as I turned the final corner that would lead me to the door of the stables, a familiar voice shouted my name. A familiar voice that I was really not in the mood to hear. I froze, rigid, and turned slowly to cast a glare at Kindle as he hurried down the hall toward me. "What do you want?"