CORRUPTED FILE [Lumina Chronicles Past Drafts]

Level Twenty-Four

[MAGGIE'S PoV]

I entered the ball feeling like someone out of a fairytale, except the music didn't screech to a dramatic halt and no one stared in awe as I descended the staircase. My skin tingled with a mixture of nerves and the fact that I'd only hours ago been scrubbed within an inch of my life.

It had been awkward, but it was probably best I got used to it since it would no doubt happen every night of the ball. At least now I was clean, and soft, and faintly lavender-scented.

I'd hardly recognized myself when Simone ushered me in front of the mirror. My hair was curled and braided and piled atop my head in an up-do that looked like a work of magic. The flower crown-which really had been a work of magic-wrapped perfectly around it and held everything in place. This gown was the first Faye had made me, specifically because it would bring out the color of my eyes, both of which were Casimir's favorite color.

I looked beautiful, and a felt confident, which was a surprise given that I had a vial of murder-dust shoved down in my cleavage, and therefore should have been a nervous wreck. I hadn't known where else to put it, and I definitely wasn't leaving it unattended in my room for a maid to happen upon. I'd seen enough movies.

So, skirt train in hand and poison in boobs, I searched the crowded ballroom for Prince Casimir. He was tall, red haired, and probably wearing a crown. That combination should have made him impossible to miss. But I soon found myself on my third lap around the ballroom, Prince-less.

With a sigh, I maneuvered my way out of the well-dressed crowd and stood along the wall. I'd try waiting for a bit. Maybe this whole time Casimir had been looking for me as well, and we'd simply missed each other?

"...There you are..." Carlyle sang, materializing out of the floor and floating up in front of me.

"You're not the redhead I was hoping to see," I mumbled, keeping my voice low.

"...I'm going to ignore that..." Carlyle huffed lightly, before continuing at full speed. "...So far I've found a few areas worth exploring, and a whole lot of rats. You'd think the wealthiest family in the realm could afford pest control, but I digress..."

"Tell me about it once we get back to the room," I said, glancing around to make sure no one was watching me talk to myself, and for any signs of the human giraffe. "I can't really talk to you in public."

"...Oh that's fine, I prefer to do most of the talking anyway..."

The music stopped and the dancing couples separated, bowed to each other, and applauded the orchestra. There were a few moments of friendly chatter, some partner swapping, and then a new song began.

When a pretty brunette approached and asked if I'd do her the honor of a dance, I politely informed her that I was waiting for the prince. Maybe she could give me a clue about where he was.

Her answer wasn't very encouraging. "Ha! Good luck with that, dear. His Highness hardly ever attends these things for more than a few minutes-I heard he can't dance."

She walked away and I groaned, fighting the urge to sink ungracefully to the floor in defeat. He told me he'd wait for me the whole night, so where the hell was he? I cast my gaze upward to the impressive glass dome that served as the ballroom's ceiling.

I just had to stay positive. This was supposed to be a week long event. If I didn't run into him tonight, there were still six days. This was fine. I would find Casimir, get the information I needed, and still have plenty of time to commit regicide.

My legs shook and I once again became aware of the little glass vial tucked away in my bodice. The already warm, crowded ballroom became at once sweltering and several times smaller. I felt nauseous. Yeah, reminding myself of that last bit was a mistake.