The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒯𝒽𝓇𝑒𝑒

↞･:*✵*:･↠

The dress was beautiful, made with a fabric that shimmered a shade of navy blue. Gale had thought of me while commissioning this dress; it was clear. I could tell by the small silver designs made on the fabric, the glistening embroidery forming together at the hem to create intricate lightning bolts.

The corset of the dress was comfortable enough, along with being stylish, with long sleeves that hugged my arms. The navy blue of the top of the gown had a contrasting shimmering silver fabric that formed the shape of a V, from the breastbone to the bottom of the corset. The soft silver material enhanced the style and beauty of the dress in a regal yet exquisite fashion.

The beautifully crafted skirt had a part just like the top also, with cream colored fabric that peeked through an intentional cut in the final layer. Staring down at the dress that now adorned my body, I felt my breath hitch in my throat. I felt beautiful. Like I never had before.

I'd always imagined myself as a person who'd never had the capability of being beautiful, someone who could never be seen in a regal or stunning way; but Gale had somehow picked this dress out especially for me. He had spent time on it, for me. I couldn't help but smile.

A knock on the door caused me to turn my head from the mirror as two maids entered the room. The women smiled kindly, leading me to a chair that they brought to my mirror, and pulling my hair out of the bun it was in.

Stealthily, the two worked together, twisting my hair, braiding specific pieces only to let them loose. It seemed they were unsure what look I was supposed to be going for, and what fit me best. I couldn't blame them. Typically, my style was rushed and messy, never clean and polished. It was new, all of this was.

Eventually, the maids found a look that both thought suited me. Having gazed off into nothing, I blinked as the two stepped away, bright grins across their faces as they admired their work. Bowing, the two then left as quickly as they had come, letting the door click behind them. Looking into the mirror, I felt my lips part.

They had decided on the style I had worn while out in the forest--after I'd discovered Lullaby. The hairstyle was so similar I thought it to be the same, only it wasn't. It was groomed for nobles, not for a source of entertainment posed by commoners.

From my middle part, the women had taken two sections of hair and braided them loosely so they lay gently across the unbound locks. In a sort of art I could never achieve, the maids had managed to braid little gems into the do that glistened shades of blue and white, all complimenting the dark shade of my hair.

The majority of my hair was left untouched, though they seemed to have given the locks a sort of loose curl somehow. With the flowing ringlets falling down my shoulders and back gracefully, I felt like a royal, to be completely honest. And I wasn't quite sure if I liked it or hated it.

Pulling on a pair of low heels the same shade of blue as my dress, I hurried out the door, sure the ball was to begin soon. Two different maids had come in earlier and tidied up my face though they didn't put any makeup on besides something to enhance my lashes and a light shade of pink that almost matched the natural tone of my lips.

Gliding down the stairs towards the ballroom, I paused, seeing a familiar face in the crowd.

Allowing my feet to move before I could think, I burst forward, surprising Velut as I attacked him from behind, crushing him in a hug. The man went to shove me away from him as my arms wrapped around his torso, but as he swiveled his back and noticed it was me, his frown erupted into a smile.

"Velut!" I nearly cried, hugging him from the front now. I felt as if I could burst into tears if I didn't have to go out into a ballroom full of hundreds of nobles in a few minutes. Relief washed over me as I held my friend close, glad he was safe. I had known he would be. That's what I'd told myself over and over again while he was away, anyhow.