Lumina was by far the strangest place I'd ever seen. I'm not sure what exactly I expected when I climbed into the carriage with Kindle (that was a fun ride. Almost two hours of awkward silence and alternating which of us was staring out the little window while pretending the other wasn't there.) but it definitely wasn't the bustling city I was presented with.

With its bright lights, enormous skyscrapers, and energetic crowds, it reminded me of New York City. That is, if the citizens of New York City dressed in corseted ball gowns and only traveled by horse drawn carriage. Even Casimir's palace looked far more modern than I expected. The only things that differentiated it from the skyscrapers surrounding it were its ornate golden accents and massive glass-domed roof.

"Is it a good idea to have a glass ceiling on the royal palace?" I asked as the driver I'd never learned the name of pulled our carriage up in front of the magnificent palace, speaking to Kindle for the first time in over two hours. "It just seems like it's asking for trouble to me."

"It's a sign of Jareth's power," Kindle stated, narrowing his eyes at the glass roof. "Anyone could get into the palace that way, but no one's willing to cross him."

Just then, a footman opened the carriage door, politely holding a gloved hand out to me. "Right this way, Milady."

I glanced back at Kindle, who made no move to exit. "You're not coming?"

Kindle shook his head, "I don't have an invitation." I was about to protest, saying I didn't have one either, but Kindle slid a gold-lined rectangle of paper across the seat to me, keeping me silent. Someone in the Order had procured an invitation. That, or it was a forgery.

"Milady?" The footman repeated, catching my attention again.

"Sorry," I said softly, before taking his hand and allowing him to help me out of the carriage.

The footman escorted me up the grand staircase that led into the palace, making idle conversation along the way. They were easy enough questions, ones I'd already rehearsed answers to.

Once we reached the top of the stairs, the footman took my invitation and handed it to a herald, who shouted loudly over the crowd, "Introducing, Lady Jacintha Carlyle!" Carlyle had insisted I would need a last name, and at the time I could think of nothing so I took his name.

Maybe I'd read too many fairytales, because when he announced my name I expected the crowd to fall silent and watch in awe as I descended the stairs and met the waiting prince. Needless to say, that didn't happen. Everyone continued their dancing and conversations, and I made my way down the stairs unnoticed.

Once I stepped onto the ballroom floor, I found myself wishing I'd taken Carlyle up on his offer to come with me. There were just so many people! I had no idea where to even begin looking for the prince in the sea of swirling skirts and loud voices. I should have at least asked to see a picture of him. I mean, I had an idea of what he looked like from the game, but that wouldn't be very helpful. Kindle didn't look exactly like his game self either.

"Would you care to dance, Miss?" A man asked me.

I turned to face him, and found myself staring into a pair of violet eyes, much like Lydia's. He even had her silver hair. The man was much taller than Lydia, but the hair and eyes were identical. He's a fairy, I thought in awe.

"Well?" He pressed, a kind smile on his lips. At least he seemed nicer than the queen.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, smiling back politely. "I'm actually looking for someone right now..."

"Just one dance?" The fairy man held out a hand to me, "I promise it won't kill you," he said with a chuckle.

I sighed, taking his hand. "Just one," I agreed. One dance wouldn't hurt, I could look for Casimir while dancing.

I let the fairy lead me in a dance, all the while scanning the people around us for one that looked... well, princely. I hoped he would be wearing a crown, as that would definitely make it easier. Luckily the dance wasn't difficult-- just simple steps and turns-- and though a month ago I wouldn't be able to dance this way without stepping all over my partner's feet, now it was remarkably easy.

"If I may be so bold, you are quite beautiful," The fairy said, his voice like silk. "Would you tell me your name?"

"Jacintha," I replied politely, smiling at my partner. "Lady Jacintha Carlyle, and you are?"

"Baron Simion," He said before twirling me out away from him. I focused on keeping my weight balanced, there were many times during practices that Kindle had spun me and I'd fallen over.

"Well," I said as he spun me back in, "It's a pleasure to meet..."

I trailed off when my eyes met his. His purple eyes seemed almost as if they were glowing, and they held my gaze intensely, making it so I could look nowhere else. It suddenly dawned upon me that this dance may have been a terrible idea.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too," the Baron purred, his eyes flashing as a sly smile crossed his lips. "You will be a magnificent addition to my collection."

"I don't... understand..." I tried to back away from him but he held me firmly in place, both with his painfully strong grip and mesmerizing eyes.

"Don't be afraid dear one," the Baron whispered, bringing his lips slowly toward mine.

"May I cut in?" The voice of a young girl chirped. A pair of tiny hands grabbed my arm and tugged me away from Baron Simion, effectively severing whatever trance-like state he'd had me in.

He was going to kiss me? Why?

"Tobi, please show our friend here out. And see to it that he never returns." The girl requested.

"As you wish, Princess." A tall well-dressed boy, with dark hair and darker eyes, who looked to be about my age bowed to the girl before taking the Baron firmly by the arm and walking him toward the exit.

"Well, that was exiting," the girl giggled, turning to face me. She had a cute, heart shaped face with large brown eyes, and auburn hair that was chopped short just above her chin. She smiled brightly at me and I caught sight of the tiara on her head.

My eyes widened and I ducked my head quickly. That boy had called her Princess. Princess? I hadn't even known Casimir had a sister! "Thank you for coming to my aid, Your Highness." I said as respectfully as I could manage.

"Please, call me Raini, and lift your head. It's my brother who requires the formalities." The princess laughed.

"Thank you, Raini." I smiled, meeting her eyes again. She wasn't much shorter than I, even with the crazy heels I was wearing.

Raini rolled her eyes, though her smile was kind. "And stop thanking me, all I did was keep that creep from kissing you."

"That creep, Princess, was Baron Simion. You know you did more than just stop a kiss, you very well may have saved this maiden's life!" The boy who had escorted the Baron out-- Raini had called him Tobi—interjected, his expression serious as he positioned himself at the princess's side.

Raini elbowed him lightly before saying to me, "This is my bodyguard, Tobias. He tends to be a little over dramatic, but yes, I suppose he's right. I'm not sure how he got passed the guards, being a fairy and all."

"Fairies aren't allowed into the palace?" I questioned.

Raini shook her head. "Of course not, no Nonies are allowed. What kind of kingdom would we be running if we allowed them into the palace? It'd make us hypocrites."

"Nonies?" I asked. And here I thought I'd been prepared for a ball. Who was I kidding?

"Non-human folk," Raini said as if it were common knowledge, and maybe here it was. "Honestly— don't take offense to this as I mean it in the nicest way possible but— have you been living under a rock?"

"I've just been... sheltered." I defended.

Raini smiled sweetly, "Well then let me educate you. Nonies aren't allowed inside the palace, because they aren't allowed inside any human establishments, not since after the Rebellion— surely you know about the Rebellion, no matter how sheltered you've been."

Thankfully, this I knew from playing the video games. I nodded, "The war between humans and non-humans, led by King Jareth."

"Right," Raini beamed. "My father demonstrated to them how foolish it was to try and cross him, and then he stripped the Nonies of their rights so that they would understand once and for all that the human race was superior."

"Not that it's done much good," Tobias scoffed. "There are still whispers of a second Rebellion, and there's that Nonie terrorist group based in the next kingdom over, The Abandoned Order."

I just stared at them, blinking, my head spinning. A terrorist group? That's what the Abandoned Order is? I thought back to my last conversation with Faye. "Only humans can find work now," she'd said. So creatures other than humans— Nonies as Raini called them— were second class citizens here?

"Enough about politics," Raini sighed, shrugging the subject off. "You're new around here, aren't you, Miss?"

"Um, yes I am," I replied. "My name is Lady Jacintha," I nearly curtsied again, but caught myself.

"Of?" The princess pressed.

"Pardon?" I blinked. I was growing more and more nervous as this conversation went on. I thought I had learned a lot in the month I'd been here, but apparently I hadn't learned enough. Why hadn't Kindle told me that non-humans were treated so poorly? Surely he could have at least warned me. If I'd slipped up and mentioned something, such as the fact that my dress was made by a mermaid, I could have lost all chances of meeting Casimir.

Raini giggled, "You're adorable, really, just like a little kid. I take it you've never been to a ball before?"

I shook my head no. At least there was one thing I could be honest about.

"Well, my title is Princess Rainette of Lumina, and he's Sir Tobias of Canthor." Raini explained, as if she was talking to a toddler. She might as well have been, with how little I knew about the Shadow Realm.

"Oh, um, I'm Lady Jacintha of..." Kindle had never given me a place to be from, the only places I knew of were Lumina and now Canthor, but I couldn't be from either of those regions. Panicked, I said the first place that came to mind, which happened to be a fictional planet from Doctor Who, "Gallifrey."

"Gallifrey?" Raini questioned, "I've never heard of such a place, is it far?"

"Very," I nodded seriously.

"Rainette, why aren't you enjoying the celebration? It is for you after all."

I looked up to see who had spoken, and my eyes went wide. It was Casimir!

"My fiancé doesn't want to dance," Raini pouted. Fiancé? She couldn't be more than fourteen or fifteen years old. "So I'm making new friends instead. Cas, this is Lady Jacintha of Gallifrey."

The prince smiled kindly at me before sinking into a low bow. "I am honored to make your acquaintance, dear Lady." He was taller than me, taller than Kindle too, and his wavy hair was the same auburn shade as his sister's.

When he straightened up again, I dropped into the deepest curtsy I could manage without falling over. Luckily the thick skirts of my gown hid my wobbling legs. "The honor is all mine, Your Highness." I breathed. How lucky was that? The prince came to me before I even had to search for him! "I mean, you are after all, the prince." Oh no, I was starting to ramble. "You, well, you have a cereal with your face on it!" Awesome job, Maggie. Way to go.

Casimir, Raini, and Tobias all laughed, and I straightened up, blushing darkly.

"Isn't she just precious?" Raini laughed.

"Rainette, she's older then you, treat her with respect," Casimir admonished.

Raini stuck her tongue out at her brother before curtsying to me. "I am truly sorry if I offended you in any way, Lady." Before I had a chance to respond she shot Casimir a quick glare and grabbed Tobias's arm. "Come along, Tobi. We're going to dance."

"As you wish, Princess." Tobias allowed himself to be led away by Raini, leaving Casimir and I alone.

I was alone. With the prince.

This was it, this was why I came here in the first place. Apparently finding the prince was the easy part. Now I had to get him to like me. He had to trust me. They never told me what kind of information I was supposed to get out of him, so I wasn't even sure what questions I should be asking. Apparently whatever I could get would do.

"Ah..." Casimir started, his voice slightly shaky. Was her nervous? I waited politely for him to continue. "You're from Gallifrey? Where is that?"

Oh crap. Of course the prince would know I was making my location up, he's the prince! He probably knows the name and population of every territory. "Um I-I..." I stammered.

"I um, I don't mean to pry of course!" Casimir replied quickly, his face growing red. "Do not think me rude, it's just that the furthest I've traveled outside Lumina is Canthor and..." He trailed off anxiously. Oh my god, he was nervous! That's almost... cute, actually.

I laughed, "No no, I don't think you rude at all. This is actually my first trip outside Gallifrey," I lied smoothly, "It's north of here, a day's ride in a carriage." I sincerely hoped, after saying that, that Lumina didn't happen to be the kingdom furthest to the north.

"I see, well, welcome to my city," He said cordially.

There was a moment of awkward silence, in which Casimir idly twisted a button on his lapel, and elegantly dressed people danced around us to a beautiful violin piece.

I had to do something, or the prince would get bored and move on without me ever asking him anything. C'mon, remember your lessons. Flirt, or something! Dance? "Would it be terribly indecent for a lady to ask the prince for a dance?" I asked with a coy smile.

The prince's eyebrows knitted together in thought for a moment, then he shook his head. "No, I don't believe it would be." And then he went back to twisting his button.

I blinked, my smile falling slightly. Apparently subtlety didn't work with Casimir. "So um, would you like to dance? With me?"

Casimir's expression brightened, "Ah! Yes, yes I would." He bowed to me gracefully, "Shall we dance?"

I heaved a relieved sigh, then curtsied. "We shall," I said politely.

Casimir led the dance, and he did well. Better than me, of course, but I couldn't help comparing his dancing to Kindle's. I wonder what Kindle would think if I told him he was a better dancer than the prince?

"So what's it like being prince?" I asked, starting the questions off easy.

"Honestly, it's not all that wonderful," Casimir admitted. "Every day, hour after hour, I sit through etiquette classes and history lessons, dance lessons and fencing." He sighed, "I am fortunate to be of such noble birth, but to be reminded of it by every single tutor. And to be told over and over again that I'll have to take my father's place someday... I'm sorry. I shouldn't be unloading this on you, it's not polite."

"No, please, feel free to tell me whatever you like." I smiled as sweetly as I could, "I'm a good listener." I felt a little guilty, Casimir seemed like a nice guy. A bit awkward, but in a cute and endearing way. Like a baby giraffe. The image of a stumbley little giraffe in a crown came to mind, and I had to admit it fit him perfectly.

Although I assumed it was the prince's job to dance with multiple people at the ball, I managed to hold his attention the entire night. When the herald who announced me quieted the musicians and announced that the ball was coming to a close, Casimir bowed to me again and kissed my hand.

"It was divine meeting you, Lady Jacintha," he said, "I thoroughly hope to see you again soon."

"I'm happy to have met you too," I replied genuinely. It really was nice to talk to him, he was so much more... real, I guess, than I expected a prince to be. I knew princes had to be nice, but I could tell he actually meant the kind things he said. "Although I don't know if I can return. Gallifrey is quite a distance from here and I don't travel often." I'm going back through the door soon. I won't ever be coming to this realm again.

"Oh please allow me to see you again, it's been so long since I've had someone my age to talk to." Casimir's smile fell, "I'll ride to your Gallifrey if I must, just please don't let our first meeting be our last."

"I don't know..." I bit my lip, unsure what else to say to him. I couldn't possibly promise to see him again.

He gripped my hand in both of his, "There will be a royal dinner next Friday, the same time as this ball was, please promise me you'll try to attend." His hopeful blue eyes reminded me of a lost puppy.

"I'll try," I smiled. Of course, that was the best I could promise.

Casimir grinned and kissed my hand again. "I'll save you a seat at my side," He vowed. "Goodbye for now, dearest lady."

"Goodbye, Your Highness." I sank into a quick curtsey.

"Please, call me Casimir. You are my friend." He insisted.

I smiled and squeezed his hand, "Goodbye, Casimir."

He escorted me to the top of the palace steps, where we waited until my carriage pulled up. The footman opened the door for me, and Casimir guided me in.

When the carriage pulled out into the street I relaxed and allowed my head to fall back on the plush lining of my seat. I laughed breathily. It's over, I did it.

"Was that the prince who escorted you out of the palace?" Kindle asked, reminding me that I wasn't actually alone in the vehicle.

"No," I smiled at him smugly, "It was my dear friend Casimir."