Hey everyone!!!! I am so excited!! We hit 1K!!!! Ahhhhhh!!!! I squealed like a maniac for a whole minute when I saw that!!! Well...Up above is Sir William Darby. Stunningly handsome, charming, and Gwen's perfect match. Or is he?

This chapter is dedicated to triptych. I absolutely love her story, Fairyknight! It's a perfect middle of fantasy and action. So please if you haven't read it already, look it up. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't give too much about the plot. One of the main characters is Kindle, who is a fairy who is trying to become a knight; hence the name FairyKnight. Well, anyways, look it up!

By the way, I'm sorry for making you guys wait so long for this chapter. Mid-term exams and papers are majorly time consuming. I haven't had many people answer my questions, but whatever I'll ask anyways. First person to answer will get the next chapter dedicated to them and three votes on their story.

If you could go back in time, what time period would you choose? And why?

I would probably choose the Regency era. I am obsessed with Pride and Prejudice!! I love Mr. Darcy!! But I just generally like the manners and stuff. Anyways, let's see what Lee is up to.

************************************

TFL ch. 13

Recap: Wilbur von Edgarton extends one of his gangly arms and leads me onto the floor, the orchestra beginning the first few measures preceding a fast-paced dance. I'm hoping I don't regret this.
-------------------------------------------

I regret this. I most positively regret this in its entirety. I regret allowing Gwen to force me into this. What in all of Aspenvale made me agree to this? I should have just stayed in by the guards like I normally do at balls.

My feet also are regretting my agreeing to dance with Wilbur von Edgarton. "This way, Mr. von Edgarton!" My cheeks flush for the hundredth time tonight as my rather clumsy dance partner runs into another person... Again.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry. I-I d-do n-not usually d-dance th-th-this p-poorly." By this time, his speech has progressed from cracking to stuttering almost constantly. It aggravates me. I'm not an especially long-suffering person, but most times I can be sympathetic. But right now, I would honestly enjoy stomping on this stick boy's enormous foot in retribution for my own throbbing feet.

"It's quite all right." I reply, trying to
sound gracious but I know I sound too curt. I glare at the space above people's heads. Curse my life. Actually, sometimes I think that might be exactly what happened. Some hobgoblin snuck into my room while I was a baby, and cursed me! No other explanation could satisfy the reason why I attract the clumsiest, awkwardest men in all of Aspenvale and Rhodenheim. Or why I am fated with the task of protecting my beloved's sister, which also entails my helping prepare my beloved's wedding to another. I must be cursed. Stupendous. I should go tell Guinevere so we can go celebrate my discovery.

"I-I-I have h-heard th-that you are an avid s-swordsman. Er, s-swordswoman?" He asks me, his large eyes full of embarrassment as he pulls away according to the movement of the dance. I contemplate my answer for the next several moments as I dance next to another person, the cadence of the orchestral music leading my feet.

"I suppose you could say that. Do you enjoy sword fighting also?"

"Y-yes. At l-least more than d-dancing." I chuckle at his joke. In return, he offers me a lop-sided grin. If we were not dancing and my feet were not crushed already, I would probably enjoy his company. The dance continues on until finally drawing to a close. I curtsy to Mr.von Edgarton. He leads me away from the dance and we part paths after we enter the crowd.

"Have you been enjoying yourself, Miss Amelia?" A deep voice behind me questions.

Sir William Darby smirks as I turn to look at him. I smile amicably at him, but the muscles automatically tense underneath my skin. He is a traitorous backstabber that deserves to eat dung instead of courting Guinevere. I respond,trying to keep my promise to Eric, "Yes, I have. It is kind of you to ask. Have you enjoyed the night this far?"

"I have. In all actuality, probably one of the most enjoyable things of the night was watching you dance." His dark eyes dance as they watch me blush. "Of course, it would help if you had a decent partner."he continues.

"Oh, and who might you suggest, Sir William?" I quip back.

Glancing at the crowds, he says, "Her highness, Princess Guinevere, says that a certain Sir William Darby is the most excellent dancer in this ballroom. Have you seen him?"

I let my guarded smile fall and replace it with an actual grin. Gwen sent him to me. "No, I haven't. Would you be so obliging as to introduce me to him?"

He exaggeratedly bowed and lent me his hand. His disarming smile reminded me that he was practiced at playing the charmer. Again, pangs of mistrust arose in my mind as we began to dance. "Have you found Rhodenheim welcoming?" I question, hoping to disguise my question well enough to not be caught yet still achieve an answer.

"Quite welcoming. Her royal highness, Queen Elise is most gracious and King George is a very kind-hearted man." He easily answers. "Have you found it unwelcoming? You have not been by Guinevere's side as is your usual manner."

The slow waltz allows me no space to reflect on his answer. "No, the court has been very kind. I simply desired to train with other masters than the ones in Rierra."

"Oh, yes, I do believe Guinevere told me that. So have you learned much from the masters here?"

"Yes, it is always intriguing to hear other opinions. But I have to say that the most interesting occurrence was my trip into the actual streets of Sicota."

A flicker of suspicion passes in his eyes. "Indeed... How so?"

"I met with a group of orphans."

Despite his efforts to hide his emotions beneath his ever-charming manner, I notice his slight release of his shoulders. "Ah, and I suppose you could assimilate with them."

"Certainly. Also, Sicota is incredibly diverse. Have you done some exploring?" I ask, hoping to catch him lying.

My hopes are quickly rewarded. His eyes flick to the left, a key sign of a liar as on of my masters taught me. "No, I haven't. Perhaps Guinevere and I should take a trip into it. Do think that is a good proposition?"

"Quite a good one. I think she'd rather enjoy it. I would not wander too far though. Certain sections of town are not too respectable."

He smirks, hiding a certain wryness in his gesture. "I would never put Guinevere in harm's way." His voice is tensed defensively. Again, his eyes flick over his left shoulder, showing his nervousness.

"Oh, I know you would never intentionally. I was simply mentioning it. I suppose I have become a bit overprotective of her highness." I respond with a friendly smile. At least I know I have punctured his front.

A figure appears behind Sir William. He taps Sir William's shoulder. "May I cut in?" A familiar baritone voice interrupts. Sir William steps aside, allowing my new partner to come closer. As he places his one hand on my waist and his other in my hand, my heartbeat quickens. "It is wonderful to see you again, 'Melia."

********************************
Dun, dun, dun!!! Cliffhanger!! Not really but oh well.

Hope you enjoyed it! Please don't forget to
-Vote
-Comment
-Answer the question
-Look up the Fairyknight!! (If you do, please message me! I want to know if you enjoyed it as much as I did/am!)

Have a flabbergasting day!!!