The Commoner ⚜ Ch. 7

The Jewels ballet came and went, a warm up and a showpiece where people deliberated who would be the next star. The next big production was The Pharaoh's Daughter.

Meanwhile, Claire tried to find a way to get past the barriers of the mysterious nobleman Edmond. She knew he was human like everyone else, so she tried to focus on one of his passions she was certain of. So far all she had found out was that he's from Kensington.

The stage was messy as the art students took down the backdrops from the last recitals. Crates and boxes were stacked that would become Egyptian caskets and ancient looking bricks.

As the auditions for the Lady in Waiting were happening, Claire tried to find the elusive nobleman. Finally she caught sight of him. Quietly, she made her way over to him, stopping at his side.

"What do you think of this ballet?" she asked quietly.

He spared a glance at her. "It is amusing, I suppose."

She nodded. "I love the story. How beautiful that Princess Aspicia had chosen this man from another time simply to save her from a premature death at the jaws of a lion, and he ended up making her life truly worth living."

Catina came up behind them, expecting to squeeze in between. "You're over sentimentalizing this," she said flippantly.

Claire glanced back and shook her head. "No. This is art. It was created to be beautiful, to be loved and appreciated." She smiled. "Just as every person is a work of art to be loved and appreciated. Each has beauty, you just have to look deeper for it in some." Looking between Edmond and Catina, she decided to step away to go find Amiko.

"Claire, there you are."

"How'd it go?" she asked.

Her friend was still red faced from her audition. "Good. I think I might actually have a chance."

Claire smiled. "You looked good. I um, tried to talk to Edmond."

Amiko made a face. "Does he ever talk to anyone?"

"I don't see it if he does. But he's a great dancer, so he has to have passion," she said with conviction.

"Maybe. Oh, sounds like the Aspicia tryouts are next. Break a leg!"

"Thanks." They hugged, and Claire went back to the curtain.

Madame Selina called out. "Alright, first we have four first years auditioning for the role. First up, Claire Hudson."

Taking a deep breath, she went out onto the stage. The lights were bright, and she was glad to have fewer distractions. While this dance was no Ruby acrobatic routine, it was still demanding.

She took the starting position and waited for the music. One, two, three...

Going up on point, she suddenly felt off balance, stumbling awkwardly back. Confused, she tried again. This time she ended up on her hands and knees, facing the curtain.

She could see Catina and Ameerah laughing, and Edmond simply raised a brow. He made no move to help, no look of encouragement, nothing.

Glaring at them all, she looked back to the judges. "Could I go change out my shoes really quickly?"

Madam Selina bit her lip. "I'm sorry Claire, we don't have time to delay like that. Are you able to perform?"

She was. It was her jinxed slippers that were in her way. Determined, she stayed down, quickly taking them off. People muttered as she did. Taking the position with a small fire burning within her, she nodded to the music director.

They wanted to embarrass her? Keep her down? Their mistake.

Claire began the dance, her body moving freely now. She couldn't go up on pointe much, but she tried. She performed every move with all the fire and passion of a mocked artist. And as she moved and glided she could feel it - she was doing it perfectly.

The auditorium burst into applause as she finished, and she let out a breath with a sigh.

"Absolutely remarkable," Master Ashton said, giving her a standing ovation. "What happened to your ballet shoes?"

Taking the offending slippers, she looked beyond the curtain. With a pointed look at the two girls she replied, "I believe the problem will quickly wear off. Correct?"

They looked disappointed before, and fearful now. They nodded.

Holding her head high, she nodded to Master Ashton and Madame Selina. "Yes. I believe everything has sorted itself out. Thank you for your time." As she went backstage, she brushed Edmond's shoulder, surprising him. But she didn't look back. He'd proved he didn't care about her, or anyone.

Stopping in front of the two girls, she stared them down. "If I'd been hurt, you two would be going home tonight."

They looked down as she walked off to the locker room.