Letting out a sigh, I found the strength to leave my office and head downstairs to Caroline’s workspace. Taking a right from the grand hall and walked halfway down the corridor to her space.

As I got close to her door I could hear loud banging coming from inside as I heard Caroline shout, “Now you come back here with that black thread!”

Must be having some trouble with the enchanted equipment. I thought to myself. I was hesitant in knocking on the door as I did not want to disturb whatever situation she had found herself in but I needed my dress.

“Now drop those scissors!” I heard her shout.

Maybe she needs help. With that in mind, I knocked three times on the door. “Caroline, may I come in?”

“Just one second dear!” She shouted.

I pressed my ear to the door. What I heard sounded like complete chaos. There was constant clunking and clicking noises as things seemed to be either thrown against the wall or dropped on the floor. The shuffling of feet as Caroline tried to keep up the pace with her malfunctioning equipment. “Maria, can you come in here! I need an extra set of hands!”

I quickly turned the brass door knob and entered her workspace, shutting the door behind me quickly. My eyes went wide as I saw the mannequin that was enchanted to help her, holding a pair of scissors above her head, threatening her. “What the hell!” I shouted as I quickly moved into action.

My heart raced as my feet moved across the floor boards quickly. Stepping in between Caroline and the mannequin. Something, I did not think twice about doing. Something, I hoped I didn’t regret later.

“I don’t…I don’t know what happened.” Caroline muttered. “Everything was going well. Then this!” She gestured to the mannequin holding the scissors.

“I got this! You get back!” I told Caroline gently pushing her out of the way.

Now, I hadn’t really put too much thought into how I could take care of an enchanted mannequin. I could attempt to destroy it with my fists, but then there are still magical parts. I knew there was a spell for this type of thing and that was dispel magic. However, I had no idea if I could cast such a spell.

“Think Maria, think..” I muttered.

I felt a tingle in the bond as Théoden began to watch the scene unfold. My racing heart and waves of sheer panic must have drawn his attention.

Try it. Théoden spoke with an encouraging voice. We haven’t had a chance to try those types of spells yet. Now is the perfect opportunity.

How?

I was confused as to how I had no idea how to cast those types of spells.

Think of the target. Think of the magic that could be behind it. This seems like a charm type of effect. Or a command effect. Target those things. But try not to target the main enchantment. At this point in time, I did feel him close by. He was just giving me a chance to handle the situation before he burst through the door.

Alright I think I got it.

I turned my focus back to the mannequin as soon as he was done explaining the spell to me. Thankfully for me, it still had its focus locked on me and not Caroline.

I thought about the spell. About what Théoden said and focused on the possibility of this thing being commanded or charmed. I poured all efforts into this spell and prayed that it would work.

I soon began to feel the magic build but as soon as that feeling came I felt a sharp piercing sting in my right shoulder. My own cry of pain was drowned out by Caroline’s cry of fear. As the mannequin had stabbed my shoulder with the pair of scissors. The scissors went deep in my shoulder, only leaving the handle of them exposed.

I glanced between the newly fresh wound and the mannequin who was now looking for another weapon. Try and focus on the spell Maria. Théoden reminded me. I’ll deal with the pain.

I nodded and soon began to recast the spell, blocking out as much pain as possible. I felt the spell build once more, as I was finally able to fully cast my first dispel magic. I felt the burst of essence leave me and strike at the target. I watched how the mannequin tried to fight off the spell but the spell eventually took hold. Stopping the charm or command effect that we figured was in place.

However, to my surprise as the magic took affect, sparks flew out from the mannequin. What was that? I questioned Théoden as I had not seen that happen when others used the spell.

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Must be from your true essence.

My true essence?

Yes.

I was a bit confused but I was sure I would hear more about it later. As I let the bond fall silent, I sighed in relief as I saw the features of the mannequin return to normal. It appeared friendly and almost apologetic as it brought over a cloth scrap and handed it to me. “Thank you?” I took the scrap of cloth and leaned up against the closest wall and took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

“Maria!” Caroline rushed over to me and began to assess my wound. “Thank you! You saved me!”

“Don’t mention it.” I breathed.

Alright now the pair of dang scissors in my shoulder.

You can pull them out yourself or you can see the nurse. Theoden told me.

I think I can manage.

I took a few more deep breaths as I stared up at the ceiling. I didn’t want to stare at Caroline as I did this. I gripped the handle of the scissors and began to pull.

The pain was brutal. It remained me of the pain I felt when I pulled the arrow out of my leg. Sharp and intense. Remembering that incident, I thought back to how pulling the arrow slowly was more painful than all at once.

So that is what I did. I just yanked the scissors out of my shoulder. As the pair came out of my shoulder, I gritted my teeth and held in a scream as I didn’t want to blow out Caroline's eardrums. As soon as I did that, I felt the blood begin to trickle fast down my shoulder causing me to internally panic.

Heal, Maria. Théoden reminded me.

To which I was grateful. With that reminder I gave a few boosts of healing to myself. Allowing the wound to fully close and stop gushing blood.

“Well, that is a new one.” I breathed as I let my body relax more. The sting of the scissors going in that deep still lingered but it was tolerable. What Theoden pulled helped a ton.

Well done Maria. Théoden said with pride. You handled that well.

Thank you. Now, if I can get through the rest of the day with no more surprises…I’d have it made.

I felt Théoden linger in the bond a bit longer as I knew he just wanted to ensure the situation was handled.

“Now, can you tell me what happened?” I asked Caroline as I was finally able to face her once more.

“I…I don’t know. I was finalizing your dress for tomorrow and then the mannequin started acting strange.” Caroline’s words were muttered but I was able to make most of them out. She still seemed upset and freaked out over the situation and I didn’t blame her.

I did think it was strange that the thing came to life just a day before my formal celebration. Part of me couldn’t help but wonder if this was someone's attempt at running my celebration. Maybe Crimson did this. I thought of Theoden as she was the one working within the Council. Then again it could have been Marcel and his mind manipulation.

That’s a theory. We don’t have proof. I’m just glad you both are safe.

After a few minutes had passed and I was more or less stable after the ordeal, I moved over to Caroline and hugged her tightly. “It’s alright Caroline.”

Caroline hugged me back. “I’m sorry they hurt you.”

“I’m fine, see?” I said as I moved so she could see where the hole in my shoulder once was.

She sighed in relief. “Good. Thank you again dear. I do have your dress complete.”

Caroline moved from me and over to one of the unalive mannequins and showed me my dress. It is a black dress and similar fabric to that of my wedding dress. However, this one was more simple. It had a knee high slit, a few sparkles here and there, the perfect neckline, and black cuff sleeves. It was gorgeous and worth the stabbing if you ask me.

“Beautiful!” I explained and ran over to the dress to examine it up close.

“I’d say you can try it on, but it is a magical dress. It’ll mold to your body perfectly.”

After she said that, I ran back over to her and hugged her tightly. “Thank you!”

With how the dress looked, I had planned to use it on a date with Theoden. First, I just needed to get through my formal celebration tomorrow.

“You’re welcome dear. Anything for my favorite client!” She squeezed me back equally as tight.

“Can’t breathe…” I said as I gasped for air. Hell, for her being an older woman she had plenty of strength left.

She chuckled and released me. “I’ll get this bagged up for you.”

She grabbed a garment bag and placed the dress inside. She then surprised me further and grabbed a pair of solid black high heels. “Here. I know these were not on the request ticket but I can’t make you a dress without making a pair of matching shoes!” She explained.

These heels added about five inches to my height and were stunning. Thankfully for me, Caroline made the heels a little chunkier to help aid me and my walking. “Thank you! These are beautiful!” I grabbed the shoes from her.

“Now maybe, reaching that guard's lips of his, will be a little easier on you.” She joked.

“Now that’s a thought…” I couldn’t help but smile.

Maria! Theoden scolded me through the bond as I teased him with me wearing the dress and the five inch heels. As well as him ripping off the dress and five inch heels.

“Now, I must get back to work now that it seems everything is in order here.”

Caroline spoke, causing me to come back into reality once more. “Oh yes, of course.” I said. “Thank you again.”

I made sure I had everything before I walked towards the door. “Thank you again for saving me dear.” Caroline said once more.

“Anytime!” I gave her a wave as I left her workspace.

I walked back upstairs and into my own bedroom. I placed the dress on the inside of my wardrobe along with the pair of new shoes. I walked over to the standup mirror and let out a sigh as I looked at the blood that had stained my sweatshirt.