The First Challenge
676 Words
The applause finally died down as Felix Lenoir stepped back from the microphone, his expression unreadable as ever. Nablis forced herself to breathe normally, even though her heart wouldn’t slow. She wasn’t sure what bothered her more—his rudeness earlier… or the fact that the Fashion King himself remembered her.
The host continued speaking.
“Contestants, for your first challenge, you will be tested on originality, speed, and craftsmanship. You have one hour to create a design sketch based on the theme—”
The screen behind him flickered, revealing bold gold letters:
UNEXPECTED ELEGANCE
Murmurs spread through the hall.
“That’s vague,” someone whispered.
“It’s Felix’s theme every year,” another replied. “He likes designs that don’t look like the description.”
Nablis swallowed nervously.
One hour.
For a sketch that could end her journey before it even started.
“Begin!” the host shouted.
The timer started counting down from 60:00.
Around her, pencils scratched, markers moved, papers rustled. Competitors leaned in quickly, sketching with confidence.
But Nablis sat frozen for a moment, her fingers trembling slightly over her pencil.
Unexpected elegance.
Her mind was blank.
She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled.
Her mother’s smile flickered in her memory—soft, warm, hopeful.
She opened her eyes.
Then the idea came.
Not grand.
Not flashy.
But deeply hers.
She began sketching, her hands finally steady. She shaped a silhouette, sharp at the shoulders but soft at the waist. A gown that blended strength and vulnerability, bold lines with delicate lace. Something unexpected. Something elegant.
Something that felt like her.
Minutes passed, quiet but focused.
But then—
a shadow fell over her table.
Her pencil stopped.
She didn’t need to look up to know who it was.
Felix Lenoir stood behind her.
And he wasn’t walking past.
He was watching her sketch.
Her breath caught.
His voice was low, meant only for her.
“You work differently.”
She turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. “Is that a good thing?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped a little closer to look at her design. She tried not to notice how tall he was—how intense his presence felt when he was near.
“Your lines…” he murmured, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “They’re emotional.”
“That’s bad?” she asked.
“Not necessarily.”
He kept watching her paper for a moment longer before saying quietly:
“Don’t make it safe.”
Her chest tightened. “I’m not.”
“Good.”
He walked away without another word.
Contestants around her whispered loudly the moment he was gone.
“Did Felix just… talk to her?”
“He never comments during the first challenge.”
“Who is she?”
Nablis stared at her sketch, pulse racing. She didn’t know if he helped her… or just added more pressure.
The timer hit 00:30.
She finished her last detail, dropped her pencil, and exhaled shakily.
“Time’s up!” the host called.
Staff members collected sketches table by table. Nablis’s hands were still trembling, but she forced them into her lap.
All contestants were asked to stand for first-round announcements.
Felix stepped forward again, expression unreadable.
“The following designers,” he said, “will advance to the next round.”
Names were read one by one.
Nablis clenched her fists.
Her heartbeat climbed higher with each name called.
Then—
“Contestant 47… Nablis.”
Her breath escaped in a silent gasp.
She did it.
She made it.
She turned to the girl beside her—who grinned wide. “You passed! Congratulations!”
But Nablis barely heard her.
Because from the stage…
Felix was watching her again.
His eyes didn’t soften.
Didn’t smile.
He simply watched her like he was trying to figure something out.
Or like he already had.
And Nablis realized something terrifying…
She wasn’t just another contestant to him.
She was a problem he wanted to solve.
A mystery he wanted to unravel.
Someone he wasn’t planning to ignore.
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- Writer
