In a Dark lit Room, on a Four-poster bed , spread Tuscany colored bed sheets a figure was restless in her sleep,
Naomi slowly blinked her eyes open, her surroundings swimming into focus. She was lying in her dorm room, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains.. The noise from the Garden of Wonders gala still echoed faintly in the distance, but her room was eerily empty.
As she attempted to sit up, her head throbbed with pain, a lingering effect of her earlier encounter at Gazebo. She winced "ahh" and groaned, holding her head in her hands, trying to soothe the aching sensation.
She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. The hands pointed to midnight. The party was still in full swing, and her absence had gone unnoticed by her friends.
Naomi couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, as if someone's gaze had followed her into the room. She shivered and tried to clear her foggy mind. What had happened to her during the dance with Jacques?
Struggling to her feet, she moved toward the window, pushing aside the curtains to look outside. The Garden of Wonders was illuminated by moonlight, a tranquil and enchanting sight. But Naomi felt anything but tranquil.
...........................
Meanwhile, at the Greyford mansion, three figures sat together in a dimly lit room. The elder of the trio, An Elegant with a stern expression, sat with his fingers steepled beneath his chin and other hand spinning the wine in the flute
"The union between Ethan and Camellia must proceed as planned," he declared, his voice carrying a note of authority.
Callus, his handsome face etched with concern, nodded in agreement. "Yes, Father. But you must admit, Ethan's demeanor has been quite unusual lately. He looked pale at the gala, as if he carries a heavy burden."
Ethan's absence from the room was conspicuous, and the conversation took a more somber tone as they discussed his role in the forthcoming union.
In the shadowy corner of the room, a fourth figure stood, concealed from view. His presence was a mere silhouette, his features shrouded in darkness.
Callus turned his gaze toward the shadowed figure. "And where were you tonight? You were conspicuously absent during the gala."
The shadowed figure remained silent for a moment before stepping into the dim light, the enigmatic vampire who had crossed paths with Naomi earlier.
His lips curled into a chilling smile, revealing his charm smile. "I was attending to matters of my own, Callus. Matters that do not concern you."
Callus's eyes narrowed, suspicion gnawing at him. He knew that his brother was not to be underestimated, and his cryptic demeanor only fueled his unease.
As the night wore on, secrets and shadows deepened, and Naomi's encounter with Jacques and victor remained a haunting mystery.
In the heart of the supernatural world, alliances were forged, and destinies were set in motion, but the true nature of the web that ensnared them all was far more intricate and treacherous than anyone could have imagined.
The night surrendered to dawn, casting a soft, silvery light over the sprawling grounds of Arca High. Naomi had spent a sleepless night, her mind haunted by the enigmatic events of the Garden of Wonders gala. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had ventured into a world far more complex and dangerous than she had ever imagined.
As the first rays of the sun kissed the horizon, Naomi rose from her bed, a sense of unease lingering. Rose was still nowhere to be found, and Naomi couldn't help but worry about her friend's well-being.
With a sigh, Naomi got dressed in the traditional attire of Arca High—a flowing gown with intricate lace details. The academy had its own set of rules and traditions, and modernization was virtually nonexistent. In this world, letters were the primary means of communication, and handwritten notes held a special significance.
As she made her way to the common room, she found Shyla and Leane already preparing for the day. The atmosphere was tense, and Rose's absence weighed heavily on all of them.
"Still no sign of Rose?" Naomi asked, her voice laced with concern.
Shyla shook her head. "I've tried looking for her, but there's been no response from anyone I have asked It's not like her to disappear like this."
Leane, equally worried, added, "We'll have to inquire with the house leaders and see if anyone has seen her."
The three friends made their way to the lecture hall, a grand chamber with towering bookshelves and antique wooden desks. Arca High held fast to its traditions, and modern gadgets were considered distractions. Here, knowledge was revered, and handwritten notes were the medium of choice for communication.
As they entered the lecture hall, they were greeted by a stern-looking vampire with graying hair and a sharp gaze. He was Professor Draegon, their instructor for the day.
"Welcome, students, to your first day at Arca High," Professor Draegon announced, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "You will find that we value the art of learning . It is a tradition we hold dear."
Naomi exchanged glances with Shyla and Leane. This world was unlike anything they had known, and the rules and customs were a stark departure from the modern age.
Throughout the day, they attended lectures, their quills scratching on parchment as they diligently took notes. The professors were strict, and the curriculum was demanding, but Naomi couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. She was finally a part of a world she had never dreamed of.
However, Rose's absence continued to cast a shadow over the day, a haunting reminder that there were secrets lurking beneath the surface of Arca High.
"Naomi, Ferat Told us he saw Rose with Julian yesterday" Shyla rushed at Naomi as soon as she walked out of her class on the first day. Naomi and others have chosen different subjects and hence they went to different classes. The day for her was already heavy as students didn't communicate much with each other.
Back to the Scene , Naomi was worried about Rose when she heard from Shyla about her ,Rose's innocent face came before her eyes , yesterday even she encountered a danger and it was still a Mystery how she managed to get back in her room. There seem to be no flashback her mind could play. 'What if Rose went through the same ...'.
There was a long legged who had his hair braided was standing next to Shyla who observed Naomi's expressions , Sensing his gaze on her Naomi looked at him as Bowed as per the Rule, "I am Ferat D'Ligene , Amber House" Ferat bowed down at Naomi While introducing himself.
"Sir are you sure that it was Rose whom you saw" Naomi asked him,
"yes, This was a girl who was standing at the entrance Of Amber House, BLonde, about 5 foot 3 inches long, She was wearing Red Gown..." Girls didn't need much information as they confirmed it was Rose who Ferat was describing at the moment.
"With whom she was " Naomi asked for the name again,
"Julian, that Green Tux Man She was dancing with yesterday"
"Come with me"...