"Who's ready for tonight's masquerade ball?" S.U.M.S literature teacher, Mrs Olivia Ravenwood asked the class and they all answered "Yes!" In unison.
"I heard there's a tragic love story behind the masquerade ball. Do you mind telling us about it?" Jake Clarke, a newly admitted student from the fox clan asked Mrs Olivia.
"Sure, but here's a correction, the tragic love story didn't influence the masquerade ball as the masquerade ball is as old as S.U.M.S".
"Okay,Thanks for letting me know" Cassie said.
"You know she wasn't referring to you" Linda said to her.
"Yes, I wasn't referring to her, I was referring to all of us who got the history of the masquerade ball wrong" Mrs Olivia said to Linda.
"So can we hear the story now? I'm tired of waiting" Eugenia complained.
"You don't need to wait any longer. Centuries ago, within the ancient walls of S.U.M.S, there existed a love that defied the boundaries of magical realms. The tale unfolded between two star-crossed lovers; Seraphina, a mythical creature, a graceful fairy with wings that sparkled like sawdust and Eamon, a black blood, a descendant of the werewolf clan with eyes reflecting the moon's ethereal glow".
"Wow, Eamon sounds so handsome" Victoria said placing her palms on her cheeks.
"I didn't know you were interested in werewolves" Eugenia said to her.
"I wasn't until now. Please continue Mrs Olivia".
"Thank you Victoria. Seraphina and Eamon met in secret, drawn together by a magnetic force that transcended the traditional boundaries separating creatures of different magical lineages. Their love blossomed in the hidden corners of the school away from prying eyes that would not understand or accept their forbidden connection.
The couple's rendezvous took place under the survey glow of the moon, where Eamon would transform into his wolf form and Seraphina would dance among the moonlit beams. These clandestine meetings were the canvas upon which their love painted a masterpiece of stolen moments and whispered promises.
Seraphina discovered a secluded enchanted garden within the school's playground. With petals that radiated soft luminescence and trees with emerald leaves, it became a sanctuary where their love blossomed. The garden's secrets mirrored the depth of their connection, remaining hidden from the judgmental eyes of the magical community.
Unfortunately, their secret love affair was discovered by an envious fellow student, jealous of Seraphina's fairy beauty and the joy Eamon found in her company. Driven by malice, the betrayer revealed their relationship to the magical authorities..."
"Oh my goodness! People are just mean" Bella cut in, "Sorry for interrupting Mrs Olivia, please go on".
"It's okay Bella. The two lovers figuring out that the magical authorities planned on getting rid of them or worse, separating them decided to come up with a plan.
Late at night, two hours before midnight, Seraphina asked her roommate to tell Eamon to meet her at the secret enchanted garden with the intent of them living together forever but the roommate told Eamon a whole different thing. She told Eamon that Seraphina said that they should meet each other at the masquerade ball. Eamon attended the masquerade ball but he couldn't find Seraphina under the masks of the different ladies that attended the ball. Overcome with rage, he transformed into a werewolf and the masquerade ball turned into a bloodbath. Some say that he left with the promise to always come back to the school anytime a masquerade ball was held so he could still search for Seraphina while Seraphina remains stuck in the enchanted garden, waiting for Eamon to come to her. Some say that the garden chose her to be its guardian in exchange for her never growing old. The end".
"So sad. I feel so bad for them" Jake said.
"I think Seraphina is the guardian spirit we met at the secret garden" Linda whispered to Cassie and Cassie concurred.
"What if Eamon attends this year's masquerade ball?" Bella asked Mrs Olivia looking worried.
"I doubt that as this happened ages ago. Even if tales say that Seraphina was granted immortality and a forever young body, I doubt that's the same for Eamon. See you in the next class. Now everyone, go prepare for the masquerade ball!".
The whole class stood up and gradually left the class heading to S.U.M.S dress shop so they could pick their various outfits for the masquerade ball.
"O pretty ladies, how would you like to wear the exact replica of the mask worn by Seraphina to the masquerade ball?" The dress seller asked Cassie and Linda.
"Worn by Seraphina? But Seraphina didn't attend the masquerade ball" Cassie replied.
"I see you've heard of the tragic love story between Eamon and Seraphina but I guess you didn't hear the accurate one. Well, worry no more as I'll let you know the true story if you promise to buy these masks double the initial amount" He said to them.
Cassie and Linda looked at each other for a while and then shrugged, "Sure, deal".
"Unlike what Mrs Ravenwood told you, the two lovers attended the masquerade ball with the intent of running away together to the secret enchanted garden at the stroke of midnight so as to spend the rest of their lives together there. Everything went according to their plan but the garden realizing that the two lovers planned to stay there forever chose Seraphina as its guardian and as it's guardian, Seraphina had to take care of the garden's luminescent flowers and magical trees and the only way she could preserve them was to water them with the blood of a black blood. Seraphina continuously pressured by the garden had no choice but to kill her lover as he slept, dripping his blood all over the flowers in the garden. Even though the garden granted her immortality and everlasting youth and beauty, she can't leave the garden and is stuck there for all eternity and woe to those who venture in as there are no tales of them venturing out".
"Why?" Linda asked.
"It is known that she gives them a series of task and no one has been able to accomplish all of them and in doing so, she'll use their precious blood to water the garden. The school won't tell you the real story as it is gruesome".
"Woah, your version is dark. Well a deal is a deal. We'll have two replicas of Seraphina's mask please" Linda said and handed him the money, the man smiled and gave the masks to them.
The masquerade ball was filled with fun activities. There were lots to drink and eat. Some students came together to act the musical of the story of Eamon and Seraphina and everyone loved it.
What do you think of the story of Eamon and Seraphina?
~Kim Vallie~