As Kael, Aria, and Liam walked through the crowd, a collective murmur arose. "Who are they?" someone asked, their voice barely above a whisper. The trio's confident stride and poised demeanor sparked curiosity among the guests.
"I guess they must be from wealthy families," another person replied, their eyes fixed on the trio with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Look at their attire, it's exquisite!"
Just then, a merchant who had been present at the market during the Golems' attack spoke up. "Woah! Those are strong warriors! I saw them fight those beasts gracefully, it was like a dance!" He described Aria's swift movements and Kael's powerful blows, his eyes wide with awe. "And the way they worked together, it was like they were one unit! I've never seen anything like it! The way Aria's sword sliced through the air, and Kael's fists crushed the Golems... it was a sight to behold!"
The crowd listened intently, their eyes fixed on the trio with newfound respect. Some nodded in agreement, while others looked on with a mixture of curiosity and envy.
Just then, the spokesman's voice boomed through the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for His Majesty, King Erold, and Her Highness, Princess Olivia!"
The crowd erupted into applause as King Erold and Princess Olivia made their way to the throne. King Erold, a wise and just ruler, smiled warmly at the crowd. "Welcome, everyone, to this grand ball. Tonight, we celebrate the unity and prosperity of our realm. Let us dance, let us feast, and let us make merry! For tonight, we put aside our differences and come together as one people, under one roof!"
The crowd cheered, and the music began. Princess Olivia, a vision in white, descended the stairs like an angel. Her golden hair cascaded down her back like a river of sunshine, and her sapphire eyes sparkled like the stars. Her gown was a work of art, intricately designed with silver and gold thread, and her figure was like a goddess. The guests couldn't help but stare in awe.
As the night wore on, the music grew louder, and the dancing began. Kael and Aria joined in, their movements graceful and fluid. They twirled and spun, their laughter and smiles infectious. Liam, on the other hand, sat at the table, sipping his wine and watching the crowd with a keen eye. He nodded to himself, seemingly pleased with what he saw.
Pixie Romanoff watched from the sidelines, a small smile playing on her lips. Ryder Blackwood tried to catch her eye, but she ignored him, her gaze fixed on Kael and Aria.
The conversations continued, with the guests marveling at Princess Olivia's beauty and grace. She smiled and waved, her eyes sparkling with kindness, and the crowd couldn't help but fall in love with her.
As the clock struck midnight, the guests knew that this was a night they would never forget.
In the midst of the merriment and laughter, sinister plots were being hatched. The six key players of the Order sat at a table, their eyes fixed on the festivities with a calculating gaze. Lord Xandros, his face twisted in rage, spoke up, his voice low and menacing. "Look at those brats dancing gracefully, as if nothing ever happened." He glared at Aria and Kael, who were twirling across the dance floor, their laughter and smiles a stark contrast to the darkness brewing at the Order's table.
"I know, right?" Lady Valtira replied, her tone calm and collected, a stark contrast to Lord Xandros' fury. "They think they've won, but we'll show them the true meaning of power."
Lady Lyra, her voice barely above a whisper, spoke up, her words laced with an unsettling calmness. "Don't worry about those two, they won't be smiling for too long." Her eyes seemed to bore into the souls of Aria and Kael, as if she could see their very fate.
Lady Valtira turned her attention to Lord Kaelin's son, Stefan, who was being presented to the King. "What about him?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.
"What about him?" Lord Xandros responded, his voice laced with disdain. "He's just a pawn in our game, a means to an end."
"But are we sure the princess will even give him an audience, let alone agree to marriage?" Lady Valtira pressed, her eyes narrowing in calculation.
Lady Arachne, her face a mask of serenity, spoke up, her voice dripping with confidence. "Don't worry, I have a plan, and soon it will be set in motion." The other five members of the Order fell silent, their faces grave, knowing that when Lady Arachne had a plan, things would definitely fall into place.
The table fell silent, the only sound the clinking of glasses and the distant music, but the tension was palpable. The Order's sinister plot was unfolding.
Aria's gloved hand rested on Kael's shoulder as they swayed to the music, her eyes locked onto his. "I can't believe we didn't think this through," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the orchestra. "We just assumed we'd somehow magically get an audience with the king."
Kael's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "We had to get in here first," he replied, his voice low and urgent. "Now that we're in, we'll figure something out. We always do." His gaze drifted across the room, taking in the sea of nobles and guards. "We just need to keep our eyes open for an opportunity. It'll come, Aria. It always does."
Meanwhile, Liam's mind raced as he sat at the table, his eyes fixed on the crowd. Gallows, the beast from the dark forests of Kragnir, had been his first thought. The creature stood at least eight feet tall, its body a mass of twisted, scaly flesh that seemed to shift and writhe like a living thing. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, casting an eerie light on the surrounding trees. Liam had trained Gallows to respond to his commands, but he knew that bringing it to the party would be too risky. He couldn't afford any casualties, not even among the king's guards.
As he pondered his next move, Liam's eyes locked onto Pixie, who was watching him with an intensity that made his skin crawl. Her eyes seemed to bore into his very soul, as if she could see the thoughts racing through his mind. He felt a shiver run down his spine as she stood up from her seat, her movements graceful and fluid. She left the others behind, her eyes fixed on Liam as she walked towards him.
The grand ballroom was ablaze with music, laughter, and the soft glow of candelabras. Pixie, a vision in her emerald gown, sashayed across the room, her eyes fixed on Liam. Her smile was a work of art, a masterpiece of charm and seduction.
"What's a pretty boy like you doing all alone?" she asked, her voice husky and playful.
Liam's gaze never wavered from the crowd, his eyes fixed on Kael and Aria as they danced among the sea of nobles. "And who said I'm alone?" he replied, his voice devoid of emotion, his eyes never meeting Pixie's.
Pixie's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "Well, I can't see you with anyone, so you're alone to me."
The music swirled around them, a lively waltz that seemed to mock Liam's stoic demeanor. Pixie's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in, her voice taking on a flirtatious tone. "Why don't you drink with me?"
Liam's response was swift and firm. "Sorry, but I can't. I'm not good at holding my liquor, so I don't drink above my limit." His eyes never left the crowd, his focus fixed on the two figures dancing across the room.
Pixie's laughter was a tinkling sound, like crystal shattering on the floor. "Oh! Then that's great. I like boys who don't know how to drink. I find them pretty much attractive." Her eyes lingered on him, her smile still plastered on her face.
Meanwhile, Ryder Blackwood watched the exchange with growing jealousy. His eyes narrowed as he took in Pixie's laughter and smiles, her obvious interest in the enigmatic Liam. "Who's that nobody she's talking to?" he muttered to himself, his voice laced with disdain.
As Pixie turned her attention to Kael and Aria, her eyes never leaving Liam's face, the ballroom doors burst open, and Gallows, the fearsome beast from the dark forests of Kragnir, hauled through the entrance. An unknown figure stood amidst the chaos, their presence a mystery.
Pixie's face remained a mask of composure, her eyes narrowed in curiosity. She didn't flinch, didn't show any signs of fear or worry. Her gaze was fixed on the beast, her mind working overtime to wonder who and what brought Gallows to the ballroom.
Liam, on the other hand, was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. He thought to himself, Thank God I didn't go with that plan of bringing Gallows to the party. Someone already planned that out. He relaxed back in his chair, a look of anticipation on his face, like someone soon to be entertained.
The room fell silent, the music dying on the lips of the musicians. The only sound was the heavy breathing of Gallows, its eyes fixed on the crowd, its presence a harbinger of chaos.