It Will Always Be A Game

13: Lucent

You radiate what rests in you.

"I need to know who thought this 'uniform' was a good idea," I mutter, my breath shaky as I hug myself, trying to shake off the biting cold.

"Whoever decided on this, 'uniform,'" Josh says, his gaze drooping down my body, "is quite the genius," he shakes his head.
"Though I'm guessing it was a man." He grins widely, his tongue flicking across his lips as he winks at me.

"Pervert," I shoot him a glare before turning on my heel and heading off in search of the back entrance.

"What are you doing?" I stop and call out to Josh as I see him heading toward the grand entrance.

He stops and turns around. "Um, honey do you have a problem with your eyes?" He shoots me a deadpan look. "I'm obviously going into this gigantic palace!"

"From the main entrance?!" My brows frown.

"Where else, Alyssa?!" He looks at me like I'm some crackhead.

"Where's the back door?"

A long, deadpan expression settles on his face as he gawks at me.

"You look like a freaking Victoria's Secret model and you wanna go in through the back door?!" he snaps at me.
"What the—" My brows furrow and my face has the most peculiar look.
"Just come on!" He grabs my hand and pulls me along with him.

We stand in front of the enormous building, its towering, brass doors looking more like grand gates than mere entrances. The grand Ludwig's Estate stands tall, its exterior adorned with a lavish display of golden lights, Christmas trees, and exquisite decorations. The warm glow emanating from within the large doors cast a magical aura.
The trees that line the property are adorned with shimmering ornaments, their branches glistening under the moonlight.

The golden lights that surround the estate create a spectacle of elegance and beauty. The atmosphere is one of joy and merriment as if every detail has been meticulously crafted to create the perfect holiday ambience.

It is a palace.

"It's gonna be a long night," Josh comments as we both gaze in awe at the grandeur of the estate.

A cool blast of air greets my face as we step inside. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more impressive, my eyes widened for a split second at the sight before me.

The main room of the grand estate was a sight to behold. As I step onto the plush red carpet, my eyes draw upward to the magnificent roof. It is adorned with massive chandeliers, their crystals sparkling in the warm glow of the lights.
The halls leading off from the main room are lined with garlands and ribbons, adding a touch of festive elegance. The air is filled with the scent of fresh pine, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the guests.

My gaze follows the grand staircase that splits into two, leading to opposite sides of the estate. The staircase is a work of art in itself, with ornate bannisters and a velvet maroon carpet that cascades down the steps. To either side of the main room were two halls draped with long maroon curtains.

It was massive.

As I take in the scene, I see that everyone is dressed in their finest attire. Men wore elegant suits, while women dressed in long gowns. The air was filled with chatter and clinking of wine glasses, creating a symphony of celebration.

The crowd was massive.

I had underestimated the magnitude of this soirée.