Emperor of Annihilation

FORTY FIVE

This night would go down in history. A feeling of anticipation courses through my veins with each step closer to the grand doors leading into the ballroom. The energy of the evening envelops me, melting into my very being as I approach.

Outside, people are capturing moments with their friends and dates, posing for pictures against the backdrop of the grand venue. Some are already inside, their laughter and chatter drifting out into the night air.

I stand among them, waiting to be admitted into the ballroom, my heart pounding with excitement and nervousness. The anticipation builds with each passing moment.

As we finally make our way inside the ballroom, the grandeur of the space takes my breath away. The room is bathed in soft, golden light, casting a warm glow over the elegant decor.

Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, their sparkling facets refracting the light and casting dazzling patterns across the polished marble floor below. Tall windows line the walls, offering glimpses of the night sky and adding to the airy, spacious feel of the room.

The walls are adorned with ornate tapestries and paintings, adding a touch of opulence to the surroundings. Plush velvet curtains frame the windows, their rich hues adding depth and warmth to the space.

In the center of the room, a grand staircase sweeps up to a balcony above, where musicians play soft melodies that fill the air with enchanting music. Tables are scattered throughout the room, adorned with crisp linens and flickering candles.

Overall, the ballroom is like something right out of a fairytale.

I glance over to where Headmaster Owens and Madame Elodie stand, sharing a drink and chuckling to themselves.

A hand touches mine, and I turn to see Autumn beside me. "When did those two become so close?" she asks, her curiosity piquing by the second.

I shrug, equally intrigued by the newfound closeness between Headmaster Owens and Madame Elodie. "I'm not sure," I reply, my gaze lingering on the pair as they continue to share a moment of laughter.

"I need to find Silas. I'll be right back," she declared, and before I could respond, she swiftly departed, striding toward the long corridors.

Her absence gave me some time to take in my surroundings. Looking around, I recognize the majority of the faces looking right at me. One belonging to Mia.

There she stood, her hair pulled back into a sleek high ponytail. Strong cheekbones framed her face, accentuated by the makeup that transformed her appearance entirely. She adorned a silk pink gown, its fabric cascading gracefully into a puddle around her slender ankles.

As my eyes shifted to her side, settling on Kenzo's figure, an icy grip of fear seized my heart. It felt like a lead weight had dropped into the pit of my stomach, and a chill ran down my spine, tingling every nerve in my body.

My breath caught in my throat, and a sense of dread washed over me, as if I had stumbled upon something I was never meant to witness. It was the kind of fear that rendered me paralyzed, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

I didn't see him come in with her. What were they doing together in the first place? Last time I checked, Mia hated his guts and Kenzo wanted to be inside her guts.

In a designer suit, he might appear less like a psychopath, but you can't mask what you truly are—a monster—especially not when his hair is as messy as ever.

His veiny arm snaked around her small waist, pulling her in close as she let out a small 'huff'. The corners of his lips stretched into a Cheshire grin as he leaned in, whispering something in her ear that made her shoot up and glare at him.