The Ties That Bind

Chapter 5✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the grounds of her family's manor, Alma stood before her mirror, her heart racing with anticipation. Tonight was the night of the prom, the night she had been eagerly anticipating for weeks. But as she smoothed the fabric of her gown and adjusted her hair, a sense of nervousness gnawed at her insides.

It wasn't just the excitement of the prom that made her heart flutter, although that was certainly part of it. No, it was the knowledge that tonight held the potential to change everything. Tonight, she would finally have the chance to search for the answers she was so desperately seeking, the answers that could shed light on her parents' mysterious past.

But even as she prepared for the evening ahead, Alma couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the pit of her stomach. What if she couldn't find what she was looking for? What if the truth was even more elusive than she had feared?

Lost in her thoughts, Alma was startled by a soft knock at her door. She turned to see her mother's maid, Timandra, standing in the doorway, a sympathetic smile on her face.

"Miss Alma, Robyn is here to escort you to the prom," Timandra announced gently.

A surge of excitement coursed through Alma's veins at the mention of Robyn's name. She had been looking forward to this night for so long, eager to spend time with the boy who had captured her heart. But even as she made her way downstairs to greet him, a sense of apprehension lingered in the back of her mind.

As she descended the grand staircase of her manor, her eyes searched eagerly for Robyn's familiar figure. And there he was, waiting patiently at the foot of the stairs, a smile playing on his lips as he took in her appearance. She wore a stunning gown of black silk chiffon with glints of a scarlet velvet underneath the shear fabric, its shimmering crystals catching the fading light and casting a soft glow around her. Her off-the-shoulder sleeves were adorned with black flowers, accentuating her exposed neckline framed by her beautiful long brown hair. As Alma descended the stairs, lifting the sides of her long and voluminous skirt, she couldn't help but notice that Robyn didn't miss a single movement, his eyes fixed on her every step of the way.

For a moment, Alma forgot all about her worries and fears as she drank in the sight of him. He was so handsome, and everything she had ever hoped for. With a smile of her own, her heart started racing with excitement as she took Robyn's outstretched hand.

"Alma," he said softly, his eyes sparkling with admiration as he looked at her with utter adoration. "You look absolutely stunning."

A blush rose to Alma's cheeks as she smiled back at him, her heart swelling with warmth at his compliment. "Thank you, Robyn," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "So do you."

"Shall we?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

Alma nodded eagerly, standing by his side as they made their way towards the waiting carriage. Tonight was the night, she reminded herself, the night when everything would change. And as they stepped inside the carriage and set off towards the prom, Alma couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement coursing through her veins. Tonight was going to be magical, she could feel it in every fiber of her being.

                                                      ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

As Robyn and Alma stepped through the doors of Elderwood Hall, a magical sight greeted their awestruck eyes. The ballroom was adorned with a thousand lights, bathed in a shimmering glow that danced upon walls adorned with sparkling garlands. Glittering chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting golden shards of light across the room, causing the walls lined with curtains of royal purple to glisten. At the back of the room, an orchestra played an enchanting melody, filling the air with sweet, melancholic notes. Couples twirled on the dance floor, their steps light and graceful, perfectly in tune with the music.