Cinders & Gold (Celeste Academy Fanfic👑)

Cinders & Gold ◇ The Masquerade Test

Play the video before you read this chapter!

lol pls don't kill me at the end of this

•••

♠chapter thirty four♠
THE MASQUERADE TEST

Corvan tugged on his glove just as the violins were strummed to indicate the onset of the Masquerade Test. He and the other men in the ballroom lined up while facing the entrance of Krandlevur's Castle.

Next to him stood Zion, and the first ranker could not help but wonder why the Baron had chosen to stand next to him.

Zion was staring at his purple and neon green glove while he seemed to contemplate something.

"I cheated," he leaned in to whisper to Corvan's ear, which caused the Arlandian heir to raise his brows inquisitively.

"I saw Genevieve's dress. Accidentally," the Baron added as an afterthought.

"I see," Corvan hummed, intent on ignoring him and focusing on the entrance. He scanned the grand ballroom and saw that the nobles from the continents had huddled and crowded at one end of the ballroom. Most of them looked anxious and nervous, no doubt feeling that way over the Masquerade Test that their sons were about to take.

Corvan met gazes with his mother, who had kind eyes that shone with belief. Lord Rupert on the other hand, seemed indifferent, just as Corvan was at the moment, or what he portrayed on the outside. His insides, however, told a different story. His grandmother stood next to Lord Rupert, her spring grass green eyes piercing through Corvan's as she flapped her fan incessantly and held her nose high in that stuck up way that she always did. Corvan held her gaze for a moment longer, trying to deduce what his grandmother was communicating with her sharp eyes that glared at him, but he was so far away from her.

He finally looked away.

Next to him, stood Lord Rowe.

"I wish you the best of luck, Lord Corvan," said Rowe, and the first ranker heard the smile in his voice.

"You as well," he replied brazenly, not wanting to think that Rowe was teasing him in some way.

Just then, the music slowed down to a sweet slow and enchanting melody that could have driven one to sleep. In that moment, colours of all sorts trickled in through the entrance.

The ladies entered.

Fans of different sizes and shades were held high and the different dresses flowed beautifully as they depicted hues of red, orange, brown and green. The flash of colours was similar to watching two seasons flash by: summer with its red-orange tinge, autumn with its murky brown leaves that dry up and fall to the ground and spring with its fresh green and dewy grass.

It was truly a sight to behold.

The steps of the ladies were hurried as they scurried around in the ballroom, trying to get a good space and position to stand in.

From where the musicians stood, the sweet melody stopped suddenly. A loud and prolonged chant was bellowed and it echoed on the walls of the grim castle. Corvan recognized Alen's voice and his chant was the cue to the test.

He took steps, just as everyone did, and went forward. Corvan came into contact with the first girl he was closest to, and they circled each other as required. As he circled her, he studied her outfit and immediately knew that this was not Valeriana. The girl had on an orange dress , pink mask and purple hair but what gave her away was her small stature. She was too small in her dress and Corvan knew for a fact that Valeriana wasn't that size.