The ball

17

Serena

The week passed in a flurry of preparations for the ball. As word spread, RSVPs poured in from neighboring kingdoms. I whiled away my hours in fittings, selecting the finest silks and jewels from the royal treasury for my gown.

As the week passed in a flurry of preparations, I found my thoughts often drifting back to Kane, no matter how I tried distracting myself. Alone in my chambers in the evenings, I would sit holding Thomas and Evelyn's delicate silver necklace, tracing its teardrop moonstone pendant with my fingertips.

May their gentle souls rest peacefully.

Memories of their kindness when they took me in after Kane cast me out would flood back, bringing a fresh wave of grief and loneliness. I recalled nights sitting by the fire as Evelyn tended to my wounds, her gentle hands and soothing voice like a mother's. Thomas teaching me to read by the afternoon light streaming through the windows. Their love and acceptance had been my saving grace in the darkness that foll