CH.148

~It was finally time for the mating ceremony~

A small crowd gathered in an open space carved out on one side of the extensive estate.

It was like a little grassy meadow, surrounded by tall evergreen trees that provided dappled shade and a sense of seclusion from the outside world.

Strings of twinkling fairy lights were draped artfully between the branches, illuminating a warm, romantic glow over the area and creating an almost ethereal ambiance.

At the center was a raised platform made of polished cedar wood, with an archway covered in lush vines and an assortment of vibrant wildflowers standing front and center as the focal point.

Despite the picturesque, dreamlike setting that seemed plucked straight from the pages of a fairy tale, the atmosphere was anything but celebratory.

A gloomy, oppressive pall seemed to hang heavy over the gathering. The usual excitement and joy one would expect from such an occasion was notably absent.

Serena was nowhere to be found, and neither was Knox for