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Adeline did not understand what the "Golden Rose," was. It sounded oddly familiar to her ears, but time played a role in her forgetfulness. She tilted her head and waited for the old woman to explain more.

The grandmother\'s leathered lips pulled into a fragile, concerned smile. Her eye softened, the skin so old, it sunk over the light grey of her pupils. She folded her hands in front of her, revealing tarnished gold bracelets. There were even a few beaded ones, of all sorts of colors, adding a mystic touch to her abrupt presence.

"Like mother, like daughter, both of you have chosen a fate that goes against heaven\'s wishes."

Adeline blinked. "You knew my Mother right? What—"

"You see, your mother once stood in these very hallways, chasing after the darkness, whilst forgetting she was a child of the light."

Adeline\'s brows drew together. The old woman spoke in confusing circles. Child of the light? She opened her mouth to speak more, but the grandmother placed a weathered finger over her lips.

"The more you speak, the more the sinners hear you."

Adeline was bewildered. Sinners…? But the only two people that went down this hallway was Aunt Eleanor and the gentleman in black and white. Who was this woman referring to?

"If you wish to remain in the past, then you can continue walking backward."

But Adeline had been walking forward the entire time…

"There," the old woman pointed over Adeline\'s shoulders.

Adeline turned her head and looked. Sure enough, the dark hallway had a glimmer of light. It seemed the double doors were open by a small crack. But when she glanced back to thank the grandmother, the woman was nowhere to be found.

A chill ran down Adeline\'s back. She was unfamiliar with this place and its bizarre people.

"T-thank you," she finally managed to stutter out.

Spinning on her heels, Adeline rushed down the hallways and towards the double doors. Her hands lightly pushed it open, and her eyes widened in surprise.

The ballroom was empty.

Where did everyone go?

Adeline stepped out of the darkness and into the light. She peered around the enormous ballroom, with its expensive curtains and ever-expanding ceilings. When she peered up, she saw the beautiful depictions of angels and gods. Soft, rolling clouds of cotton, faded pastel dresses mingled with white, golden trimmings, everything about this place was picturesque.

Except, when she blinked, the angels spurted wings of black, as little horns flicked upon their golden-hair. Suddenly, the gods and goddesses were at war, their beautiful smiles twisted into sneers.

"What…"

Just as she blinked again, everything went back to normal.

Adeline was afraid. She had just walked down a haunting hallway then returned to an empty ballroom. What exactly had happened?

In the corner of her eyes, she noticed a few servants hurriedly walking into the ballroom. Their footsteps were light and quiet, moving with great ease and efficiency. They carried brooms, mops, buckets of water, dust fluffers, vacuums, and so on.

"U-uhm, excuse me…" Adeline trailed off as she approached one of them. Men and women alike wore pants, as it was easier to move around in.

"Oh goodness," the male servant breathed out.

The male servant was shaken by the sight of the guest. He was informed by the Head Butler that every guest had departed from the castle an hour ago. He didn\'t expect to see such a beautiful woman.

There was something so elegant about her timid expression and shimmering eyes of green. He had to blink a few times to regain his composure. So, she was a human.

"How may I help you, honored guest?" he politely asked.

"Did everyone leave…?"

"Yes, honored guest. Everyone went home a little over an hour ago."

Adeline was bewildered. Her stomach churned uncomfortably with the answer. It couldn\'t have been possible for her to be in the hallways for that long. At most, ten or fifteen minutes have passed. But an hour? It was beyond her wildest dreams.

"Shall I escort you outside, honored guest? Perhaps your chaperone is waiting for you outside as we speak."

Adeline instantly nodded her head. But first, she snuck a glance at the male servant. On his breast pocket, was an embroidered drawing of a thorn-covered crown. The symbol of the Luxton family.

He was a trusted servant of the castle.

Her raised shoulders relaxed a bit. "Yes please," she softly said.

The male servant bowed his head in response. Each and every guest invited into the ballroom was someone of high wealth or power. Or else, they could only dream of getting an invitation. The people selected here were far more prestigious than anyone could imagine, especially the dazzling daughters of fine features. After all, this was a gathering to select a suitable woman to wed his Majesty, the King.

The servant didn\'t dare to disrespect anyone. Even if she was a mere human.

"Come with me, honored guest—"

"There will be no need, Marlow."

The servant raised his head, startled by the calm and composed voice. The temperature around them dipped below the freezing point. If possible, icicles bloomed on top of the ballroom ceilings, despite the warm Autumn.

"Your Majesty!" Marlow hurriedly greeted. He dipped into an even lower bow, as low as his upper body would allow it. He began to tremble in his shoes. There were terrifying, satanic rumors surrounding the tyrannical King.

None dared to offend him, for they never lived to tell the tale. Murder was a punishment worthy of imprisonment, but who\'d dare to put one of the most powerful Pure-Bred in the world?

His Majesty\'s frigid eyes swept over the scene. His gaze narrowed upon Adeline. What was she doing here? He thought she had fled into the night. He had stationed people at the exit of the ball to grab her. But they came up empty-handed and claimed a woman of startling yellow hair and brilliant green eyes were nowhere to be seen.

"Marlow, go and join the rest of your peers," His Majesty cooly said. His voice was clipped, and left no room for argument—not that anyone dared to.

Marlow didn\'t need to be told twice. He hurriedly nodded and ran off, like a frightened animal freed from a heinous trap. He quickly picked up the mops and resumed his work.

"Elias—Your Majesty," she quickly corrected.

Adeline tightly gripped the sides of her dress. She was too worried by the sight of him to care about wrinkling her gown. Aunt Eleanor would give her an earful later. But she needed something to distract her from his grand title.

He cast her a heartless glance. Without warning, he turned around and walked off.

Adeline stood there like a lost child. She sullenly glanced at the ground, wondering if was going to leave her here. She would have to navigate this enormous castle to find the exit. But if her memory did not betray her, she would find it without too much trouble.

"Don\'t just stand there like an abandoned pet."

Adeline lifted her head, slightly happy at his words.

"Hurry along, my confused citizen."

Adeline\'s shoulders dropped in disappointment. Citizen…? It was the appropriate phrase, but she was not used to it. As horribly unoriginal as his nickname was for her, she preferred it much more than the cold "citizen."

Seeing her stand there like an idiot, Elias let out a small sigh. He stopped directly in front of her. She didn\'t even take a step back.

"Come," he coaxed her.

Adeline suppressed the naughty image that flashed in her head. He offered her a hand, large and calloused. She peered down at it, recalling how it felt upon her soft skin. With slow hesitation, she placed her hand over his palms. Instantly, he wrapped his fingers around her tiny ones.

His hand was cold. It was like she had touched the first fall of snow. For some reason, she did not mind it. Her fingers had been warm from her tight fists. Fire and ice. Together, they balanced each other out.

"That\'s a good girl," he teased.

He tugged her forward, and together, they walked towards the exit of the ballroom. A silence fell over them. For odd reasons, the silence did not bother her.