Chapter 145
As if my mind hadn’t already been troubled enough with work stress, now I had to wait anxiously, thinking about whatever surprise Celine had in store for me.
’ Dude, you could just call off the Ball. Y’know… Like you should’ve done days ago when she first talked abou t it!’ Damon said with a scoff in my mind, only adding to my frustration.
’ But seriously, this is bad. If the people of the continent find out what you—’
“I know, Damon!” I snapped physically, banging my right hand on the hardwood desk and causing a dent to appear on it as my voice shook the office.
I clenched my fists, trying to calm myself and my emotions, when another knock sounded at my office door.
“Leave!” I blurted, lying back on my seat.
I couldn’t cancel the charity Ball. It was my closest shot at strengthening the diplomatic ties between the witches and werewolves of the continent.
It was also an avenue for me to showcase my coexistence with Odessa.
Anyway, the door swung open despite my order, and Marcellus was the one who peeked his head into the office, his eyebrows furrowed as he scanned his gaze around wearily.
“Wait, so there’s no one here?” He queried, sounding surprised as he fixed his gaze on me. “Then why are you in that mood? The maids outside your office already scampered away like deer being hunted because of that yell you made.”
I clicked my tongue, looking away from him before I remarked plainly. “Good. Let them.”
He stood there at the entrance for a few seconds, scrutinizing me before he finally stepped in and closed the door behind him.
“I’m guessing this isn’t a good time.” He blurted with a knowing tone, while I flashed a sarcastic smile in return.
“Thank you, Marcellus. For your insightful observation.” I said, rolling my eyes, before I placed the fingers of my right hand on my forehead.
“Celine, her forsaken mother, the charity ball, the problems arising left and right in the pack, the rogues… So many things happening at once, Marcellus. I feel like I’m at the brink of insanity.”
I didn’t look at his face, but I could feel the pity he felt at that moment. And I hated it.
It made me feel weak, incompetent. Vulnerable.
“Hey, just relax, okay?” He suddenly spoke up, making himself comfortable by sitting on one of the chairs in front of me. “With the charity ball tonight, you can address the issue with the rogues and strengthen the people’s trust in your rule. Two birds with one stone.”
I smiled wryly, letting out a heavy breath before I raised my head and stared at his face.
“Do you know if anyone from the Luminari Coven would attend?” I queried, drumming my fingers on the armrest of my seat.
Marcellus had a thoughtful look in his eyes, but then shrugged. “No clue. But I did hear Celine mentioning something about inviting only the most important guests. I also heard rumors of the president of America from the human side attending.”
The American president…
Ever since the war, most human governments had been abolished, as many stuck with allying with witches in groups/covens.
The American president was the only high power on the continent left in the human side, but even then, his power and influence were fickle, yet respected nonetheless.
“That’s some good news if it turns out to be true,” I said with a sigh, nodding. “He’ll be able to relay my words more easily to the humans who don’t want anything to do with witches or werewolves.”
Marcellus nodded as well, snapping his fingers with a smirk. “Now that’s the spirit! You see, you’ll be fine. Anyway, what are you going to wear tonight? Don’t tell me it’s some boring suit.”
I rolled my eyes but allowed myself to smile as I listened to Marcellus’ bantering.
.
.
Nighttime finally arrived, and with it, the Charity Ball.
I stepped out of my room, wearing a tailored blood red coat with silver runes sewn down the collars.
The dark cape trailing behind me shimmered faintly under the lights in the hallway, a silver clasp shaped like a snarling wolf keeping it fastened at my shoulder.
My boots were silent as I dusted my hands and glanced at Layla, who was waiting for me outside my room.
Her lips were parted with surprise before she remarked.
“You look glamorous, sir. I’m afraid you might overshadow your wife and the Luna Queen in terms of outfits.” Content originally comes from.net
I didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or as an insult.
’I told you you look like an overdressed peacock.’ Damon remarked in my mind with a mocking tone, but I ignored him as I gestured formally at Layla to lead the way.
“What’s the situation at the event building?” I queried, my expression plain as we got to the stairs, and we descended.
Layla glanced back at me before she cleared her throat and spoke. “Well, your wife has already gotten there with her maid. The members of your Council are also there already, as well as the Luna Queen.”
I nodded, trailing my hand down the railing.
When we finally got outside, I blurted curiously. “What about the guests from the human and witch sides?”
The moon shone brightly above us, but tonight, its light was obscured by heavy clouds, signalling possible rain. I could already pick up the scent.
’That should be a bad omen if I’ve ever seen any.’ I thought to myself as Layla answered my last question.
“The American president is present alongside a few top members of human society. Witches from the top covens on the continent are in attendance, including a few emissaries from the Luminari Coven.”
My eyebrows furrowed at that last part. The Luminari Coven?
When we finally approached the large event building, my gaze fell on Odessa standing at the last step. She was gorgeous, her silver white gown glimmering with the tiny rhinestones around it.
Her wavy blonde hair cascaded like a waterfall behind her, but she seemed anxious as she spoke to a young woman who was around her age.
I sniffed into the air before even getting there, my eyes widening with realization.
It was a witch. And from the symbol of a twinkling yellow star sewn behind her gown, it was clear that she was one of the Luminari coven’s emissaries.
Why did she look familiar?