Katelina let Verchiel take her into the ballroom.

The giant clock from the feast still stood in its place, flanked by a pair of glittering fake trees and wreathed in flowers. A large mirror was inserted into the fireplace, and decorated as a fantasy portal. The walls of the ballroom were covered in paper painted in blue, pink, and gold, like a sunset. In one corner was a forest of more sparkling fake trees. The branches were dotted with miniature fairies. Jewel centered ...