88. Finding Alliances

|| Lilac’s POV || The day of the party arrived sooner than expected, as if time itself had conspired to push us toward the inevitable. Moonvale’s grand hall was a sight to behold, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers and the flickering light of countless candles. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the rich aroma of roasted meats and spiced wines. The room buzzed with laughter and conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of music from the string quartet in the corner. It was a celebration, but beneath the surface, tension simmered like a pot about to boil over. I stood near the entrance with my family, Dad and Mom flanking me like silent sentinels. Ezra, my younger brother, fidgeted beside me, his eyes wide as he took in the grandeur of the hall. He was still too young to fully grasp the stakes of tonight, but I could see the determination in his eyes. He wanted to prove himself, to step up and be part of this world. I reached over and sque