A few days later, behind the curtain in the vast dressing room, Luna and Aria tried on their dresses. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting warm beams across the space.
A long table lined the walls, cluttered with fabric and sketches, while a marble pillar stood proudly in the center, supporting the high ceiling.
The wooden floor gleamed with intricate patterns, and the floral-embroidered curtains swayed softly, adding to the room's quiet elegance as Luna and Aria changed into their dresses.
Luna was the first to step out, wearing her light chiffon gown. She gave a delighted spin, the fabric twirling like mist around her legs. As she turned, she caught sight of Aria emerging from behind the curtain.
Aria wore a soft rose gold chiffon dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a flowing, petal-like skirt. Silver embroidery traced the bodice, catching the light like morning dew, while an ivory ribbon cinched her waist in a gentle bow. The warm tones shimmered against her strawberry blonde hair, casting her in a quiet, radiant glow.
Luna's eyes sparkled. "You look amazing!" she cheered, skipping over and looking up at her sister with awe.
Aria smiled warmly, patting Luna's head before taking her hand. "We have to go—there's no time to waste!"
Luna nodded, her lips curling into a small but heartfelt smile.
Hand in hand, the two made their way to the door.
As it opened, Nyx awaited them.
He stood poised in a sharp midnight navy suit that hugged his V-shaped frame, accented by a charcoal vest and a steel-gray cravat that mirrored his piercing eyes. Silver buttons glinted subtly, and polished black boots completed the look—quiet strength wrapped in timeless elegance.
Turning toward them, Nyx extended a hand to Luna. She took it without hesitation, and together the three set off down the corridor, their footsteps soft on the plush red carpet, the rich color of the fabric contrasting against the polished stone floors.
Laughter echoed softly between the walls as they walked—smiling, teasing, basking in each other's company.
When they reached the Grand Hall doors, two assistants greeted them with a slight bow.
"Welcome. Enjoy the evening," they said in unison, pulling open the great doors, each adorned with a rose pattern, with practiced grace.
A golden light spilled through the gap in the gates, illuminating the towering chandelier overhead. It shimmered like a crown of stars, casting a warm, radiant glow across the marble floor.
From beyond the doors, the muffled hum of life began to creep through the cracks—laughter, music, and the lively chatter of a crowd in full celebration. As the gates opened wider, the sounds burst forth in full, revealing a grand hall brimming with life.
Hundreds of guests filled the space—cheering, dancing, talking, and enjoying themselves beneath the glittering light. The crowd was a vibrant tapestry of cultures and styles, each person dressed in their finest, their faces alight with joy and excitement.
The trio stepped inside.
Behind them, the doors closed with a soft, resounding thud.
Nyx and Aria scanned the crowd, searching for someone. Luna, still holding their hands, looked ahead with quiet curiosity.
Aria flinched, then smiled. "There—they're over there," she said, pointing toward a small group of four she and Nyx called friends standing near a open window with Silk Drapes flowing on a wind.
Nyx followed her gesture and nodded. "Oh, you're right."
Then he turned to Luna. "Do you want to come with us?"
Luna thought for a moment, considering. "I'll explore the hall instead," she said with a soft smile.
Aria hesitated, a flicker of concern crossing her face. She crouched to Luna's height and looked her in the eye. "Alright—but listen carefully. Don't leave the Grand Hall, no matter what. Guards are posted around the perimeter, and it's not safe beyond."
Luna shrugged off the worry, her voice light. "You don't have to fuss. Nothing's going to happen—nothing major."
Aria sighed. "Alright, go on then."
They let go of her hands.
Luna turned back one last time to see Aria smiling gently and Nyx giving her a small wave.
A pout tugged at her lips, quickly replaced by a growing smile. "Last time I was here, they closed it off before I could explore," she thought as she walked forward on a red carpet with delicate golden rose patterns at a slow, curious pace.
To her left, guests stood in circles with champagne glasses, chatting and laughing. To her right, people sat at long tables, eating, joking, and sharing stories over warm food and clinking silverware.
Luna, pleased by the lively atmosphere, marched confidently toward an arched opening at the far end of the hall.
She leaned forward, one hand resting against the smooth, ivory archway. To her right, a group of children played near a fountain, their laughter mixing with the soft music. The water sparkled beneath a marble statue of a rearing stag, its gilded antlers catching the chandelier's light.
To her left, there was only a quiet balcony under the night sky. The tall windows were open, and the sheer curtains fluttered gently in the breeze. Moonlight spilled across the marble floor, and the faint scent of lilacs and jasmine filled the air. It shines it's glory onto the city below, glimmer of lights mesmerising
Her heart stirred with wonder.
She stepped inside, walking softly along the carpet. A few children turned to glance at her, eyes wide with curiosity and awe. Luna noticed their stares—but the moment she looked their way, they quickly turned back, pretending not to watch. Yet when she looked away, their eyes returned to her.
With a quiet smile, Luna turned left and skipped toward the open balcony. Cool night air brushed against her skin as she stepped outside. She approached the stone balustrade and rested her hands gently on the carved surface.
Before her stretched a breathtaking view—lantern-lit buildings nestled beneath the dark, starry sky, glowing softly like they belonged to the night itself. The lights shimmered in perfect harmony with the world around them.
Luna's breath caught. "Wow," she whispered, utterly spellbound.
She had fallen in love with the scene—one whose beauty only the eyes could truly understand.
Then—
A faint rustle echoed from the entryway behind her. Luna heard it and slowly turned.
Four children stood at the threshold: three boys and one girl.
The boys stood with cocky grins, while the girl hung back, quiet and uncertain.
One of the boys stepped forward, arms crossed. "Who are you?" he asked with a frown.
The second followed quickly. "We don't want you here."
The last boy chimed in, parroting the others with more bite than words: "Yeah! Who are you? We don't want you!"
The girl stayed silent, eyes flicking between Luna and the boys.
Luna blinked, unsure what to make of the confrontation.
She tilted her head, stepping forward just slightly.
"And who are you guys?" she asked, her voice calm but curious.
The first boy said, "I'm Arry!"
He had smooth, flat blue hair that fell neatly across his forehead. His pearl-gray eyes were sharp but softened at the edges, like cold glass just beginning to fog. His face mirrored that same balance—angular in structure, yet faintly rounded, as if the sharpness hadn't fully settled in.
The second followed with a smug grin. "I'm David!"
Tallest of the three, David stood with a casual arrogance. His jet-black eyes were piercing and narrow, lacking warmth. His hair was a fiery red, styled in flat, pointed tufts that looked like they might cut the air. A sharp chin and hard lines defined his face, every angle seeming deliberate—meant to intimidate.
The last one snorted, "I'm Sav!"
shortest of them three, Sav's green hair puffed out in wild, fluffy waves, untamed and playful. His eyes were a soft, rounded blue, wide with boyish energy. Unlike the others, his face was full and round, giving him a more innocent appearance—though his smirk betrayed something less harmless.
Arry stepped forward with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You don't belong here."
Luna blinked, surprised by the sudden hostility. "What?"
David chuckled darkly. "Seriously, what are you even supposed to be? You look like something that crawled out of a grave and put on a dress."
Sav laughed until a tear rolled down his cheek. "Yeah! Like a dead thing playing make-believe. Is this your funeral or something?"
Luna stiffened. Her expression darkened, and her fingers curled slightly against her dress.
"I… I'm here with my family," she said softly but steadily, keeping her gaze on them.
Arry scoffed. "Family? Who'd claim you?"
David's grin widened. "Maybe they're just keeping you around out of pity. You look like you're one sneeze away from vanishing."
"I'm not—" Luna began, her voice fragile.
But Sav cut her off. "Your skin's weird. Like wax. Are you made of candle wax? Should we keep you away from the chandelier so you don't melt?"
Arry leaned in, cupping his hand to his mouth like he was sharing a secret. "You scare people, you know. You walk like a shadow. Talk like one too. You give everyone the chills."
Luna's breath caught. Her eye twitched. Tears gathered silently in her eyes.
"I don't mean to," she whispered.
"But you do," David said, quieter now. Closer. Colder. "You exist, and it's wrong."
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Only silence.
"You're like a ghost pretending to be human," Sav sneered. "I bet if we pushed you, you'd just shatter."
The world dimmed. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears like a war drum.
Arry stepped forward again, voice soft but full of venom. "I don't think your family actually loves you. I think they're just waiting."
Luna blinked, trying to steady her breath.
"…Waiting for what?" she asked, the words trembling.
David didn't even pause. "For the day you finally disappear. So they can stop pretending you matter."
The words hit like a blade sliding between ribs. She didn't move. She couldn't. For the first time… she truly felt it. That hollow space inside her chest. The one she'd tried to ignore.
"Don't cry," Sav added, sneering. "That would be pathetic."
Behind them, the quiet girl still said nothing. Her lips were pressed tight, her wide eyes filled with silent guilt.
Luna turned to the balcony, legs stiff, face pale. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction. She wouldn't let them see her break.
But inside… something cracked.
Her hands trembled as they found the stone balustrade. She stared out over the city, its lights blurring as tears welled and refused to fall.
The air smelled of jasmine, but it offered no comfort now.
"I matter," she whispered to no one, to nothing—trying to believe it. But her voice was small. Smaller than ever.
She left the balcony in silence.
Behind her, their laughter echoed—twisted and cruel, like the tolling of a bell for something lost.
And as always, Luna tucked her pain deep into the shadows of her soul.
A place no one would ever see.