Chapter 154

• MALIA’S POV
• Tiny candles were placed at each table, their soft flicker making the entire room feel cosy despite its grandeur. Even the chairs had been adorned with flowing silk ribbons that matched the floral arrangements, giving everything an ethereal, almost fairy-tale-like quality.
• The far end of the ballroom, where the musicians were stationed, added to the romantic ambience. A small string quartet was softly playing a classical piece, their music filling the space without overwhelming it. I could already feel the melody seeping into my bones, calming the nerves that had been simmering beneath the surface all day.