GABRIELLA'S POV The room was filled with tension as Nicklaus and I sat on opposite sides of the bed, our previous argument lingering in the air. But soon, Nicklaus's voice broke the silence, calling my name with a gentleness that melted my heart. "Baby…" he whispered, his voice soft and tender, as if he were afraid of breaking the fragile peace that had settled between us. Slowly, he lay down on the bed, beckoning me to join him. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if the rift between us had truly healed, but my longing for his touch overpowered my doubts. I crawled towards him and settled my head on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breath beneath me. In that moment, our physical closeness spoke volumes, but it was Nicklaus's words that truly reached the depths of my soul. He started drawing circles on my back, his touch both comforting and soothing, as he spoke with a mixture of vulnerability and earnestness. "Next time, promise me you won't volunteer yourself without tel

GABRIELLA'S POV Hand in hand, I walked with Nicklaus to the front row of seats. As we settled down, I silently mouthed a "thank you" to Morgan, who had taken the initiative to seat Estella directly across from us. A sense of relief washed over me as I looked at my Angel, grateful that she was finally venturing away from my side after the traumatic incident we had experienced together. She waved at me, and I waved back; she smiled, and I blew her a kiss. Amidst the bustling movement of the elders and appointed maids, who meticulously arranged everything to ensure order, I couldn't help but comment on the significance of the evening. "Tonight seems to be a bigger deal than I expected," I murmured, tilting my head to face Nicklaus. He nodded, his eyes shimmering with a hint of knowledge. "Yes, baby, a thorough search like this requires much more time and effort than we initially anticipated." Curiosity sparked within me as I observed him. "You seem to know a lot about this process—m

GABRIELLA'S POV "The Ceremony is beginning now and in this moment. Let there be no noise, let there be no distractions; let there be peace and tranquility," Argatha's voice resonated through the room, commanding our attention. Her words hung in the air, filling the space with a palpable sense of anticipation. I glanced at Nicklaus, my partner in this mysterious event, and we exchanged glances, our eyes filled with curiosity and excitement. We knew this was going to be an extraordinary experience. Together, we reached out to the napkins placed in front of our Abliscansandla mats, our hands trembling slightly with a mix of apprehension and eagerness. As I carefully unfolded the napkin, my breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened with astonishment. Before me lay an enchanting sight—a pink and yellow liquid shimmered gently in one bowl, while a mysterious green and black shiny powder filled the other. Nestled beside the bowls was a small, delicate stick, adding to the air of myst

GABRIELLA'S POV. "Yes, you haven't," he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness as he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. I leaned into his embrace, seeking comfort in his arms. "Okay, so first, Argatha revealed that tonight our initiation ritual would take place. She said that from 10 p.m. onwards, we wouldn't be able to eat anything anymore," I revealed, my voice trembling slightly with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. As I spoke, I held him closer, seeking solace in his presence. "What? Tonight? So soon? They should have given you more time, prepared you for all of this," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. Concern flashed in his eyes as he processed the suddenness of the situation. "Yes, she mentioned that some kind of concoction would be prepared for us, and she also said that we wouldn't be able to drink water," I explained, my voice quivering with unease at the thought of the challenges ahead. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm sorry you have to go through

GABRIELLA'S POV I groaned softly, weariness from the day settling into my bones, causing my body to protest. Rubbing my eyes, I yawned, feeling the heaviness of the evening surrounding me. I realized it was time to meet Margret, and a mix of curiosity and apprehension swirled within me. As I glanced at the empty space beside me on the bed, I couldn't help but miss Nicklaus's comforting presence. We had shared an intimate and passionate moment earlier, but now he was attending to his own tasks, as he had mentioned before we fell asleep. I smiled at the memory of his caring gestures - the way he had bathed me, selected my outfit, and fed me a meal with his own hands. Moments like these made me realize how fortunate I was to have him in my life. His kindness and thoughtfulness touched my heart deeply. With a determined sigh, I pushed aside the warmth of the bedcovers and rose, forcing myself to face the tasks ahead. I made my way to the bathroom, relieving myself and splashing cold wat