CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE.

I felt sorry for Chiara-serafina. She was slowly losing the battle to her Simus, yet, she was unaware of it.

Even as I slept through the night, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Her condition was worrisome and her ailment was yet to have a solution.

Carly helped pick out a red gown from my closet, one the color of my hair. There was only a night left for the duel between Alexander and Calixto, and my father prepared an evening dinner to acknowledge the duel. I was told sage Bernadette also planned on making an announcement.

Heather helped me make my hair into a twisted low bun. She didn't apply any make-up on my face, rather she used oil on it. I was dressed up and I went down to the hall where the dinner was being held. I went alone since Alexander already went ahead of me. He had things to discuss with his cousins— Julian and Alphonse, who were already present at the hall.

Calixto honey scent ambushed my senses as I made my way into the hall. I had almost forgotten about how an