Bab 83: Dance and kiss

The room fell into an expectant hush as the announcer's voice once again filled the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the grand staircase, where the resplendent Lydia makes her entrance."

All eyes turned as Lydia appeared at the top of the stairs. She was a vision in black and white, her gown a masterpiece of design that whispered of both night's mystery and twilight's charm.

The bodice, a deep black velvet that hugged her form, transitioned into a flowing skirt of white chiffon, layers upon layers cascading down like the petals of a midnight bloom.

Her blond hair was styled in an elegant updo, strands artfully pulled back to reveal the graceful line of her neck, while a few loose curls framed her face, softening the sophistication with a touch of whimsy.