I furrowed my brow and swung the door open.


    Outside the door to the innermost room, a servant crumpled to the floor in terror and stumbled backward.


    “Dead people! There’re dead people in this room!”


    His cry,den with fright, quickly drew a crowd of guests who stayed overnight.


    I advanced towards the servant and neared the room.


    Before I could get a clear view inside, an overpowering scent of blood assaulted my senses, and I recoiled in shock.


    Before I could gather my bearings, arge hand obscured my vision from behind.


    “Don’t look; it’s too gruesome, Caleb murmured, his voice low and grave.


    ”


    I leaned back against a solid chest, the familiar scent providing an odd sense offort.


    Though I had only caught a glimpse, I was certain the deceased were Keenan and the waiter who took me to this floorst night.


    Theyy in the bed, devoid of clothing.


    The bedcovers were tousled, permeated with an intense odor of s@x.


    Their deaths seemed sudden and brutal-caught utterly off guard.


    As the curious crowd pressed closer, their reactions varied upon seeing the grim scene.


    “Oh God! Keenan is dead!”


    “I never would’ve guessed Keenan was into men.


    ”


    “The stench in here is disgusting.


    What did they dost night to leave such a lingering smell?”


    “People perished during the engagement party.


    I realized then that marrying a mixed-blood witch was considered a bad omen.


    ”


    Murmurs spread among the crowd.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    “Shut up!”


    Their whispers were sharply cut off.


    Andrew approached with a grave expression, and the guests fell silent upon noticing him.


    I slipped my hand from Caleb’s grip and turned towards Andrew.


    He surveyed the turmoil around him, his expression growing stormier.


    Such a spectacle at his own engagement party could only damage his reputation.


    Yet, Andrew didn’t address the chaos immediately.


    Instead, his gaze met mine.


    He moved closer and asked softly, “Are you alright? If this upsets you, I can have someone take you back to rest.


    ”


    As he concluded, Caleb, who had been lingering behind me, scoffed.


    Andrew’s gaze snapped towards him, his warmth vanishing into a chill.