The grand table stretched across the entire length of the hall, offering a breathtaking sight. It was filled with such richness that it left the guests nearly speechless. Golden-brown roasted meats, including plump pheasant, tender lamb, and glistening trout, were joined by piles of creamy mashed potatoes, shiny roasted root vegetables, and vibrant green beans that sparkled in the candlelight. Baskets held warm, crackling loaves of freshly baked bread, alongside silver bowls brimming with exotic fruits, their rich colors inviting against the gleaming silver platters.
Delicate pastries with golden edges shone under the soft glow of the chandeliers. They were filled with honey and nuts that glimmered like jewels. Crystal decanters of deep red wine and chilled white wine circulated among the guests, the liquid swirling gently in ornate goblets as they indulged. The air was thick with the sweet and savory aromas of the feast, a mix of smells that made even the most refined guests' stomachs rumble with hunger.
Winny sat gracefully at the far end of the table. She was the picture of composure, her calm gaze scanning the spread of food before her. She helped herself to a generous portion of pheasant, her movements practiced and elegant. The soft clink of her knife and fork against the porcelain plate was the only sound she made, her face serene and difficult to read.
Beside her, Cathy's eyes widened in awe, wonder lighting up her face. She hesitated briefly, unsure of where to start, before eagerly filling her plate with roasted vegetables, a thick slice of warm bread, and an overflowing bowl of exotic fruits. She seemed almost overwhelmed by the extravagance of it all. The smell of the roasted meats, fresh bread, and sweet fruit seemed to intoxicate her, and she ate with the excitement of someone who had never experienced such luxury before.
The other students sat in silence, entranced by the meal's splendor, though some looked distracted by the steady flow of servants gliding between the guests. Their hands were always busy, refilling glasses or offering more bread. It felt like the feast would never end—there was always something more to sample. While the atmosphere brimmed with plenty, a subtle tension lingered beneath it, something unspoken yet palpable.
At the head of the table, the baron stood and raised his goblet to signal the beginning of his speech. His voice rang out, deep and commanding, as he launched into a lengthy monologue about the guests' importance and the significance of the occasion. He spoke as if he expected his words to be received with full attention, but to the new students, the speech quickly became a jumbled blur of formalities. Their interest faded fast.
Winny stifled a yawn, her fingers tracing the rim of her goblet. Cathy glanced at her, then at the others. They exchanged a look, an unspoken agreement passing between them. The baron's speech felt never-ending, each word weighing heavier than the last. Even Mateo, normally polite, shifted uncomfortably, his gaze wandering across the hall, searching for anything to break the monotony.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Mateo leaned toward the others and whispered, barely audible over the baron's booming voice, "We should leave."
Winny looked around, and the others nodded in agreement. They exchanged quick glances, their plan coming together in their minds. Without making a sound, they rose from their seats one by one and carefully moved toward the door. The room was so absorbed in the baron's speech that they went unnoticed, their departure barely a murmur amid the lavish banquet.
As they reached the door, a guard stepped forward, blocking their way.
"What are you doing?" the guard demanded, instinctively reaching for his sword.
The students froze, caught off guard by the interruption. Just as the tension thickened, the baron glanced up from his seat at the head of the table. His gaze met the guard's—no words were said but the message was clear. A flicker in the baron's eyes, a slight shift in his expression, was all it took. The guard hesitated and then stepped back, nodding in understanding.
"Let them go," the baron said, his voice low. His tone was dismissive, as if he had lost interest in the matter. "Fine. You may have some free time."
A cheer erupted from the group of students, their spirits lifting as they hurried out of the hall. The heavy wooden doors closed behind them with a soft thud, and the sounds of the banquet—laughter, clinking glasses, endless chatter—faded into the background.
The common room they entered was nothing like the grandeur of the banquet hall. It was cozy with soft cushions scattered across the floor, and a faint hum of unfamiliar technology filled the air. Strange devices they did not recognize sat around, their glowing lights casting an eerie glow on the walls. The space felt inviting yet mysterious, full of potential.
"Wow…" Cathy breathed, her voice filled with wonder. The others murmured in agreement, their curiosity sparked by the oddities in the room. They had never seen anything like this—it was nothing like what they had imagined on their arrival at the baron's estate.
The students huddled together, unsure of what to do next. They looked around, wide-eyed and intrigued, but it was Catherine who broke the silence. Her voice rang with excitement across the room.
"Let's learn more about the Forbidden History," she suggested, her eyes shining with the thrill of a new adventure.
"But… who even knows about the Forbidden History?" Melissa asked, furrowing her brow in confusion.
The others turned to look at Winny, the only one who had been silent throughout the conversation. Winny, usually mysterious, sighed deeply, as if resigned to something unavoidable.
"Fine," she said, her tone a mix of reluctant acceptance and faint amusement. "I know the story, and I'll tell you."
The others leaned in closer, their curiosity evident. The room seemed to grow quieter, the light flickering slightly as Winny cleared her throat. Her eyes took on a distant look, as if she were about to recall a long-buried memory.
"Once…"
The word hung in the air like a spell, the beginning of something ancient and mysterious. The Forbidden History was about to unfold, and the others could feel it—whatever was coming would change everything.