"Here. Your acceptance."
The crimson envelope glided across the table, its journey ending right at the edge where the young woman sat, her eyes weary and filled with gloom. As it settled before her, a profound numbness seized her senses, extinguishing the chill in the air and diminishing the wafting fragrance of the candles. The room plunged into darkness as every single light source dimmed down till the shimmering silver seal that glistened upon the envelope was the only thing she could see.
"Hiln!"
The stern voice shattered her trance, snapping her back to reality. She lifted her head to meet her aunt's cross sneer, the epitome of disapproval etched on the old woman's face. Strome reclined in her plush seat, cradling a large pink snake against her chest. Wrinkled fingers trembled with vigour as she tenderly caressed the slumbering serpent's head.
