The winter ball was to commence in ten minutes. The largest hall in the castle had been prepared and was already to cater to the many guests that had arrived. Because there was such a large number of guests, people having arrived from far and near, the other halls in the castle were cleared and set up just for them. The bedrooms where the guests from afar would be staying were already set up with the bed sheets changed and everything else being cleaned.
The chefs were done with cooking the various meals that would be had that night. All of that was done in the absence of Esme, the old governess who had yet to wake up. She had left instructions before falling asleep, and whenever those instructions fell short, Layla would come in and clarify or correct any mistakes. There was no doubt that
