Side chapter: Cinderella part 2

The ballroom, for all its glittering grandeur, felt like a powder keg on the verge of exploding. The fallen suitor, still sputtering nonsense about his "graceful demonstration," was swiftly ushered away by guards. This left a momentary lull in the chaos—a calm before the storm.

Layla smirked, taking another lazy sip of wine. The heavy scent of jasmine and candle wax hung in the air, clinging to the crush of perfumed bodies. Around her, the crowd churned with whispers, eager for the challenges to begin.

"Strength of character, huh?" Layla muttered under her breath. She shifted her weight, the cool leather of her heeled combat boots grounding her amidst the pompous nonsense. "This ought to be good."