I rushed across the room toward Ella, wrapping my arms tightly around her small, shaking frame as her body trembled with deep, uncontrollable sobs. I pulled her close, my heart pounding with worry as I searched her tear-stained face. "Why are you crying so hard, Ella?" I asked, my voice laced with desperate concern. "What on earth happened after I left? I really hope you didn't get caught by Deborah or those guards!" Ella squeezed her eyes shut, fresh tears spilling over her wet cheeks as she shook her head frantically. "No... no, I didn't get caught," she whimpered, her voice cracking with pure emotion. "But I was so terrified for you, Luna Fedora! I was completely paralyzed with fear that Elijah was going to snap and kill you right there in that ballroom!" She wailed loudly, burying her face directly into the fabric of my dress, her shoulders heaving as she cried even harder. I let out a soft, exasperated sigh, gently stroking her back to soothe her. "You always do this, Ella," I
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