Bryn's eyes lingered on Laela for a moment, taking in her features with obvious interest.

Aiden caught that look and didn't like how Bryn looked at Laela, but he kept his cool about it. His jaw tightened slightly, though his expression remained neutral.

Chief Hensworth clapped his hands together cheerfully. "Well then, everyone please enjoy yourselves! There's plenty of food, drink, and music. This is a night of celebration!" With that, he moved on to greet other guests who had arrived, working his way through the crowded hall.

The group dispersed slightly, with Lord Cedric and Lady Vivienne engaging in conversation with other nobles. Arianna found herself standing near a decorative column when she overheard two young noblewomen whispering nearby.

"Did you see them?" one giggled, fanning herself. "Both of them are absolutely handsome."

"I know!" her companion whispered back excitedly. "I'm so glad my parents brought me to their coming of age ceremony. Do you think either of them will ask us to dance?"

Arianna's stomach sank as realization washed over her. Her father brought her to this ceremony intentionally to introduce her to the chief's sons so that she could probably become more than a regular acquaintance. This wasn't just a simple escort mission at all.

She sighed, feeling almost disappointed, though it didn't come as much of a surprise to her.

Her father had always done everything with some reason behind it. It was his nature.

At that moment, the lively music faded and a slower, more romantic melody began to play. Couples started pairing up and moving toward the dance floor.

Bran approached Arianna with a confident smile and extended his hand. "Lady Arianna, would you honor me with this dance?"

Deep down, the only person she wished would have asked her to a dance was Aiden, but she knew that could not happen. She forced a smile onto her face and took Bran's hand. "Of course."

He led her to the dance floor, placing one hand on her waist and taking her other hand in his.

-----

Piers, Aiden, and Kayden were standing in a different corner at the back of the hall when they saw that.

Piers nudged Aiden with his elbow and grinned. "Well, they do look good together, don't they?"

The comment made Kayden feel annoyed in a way.

Suddenly the thought of Bran and Arianna being the better couple than he and Arianna would ever be made him feel annoyed inside, and his face formed a frown. He looked away, unable to watch them dance.

However, almost at the same time, Bryn had walked towards Laela and Elena who were standing together at a different corner near the refreshment table.

"Good evening, ladies," Bryn said with a charming smile, though his attention was clearly focused on Laela. He extended his hand toward her. "Would you do me the honor of a dance?"

Laela's eyes widened slightly. She was too nervous to say no and just obliged shyly. "I… yes, alright."

Elena gave her an encouraging smile as Bryn led her to the dance floor.

Kayden was the first to see it before Piers and Aiden noticed. A smirk crossed his face as he decided to get at Aiden too. He turned to Aiden and said, "I bet they look good too."

Aiden felt anger surge through him looking at that.

Aside from the feeling in his chest that was jealousy, there was this instinct of his as a dragon that felt like someone was about to take away one of his many treasures from his pile of gold and treasures.

And dragons hated when things were taken from them.

Aiden stared hard for a long moment with his fist clenched as if he was going to react badly. His eyes flickered dangerously, and for a moment Piers actually took a small step back.

Then Aiden snapped out of it.

He realized this was probably the high amount in the dragon curse meter that had started influencing him and making him think more like a dragon.

He needed to get away before it got any better of him.

"Excuse me," Aiden said tersely, turning on his heel and heading toward the exit.

"Aiden?" Piers called after him, but he was already gone.

-----

The ceremony continued for another couple of hours. Music played, people danced, and conversations flowed freely. The twins, Bryn and Bran, spent most of their time with Arianna and Laela respectively.

Near the end of the night, Arianna overheard more whispers from the same noblewomen from earlier, though their tone had changed considerably.

"Can you believe it?" one of them said bitterly. "They barely even looked at anyone else all night."

"I know," her friend replied with obvious jealousy. "That Greystone girl and that elf took up all their attention. What a waste of a dress."

Arianna felt a mixture of guilt and irritation at their words.

Finally, Chief Hensworth announced that the formal portion of the evening was coming to a close, and guests began making their way toward the exits, thanking their hosts and offering congratulations to the twins once more.

The Greystones and the guild members started heading back to their carriages. Lord Cedric was in good spirits, chatting with Lady Vivienne about how well the evening went.

They reached the carriages, and Lord Cedric turned to help his wife up when Arianna's voice cut through the night air.

"That's why you really brought me here, wasn't it?"

Lord Cedric turned, confused. "What are you talking about, Arianna?"

"This whole mission," Arianna said, her voice rising with each word. "You only caused this whole thing because you wanted to introduce me to those boys so that conversations that may likely lead to a union of our families may ensue!"

"Arianna, I—"

"No!" she cut him off, her hands balling into fists. "I hate how you always calculate and do whatever it is that pleases you with my life, as if I was some pawn!"

The word 'pawn' came out with this particular feeling, and her voice cracked slightly.

The memory of Thamoryn using her body, controlling her like a puppet, flashed through her mind. And now her own father was doing the same thing, just in a different way.

Lord Cedric stood there, too dumbfounded to say anything.

"I'll be riding back with my friends that I came with," Arianna said coldly, turning toward the second carriage.

"Arianna, wait," Lady Vivienne tried, but her daughter was already walking away.

-----

The ride back was tense and quiet. Arianna sat stiffly in the carriage with Aiden, Laela, Piers, Oliver, and Elena, staring out the window.

When they arrived back at the Greystone estate, everyone stepped out into the courtyard.

"Well," Arianna said to her friends, her voice still carrying an edge, "our mission is complete. We should leave for the guild."

"Now?" Oliver asked, surprised. "But it's the middle of the night."

"I don't care," Arianna said firmly. "Let's go."

Lord Cedric stepped forward, his expression pained. "Arianna, please. Don't leave like this. Stay the night at least. We can talk in the morning."

"There's nothing to talk about," Arianna replied without looking at him.

Lady Vivienne tried next, her voice softer. "Darling, please. Just stay tonight. You must be exhausted."

"I'm fine," Arianna said stubbornly.

Then Aiden stepped forward and spoke calmly. "Arianna."

She turned to look at him, and something in his steady gaze made her pause.

"It's late," Aiden said quietly. " Stay tonight and come back in the morning."

Arianna stared at him for a long moment, then her shoulders sagged slightly. She couldn't help but agree when he asked her that way.

"Fine," she said softly. Then she turned to her parents. "But my friends are staying here too. All of them."

Lord Cedric nodded quickly, relief evident on his face. "Of course. There's room for everyone. Martha will show them to the guest quarters."

"Thank you, Father," Arianna said, though her tone was still cool.

-----

Martha bustled about, showing the guests to various rooms. Arianna chose to share her large room with Laela and Elena, wanting the company of her female friends.

Kayden opted to stay in the room they always let him stay in as a guest each time he visited, a comfortable space he was familiar with. That and not wanting to share a single bed with Aiden and Piers.

That left Aiden and Piers sharing another guest room. It was a nice space with one huge bed, a washbasin, and a window overlooking the gardens.

"Well, that was quite an evening," Piers said as he flopped onto a side of the bed.

Aiden nodded in agreement but said nothing more before sitting at the edge.

Piers yawned and stretched. "I'm going to find the loo before bed. Be back in a bit." He stood and headed out the door.

-----

About twenty minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door.

Aiden looked up, surprised. Piers wouldn't be knocking, they already let them have the room as guests. "Come in." He said

The door opened slowly, and Arianna stepped inside, she was wearing a night gown that traced the contours of her body. One could see her nipple's shape through it.

She closed the door behind her and stood there for a moment, looking uncertain.

"I… I saw Piers in the hallway," she said quietly.

He had gotten lost at some point and luckily she heard his footsteps and came to point him in the right direction.

Aiden stood. "Are you alright?"

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