Well, Father didn't know that she had danced and was now planning to meet the lad in the garden right after dinner. I hoped no one would find out.
After some time, servants served the food and we all began eating following Mr. Viremont's brief speech. It was a good thing Morwenna had left early because of some business idea; now I could eat without having to remain overly formal. Then again, there were too many people around, so I still had to maintain my best behavior.
Throughout the entire dinner, Aurelian didn't look at me even once. Not that I was complaining, but who did he think he was?
After dinner, the other young ladies and I waited for the games and drinks to heat up so we could sneak out. Tamsin was really starting to get worried.
"I was gone for just one hour and you've already started another round of trouble."
Tamsin said, her tone laced with concern and a hint of annoyance. I replied casually, "Don't worry, it's not like you're the one meeting him. Besides, my grandmother isn't here."
Tamsin turned toward me, lowering her voice as she added, "But what if he tries to do something?"
I could tell Lysandra agreed with her words, yet she kept her mouth shut. Cassia casually jumped into the conversation.
"No, he isn't the type of person who would do something inappropriate. Besides, we will be there too." Cassia crossed her legs and added jokingly, "And we have heels that will hurt."
She was right—there was nothing to worry about. As the games and drinks heated up, servants circulated with wine and snacks while the adults played their games. That was when we decided to go.
We moved toward the garden. I had seen Aurelian head in the same direction a while ago; we simply needed to find him among the paths. Bright lanterns illuminated the garden walkways, while moonlight bathed the rest of the grounds in a soft glow. We passed my favorite flower beds and bushes, carrying a lantern of our own.
Then we spotted Aurelian, standing in the middle of a clearing beside the benches, staring up at the sky. The lanterns around him cast a warm pool of light across the ground. Even so, his light-absorbing black suit still looked daring and striking.
When we drew closer to the benches, Aurelian turned toward us with a genuine smile. He really was glad I had come, wasn't he?
"So you decided to come after all. And you're not late."
Aurelian sat down on the bench beside him, leaning back comfortably and resting one arm along the backrest. He didn't seem bothered in the slightest that I had brought company.
"Have a seat. Let's chat," Aurelian said with a smile, then turned toward the others and added, "I don't mind you being here, but please maintain some distance and don't eavesdrop on us."
Cassia nodded, and the other two followed with slight hesitation. They retreated to a bench a few paces away—close enough to remain visible and within reach, which was reassuring.
"Are you just going to stand there? Have a seat, please," Aurelian said casually.
I sat down on the bench, carefully adjusting my gown and smoothing my hair. In that moment, I caught him staring at me with a dreamy smile. Then he looked away, letting out a soft giggle he didn't even try to hide.
"So, what do you have in mind? Why did you call me here?"
Aurelian looked at me as if the answer were obvious and replied, "I called you here to hear your response to my question and to discuss where this relationship goes."
"What relationship? We just met a few hours ago. Don't get any ideas."
I said casually, turning my gaze away. The words hit him. Aurelian paused for a moment, though I could tell he was laughing at himself on the inside.
"I thought you would say something like that, even though I was on your mind for those few hours."
Aurelian spoke with quiet confidence. I crossed my arms and fixed him with a narrowed stare. "I wasn't. You can't read minds."
"Come on," he interrupted, "I come from a family of lawyers. I can read people like a book."
Aurelian spoke with confidence—for me, it bordered on overconfidence. Yet he had read me correctly a few times already, and his lawyer background granted him certain privileges in that regard.
"You shouldn't say that. There is always room to learn."
Aurelian breathed out and nodded slowly. Good—at least he recognized when he was stepping out of character. On second thought, that trait could prove dangerous as well.
"You are right," he said.
"You come from a tier-one family," I began, my tone turning serious. "I'm from tier three. So why me?"
This question mattered deeply to me. Anyone in my position would have asked the same. Still, I doubted I would receive the honest answer I sought; I would simply have to make my own guess.
"I know people discriminate openly," he started, his gaze drifting toward the sky. "But I don't. To be honest, I don't care. Because there are shitty people in tier three. It doesn't make us different."
Really? He didn't care? Let's assume that was true—then what about his parents? I didn't trust any adult when it came to discrimination. Yet they had still come to this party. The thought gave my brain a thorough workout.
"You can trust my parents. They are not as bad as you think."
Aurelian said casually. My eyes widened and I turned toward him with a small gasp. How had he just read my mind like that?
"Don't act surprised. I was acting overconfident, I know, but I wasn't lying."
Aurelian didn't let me speak, continuing with a confident smile. I composed myself, clearing my throat.
"Besides, you shouldn't doubt it. I will be a lawyer."
Aurelian said while stretching his arms and back. "And you live in the safest nation ever known."
His words grew proud and honored, echoing the same reverence shared by those who lived in and loved this nation. He continued, "The Grand Dominion of Liliara."
"Yes, the safest place on earth," I said casually—almost too casually, as if I didn't fully agree.
Aurelian caught the nuance instantly and didn't hesitate to press. "That's such an odd way to speak about the nation you live in."
I breathed out. "I'm simply not that interested in history, or the political system, or laws, maybe." I added, "I can have different opinions."