The Lord’s Visit And A Piqued Interest

(Main Hall)

Jack and Aria walk around cautiously making sure all preparations are done properly "Looks like everything is in order, what do you think Jack?" Jack nods "Yes, my lady, I agree" they stumble slightly as they walk and sigh "I forgot I was wearing heels, I'm too used to flats" Aria nods "Indeed, let's go upstairs and try and help you walk properly" Jack nods and follows Aria upstairs.

(Upstairs, Hallway)

Jack walks up and down while Aria makes sure they're walk is perfect, Jack manages to finish walking the whole length of the hallway and back without stumbling once "There you go that should do for now, I'll inform mother to swap your flats for heels as well for more practice" Jack nods "Understood" Aria smiles "Good" they head back downstairs.

(Two hours later, Main Hall)

Lady Varian smiles as Lord Zalon takes a seat opposite her "Aura, how are you as of late?" Aura smiles "I am fine Bryce what about you?" He sighs "Not great I'm afraid, we have suffered many casualties from defending against the lunar beasts and they show no sign of stopping" Aura grimaces "Oh...that's unfortunate, can I do anything to assist?" Zalon shakes his head "No, I wouldn't want to put your people at risk" Aura nods "Fair enough...will your family be joining us?" He nods "My son will be here shortly no doubt followed by his friend/bodyguard" Aura's eyes widen slightly "What kind?" Bryce sighs "Moor, a royal knight...a rather young man I believe he's only about 19 or so but his skill is almost unbelievable" Aura gasps slightly "Ah, I see" Bryce smiles "What of your family?" Aura smiles "My daughter is here along with a new worker of mine" Bryce's eyes widen "Oh, who are they?" A lovely child by the name of Jack, they and my daughter have become fast friends" Bryce strokes his chin "Interesting-" footsteps and clacking of heels are heard and Bryce and Aura turn to see Aria and Jack "Hello mother" she sits down beside her mother. Jack smiles "Hello Lord Zalon" she sits opposite Aura and Aria, Bryce smiles "Ah, Aria nice to see you again, how have you been?" Aria smiles "I've been fine my Lord" Bryce turns to Jack "You must Jack then?" Jack nods "Yes your Lordship" Bryce smiles "Nice to make your acquaintance" Jack smiles "You as well your Lordship" Bryce smiles and turns to Aura as Jack and Aria leave for food. "She is...beautiful, where did you find her if I may ask?" Aura smiles "Believe it or not I actually found them wandering the street, alone, afraid and in need of a home" Bryce's eyes widen "For an orphan they are...blinding even matching your daughters beauty" Aura nods "Indeed, though she is usually pretty shy around large groups" Bryce chuckles "Weren't we all at some point?" Aura laughs "True". Two more footsteps are heard and Aedan and his friend Moor arrive "Ah my boy there you are" Aedan sits down as does Moor "Hello Lady Varian, pleasure to meet you again" Aura smiles "Pleasure to see you too Aedan, my how much you've grown I'm sure Elena is so proud" Aedan rubs the back of his head nervously "Thank you Lady Varian. Aura turns to Moor "And you Sir Moor, I see you haven't lost your touch" Moor scratches his head nervously "Uh, thank you Lady Varian, it's a pleasure to be here" Bryce smiles "Do you bring any news Moor?" Moor nods "Yes but not much" he hands Bryce a letter which he opens and reads "Ah...I see Aura you may want to see this" he hands her the letter which she reads and sees that it's a map of the lunar beasts movement patterns "This is troubling" she hands the letter back to Bryce "Agreed, but let's not fret about it now, go on my boy enjoy yourself" Aura nods "Oh and feel free to help yourselves to food and drink, but don't overindulge the dance starts in an hour" Aedan and Moor nod and leave the room leaving Bryce and Aura alone.

(Dining Room)

Moor and Aedan enter the dining room and grab some food and drink before sitting down at opposite ends of the table, Moor gasps "Lady Varian really knows how to throw a feast" Aedan nods "Her family is renowned for their recipes especially their pies" they continue eating until Moor spots something and stares off to the left with a shocked look "Moor, what are you staring at?" He looks to where Moor's looking and is shocked to see Aria and Jack sat on a far table to their left talking about something. Aedan gasps "Shes beautiful" Moor nods "Who's that dark blue haired girl with her?" Aedan looks at Jack "Id wager that's her lady in waiting" Moor's jaw drops "That's her lady in waiting...she's..." Aedan turns to Moor "You crushing already?!" Moor blushes "S-S-Shush, you can't say anything" Aedan nods "True, but I agree with you they are both...divine, absolutely beautiful" Moor nods while Aedan grins "I dare you to ask her to dance with you in an hour" Moor blushes "Are you mad?" Aedan laughs "Come on, the worst she can say is no" Moor nods "True" Aedan smiles "And to make it fair I'll be asking Aria for a dance" Moor smiles and the two bump glasses and the two go back go eating unaware Jack and Aura are watching them.

(Far Left Table)

Jack gasps "He's stunning" Aria turns to Jack "Which one, Aedan or Moor?" Jack turns to her confused "Who's who?" Aria giggles "The one with blue hair is Moor and the one with brown hair is Aedan" Jack nods "Oh...then I was talking about Moor" Aria smiles "You like him?" Jack blushes heavily and doesn't respond while Aria giggles "I mean I can't argue with you he is attractive, why don't you ask him to dance with you in an hour" Jack blushes more "M-M-My Lady...I-I" Aria smiles "Just go for it, the worst he can say is no and even then it's not the end of the world, I mean look at you, your beautiful I even heard Lord Zalon compliment your beauty, he compared you to me. That must mean something" Jack blushes while being unsure of what to do.

(An Hour Later, Ballroom)

Jack and Aria begin to walk toward the room with Jack slightly shaking from anxiety while Aria comforts her "Calm down, I'm gonna do the same to Aedan so your not alone" Jack nods "Ok...ok my lady" the two spilt up and Jack walks around nervously until she bumps into Moor and the two go to apologise "Oh my apologies-" the two stare at each other's eyes with clear redness in both their cheeks before Moor composes himself and holds out his arm and asks "W-W-Would you like to dance my lady?" Jack takes his hand slowly "Y-Yes Sir" the two blush before slowly starting to dance while Aedan and Aria watch the two from the balcony, Aria smiles "They're so cute" Aedan nods "I think Moor met his match" the two kiss before dancing themselves. Jack and Moor dance away with the two even sharing a kiss, Aura and Bryce smile and watch from the top on their chairs "It seems your son's friend has hit it off with Jack, and Jack's grown in confidence since she last arrived" Bryce nods and thinks "Jack is beautiful, I wonder if they're relationship will continue?".

(An Hour Later)

Aura stands on the balcony with a drink in her hand and everyone gathered below her except for Aedan,Aria, Bryce, Jack and Moor "I want to thank everyone for coming and I hope you all had a wonderful time, there is still an hour to the festivities if you wish to stay and mingle, Fruor!" Everyone raises their drinks in thanks. Aura turns to them "I think we can call tonight's festival a wonderful night" they nod, "Your family are welcome to stay Bryce if they wish and your free to return to your rooms if you so wish".

(Upstairs)

Jack and Aria head to their rooms to change, as do Moor and Aedan but they share a guest room, "You looked fantastic out there, you never told me you could dance Moor" Moor blushes "My mother insisted on teaching me, I never thought I'd use it until now" Aedan giggles. "Was she blown away?" Moor chuckles "More like she blew me away, her footwork and timing were impeccable, I was left picking up the slack from my sloppy footwork" the two laugh before Aedan smiles "So, do you like her?" Moor blushes but doesn't respond. Aedan grins "Come on Moor answer the question" Moor sighs "Ok, fine I like her, she's just so...perfect" Aedan smiles "She is beautiful, she and Aria are like goddesses and we're the mortals enthralled by their beauty" the two laugh while blushing heavily.

(Jack's Quarters)

Jack blushes heavily as she removes her makeup and changes into her night wear which consists of a blue shirt, black corset and dark blue tights"I wouldn't have expected a Knight to be so good at dancing, I mean he wasn't perfect but his voice, his mannerisms, the way he extended his arm and asked so politely, then sweeping me off my feet halfway through-" her thoughts are interrupted by Aria opening her door, wearing similar night wear to her except for a longer shirt and the colours being brown, black and white "You looked absolutely stunning out there Jack, I think you may have stolen Sir Moor's heart" Jack blushes and Aria smiles "So, do you like him?" Jack blushes but doesn't respond and Aria giggles "That blush tells me all I need to know" Jack blushes more "Ok, I like him, he was so gentle, so beautiful and dreamy" Aria nods "Indeed" Aria leaves and shuts Jack's door, she climbs into bed and slowly drifts away into sleep.

(Jack's Dream)

Jack wakes up bound to a chair and blindfolded, she struggles barely manages to get anywhere, she hears a noise but can't tell where it's coming from until she feels smoke reach her back, her blindfold falls off and she turns to see a massive dark blue dragon, she screams and looks down and sees she in her dress from the ball but just before the dragon attacks her it's impaled by a dark blue blade and sent over the edge. Moor clambers over the wall and unties her and hugs her tightly and bridal style carries her out of the place she was trapped in while she leans against his chest for comfort.

(End Of Chapter)