The Blame Game Begins

Draven, sensing his mother rising fury, knew he needed a scapegoat, and fast. His eyes darted around the room until they landed on Alex's belly. Suppressing a laugh, he thought, Bingo! Just found one. His gaze fixed on Alex, who suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. I suddenly feel cold, she thought.

Draven put on an innocent, almost childlike expression. "Mom," he said, his voice sweet, "Big Sis Alex is the one who asked me to spar Alex was shock to hear that."

His mother turned towards Alex, a look of anger on her face. Alex felt sweat break out on her brow under the intensity of her aunt gaze. A big sis taking the blame for her younger brother… what an honorable thing to do, Draven thought, a dramatic tear rolling down his cheek.

"Draven, come with me," his mother said, her voice firm. "There's someone I want you to meet." She turned and walked away, Draven following obediently at her side.

Alex sighed in relief, but her relief was short-lived. Draven's mother turned back, her eyes fixed on Alex. "Since you like to spar so much," she said, a hint of steel in her voice, "why don't we spar after the party is over?" Alex felt the blood drain from her face turning white.

Draven, hands in his pockets, followed his mother, a smug smile playing on his lips. Having someone to take the blame felt great, he thought gleefully.

After a short walk, they reached an Elf woman with fair skin, long yellow hair, and green eyes. She looked to be in her twenties. Beside her stood a young Elf girl, that looks around ten years old, with the same fair skin and hair, but with striking blue eyes.

Draven's mother embraced the woman warmly. "Olivia, it's been ages since we last met!"

"Elliana," Olivia replied, returning the embrace, "it's so good to see you too."

Mom's name is Elliana? Draven thought, surprised. I didn't even know my own mother's name. I'm a bad son naha it's probably normal .

"You never came to visit," Elliana said, a hint of reproach in her voice, "so I thought we weren't friends anymore."

Olivia smiled wryly. She's still the same as always, she thought.

"So, who's this?" Elliana asked, gesturing towards the young girl.

"This is my daughter, Hannah," Olivia replied.

"You never told me you had a child!" Elliana exclaimed, surprised.

Olivia smiled. "Yeah." She looked at Draven, who still had his hands in his pockets. "Is this your son?"

Elliana beamed with pride. "Yes. His name is Draven." She then introduced them. "Draven, this is my best friend, Olivia, and her daughter, Hannah."