Chapter 91: The best wing woman

Eloise

To be fair, I was unconscious the first time I was at the Dragon Keep and battered when I was leaving. I didn't really have the time to admire the place.

I had thought Drakmor was beautiful the first time I got there but the beauty was nothing to the Dragon Keep.

“Wow!” I gasped as my eyes dragged around the place. “This place is beautiful.”

I couldn't stop admiring the decisions. The statues of the three breed of dragons at the entrance, each breathing fire like they were real. Their elemental magic was symbolised with the tint crowns on their heads. A single fire burned between the three breeds to signify unity amongst them.

“Uh-huh, wait till you get inside.” Tina said excitedly while Aeron and Raihn simply rolled their eyes.

Lidia was the only other person that looked just as stunned as I was. They probably didn't see anything special in it because they've lived here basically their whole life.

Tina sighed. “I've lived here for years and the Yulemas decoration never fail to excite me.”

The boys looked like they're about to say something about her stunned expression but she glared at them. They wisely shut up.

Raihn walked up to Lidia. “You can loop your arm around mine.”

“What if I don't want to?” Lidia tilted her head.

“There are going to be a lot of people inside. It's just always better to stick with royalties so you can get the best seat.” Raihn said and cleared his throat. He almost looked nervous.

I wondered how long he had liked Lidia or maybe if it's just because she looked really beautiful tonight.

I thought back to all their previous interactions, the ones where everyone had been convinced that they hated each other, and I decided it was the first one. Raihn liked her.

“I could go with Aeron. He's royalty too.” Lidia responded.

I quickly looped my arms around Aeron's before she turned towards him and pretended not to have been listening to them. Aeron looked surprised at my sudden movement, but luckily, he caught my gesture and decided to go with it. Tina did the same thing and looped her arm around Aeron's other one.

“Can we go inside now, Aeron?” I pouted.

“Uhm… yes, yes, we should go before all the good seats are taken.” Aeron nodded and turned to Raihn and Lidia. “Meet us inside.”

The three of us began to walk away. I turned back slightly and gave Raihn a wink. He gave me a look of gratitude back.

Yeah, I was definitely right. There was definitely something between those two that they've managed to cover with arguments and fights. Hopefully, the events of tonight doesn't ruin whatever they manage to admit to each other.

“One copper says Raihn asks Lidia to be his woman tonight.” Tina says when we were out of their earshot.

We were fully into the Keep now but we weren't at the ballroom yet. The music was getting closer so I knew we were almost there. I could already see dragons dressed in glamorous outfits.

“I thought I was the only one who can see the flames between those two.” I chuckled.

“You're not the only one, darling. Those two have basically been engaging in foreplay since they've met. It's about time they get together or at least fuck each other out of their system.” Tina snorted but quickly composed herself when she saw a fine dressed man pass.

“Five coppers say Lidia rejects him.” Aeron said.

Tina and I turned towards him and gaped. “Seriously, Aeron? That male is your best friend.” Tina shook her head.

“I know. I love Raihn and Lidia but we all know Lidia is not going to accept him immediately.” Aeron said. When Tina and I shook our heads, he added, “Come on. Like none of you is thinking it too.”

I simply shrugged.

“Well, I guess it's the latter then. They'll just fuck each other out of their system and ruin your friendship.” Tina sighed.

Aeron and I looked at each other and stopped walking. We had gotten so close to the ball room now that I can just peek inside and see the people dancing inside.

“What do you mean ‘ruin our friendship’? How will them getting together ruin our friendship?” Aeron asked.

“Well, it's a given. Once two people start fucking each other, the friend group automatically falls. Especially when they're both having an argument and you have to pick sides. It's a whole lot of other things.” Tina said.

The both of us are silent for a while before Aeron spoke up, “That's not gonna happen.”

“Maybe not, but it's really not a problem. It's not like the four of you will remain this close till you leave Drakmor. You're still in your first year. I don't even remember everyone from my squad when I was in first year.” She added.

Aeron and I remained silent after she spoke. The fine dressed man she had smiled at just a few minutes ago walked towards us and asked her for a dance which she accepted.

“Alright, I'll see you both inside.” She winked at us and went with the man. They both walked into the ball room

Aeron and I staye rooted on the spot, staring at the entrance of the ball room. Different thoughts ran through my mind all having in relation to what Tina just said.

“I don't think she's right.” Aeron broke the silence first.

“Yeah definitely.” I snorted.

“There's no way we won't remain friends till we graduate when we will be in the same class.” He added.

“Yeah, we're all best friends. It doesn't matter what happens with Raihn and Lidia. If they get together or not, it will definitely not affect our friendship.”

“I mean, Raihn and I have known each other since we were young and we're still friends. You and Lidia are like my family now.”

“You too.” I muttered. “All of you are like the family I've never had.”

Aeron smiled at me and pulled me info a brief embrace. The contact really elevated some of my worries.

“Alright, let's go in now.” He grabbed my hand and together we walked into the ball room.

The place was larger and more crowded than I anticipated. The only place I had been in with so many people was the assembly grounds at Drakmor and even that didn't have this many people.

“It's designed to be capable of hosting the entire Capital.” Aeron said.

“Is this the entire Capital?” I asked in awe.

“Oh, definitely not. That was the intention behind it, but clearly not what they ended up doing. That'sy are other places at the Keep that's bigger than this place.”

My mouth literally fell open when he said that. I couldn't believe there are other places bigger than here. Especially since the Keep seem so much small from the outside.

“There are smaller ball rooms that are used to hold smaller events like birthdays, weddings, or really anything. The courtiers love any excuse to throw a party. It's one of the things I don't miss about being home.” Aeron sighed.

I was too busy admiring the interior to comment on his words.

“Let's just go find our seats…. Oh, there's Uncle.”

And just like that, I was snapped out of the magical trance I had been in since I stepped in.

I turned around to see Byron walking towards us. And by the goddess, he looked gorgeous in his black detailed attire. I've definitely never seen him look that good before since I've known him. Whether it's the clothes, or the festive mood in the air, something just made me want to draw near to him and kiss him all over. But that was probably a terrible idea right now.

“Hey,” he said when he got to us but he was only staring at me.

“Hi,” I responded. The way he was staring at my like there was no one else presence was definitely making me want to reconsider my decision not to touch him.

“Uncle, you look absolutely dashing.” Aeron said, interrupting the staring between us. I had completely forgotten he was standing beside me.

“Aeron, we're at a ball. You can just call me by my name.” Byron said. His face was softer than usual. It was either the mood or he had a few drinks.

Aeron shook his head. “Nah, they doesn't sound right.” His eyes caught something and he grinned. “And there is Lord Carden coming with some wine.”

“Hey, you're not spend allowed to get drunk today… Aeron!” Byron tried to say but Aeron was definitely not listening.

Carden must have noticed Aeron looking at him from a distance because he handed the wine to him when he got close. “Don't mind this grumpy ass. Enjoy yourself.”

Aeron eagerly took the glass and danced away. Carden turned to me and grinned. “There's my beautiful date.”

I felt Byron tense up at the word ‘date’ but he didn't say anything. I flashed a smile at Carden.

“May I have this dance?” Carden stretched a hand forward as Byron walked away.

I tried not to think of him as I slid my hand into Carden's. He placed a gentle kiss on it and led me to the dance.

And even though he was handsome, even though I felt butterflies when he kissed my hand, all I could think about was the male who had walked away.