The group followed Martha through the large wooden doors into an impressive entrance hall.
"Arianna!" A deep voice called out.
A middle aged man with dark hair and a well-trimd beard descended the stairs. This was Lord Cedric Greystone, Arianna’s father. His face lit up with genuine joy at seeing his daughter.
Behind him ca a graceful woman with dark hair streaked with silver, wearing an elegant gown. Lady Vivienne Greystone had the sa sharp, intelligent eyes as her daughter.
"Father, Mother," Arianna greeted them with a respectful nod, though her smile was warm.
Lord Cedric pulled his daughter into a brief embrace. "It’s good to have you ho, even if just for an evening." He released her and turned his attention to her companions, his eyes imdiately settling on Kayden. "Young Lord Kayden! How long has it been? You’ve grown considerably since I last saw you."
"Lord Cedric, Lady Vivienne," Kayden bowed respectfully. "It’s good to see you both again."
"The pleasure is ours," Lady Vivienne said with a kind smile. "And these must be your guild mates, Arianna?"
Arianna gestured to each of them in turn. "Yes, Mother. This is Aiden, Laela, Elena, Piers, and Oliver."
Lord Cedric nodded approvingly. "Any friends of my daughter’s are welco in this house. Please, we have so much food prepared, let’s move to the dining hall."
-----
They were led to a spacious dining room where a long table had been set with fine plates and utensils.
Lord Cedric took his seat at the head of the table while Lady Vivienne sat at the opposite end. The guild mbers filled the seats in between, with Arianna sitting closest to her father and Kayden beside her.
Servants brought out platters of roasted ats, fresh bread, stead vegetables, and wine. The al was far more elaborate than what they were used to at the guild.
"So, Arianna," Lord Cedric began as he cut into his at, "tell , how are you finding the Academy? I trust it’s treating you well?"
At this point, it beca slightly awkward. Save for Oliver, the magic apprentices flashed back to the ’Liandrin Problem’ they had dealt with.
Elena and Piers who beca aware of the Liandrin situation much later, also felt the sa awkwardness.
Arianna swallowed her food and nodded. "It’s totally fine, Father. Has not been easy, but I’m managing well." She didn’t see a need to bother her parents about the deeds of the Grand Magus.
Moreover if they knew, there was no telling the kind of internal conflict House Greystone would have with House Thorne or the Academy as a while.
"Just ’fine’?" Lady Vivienne raised an eyebrow with a slight smile. "From what I’ve heard, your guild cleared an S-rank dungeon recently. That’s more than fine, dear."
Arianna’s cheeks colored slightly. "Well, yes. We did complete that mission successfully."
Lord Cedric’s expression grew more serious, though pride flickered in his eyes. "Joining in an S-rank dungeon at your level. Impressive. Though I hope you’re being careful, Arianna."
"I am, Father," Arianna assured him.
Big families took particular interest in the guilds their children were in, knowing the happenings and achievents.
The Greystones were no exception to this as they had been keeping tabs on their daughter even as she was in the Academy.
There was a mont of comfortable silence as they continued eating, then Lord Cedric set down his fork and leaned back in his chair.
"Well, we shouldn’t linger too long over dinner," he announced. "We have a ceremony to attend in Dunre. Chief Hensworth is throwing a coming of age party for his twin sons, Bryn and Bran. It’s an important social event, and House Greystone has been invited."
Arianna nodded. "Of course, Father. My friends and I will wait here while you and Mother get prepared, and then we’ll accompany you."
Lord Cedric exchanged a aningful glance with his wife before turning back to his daughter. "Actually, Arianna, you’ll need to change as well. No daughter of mine will be going to a party looking like that." He gestured to her guild uniform, then quickly added, "No offense to your friends who are dressed similarly, of course."
"None taken, my Lord," Piers said with an understanding smile. The others nodded in agreent.
Arianna sighed but nodded. "Very well, Father."
Lady Vivienne stood gracefully. "Co along, dear. Let’s find you sothing appropriate to wear."
-----
About half an hour later, Arianna descended the grand staircase, and the entire group fell silent.
She wore an elegant midnight blue dress that hugged her figure before flowing out gracefully from the waist.
The neckline was both almost modest, slightly revealing her nicely rounded cleavage. and silver embroidery traced delicate patterns along the hem and sleeves.
Her hair, usually tied back practically, now fell in soft waves around her shoulders with a few strands pinned back with silver clips.
"Well?" Arianna asked, feeling slightly self-conscious under everyone’s stares.
"You look beautiful, darling," Lady Vivienne said proudly.
Aiden found himself staring longer than he intended. He couldn’t deny in his thoughts that she was one of the prettiest won he’d ever seen.
Laela noticed Aiden’s gaze and felt that familiar tightness in her chest, though she quickly pushed it aside and smiled at Arianna. "You look amazing, Arianna."
"Absolutely stunning," Elena added.
Even Kayden, who had been sullen for most of the day, seed montarily taken aback. "You look pretty"
Lord Cedric cleared his throat. "You look exactly like a Greystone should. Now then, shall we depart? The journey to Dunre will take about three hours, and we shouldn’t arrive too late."
-----
Outside, two carriages waited. The first was more ornate, clearly ant for the noble family. Lord Cedric helped his wife into the carriage, then turned to Arianna and Kayden.
"Kayden, you’ll ride with us," Lord Greystone said.
"Thank you, Lord Cedric," Kayden said, climbing into the carriage after Arianna.
The rest of the group boarded the second carriage. It was comfortable enough, with cushioned seats and windows that let them see the countryside as they traveled.
"Well, this is certainly fancier than riding on horseback," Piers joked as he settled into his seat.
Oliver pressed his face against the window like an excited child. "I’ve never been in a carriage this nice before!"
Aiden sat quietly, his mind wandering away between different thoughts.
Laela sat beside him, occasionally stealing glances his way, wondering what occupied his thoughts so completely.
-----
Three hours passed with conversation and the occasional bout of silence as the landscape changed from farmland to more wooded areas, then finally to the town of Dunre.
Dunre was larger than they expected, with cobblestone streets lit by oil lamps. At the center of town stood Chief Hensworth’s residence, another impressive stone mansion, though slightly less grand than the Greystone’s.
The carriages pulled up to the entrance where other nobles were arriving as well. Servants in formal attire stood ready to receive guests.
Lord Cedric stepped out first, helping Lady Vivienne down, then Arianna. Kayden followed, and the rest of the group erged from their carriage looking sowhat out of place in their guild uniforms among the finely dressed nobility.
They were ushered through grand doors into a massive hall that was already filled with people.
A small orchestra played music in one corner while servants moved through the crowd with trays of wine and delicacies. The hall was decorated with banners and flowers, and the atmosphere buzzed with conversation and laughter.
"Lord Cedric! Lady Vivienne!" A booming voice called out.
A portly man with a thick mustache and expensive-looking robes approached them with open arms. This was Chief Hensworth, their host for the evening.
"Chief Hensworth," Lord Cedric greeted him with a firm handshake. "Thank you for the invitation. May I present my daughter, Arianna."
"Ah, the famous Arianna Greystone!" Chief Hensworth bead. "I’ve heard much about you."
Arianna kept up the charming look even though deep down she wondered how the chief had known so much about her.
She sighed inwardly, it was definitely her father.
Chief Hensworth then looked at the uniford mages behind, then exchanged confused glances with Lord Cedric.
"Ah yes, these are mages from the Academy who do the job of escorting us this night" Lord Cedric introduced them.
"Oh I see I see, well, the more the rrier on this joyous occasion." The welcoming smile returned back to the chief’s face. Though he didn’t exactly like how unfit they looked in his event.
Before long, two young n who looked identical approached the group. They were tall, with blonde hair and friendly faces. These were clearly the twins, Bryn and Bran.
"Father, are these the Greystones you ntioned?" one of them asked.
"Indeed they are," Chief Hensworth said proudly. "Boys, this is Lord Cedric, Lady Vivienne, and their daughter Arianna, along with their escorts from the Academy."
The twins bowed respectfully. "I’m Bryn," said the one on the left
"And I’m Bran," said the one on the right.
Bryn’s eyes fell on Arianna first, then swept across the group, landing on Laela. Sothing sparked in his expression, and a smile spread across his face.
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