Pulchritudo {Beauty}

When Arya arrived back into her room, she was surprised to see a large bag awaiting her. She put down the things she had bought from the marketplace before slowly making her way to the bag. She gently opened it to cover what had been hidden beneath it.

When she took it out of the bag, she was surprised to see a silky fabric that had multiple folds. She laid the dress on her bed to get a better look and a note fell out as well.

It read:

Here is your gown for the evening. I know you didn't want something over the top or something that would require you to wear a tight corset so I had this made for you. I'm sure you'll look lovely in it. P.S Since my father wanted to guards around me, I said that you would do it instead. That way I won't have people hovering over me. Do not bring Anaz to the ball or else my father will have my head. Daggers are okay though. Your dress should do a good job of hiding them. I look forward to seeing you soon.

~Lady Zelie

Arya put the note to the side so she could see the dress. It was a gorgeous crème beige colour that fell to the ground in light waves. Two strands of fabric over lapped one another on the top creating a rippling effect. There were more folds that went down the dress ending near the knees. Above the breast area was light netting that ended at the base of the neck. The dress was gorgeous. Something that Arya might actually like wearing. Lady Zelie had clearly chosen it for Arya's taste. She probably knew that Arya hated puffy dresses but this one would almost have an elegant look.

Glancing at the clock in her room Arya made a dash for the bathroom. She took a bath submerging herself into the bubbles while the scent of jasmines surrounding her. Arya made extra sure to wash away all the grim and when she was done, she felt as though she was a newly plucked chicken.

While Arya was waiting for her hair to completely dry, she spent the time studying the books Madame Mina had given her. Her eyes scanned over the text trying to absorb as much as the information she could. The test regarding Kalvarian History was going to be tomorrow and Arya needed to be ready for it.

Once Arya was sure that her hair was dry, she slipped on the dress loving how smooth it felt against her pale skin. The color of the dress went well with her eyes as just as she was about to strap daggers underneath her dress, she heard a knock at the door.

She went to open it and was surprised to see Yasmin and Silvia on the other side already adorned in their gowns and other fine jewelry. Yasmin was wearing a fine black dress that had golden flowers embroidered on both sleeves and down that dress as well. There was a belt that went with it as well which clinched her waist.

On the other hand, Silvia was dressed in a light blue dress that went well with her hair. There were flowers on her dress and it had netting which made it flow outwards. Silvia's lips had been painted a rose pink colour that matched her checks.

"That is one lovely gown!" Silvia commented her.

Arya muttered a low thanks before ushering them into the room. "What brings you both here?"

Yasmin and Silvia exchanged a knowing smile. "Well we are here to make the champion of our academy look as unforgettable as possible!"

Arya shook her head. "I have already finished getting ready."

"Sit." Yasmin commanded in a tone that Arya had never heard her use before.

Surprisingly that is exactly what Arya did. She sat on the edge of her bed before Silvia came around with some kind of comb. She slicked Arya's hair back and but her fingers into her hair. Arya wasn't sure what she was doing but she stayed still on the bed.

Meanwhile Yasmin approached her with a black brush in her hand. Seeing Arya's fearful gaze she spoke the next words, "It's called Kohl. Many people especially those who live in the dessert use it to protect their eyes." She smirked, something Arya had never seen on her face. "In this case, we shall use it to enhance your beauty."

She commanded Arya to close her eyes and Arya felt a cool line being drawn on her face. The Yasmin told her to open her eyes and she applied the product to her waterline. Arya had to try her best not to cry when Yasmin was poking her with the brush. Once Yasmin was done with the kohl she proceeded to getting another brush.

"Pucker you lips for me," Yasmin said softly as she held the brush near Arya's lips.

Arya did what she was told and pretty soon she could feel another product on her lips. Yasmin traced the outline of her lips while Silvia continued doing her hair. When Yasmin was finished she pinched Arya's cheeks which earned a glare from Arya.

Yasmin simply smiled. "I was trying to bring colour to your cheeks." She said cheekily.

Silvia laughed along with her. She could feel her hair being prodded and poked and when Silvia stated she was done, Arya could not be much gleeful. Arya stood up from the bed before making her way in front of a mirror.

She glanced at her hair and was surprised to see that it had been pulled in a low bun. Light pearls were nested through her hair and a tendril was left to remain to frame her face. Meanwhile Yasmin had colored her waterline with the kohl and her Aztec eyes seemed more defined then they had been previously. Her cheeks had gained a soft pink colour that matched her lips.

Arya was surprised. She had to touch her face to remind herself that it was indeed herself and not an imposter. She had never seen this version of herself. Dare she say it, she looked gorgeous.

She heard a knock at the door and turned to answer it but Silvia had already beaten her. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Mililani who was also dressed in a dress but not as fancy. "Madame Annie is getting restless. She is saying that the guests are arriving soon so everyone needs to be in their pairs."

The three of them nodded indicating that they had understood before closing the door behind them. Arya strapped the daggers under her dress while Yasmin and Silvia both looked at her like she was paranoid.

"You do realize that the royal armed forces will be on patrol tonight." Silvia said slowly, articulating each word as if Arya could not understand human speech.

"I know," Arya said simply. She didn't add anything else. The first thing she had learned about guarding someone was that the less the people knew, the safer your trustee was. She was about to leave the room before Silvia stopped her.

Arya turned around her eyebrows raised as if to say what now?

Silvia held up a diamond pendant. "I think you might have forgotten this."

Arya touched her neck to feel the bareness before taking it from Silvia and gently clasping it around her neck. She had left it in her room while she had been in the market in fear that it might be stolen or lost. But tonight the pendant proved that she was a champion and that she had been selected for a reason. Tonight she was not only representing herself, but the academy and most of all Lady Zelie. The pendant was a symbol of the trust between Arya and Lady Zelie and she was going to honour that this evening.

Yasmin smiled at the both of them, "let's go now."

They exited from the room and Arya softly closed the door behind her. There were various ball gowns all displayed in front of her in dazzling, bright colors. Among everyone, Madame Annie still managed to stand out. She was hovering over all the girls and guys making sure that nothing was out of place.

Arya had already seen her give a glare to one of the boys who had decided it was a good day to test her patience.

"Is everyone present?" Madame Annie questioned the group.

Arya looked around trying to account for all the girls before she gave her reply to Madame Annie. She blinked as if she had just noticed Arya.

"Very well, I want everyone to be in a straight line just as we practiced this morning. You must be with your partner, and no you cannot change your partners."

Arya made her way to the front of the line beside Aaron. He was dressed in a beige tunic along with matching trousers. On the sleeve of his shirt was a band that had the emblem of the Narvanian Academy. Arya supposed that was the marking of a champion for him.

His clear blue eyes met Arya as he quickly took in her appearance. Just as quickly, he looked away again preferring to face Madame Annie rather than Arya herself.

Madame Annie walked down the lane making sure that everyone was in the correct position. When she was satisfied, she walked to the front of the group motioning them to follow her. Arya noticed that the palace had been decorated more beautifully then she had ever seen before. All the mantles and other ornaments were glistening as were the marble floors. The colour of the carpets was a deep red, one that showed how thoroughly it had been cleaned.

A little while later Arya noticed that Madame Annie was not leading them to the actual ballroom but someplace else.

"Madame isn't the ballroom the other way?" Arya pointed to the direction they should have gone in.

Madame Annie barely spared her a glance. "You'll see where we are going." She said brusquely as they descended a pair of stairs.

Madame Annie halted at the base of the stair before motioning to the others to follow her. Everyone did as she expected and Arya had a faint inkling of the place they were headed to. After walking for a couple of more minutes, Madame Annie pointed to one of the rooms which had a white door with a brass handle.

She opened the door to reveal a rather small room which had massive red curtains pulled over what seemed to be another door. On the other side Arya could make out the sounds of laughter and chatting. It seemed that they were above the ballroom.

Madame Annie pointed behind the curtains. "You shall be descending the stairs from behind there in a couple of minutes. Make sure you wait until you name is announced before making your way down the stairs with your partner."

There was shuffling in the back and a couple of people chatting. Madame Annie paused her speech to see what the hassle was about. Mililani was making her way through the pairs rushing towards Madame Annie.

"It seems there had been a change!" She said urgently when she reached Madame Annie.

The latter was quick to respond. "What now?"

Mililani pointed towards Arya and Aaron. "I spoke to Princess Zelie minutes ago. It seems that they will be introducing the champions at the very end."

Madame Annie sighed. "How many times are they going to make changes? I told them it was fine before." Mililani bowed slightly before leaving Madame Annie.

"You two," she pointed to Arya and Aaron, "make your way to the back of the group. This way at least the two of you can ensure everyone will stay quiet."

Arya and Aaron did so. Just as they were making their way to the back, Arya could hear the voice of the announcer calling out the first pair. They pushed the curtains and descended down the stairs. There were polite applause as they next pair went down. The process was repeated multiple times until there was only Arya and Aaron remaining.

"Put a smile on your faces," Madame Annie hissed at them. "Make sure your elbows are interlocking as well."

Arya slipped her fingers through Aaron's arms and plastered a smile on her face. She knew it was not genuine, it rarely was these days.

"And finally we have the champions of the Narvian and Narvanian academy, Arya Ernest and Aaron Henderson."

The curtain was pulled as Arya and Aaron made their ways down the flight of stairs. Arya glanced around at the room surprised at how many people had actually come. There were dresses and suits of almost every colour. At the front of the room was the dais and the thrones upon which King Rupert, Queen Marie, Princess Zelie, and Princes Zander were seated on.

Arya and Aaron walked down the aisle and Arya could feel a number of eyes on her. Arya curtsied while Aaron bowed. When the King told them to rise they did so and walked to where the other competitors were lined up.

The king signaled the musicians and they began playing. Aaron gently took Arya's hand into his and they began dancing once again. Arya was having a hard time with this many people surrounding her. Although she was used to the stares, it wasn't from prominent figures! Not to mention Arya like spending time in places with less people.

As if noticing Arya's feelings Aaron spoke up. It was the first words he had uttered to her since the evening. "Ignore the looks; they just have nothing better to do."

Arya nodded and looked at her feet. Aaron just wasn't having it, he tipped Arya's chin upward making the Arya very self-conscious. She didn't like being in close proximity with anyone else.

"Just look at me and all these people will become invisible." He said his voice caressing over her like the waves did over the sandy banks.

Arya did as he suggested and she focused her gaze on his face, more particularly, his blue eyes which looked much darker in the ballroom then they had when the curtains had not been drawn. She could make out a few freckles lining his face and his prominent cheekbones and jawline stood out.

He stared at her with the same intensity and for a moment Arya seemed to forget about the world around her. The moment soon ended when the music came to a stop. Arya curtsied and Aaron bowed as the separated into the midst of people that had come on the floor to dance.

Arya found herself near the refreshment table but her eyes remained on Lady Zelie. She was here to protect her but at the moment Lady Zelie was being swarmed with delegates and royals from all over the world.

"That was quite the dance." A voice said. Arya turned around to see Damien standing beside her wearing a dark tunic and trousers.

She nodded her head in acknowledgment but her gaze went back to Lady Zelie.

"Are you trying to ignore me? Because I thought we were close friends." He said with a mock pout on her face.

"We are not friends." Arya said coolly.

Damien looked taken back but a distraction presented itself in the next moment. Yasmin had come to stand beside her. All of a sudden the light bulbs clicked in Arya's brain.

"Damien would you like to ask this lovely lady to a dance?"

Yasmin looked at Arya in a peculiar manner. Arya couldn't blame her. She wasn't setting this up but getting rid of Damien. She had just killed two birds with one stone.

Damien looked puzzled at Arya's behaviour before proceeding to ask Yasmin to a dance. The two of them left for the dance floor while Arya began making her way to Lady Zelie. She was speaking to someone but her seafoam eyes met Arya's Aztec ones. She motioned towards Arya to come closer.

Arya did so and glanced at the man she was talking to. He was built at a medium height but was much stockier than average. His face was taunt and his reddish-brown hair had been pulled back to form a low pony tail. His blue eyes were trained on Lady Zelie but they momentarily shifted to stare at Arya. The look took Arya by surprise. There was just such deep intensity in his eyes, something Arya had not seen in a long time.

"Arya this is Lord Jagmior of Haxovola, he has come on behalf of his King."

Arya curtsied to him, "please to meet you."

Lord Jagmior nodded but he seemed distracted. His gaze wondered the room before giving Lady Zelie an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry my lady, but it seems I must go."

Lady Zelie inclined her head and returned a smile of her own. Lord Jagmior left their presence leaving Arya to release the breath she didn't even know that she was holding.

"Are you enjoying yourself this evening?" Lady Zelie asked Arya. There was mirth in her eyes and a hint of smile played on her lips.

"I am my Lady." Arya replied dutifully.

Lady Zelie cocked an eyebrow, "Maybe we should throw balls back at the Narvian Academy as well."

The look on Arya's face made Lady Zelie burst into laughter. "I'm just teasing you Arya, don't worry there will be no more balls for you after this tournament."

She took Arya's hand, "follow me. I want to sit down for a moment before I'm asked to dance by all the eligible bachelors."

Arya did as she said. Lady Zelie sat on her throne and Arya stood beside her a step below. Minutes later, Prince Zander joined them sitting on his throne with an exasperated breath. Aaron stood beside him posture rigid just like Arya's stance was beside Lady Zelie.

Princess Zelie merely cocked an eyebrow at her brother's behaviour, "too many ladies?"

Prince Zander uncharacteristically snorted. "You have no idea. Although I do love the court, there are just some things I hate as well."

"Come on, enjoy the youth while it last. You will have to get married pretty soon. Father is getting pretty anxious. The only thing that is stopping him from shipping you off is that he believes in true love." Lady Zelie said consoling her brother.

Prince Zander shrugged it off before giving Lady Zelie a devilish look. "How have your suitors been?"

Lady Zelie was not having it. "Quite pleasant actually, Arya has done a terrific job of keeping them away for the most part."

"Yeah well Aaron has done the same." Prince Zander boasted.

Arya almost rolled her eyes. It seemed that the twins were almost always wanting to one up the other. Aaron and her stood beside the Prince and Princess for more than an hour before Lady Zelie turned to Arya, "why are you standing beside me when you could be having fun?'

"My duty is to protect you tonight," Arya replied.

Lady Zelie waved her hand around, "Nonsense. There are members of the royal Kalvarian Armed forces for a reason. Enjoy your youth."

Arya gave her a look which indicated that she was not moving from her current location. Lady Zelie sighed, "Just dance once with Aaron that is all I am asking for!"

Arya glanced quickly at Aaron but he seemed to be avoiding her gaze. "With all due respect my lady, I am fine standing right here."

Lady Zelie did not take no for an answer. She turned towards Aaron, "You wouldn't mind having a dance with Arya, would you?"

Aaron glanced at lady Zelie before inclining his head respectfully. "If my Lady wishes it, I will do as she commands."

Lady Zelie smiled while Prince Zander just shook his head at his sister's antics. Lady Zelie nudged Arya in Aaron's direction and she had no choice but to follow him. As the dance began, they linked their fingers once more.

It seemed the two of them were both trying not to look at one another which resulted in Arya stepping on Aaron's shoes and vice versa.

Aaron sighed, "This is not working very well. We might as well look at each other or we will have no feet at the end of this dance."

Arya lifted her gaze from her feet to stare into Aaron's eyes once more. "Well this is a very awkward dance." She told him honestly.

His face twitched to reveal a small smile. "It's only awkward if one makes it to be." He replied.

Arya nodded. "So how are your preparations for your competitions going?"

"Very well," he replied. "And yours?"

"I wouldn't be sharing information with the enemy; it is possible that this moment could be my downfall." Arya said lightly.

Too her surprise, Aaron laughed. It was a deep chuckle that rung deep into her ears. "I wouldn't have expected anything less from you."

Arya was about to say something but a man came forward and he politely looked at Aaron, "may I cut in?"

Aaron nodded and stepped back from Arya allowing her to be taken in the new man's hands. She didn't like it and she found her gaze following Aaron's as he returned to his previous position by Prince Zander.

The rest of the evening passes with many men asking Arya for a dance. Arya was tired of dancing and she hated being close to all of them. They might have been polite but it wasn't her comfort zone. To escape all the noise, she slid behind one of the curtains to the balcony that showed the view of the garden.

If Arya had thought the garden had been beautiful in the morning, it was nothing compared to right now. Lights illuminated the garden giving it a romantic flair. Arya's eyes were draw to the broad sky above her stretching for miles without a limit. She stood there to collect her thoughts when she sensed another presence behind her.

Her fingers gripped the dagger hidden beneath the dress. With lighting speed she turned around to attack the person behind her but her fingers were held tightly in their place, an inch away from the body she was about to stab.

"It's only me," Aaron said lowly, his fingers still around her arm.

"I thought it was someone else," Arya said awkwardly unsure of what she should say next.

"Clearly," he said but there was amusement under his tone.

What surprised Arya was how fast his reflexes had been. She knew she had not pulled the dagger out till the last second and had hidden its presence well yet he had been able to stop her. He was much faster that she had originally predicated.

"Do you mind letting go of my wrist?" Arya asked casually.

Aaron dropped her hand from his grasps almost as if it had burned him. He looked the other way letting a smug smile come onto Arya's face. They both starred at the night sky above them.

"Did Lady Zelie want you to come and fetch me?"

He looked at her, as he answered. "Yes, she told me to find you."

Arya scoffed, "I don't need a babysitter, and you can go back inside."

To her surprise Aaron didn't move an inch. Instead he spoke, his voice low. "Are you ever scared of letting down your entire academy?"

Arya didn't speak for a while before her mouth formed the words yes. The wind picked them up and just as quickly as the confession had escaped her, it disappeared into the world.

"It's like having this burden upon your shoulders which you just can't shake off." He continued.

Arya nodded agreeing with what he was saying.

"Sometimes I think I'm going to fail and I just don't know what to do." He confessed.

Arya let the weight of his words sit settle in. She had felt what he was feeling countless number of times. It wasn't just the expectation of doing the best; it was also the expectation of doing it under the spotlight.

"You have no choice," Arya said softly before her words become firmer, "you must succeed because failure is not an option."

Arya knew that her words had been harsh but she also knew that is exactly what he needed to here. Having confidence was a big part of being a leader and even when the leader was unsure of them they had to put a brave façade for the others.

Aaron's eyes seem to bore into Arya's and behind the navy blue color she could see the insecurity and fear. She knew the same reflected in her own eyes. It was only natural.

Aaron let out a low laugh. "Guess I shouldn't have expected you to sugar coat anything."

Arya didn't break away from their gaze. "No, I would never do something like that."

They were silent for a few more moments until Aaron said the next words so softly Arya would not have been able to pick them up if she hadn't had heightened hearing. "Thank you."

A small smile made its way onto her face as the two of them let go of their insecurities and were ready to face tomorrow. 

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Ahh! We finally had the opening dance and Arya and Aaron danced together! Anyways, this means that the next chapter is kicking the Heres Gladii in full swing! So what did you guys think about Arya and Aaron's conversation outside? Does anyone have a ship name for them? Please comment and vote as usual! Thank you so much for the 300+ votes. That's insane! See you next week.