The feast was being organized by Aria's father, mother, and sisters. It was a gift they had happily planned to celebrate her achievement.
Their next-door neighbour, Mervin, and her daughter, Grace, were some of the main participants in the preparations for the celebration, which was scheduled to take place at 4:00 p.m.
The house was filled with joy and liveliness. Laughter of all kinds could be heard throughout the compound. Funny jokes, old memories, past adventures, and stories from the elders were shared, keeping the atmosphere warm and cheerful.
Aria swiftly left the kitchen, where her mother and some of the women were busy talking and preparing the meal.
She entered her room and shut the door.
Walking with a heart full of happiness, she approached her wardrobe and opened it with her soft fingers, which had become slightly rigid from the tension and excitement of the day.
Her eyes searched through the clothes and easily found what she was looking for.
A beautiful gown.
It had been specially preserved and kept for a wonderful evening like this.
Aria lifted the gown from its box with both hands. The fabric was soft as a whisper and cool against her skin. It wasn't royal or extravagant, but it was hers.
It was a muted lavender-grey gown, stitched with silver thread that shimmered whenever it caught the evening light.
Her mother had worked on it in secret, needle by needle, spell by spell.
Aria clutched it to her chest for a moment, pressing her face into the folds and breathing in the faint scent of lavender and old parchment.
The house was still filled with joyful sounds—the laughter of relatives, the clatter of dishes, and the creaking of the wooden floor beneath her bare feet as she walked toward the mirror.
Her heart fluttered with the weight of the evening ahead.
It wasn't just a celebration.
It was the beginning of something.
She stood before the mirror and held the gown against herself.
The reflection staring back at her looked older than she remembered.
Wiser.
Ready.
Tonight, she would wear this dress not just as Aria Fleur, the quiet scholar...
But as someone the world had finally begun to notice.
"Looking beautiful, sister, but I think you should start making good use of this beautiful frame of yours," Nia said as she walked into the room.
"Huh? What do you mean, sister?" Aria asked, folding the gown in her arms and turning away from the mirror.
Her long, silky black hair swayed smoothly down her back.
"Well, you know what I mean," Nia replied, sitting on the bed opposite Aria.
"Sister..." Aria said, flinging the gown over her left arm and using her other hand to push her hair behind her ear.
"Aria, I'm very happy for you because you've achieved a lot, and you've dedicated your whole life to doing it."
Nia paused before continuing.
"But you aren't giving love a chance. You're old enough to have someone special in your life now that you have nothing else to worry about."
"Just like I did some time ago. I know for sure you won't want Mother to start finding a match for you. I understand you very well. You wouldn't marry a total stranger—a person you haven't studied or gathered any information about."
Nia explained, crossing her feet and gazing deeply into Aria's uncertain eyes.
Aria looked as though she was paying close attention, but she couldn't seem to find the right words to tell her sister.
"Well, sister, you're right, but I'm just getting started. And I know it will take time to find a good and loyal man. But I'm happy for the advice. I'll put it into consideration," Aria said with a smile, tossing the gown gently between her hands.
"Mmm... I hope so. By the way, get ready soon. Dinner's ready," Nia said, standing from the bed and leaving the room.
Aria breathed a sigh of relief, but for once, she took Nia's words seriously.
It wasn't as if she hated being in a relationship.
She was simply selfish when it came to love.
Her only dream was to marry a man who would be hers alone, both in body and soul, with no other woman in the picture to share her husband with.
That was one of the reasons she had never even considered getting involved with someone from a royal background.
Picking up the wooden brush from the table, she stood firmly in front of the mirror and passed it through her hair without applying much force.
Her beauty hardly needed any artificial touch-ups.
She smoothly slipped into her new gown and took one final turn before the mirror.
There, she could see the truth in her sister's words.
Perhaps she did need someone.
Perhaps she was indeed ready to let someone into her life.
A majestic smile appeared on her face as she made her way to the balcony, where dinner was going to be served.
The table was filled with sweet dishes and different meals, all prepared with the help of Nerina, her mother, Mervin, Grace, and other close relatives.
Everyone was already seated, and Aria's appearance at the table made the atmosphere even sweeter and more pleasant, doubling the happiness that filled the house.
"Congratulations, dear sis," Alex whispered in Aria's ear as she sat very close to her at the table.
"Thanks, lil sis," Aria whispered back, leaning slightly toward her.
"Today is yours, dear. Eat until your tummy regrets it," Mervin said as she entered the dining area. She hadn't been present during the entire cooking process because she had gone to collect some drinks.
"Good evening, Ma Mervin," Aria and her sisters greeted.
"Good evening to you girls," Mervin replied with a smile, dressed in a lovely outfit.
"Ma Mervin, you look even more beautiful than the girl we're celebrating," Nia teased as she entered holding a tray of freshly baked pastries.
She placed it neatly on the dining table.
"Oh, please don't flatter me, Nia. I'm just wearing something simple," Mervin replied, settling herself into one of the chairs.
"Okay, I see. Try some pastries, everyone," Nia said, winking at Alex as she reached for one.
"It's nice," Alex said with a smile and a nod as she tasted the warm pastry.
The evening continued with laughter, food, and the warmth of family surrounding Aria.
For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment.
She had no idea that before the night was over, her peaceful life would begin to change.