That evening, there was a nice dinner and a small ball.
Aria and her friend Billy were also there. It was being held outside, beneath a flowery-decorated canopy, with beautiful stars twinkling high in the sky and the half-moon hanging pleasantly in one spot.
Everyone, both senior and fresh students of the school, had been invited.
Different sweet dishes and pastries from various clans were spread across the tables. Each scent and aroma seemed to catch the attention of everyone present, tempting their senses.
Aria Fleur wore a beautiful brown gown with delicate silver flowers imprinted on it. The silver designs shimmered beneath the moonlight, almost as though the dress were acting as the moon's representative at the party.
Her long, silky black hair flowed down her back.
Billy and the other girls were dressed in their best attire, moving around the gathering for different purposes.
But Aria had distanced herself from the fancy world in front of her.
She sat near the water fountain, away from the crowd.
The feeling of being surrounded by elites and unfamiliar faces somehow choked her. The noise, laughter, music, and endless conversations had become overwhelming.
A glass containing fine red wine glimmered in her hand, but her lips weren't ready to taste it.
The view was beautiful, yet Aria still felt tense.
She wanted peace.
She wanted distance.
"Did you come out here to hide?"
A voice behind her suddenly asked.
"What do you think?" Aria replied, tilting her head to catch a glimpse of the person who had interrupted her solitude. "I needed some fresh air. Or maybe just some peace from the noise."
"Well, that's strange. I came here for the same purpose, but I wasn't expecting to see a lady here."
The voice belonged to a young man who stepped out of the shadows.
"I'm Kael Roger," he said, placing both hands inside his pockets.
"Aria Fleur," Aria answered.
She paid closer attention to the good-looking man standing before her.
He wore a black suit decorated with silver and diamond-like stones that shimmered beneath the moonlight.
His blonde hair was neatly styled. He didn't have the muscular physique she had noticed on some of the other young men around campus, but there was something attractive about him.
His face was memorable.
"From the Kaerith Clan," Kael added with a pleasant smile.
"I am from the Ardentis Clan," Aria replied before looking away after gazing at him for a little too long.
"Hmm..." Kael hummed.
"Maybe that's why you're distancing yourself. A young girl from the Ardentis Clan."
Aria's expression immediately changed.
"Well, that may apply to others—or maybe to you," she replied, giving him a scornful look. "Because even a guy like you from a noble clan is withdrawing from the crowd. So you shouldn't label it as a lack of self-esteem."
Kael stared at her for a moment.
Then he smirked.
"Okay, your point was too lengthy."
He laughed softly, clearly amused by her response.
"I never really said you lacked self-esteem. I was just reacting based on the information I have heard."
"Good for you, Mr. Kael," Aria replied.
She stood from the spot beside the fountain.
"Whatever information or perspective you have about my clan doesn't matter."
She adjusted her gown.
"I'm taking my leave and letting you enjoy your spot."
"No, I didn't mean for you to leave."
Kael quickly straightened.
"It was just a normal conversation. Besides, I'm amazed by your guts and courage. I'm pretty sure that kind of confidence is more common where you come from."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Aria lifted her chin slightly.
"But it is in my nature to leave somewhere I'm not valued because I know my worth."
Kael stared at her for a second before bursting into laughter.
"Well, Fleur, in just a few sentences, your thoughts and opinions have become very clear."
He shook his head, smiling.
"I can boldly say that Elarion and the M. Law & Governance faculty are lucky to have you."
Aria's eyes widened slightly at his sudden change in words.
His calm and honest expression remained.
She looked him up and down before finally letting out a brief laugh.
The little tension caused by their clans and differences suddenly seemed unnecessary.
It disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.
"By the way, I'm a senior student in the faculty. I'm sure you're new," Kael said, making himself comfortable beside the fountain.
"Yes, I am."
Aria looked at him with renewed interest.
"So you know a lot about the school and the faculty?"
"Yeah. Don't worry. I'll give you some tutorials on how to get along and get good grades. Trust me."
He smiled confidently.
"So don't bother asking."
"Okay, you knew what I was about to ask?" Aria asked, sitting down beside him again.
"Why not? It's a pretty popular question."
The two of them burst into short laughter.
"Alright, so can the lessons start now?" Aria asked.
She dropped the untouched glass of wine onto the grass beside her.
"Sure."
Kael began telling her about the university, explaining things he had learned during his years there and sharing useful information about the faculty.
But somehow, the conversation became less about school and more about him.
He told her stories about his experiences, the professors, the students, and some of the strange things that happened around campus.
Aria listened carefully, paying attention to every detail.
They chatted like two friends who had known each other for years.
They giggled.
They laughed.
They shared stories.
For a while, Aria forgot about the crowded party behind them.
She genuinely enjoyed Kael's mischievous presence and found herself looking forward to every new thing he said.
It felt strangely easy.
As though the two of them had somehow stumbled into a friendship neither of them had expected.
Eventually, the evening came to an end.
The loud ticking of the clock reminded them that it was getting late.
It was time to say goodbye.
They parted ways, each returning to their own room.
But Aria's mind remained at the fountain.
Even after she had changed into her night pyjamas and lay comfortably on her bed, her thoughts kept returning to the evening.
The conversation.
The laughter.
Kael's smile.
A small smile slowly appeared on her face.
Then suddenly, something struck her.
"Have I fallen?"
Aria stared at the ceiling.
She remembered the way her sister Alex used to talk about love.
And even Billy had made similar comments since she arrived on campus.
Could this really be happening to her?
"In just one night?"
She shook her head, doubting the possibility.
Something like that couldn't possibly happen so quickly.
Could it?