[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/VgbuqO2.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240522/49791553b35fa05b88864f9127dc2df9.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: Residential Area - Outside[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]Eris furrowed her brows as Ayel questioned her on what the donation had been for. Certainly his family did fund many things, but this sort of thing felt like it should’ve stood out from all the rest. [color=B1E4FC]"The funding for researching a cure for the blight."[/color] She reminded him, her voice soft despite her confusion. 

Suddenly, though, her memory recalled that she had heard it had been his eldest brother’s name on the donation. She would not mention that and risk embarrassing the Lord, though. Wounding Ayel’s ego seemed like a dangerous mistake to make. Still, the whole exchange struck her as odd. How could Ayel not know? Was he truly so detached from his family's endeavors?

Her gaze hardened slightly as Ayel began to speak of Sya in such a negative light. Sya was one of the most genuine people she knew, often wearing her heart on her sleeve, and hearing Ayel speak of her made something cold stir within. She knew the prejudice many held against blight-born, but it still saddened her that such venom could be so freely spoken in what was supposed to be their safe haven. They were still people. Sya was still a person. 

Why had Ayel even come to Dawnhaven if he held such disdain for its people? She couldn’t fathom why anyone who hated blight-born would willingly enter a town so full of them. Did he have ill intentions? She even doubted his words about being Flynn’s best friend—his attitude clearly didn’t align with the Prince’s values. 

Worse yet, it made her wonder if she had added to Sya’s burden by her reaction earlier that day. Guilt crept in closer, and she glanced quickly down, fighting the uncomfortable feeling that had settled in her chest. Had she been no better than those who held disdain Sya?

As Ayel moved on to speak of the Prince’s marriage, Eris’ discomfort deepened. The way he referred to Amaya as a "barbarian" was nothing short of disrespectful. Eris had limited experience with the Princess, but what she could tell, she had been nothing but kind, and her position as the Princess of Lunaris demanded respect. [color=B1E4FC]“Prince Flynn did marry Princess Amaya,"[/color] she confirmed, her voice now a touch colder, [color=B1E4FC]"and from my experience, she’s been quite lovely. As has Sya, the innkeeper."[/color] 

Ayel was bold, perhaps too bold for his own good. She couldn't imagine what the Lunarians might do if they heard him speak like this about their Princess. And what if the Prince were to hear? She had heard the rumors about Ayel’s ego, but seeing it in action was something else entirely. 

Sensing a subtle shift in Nathaniel’s demeanor, Eris quickly stole a glance up at him. As he began to play at Ayel’s obvious vanity, she offered a small, mischievous smile. Turning her attention back to Ayel, she nodded along with the over the top compliments Nathaniel handed to him. The sarcasm seemed to go entirely over Ayel’s head, and she couldn’t help but find it amusing. 

When Ayel confirmed just how [i]charismatic[/i] and [i]beautiful[/i] he thought he was, Eris almost laughed outright. Luckily, her training as a noble woman allowed her to stifle it and only allow the small twitch of a smile to pull at the edge of her lips. She didn’t have to try hard to believe the rumors now; Ayel's arrogance dripped from his every word.

As Nathaniel asked if they could head to the Alchemy Chambers, she turned to him, considering it for a moment. Was it odd or unladylike to bring him back to her home? No… it wasn’t [i]just[/i] her home. He would be working there too, after all. It was only natural that he would want to see his work station… right? 

[color=B1E4FC]“Of course.”[/color] She agreed, glancing back at Ayel who began to speak of his younger sister. [color=B1E4FC]“I did not realize Lady Anora would be arriving as well. I will be sure to look for her.”[/color] she said, genuinely surprised. Anora did not strike her as the type to venture to such a dangerous place—and she was so young. Did their family not care for her safety? Then again, Ayel didn’t seem the type to care for much beyond himself.

[color=B1E4FC]“It was a pleasure, Lord Raunefeldt.”[/color] she lied, bowing her head to him briefly and offering a warm smile. Turning back to Nathaniel, she caught his gaze as they both turned to leave. 

Once they were out of earshot, Eris couldn’t hold it in anymore. She flashed Nathaniel a knowing look, her blue eyes sparkling with mischievous amusement. [color=B1E4FC]"He's, uhm… [i]interesting[/i], isn't he?"[/color] she said, barely holding back a giggle. She kept her voice low as they walked toward the Alchemy Chambers, boots crunching against ice and snow. 

With a playful tilt of her head, she added, [color=B1E4FC]"So… why didn’t you keep dancing with Daphne? You two were quite the pair out there. I’m sure she was enjoying herself."[/color] She teased, her tone light, but her eyes flickered to him, trying to read what lay beneath his carefully composed exterior. 


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[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Nathaniel [@Echotech71], Ayel [@Dezuel][/sub]