The three of them had argued for a while, going back and forth until finally—

Aiden dragged a hand down his face and let out a long sigh. In that moment, he understood why husbands never win arguments with their wives.

"It's pointless trying to argue," he muttered. "Especially when you two agree on everything." He shook his head, exhaled again, and finally said, "Okay."

"So you're saying we're coming with you?" Arianna asked, wanting to be sure.

"It's either that," Aiden said dryly, lifting his arms almost dramatically, "or this argument kills me first. You tell me how much choice I have."

Both women smiled, relieved that things had gone their way.

Aiden eventually returned them to the guild with a snap of his fingers, leaving himself alone in the Domain. He stood there for a while, staring into the open expanse, and lost in thought.

Syra's translucent form appeared beside him, taking a seat close by. "Traveling to Dellheim could be dangerous," she said softly. "Are you sure you want to bring them?"

Aiden let out a weary sigh. "I don't know, Syra," he admitted. "I really don't."

….

The next morning in the main room, Laela and Arianna sat together at one of the tables, chatting quietly, when Elena happened to glance down at their hands.

Her eyes widened when she noticed two beautiful rings on their ring fingers.

"Wait," Elena said, pointing. "What is that?"

Rings looking like that and worn on that finger were only traditionally worn one for one reason.

That question made some of the members of the guild turn towards them.

Laela and Arianna both looked down at their rings, then at each other, then smiled. Arianna leaned closer to Elena's ears and whispered into her ears.

Her facial expression became even more shocked as he raised both hands over her gaping mouth.

Piers who sat close narrowed his eyes to the faces of the girls and couldn't help but call it out. "Are you both by any chance by any chance engaged?"

They both glanced at themselves, and turned back to Piers with smiles on their faces and then nodded.

The guild exploded instantly.

"No way!" Piers shouted, jumping up from his seat.

At this point, Katherine entered the main room from her chambers after hearing the suddenly explosive noise.

"They are really engagement rings?!" Bernard yelled again.

Oliver's face lit up. "Was it big brother who proposed?!"

They both looked gave nods to their questions which made the guild erupt even more.

Aiden, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, was smiling the whole time and shaking his head.

Katherine whose surprise had settled into a smile then said, "You've got guts, kid. I'll give you that."

Piers clapped him on the back. "You ballsy bastard! Two wives! Gods, I can barely handle one woman, and you're taking on two?"

Laughter erupted around the room.

To the other side of the room, Kayden sat with his arms crossed, and an unreadable expression. He wasn't celebrating, but he wasn't scowling either.

Innis, sitting beside him, with a smile on her face at first, noticed and nudged him gently. "You alright?"

Kayden exhaled. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Innis studied him for a moment, then stood. "Come on. Let's go train."

She had once been told of the brief and little history between Kayden and Arianna, and understood it was probably related to all that.

Kayden nodded and followed her out without a word.

The rest of the guild continued their joyful chaos, congratulating Aiden, teasing Laela and Arianna, and celebrating the engagement with the same energy they had celebrated their victory the night before.

————

A meeting between the captains and Oberon was called that morning.

Oberon recounted his encounter with the assassins, and most of the captains immediately voiced their belief that Arnarra was behind it.

"Yes, I'm well aware she sent them," Oberon said, his tone calm but firm. "But we can't go to war with the elves, at least not yet. Not until I'm certain I have the allegiance of the other rulers. Rushing into battle now would only breed more division."

A brief silence followed before Thamoryn stepped forward. "Your Grace, if I may…"

Oberon nodded, motioning towards her to take the floor.

Thamoryn stepped forward and said, "We also can't rule out the possibility that other rulers had a hand in the assassination attempt. They'll all be at the coronation today, and while I doubt any of them would be reckless enough to strike there, we should still be on high alert. We can't afford to take chances."

The captains murmured their agreement.

When the meeting ended, they were dismissed back to their respective guild halls, leaving only Oberon and the Grand Magus behind.

"Your Grace," Thamoryn said quietly, "there's something I need to tell you."

Oberon turned towards her, "Go on, what is it?"

"It's Aiden, he's leaving Dragonhold after the Coronation" She said

"Hm… To where, and why?" Oberon asked, with a faint frown creasing his face.

Thamoryn explained that it was something Aiden had mentioned earlier, but she'd managed to convince him to stay until after the coronation. She admitted she didn't know where he was headed, as he never said, even when she asked.

"And does he plan to return? Or when?" Oberon pressed.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace. I don't know that either. I only know what he chooses to share," Thamoryn replied.

Oberon exhaled slowly. He understood the balance of power between them and Aiden—and that no one could compel him to do anything he didn't wish to.

"Hm…" Oberon muttered, with concern on his face and after a brief pause, he added. "The war for Holy Grail is in less than four months. Do you think we'll be able to count on him during that time to fight for us?"

Thamoryn considered the question for a moment before answering, "I'm not sure, Your Grace. As you know, Aiden is an unpredictable factor in everything."

Oberon nodded slowly. "Then we'll shift our focus to strengthening our own mages. The power we hoped to use against Dragonhold after winning the Holy Grail will now serve to secure my dominance over the other kingdoms."

Thamoryn gave a single nod of understanding.

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