The children had debriefed the Bloodwave Duke, and her husband the morning after they had arrived. They were told not to let anyone know their levels. They all knew, and to keep up appearances they would have to go to lower-level dungeons.

“Do I really have to wear this?” Auna asked as Marybeth for the tenth time tried to put her in shoes.

“It is not proper for a lady not to wear shoes!” Marybeth held the girl down tightly trying to put the shoes on her kicking feet.

“Mom leave the poor girl alone. You are messing up the rest of her outfit.” The oldest son, Gary and the twin Bloodwave children were standing at the door.

“I agree, she does not need shoes. Do you have no regard for the Fairy born!” Jensen gave a serious shout at the woman. The tone made everyone pause for a second, enough time for Auna to wiggle out of her arms. Marybeth was a strong woman for her standing.

“Thank you.” She gave Jensen a bow.

“My dear friend let her be.” Seni, the mother of Jensen came walking in to the room. It was rare for her to leave her home. She had said she would come as support for the children. She was wearing a summer dress that was much to light for noble standing. She also had no shoes to speak of, just ribbons tied around her legs. Aku was left with her parents and her other baby.

“I am sorry. She must though.” Marybeth tried again to catch Auna. This time Seni stood in her way blocking her.

“No Mary. She does not need shoes. It is not winter. Her feet will be fine. Don’t give me that look.” Seni scolded Marybeth for another thirty minutes while Jensen fixed Aunas’ hair. He brushed it out putting it half up.

“My moon, are you ready?” He asked.

“Yup.” Auna answered taking his hand to the carriage.

She wore a light purple dress with yellow flowers on the bottom hem. Her mantle was a deeper purple with the same yellow flowers. Her arms were covered by see through dress sleeves except for her shoulders. She had bright yellow ribbons holding her hair in place. Ciela wore a similar style dress with green and blue colouring. Neither girl liked the stuffy gowns nobles wore. Meredith was in such a gown already complaining about the heat.

Auna looked at Jensen. He was wearing a washed-out yellow light suit with a few purple stars on it. “Did you match by design?”

“Sure did. I asked what you and Ciela had picked out.” Jensen nodded looking at Marybeth. “I heard it caused a fight similar to the one about the shoes.”

“It did.” Both Dukes, and Meredith answered on the behalf of Auna.

The ride to the garden where the party was to be held was full of Marybeth giving last minute lectures to her children and Auna. Auna had wanted to go in the carriage with Duke Pearl but was forcefully brought by Marybeth into hers. There was not enough time for her to fight it. Ciela was spared the lecture due to space issues.

“My moon you already look exhausted.” Jensen laughed as he looped his arm into hers. They were now walking into the party with Ciela leading the way. The smaller girl loved the gardens and would be spending majority of her time crawling through them.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“I am, spent the whole time here being lectured.” Auna groaned, smiling as they were announced by a guard at the gardens entrance.

“Come let us escort the little farmer as she rudely studies the gardens.” Jensen pulled both the girls along deeper into the party. Making sure to dodge anyone trying to nab their attention. The triplets with Chloe followed closely to them. All of them would rather not mingle.

“This is a rare flower; I wonder if I could take a few?” Ciela mused to herself as she started putting a few with their root systems in her storage.

“Nice, destroying the royal gardens.” Chloe poked Ciela in the cheek as stole the flowers.

“The king isn’t watching anyway.” Ciela shrugged glancing through the bushes to see the king on his garden throne chatting. He turned to where the children hid, giving a quick wink before turning away.

“Yeah, I am not so sure about that.” Auna sighed. “At least everyone is leaving us alone for the time being. It was so awful to be pulled on staged and showed off.”

“Yeah, I don’t think anyone here enjoyed that. Even Meredith looked uncomfortable.” Mateo gave a soft laugh as he tried brushing Ciela off.

“It was such a long, stupid speech. Like come on he was acting like he was the one to protect us. He didn’t even do anything though. It is very frustrating. He even reminded us all of the arrangement with the church.” Auna was sitting on a low branch in a tree. She was essentially the lookout.

“Yeah, it was. We only have a few hours left. Then we can go back to our break!” Jensen was looking up from the ground to Auna. He was covered in dirt. They had stolen more plants than even she was comfortable stealing.

“Should we go deeper?” Ciela asked the group.

“No, this should be enough. Besides there is a slight commotion going on. I will use water magic to clean us. Jensen will use fire magic to dry us.” Auna jumped down using water magic as she fell.

“Okay. What commotion? You still good at reading lips?” Jensen followed up with his fire magic, they all looked as if they had been behaving not digging in dirt.

“Yeah, I can. It is the Count Jade family.” Auna sighed as she led her team back to the main party.

“Where is she?” Count Jades' wife, Countess Lilly, had her teeth clenched.

“Who are you looking for?” Jensen asked calmly as they re-joined.

“My daughter.” Countess Lilly Jade looked directly at Auna.

“I was unaware you had a daughter.” Jensen spat at her.

“Calm down.” Auna placed a hand on his shoulder. “I too was unaware you had a daughter Countess Lilly. Please tell me what is her name?”

“What. Is her name?” Countess Jade looked stunned as she watched Auna closely. “My daughters’ name is A, Jade.”

“Really a single letter? No proper name for a noble surely you jest?” Auna mocked.

“I did not name her.” Countess Jade

“Then is she really yours to claim now?” Auna countered back.

“Forgive my wife, she is unwell. We will excuse ourselves.” Count Jade dragged her away. There were a few hushed whispers but no outright words against the couple. Fairy born were known for such outbursts. The party went on without issue. Everyone silently agreeing to pretend they did not understand what had just happened.

“I am so over this.” Auna sighed as she lay on the carriage floor. She had convinced Marybeth to let her go back to the villa with the Pearls.

“Same.” Jensen agreed from his spot on a seat. Ciela was curled up beside him.

“Why do we have to go to every event? Most children our age don’t go to everyone. Especially children like me who are not a true part of any noble family.” Auna whined.

“Well, you have shown promise. Promise that was removed from the family tree. Many are interested in taking the pruned sapling to strengthen their own family trees. They don’t have to even worry about your lineage as they know where you came from. It is different from picking up a random orphan.” Duke Pearl spoke sternly.

“I get that, I guess.” Auna nodded along to is words. “I don’t want to be a sapling.”

“My moon it is too late for that, no?”

“I guess so.” Auna sighed deeply. Closing her eyes for the rest of the trip. She was more exhausted than she had thought herself to be. When the carriage came to a final stop at the villa Duke Pearl carried her in, Seni and him tucking her in.