To our little ones || Aonung x Neteyam

Chapter 29: Green compassion.

(This chapter had me so excited I started to feel dizzy towards the end ngl)

Kiri sighed, it had barely been a couple of hours into the evening and she already was desperate to go back home. Was she supposed to endure such torture for an entire week?

She had excluded herself to a corner in the room, happily watching people dancing, Lo'ak and Tskreya among them. At least they were having fun, although Rotxo was completely out of sight which disappointed her a little. Kiri was looking forward to spending time together even if her main target gad to be Miles.

She didn't really care, nor she wanted to be near him, but every time she thought about leaving the party to go back to her room her head would flood with her grandmother's words.

"Save your family."

She couldn't allow herself to ruin the only opportunity she might have of doing so. She was lucky Miles even turned his head to look at her, and if she went through so much trouble to get where she was, she might as well finish the job.

"Now Miss, why on earth are you here all alone when we could be enjoying the evening?" Miles leaned against the wall, looking at her with a grin and slightly furrowed eyebrows.

"Are you suggesting I shall dance with you?"

"If not, what else?" He stretched his arm, offering her his hand.

"I would, but I regret to inform you that I fear for my new shoes." She excused hoping that he would catch the hint and take a sit to talk instead. Truth is, no matter how willing she was, that wicked corset barely allowed her to breathe sitting. She didn't want to push her luck and end up fainting on the main floor.

"Is that so?" He kept his hands out. "Then, will you care to join me and some of my friends? Light conversation, nothing that will put at risk your...shoes." He raised an eyebrow and Kiri didn't have any other option but to agree. "I see you are wearing the necklace."

"Of course, what other occasion would be better than this one to show off this beautiful piece?"

"I couldn't have said it better myself." He offered his arms and she took them, both approaching a group of men while in awkward silence. "Gentlemen!"

"Well, If it isn't The Miles Quarich!" One of them said in a dramatic amused voice.

"And who this might be?" They all turned around to see Kiri.

"Miss Sully, these are Mister Larue, Mister Becket, and Mister Carrington. Very good friends of mine."

"A pleasure." Kiri smiled as politely as she could.

"The pleasure is ours!"

"Say, Miles, Is this the woman you have been talking about non-stop?"

"Please, Miss Sully, you must reveal your secret, I have never seen him this obsessed about a woman before!"

"You have turned him into a lovesick fool!" They all laughed despite Kiri's clear discomfort.

"Please, Miss Sully didn't have to do anything, everyone could get easily swept off his feet by her many charms." Miles lowered his head as if he was embarrassed.

"So, does that means that stunning neckless was a gift from you? Oh! Is this how you plan to win her heart, Miles!?"

"Please, my gift held no secret intentions. I simply saw one of the many designs we have been working on and I thought it would look beautiful on her. And I wasn't wrong."

"And by the size of those rocks, I'm guessing the business is in its prime!"

"You are certainly right about that!" Miles stood straight, his chest going out proudly.