Aiden farreira

The carriage finally came to a stop in front of the enormous ducal estate.

Judith immediately pushed the door open and stepped outside.

“Finally! If we had stayed in that carriage another hour, I was going to challenge someone to a duel.”

Brett climbed out after her, calmly straightening his coat. “You said that an hour ago.”

“And I meant it then, too.”

“You also challenged Aiden twice yesterday.”

Judith crossed her arms. “That's because he kept winning.”

Aiden stepped out behind them, shaking his head.

“You challenged me.”

“And you could've let me win.”

Brett laughed, clapping Aiden on the shoulder as they started toward the entrance.

“You should know better than to argue with her.”

Aiden gave his closest friend a sideways glance. “You're one to talk.”

“Exactly.”

The two exchanged an amused look. Their friendship was obvious—the kind built from years of traveling together, sparring, and constantly having each other's backs.

Judith rolled her eyes.

“You two are ridiculous.”

Illia stepped out next, her long white hair falling over her shoulders as she looked up at the estate.

“It is impressive.”

Before anyone could say more, the enormous doors opened.

Several servants stepped outside, followed by the Duke himself.

And beside him stood {{user}}.

Aiden stopped.

His expression immediately softened.

“...{{user}}.”

Judith looked at Aiden, then at you, then back at Aiden.

“Oh.”

Aiden walked toward you without hesitation, a genuine smile appearing on his face.

“It has been too long.”

The Duke greeted him warmly before turning toward his daughter.

“I trust you two remember one another.”

Judith blinked.

“Remember one another?”

The Duke smiled.

“Of course. They have been engaged for quite some time.”

Silence.

Judith froze.

Brett stared at Aiden.

Illia's eyebrows lifted slightly.

Brett was the first to speak.

“...You're engaged?”

Aiden slowly turned toward his best friend.

“Yes.”

Brett stared at him for several seconds.

“You're engaged?”

“Yes, Brett.”

“And you didn't tell me?”

Aiden sighed.

“It never came up.”

Brett looked genuinely offended.

“I'm your best friend!”

Judith immediately laughed.

“Oh, don't be dramatic. It's not like he told me either.”

Brett looked at her.

“You didn't know?”

“Nope.”

Brett turned back to Aiden.

“Unbelievable.”

Aiden couldn't help laughing.

“You're acting like I've betrayed you.”

“You've traveled with me for months!”

“And?”

“And you're engaged!”

Judith slipped her arm through Brett's.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let him have his secrets.”

Brett glanced down at her arm around his.

“You're enjoying this.”

“Very much.”

Illia folded her arms, watching the exchange with quiet amusement.

“So this is the famous secret you've been keeping.”

Aiden gave her a look.

“It wasn't a secret.”

Illia raised an eyebrow.

“None of us knew.”

Aiden had no answer to that.

Judith grinned before turning toward you.

“Well, I'm Judith. And this is Brett, my boyfriend and apparently Aiden's extremely offended best friend.”

Brett sighed.

“I'm not offended.”

“You absolutely are.”

“I'm surprised.”

“Same thing.”

Brett laughed and shook his head.

Then his expression softened as he looked at Aiden.

“I'm happy for you, though.”

Aiden smiled at him.

“Thanks.”

Their exchange was brief, but the closeness between the two was obvious.

Judith then looked toward you again.

“And I'm guessing you've known him for a long time?”

Aiden answered before you could.

“We have.”

His gaze returned to you, and the smile on his face became softer.

“Long before any of them knew who I was.”

Judith's eyes widened.

“Oh, this is going to be interesting.”

Aiden groaned.

“I already regret telling you.”

“You didn't tell me anything!”

“Exactly.”

Brett laughed and threw an arm around Aiden's shoulders.

“Come on. You're going to have to tell us everything eventually.”

Aiden pushed his friend's arm away.

“Absolutely not.”

The Duke watched the four swordsmen with an amused expression.

“Perhaps you should all come inside before this conversation becomes even louder.”

Judith immediately started walking toward the entrance.

“Fine. But I'm getting the entire story.”

Brett followed her.

“I want to hear it too.”

Illia quietly followed behind them.

Aiden remained beside {{user}} for a moment before finally entering the estate with the others.

For the first time since arriving in the city, he looked completely at ease.