Aelin's twenty first birthday party was a large and important event. It was also the first major court party being held since the death of Duke Perrington. As a Lady of the Court I was expected to attend but I knew that people from Adarlan were going to be there. People who I used to be paid to sleep with. Wealthy people who became the politicians of Adarlan once Dorian ascended, and people who would no doubt recognize me.

But Aelin didn't need one of her nobles publicly snubbing her at the most important party of the year because I didn't want to own up to my past so I put on a green ball gown with off the shoulder straps that complimented by eyes nicely and had my maid, Zarlan, do my make-up. The one thing that kept me distracted from the thought of the party was almost thirteen- year-old Evangeline bubbling with excitement with the thought of an actual party.

She picked out a bright blue dress and had shiny white shoes and a ridiculously expensive white pearl and gold hair clip, given to her by the King of Adarlan himself.

" Lysandra, there's going to be famous lords and ladies and Rowan is going to propose to Aelin and there will be tarts and champagne and Aedion and Dorian and I don't have to leave early!" Evangeline exclaimed loudly, startling Zarlan and making her mess up my eye makeup.

" Evie, don't tell anyone about the engagement, you're not even supposed to know and absolutely no champagne for you. Also at the party they are not Aedion and Dorian, if you call them that you might cause a political scandal, I know you're excited about the party but it's more business than fun." I didn't mean to spoil her fun , but I wasn't thinking much about what I was saying, although I did feel bad. I was compiling a list of men I might see that I do not want to even think about.

" Sorry Lysandra, I shouldn't have acted like a child." Evangeline apologized quietly and left the room probably in search of someone who was going to be nicer than me.

Zarlan finished my makeup and gave me a strange look before she went back to her quarters leaving me alone to think and complain internally. I still had a half hour before I was to be announced formally, using this time to try and get my shit together was most likely the best option but panic was setting in. Since the beginning of the war and my time as Lady Lysandra I've been trying to escape the past life that was given to me by monsters and I had done a pretty good job at it. All that work could fall tonight if someone treated me like a courtesan instead of the lady I am.

" Get your shit together Lysandra." I whispered to myself and then prepared to enter a political arena, knowing I had to represent Terrasen and my land and the family I've come to know.

" Lady Lysandra of Lysandrius and her heir Lady Evangeline." The announcer bellowed and moved on the next family. I gripped Evangeline's hand until it came time to pay our respects to Aelin on the dais. Evangeline and I both curtsied and Aelin almost started laughing. She wore a spectacular gown of gold, her hair in an elaborate up do and a crown of gold and silver with a large ruby in the center. The amulet around the neck completed the look and she was regal. We moved on and stood in our place near the dais to wait for the procession to end and the dancing to begin. Rowan sat in a throne next to Aelin's and Aedion stood on the other side of the dais then Evangeline and me. The Allsbrooks and other important families stood on the same side of the room while foreign nobles were waiting on the other side. I saw Dorian trying to control Hollin and noticed Evangeline staring in disgust at his behavior.

Everyone in the room eyed the other guests with wariness and suspicion for another ten minuets before Aelin made the welcome speech.

" My dear guests, thank you for helping me celebrate my birthday and the rebirth of our great nation. The party may begin." Aelin, not one for long speeches said before accepting Rowan's hand to start the dancing first. Aedion and I danced second as planned. The sound was medium paced and loud but I could still talk to him.

" How was the trip to Wendlyn?" I asked as he spun me up in the air when the song got higher.

" Boring and political as everything is these days my dear Lady Lysandra." He answered with typical Aedion arrogance and boredom.

" Well I suppose it was boring here without you as well..." I was going to retort with something that would make him blush and loose the arrogance like I always do when I saw a man. I don't remember then man's name. He was some absurdly rich merchant from Adarlan and he was currently dancing with his wife. I remember being eighteen and having an appointment at his house and that it was one of the worse ones.

" Lysandra, you were saying something?" Aedion looking confused and slightly worried at my horrified expression. I remembered the rumors the other girls spread about the house before I went there. I frantically looked around the room and saw two more visitors from Adarlan that I remembered but none stirred up the same panic the first one had. I realized I had forgotten to breath or dance and that Aedion was literally dragging me into the steps. I tried to fix it but I saw black spots and felt Aedion discreetly pulling me out of the grand ballroom and into what appeared to be an unused guest bedroom.

" What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked while carrying me to the bed. "You literally almost collapsed."

" I know." I said suddenly realizing what this might look like. " Aedion, if anyone saw that I let Aelin's General take me into a bedroom ten minuets into a party those people in there will think I'm still a whore and Aelin's reputation will suffer and might cause an international incident and we have to go back." I gasped out while trying to keep the panic off. I honestly have no idea why I acting like this and apparently neither does Aedion.

" Lysandra, since when did you care what other people think, if you go back out there now you'll get collapse again and scare Evangeline, besides I don't think any one noticed. So calm down or I getting a healer and I know you don't want me to make this a big deal." He was obviously confused on what the hell was happening but knew better then to ask. I could barely breath in the corseted dress but took the water Aedion handed me and tried not to think about how embarrassing this would be in the morning.

I suppose I eventually lost consciousness in the room Aedion dragged me into but I woke up in my room in pajamas with Evangeline asleep next to me and a note on the nightstand.

" Told everyone you have the flu, play along. P.S who is he?"

- AA

" Aedion Ashryver. " I said and fell asleep again.