She was still alone

The second man raised an eyebrow, "The command in chief of the army has a daughter too? That's news! What's with these high officials hiding their daughters?"

Susan opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the first man, "You have been utterly useless!!"

Susan grovelled as the first man aimed a punch at her. But the second one stopped him and said, "No. She's done enough. I don't think there's going to be any other woman at the commander's mansion this week wearing pants. It'll be easy to take her."

"Then.....then..." Susan stammered.

He looked at her and nodded, "Yeah. Don't worry." he then turned to his companion and said, "Let's go. She's coming back."

And the two disappeared into the trees.

Just as the mysterious man had said, Aria came flying back just a few seconds after they disappeared.

She handed Susan a small box half-filled with money and said with an apologetic smile, "Sorry Susan. But this is all I have."

Susan looked at the box and shook her head, "This is plenty. Actually, it's a bit too much. Here." Susan was about to return the box when Aria shook her head, "You needed money right? Keep it. Pay me back whenever you have money."

Susan nodded with a guilty look.

She couldn't believe that she had just sold out this kind, beautiful girl of fifteen.

Aria's voice brought Susan out of her thoughts, "Okay then. I'll be going. The others will be looking for me." Saying this Aria ran off towards the castle, leaving behind Susan, holding the little box of money.

Aria met a worried Joseph just as she reached the castle.

He ran upto her and exclaimed, "Where have you been!?!?!? I've searched the whole castle for you!!!!"

Aria laughed, "You've failed because I was not in the castle. Why have you been looking for me?"

Joseph rolled his eyes, "Where were you?"

Aria: "I had an errand to run. Anyway, you didn't answer my question."

Joseph said as he turned towards the West tower, "The carriage will be here in ten minutes. Meet us at the main gate. I'm just going to go get Helen."

Aria nodded and turned towards the North tower.

Ten minutes later, Aria was standing at the main door deep in thought when she caught sight of Joseph coming back.

He had his own luggage in one hand and was leading Helen with the other.

Behind the two, Jacob was walking carrying what seemed to be like both his and Helen's luggage. Aria's face softened into a warm smile as she gazed at the three of them.

They looked so perfect together, almost like a family. And then there was she. Aria felt like she was still alone inside, and the way it should be.

Looking at the three of then right now, Aria was suddenly struck by the fact that everything did have a brighter and a darker side. She was the best bendor there was, but it came with a price that she never would be accepted for what she was.

Aria was brought out of her thoughts by Jacob's voice. "Good morning Aria." he said.

Aria pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and said with a smile, "Good morning Jacob. Hii Helen. How are you?"