Today is my birthday

Joseph nodded but said nothing. It was a really big thing for anyone in the kingdom to focus their bending on things like this, especially for kids like him and Aria, who were still at the academy.

It would lead to an unconscious bending, always having to maintain the globe, and would leave the person exhausted and distracted. So it showed that Aria really did care about Joseph if she could give him something like this.

Aria removed her hand from over Joseph's and he quietly tucked away the globe in his pocket.

"Anyway, what are you doing here?" Joseph asked, changing the topic.

Aria made a scared face and said, "So many people!! I was so overwhelmed! I thought I would faint!!!"

Joseph laughed and shook his head. He looked at Aria, fussing about her dress and hair, very worried that she would embarrass both Helen and Joseph.

Joseph tucked a loose strand of hair behind Aria's hair who tensed up for a second. Joseph noticed this but decided to ignore it as he put on his most gentlemanly smile and said, "It's my birthday today."

Aria frowned, "Don't tell me your suit is so tight that it's affecting blood circulation to your mind."

Joseph rolled his eyes and said, "You've given me a gift."

Aria stomped her foot, "Stop stating the obvious!"

Joseph chuckled, "Hold on a minute. Listen to me. I was asking if you would be too averse to the idea of giving me another gift."

Aria pouted, "You need more gifts?"

Joseph laughed evilly, "Yes. It's my birthday today and I'm going to bully you to my heart's content. And the best part is, you can't complain!!"

Aria pouted and crossed her arms, "What do you want?"

Joseph said nothing as he bowed in a very gentlemanly manner and held up his hand.

Aria groaned as she placed her hand in his, "You're not going to let me have it easy, are you?"

Joseph's face broke out into a huge grin. It was so big that Aria wondered how didn't his lips tear themselves apart.

Aria huffed as Joseph led her to the centre of the hall, "Fine! But don't blame me if I step on my dress or kick you."

Joseph laughed, "That's never going to happen."

Joseph had noticed that Aria always complained that she hated wearing long dresses, and how she wasn't able to move in them. But he had also seen Aria never once looking the least bit uncomfortable whenever she had to wear something she disliked.

Aria carried herself perfectly, with a straight head and beautiful posture. Joseph could argue that she handled herself better than Helen, who had been taught manners and how to hold herself by quite a few people and for quite a few years.

It almost seemed to Joseph like there was something inside Aria that she very much tried to supress, but it naturally shone out whenever she wasn't paying enough attention.

With these thoughts in mind Joseph led Aria to the centre of the hall, signalling to her mother on the way, so that music started as soon as the two reached the centre.