After leaving Diana's penthouse, Arias and Diana headed directly to the gala. They arrived neither late nor early, making a stylish entrance that drew attention from the media. The sight of the two walking down the red carpet together sparked a flurry of questions from reporters, some of which clearly annoyed Diana. Despite her desire to respond, she held back, following Arias's lead as they made their way inside.
The walk to the grand hall barely lasted a minute, but it was enough to highlight the security measures in place. Slade, Rose, and the rest of the security detail had to remain outside, as the delegates weren't allowed to bring personal security into the building. While this arrangement worried some of the leaders, it was ultimately safer to minimize the number of armed individuals at the event. Many attendees opted to use their plus-one invitations on bodyguards, though these guards had to be unarmed.
To ensure the safety of everyone, the U.S. government had stationed a special team among the guests, constantly scanning for any signs of danger. Additionally, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, and Diana herself were present on behalf of their respective people and the Justice League, which helped to ease the concerns of those who understood the risks involved in attending.
The gala took place in a grand hall at the top of one of Washington's most luxurious hotels, spanning two floors. The walls were adorned with flags from every country on Earth, serving both as a display of unity and for publicity purposes.
As they were guided to the venue by one of the many trained military personnel posing as helpers, Arias silently took note of the extensive security measures in place. From top-tier surveillance to military cameramen who would later distribute photos and videos to various media outlets, the government had gone to great lengths to ensure the event went off without a hitch.
Diana, noticing Arias's silence, finally decided to break it after calming down from their earlier encounter. "Your people are far too careful. I feel like my every move is being observed."
Arias, pulled out of his thoughts by her comment, turned to her with a charming smile. "It's probably more than a feeling. What the leaders of the world cannot control, they consider a threat."
Diana puffed out her chest confidently, furrowing her brows. "I, Princess Diana, cannot be controlled. Just ask my mother," she said with a mischievous grin.
Arias didn't doubt her words but was relieved that she had agreed to leave her sword and lasso in the car. Otherwise, she might have been swinging them around every time she made a grand declaration or felt offended.
As they continued to chat, mostly bad-mouthing the government, Arias was keenly aware that the entire building was likely wired, with all conversations recorded. He wasn't the only one who noticed this; many of the more seasoned delegates spoke carefully, understanding the risks of speaking freely at such an event. Diana, however, was blissfully unaware of the tension her comments were causing.
"Yes, I agree. The women of this world are rather weak. I could break them all like sticks if they were ever to challenge me," she declared confidently.
"Your people's warrior attire is quite ugly."
"Are all world leaders fat? Is it a requirement?"
"Hmph! My people are naturally beautiful; we do not need the help of products to look better."
"Why would you put another person's hair on your head? Is it a way to display superiority?"
By the time they arrived at the hall, their guide's smile had frozen, and her eye twitched with barely contained frustration. Arias found this amusing, while Diana, completely ignorant of the tension she was causing, simply proceeded into the hall.
As they entered, all eyes turned to them—specifically to Diana. Arias, still relatively unknown, wasn't the focus of attention. The gala was full of opportunists, and Diana was a prime target. Unfortunately for them, Arias had already made his move.
"Princess Diana, a moment please, big fan…"
"Wonder Woman, your beauty truly is transcendent. Have you considered modeling? Our parent company…"
"Hello, I'm the…"
Everyone wanted a piece of Diana, whether it was to forge an alliance, make empty promises, or appeal to her sense of justice. But it was all in vain, as Arias had taken a precaution during their car ride to the venue.
"All matters to do with the circular world are handled by my friend, Arias Markovic. Now leave me be," Diana declared firmly.
A smile tugged at the corner of Arias's mouth. During the ride, he had warned her about the intentions of humans and suggested she leave such matters to him or someone she trusted. The fact that he had been so casual and hadn't insisted on himself only made Diana more certain that he was the best person to help her navigate this new world. After the betrayal she had suffered, she wasn't willing to trust anyone easily—except for Arias, whom she had tested with the Lasso of Truth.
Diana's loud declaration caused a brief silence to fall over the room before the attendees shifted their focus to Arias. The most immediate conclusion they reached was that Diana had fallen for him, placing her trust in him. Arias's handsome appearance and wealth made this an easy assumption, but it also caused concern. Those who knew him as a billionaire were now less likely to try bribing him, as they believed he was already in a favorable position.
But this was exactly what Arias wanted. "We're just here to enjoy the gala and mingle casually. If you want to talk business, do it with someone who cares. Follow me, Diana. You should try the delicacies here," he said arrogantly.
Frowns appeared on several faces as Arias purposefully adopted a confident, almost cocky demeanor. He wanted people to think that his confidence stemmed from Diana's presence, and they did. More importantly, he didn't want to do business in front of her. He wanted her to believe that his sole concern was her enjoyment, as any good friend would.
Arias knew they would reach out to him—whether it was governments or organizations—but that would come later. His initial purpose for attending the gala was still very much in play.