Aldrich stood outside the hotel in a plain white shirt, buttoned only at the collar, the rest left open to reveal a black round-neck top beneath.
He paired it with black trousers, the simplicity of his outfit setting him apart.
His silver hair, cut in a neat buzz, added to his innocent yet cool look as he waited at the gate, eyes scanning for his mystery date.
All around him, luxury cars glided in and out of the parking lot.
Teenagers in tuxedos and exquisite white gowns, adorned with sparkling jewellery, stepped out, carrying themselves with ease and confidence.
Just being here made him feel out of place, blending into the background amid the display of wealth and elegance.
His younger sister, Saldrich, had already gone inside, dressed in an outfit that suited the occasion.
He could admit she looked beautiful, her long, silky silver hair standing out against the more common shades of black and blonde that surrounded them.
Just then, a limo pulled up in front of him, the sleek vehicle demanding his attention.
The passenger window slid down, and to his surprise, there she was—his mystery date.
"Did someone order a taxi?" she teased, her cheerful tone catching him off guard.
He watched as she stepped out of the car in a white gown, sleeveless, revealing her graceful neckline, adorned with a delicate silver necklace.
"I didn't think you'd actually come," she said, standing before him.
Her heels made her two inches taller, and the gown flowed down her toned figure, the fabric accentuating her gracefully carved waist.
"And leave a beauty like you hanging?" Aldrich replied with a smile.
Her cheeks turned pink at his comment, her eyes lowering shyly for just a moment.
"You look… good tonight, Miss…?" he trailed off, hinting at her name.
He sought to rectify Saldrich's comment about not knowing the name of his date.
"Fiona. Fiona Helmsworth," she said, a soft smile on her lips.
"Fiona, huh? That's a nice—wait! Did you just say, Fiona? As in Fiona Helmsworth?"
Aldrich panicked, a struggle for compose so as to not appear suspicious.
"Yes. Is there a problem?" she asked, a hint of surprise in her expression.
"No, no problem at all," he replied quickly, though inwardly, he thought, No problem, except that you're the female lead of the novel Arthdal Chronicle and the main character's love interest in a whole list of harem members!
"Are you okay? You look… distant," she said, sounding concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
Aldrich was having a hard time wrapping his head around it.
To be face-to-face with the novel's female lead—right off the bat? It was an unexpected twist.
He took a moment to gather himself, keeping his emotions under control as he tried to accept that Fiona Helmsworth, the female lead from his favourite novel, was here with him in person.
In the book, she was described as a beauty beyond words.
But seeing her this close, he understood just how much the novel had undersold her charm.
Her golden hair framed her bright, honey-brown eyes, and her smile was so elegant, it was enough to melt even the coldest heart.
He didn't mean to get involved with her and probably wouldn't have if he knew from the start.
"I'm guessing you weren't informed of the dress code," she said, glancing over his casual attire with a playful smirk. "Luckily for you, I've got you covered."
Fiona returned to the car and came back with a black coat and tie.
"Oh, no way. I'm not wearing that," Aldrich objected, rubbing the back of his head.
"You don't have a choice here. You're the prince, and I'm the damsel in distress. I need saving, and you can do that… how? By wearing this."
Her argument was persuasive enough to convince Aldrich to reluctantly slip on the coat and tie.
"Shall we?" Aldrich offered, extending his hand in a gentlemanly gesture.
"We shall," she replied, taking his hand as they walked together toward the hotel.
"On a side note, a friend told me this event is a 'colitine' gathering where the children of the rich and famous are introduced to society," Aldrich mentioned as they strolled.
"You mean cotillion," Fiona corrected with a giggle.
"Right, cotillion. So, is that true?" he asked, wanting confirmation.
"It is," she answered, her cheerful smile intact.
Aldrich hummed, perplexed as he processed the information.
"I should mention—I'm not a part of your social circle. I live in Midstate, and my family isn't anywhere near as well-off as yours. So choosing me as your date… might not be your best idea."
The Helmsworth family was a titan in the continent's economy, with influence and assets spanning technical innovation and infrastructure.
Their wealth outstripped that of the fifty richest people combined back on Earth.
And Fiona Helmsworth, the female lead of his favourite story, was the second-born daughter of that family.
"You don't have to worry about that. I already knew," she replied easily.
He looked at her, taken aback. "You knew? How?"
She laughed, amused by his confusion. "First, your cluelessness about who I was," she explained.
That much was true.
The Helmsworth family was one of the most publicized families, with reporters clamouring for photos and magazines eager to feature them. Yet Aldrich had been oblivious to her identity.
"So you invited me to this glamorous event, fully aware that my background wasn't exactly… society material," Aldrich mused, his tone curious.
"Anything I should be worried about, Miss Helmsworth?" he added with a chuckle.
"I don't know, Mr.…?" she asked, clearly prompting for his name.
"Aldaman. Aldrich Aldaman," he introduced himself, proud.
"That's a nice name," she complimented, a glint of admiration in her eyes.
"I could say the same for you, that's for sure."
As they continued their conversation, they made their way into the hotel, each step taking Aldrich deeper into a night he could have never imagined.