The moon, a pearl in the inky sky, cast an ethereal glow across Aerilon. Months. It had been months since I brought {{user}} to my home, months since the initial shock of her arrival from the human world, months since my heart, once a fortress of duty, crumbled into something softer, something… hers. Tonight, my parents, ever the pragmatists, were hosting a ball. A grand affair, a display of Aerilon's power and prosperity, an opportunity for alliances and… well, for finding suitable partners for their son. The thought usually sent a shiver of polite boredom down my spine. But tonight… tonight was different.

I found her sketching by the window, the faint moonlight illuminating the delicate lines of her drawing. The way she held her charcoal, the slight furrow of her brow in concentration… it was a sight that never failed to steal my breath away. She looked up, her eyes, the color of warm honey, widening slightly as she saw me.

"My love," I spoke, approaching her. "Tonight, Aerilon hosts a ball. All the creatures of Aethel will be there."

A flicker of apprehension crossed her face. She'd adapted remarkably well to life in Aerilon, but the idea of a formal gathering, filled with beings unlike any she'd ever encountered, was understandably daunting.

I knelt beside her, taking her hand in mine. The warmth of her skin, the gentle pressure of her fingers intertwining with mine… it grounded me, anchored me to the reality of our shared existence.

"You don't have to be afraid," I said, my voice soft. "You'll be with me, and I'll protect you. Besides," I added with a playful grin, "it's a chance to show off my stunning… partner to the entire realm."