Wren looked at Leah as they reached the bottom of the grand staircase. A lot of people were glancing at them... some were openly staring, others casting discrete looks from the corners of their eyes and conversations pausing mid-sentence as they passed.

He glanced down at Leah and mouthed silently. "Let me go."

She looked up at him and mouthed back just as silently. "No."

They kept walking elegantly toward the dining area with their hands still interlaced and their steps synchronized like they’d practiced this entrance.

For some reason, Leah had wanted to walk down together holding hands... At the moment when they’d first started descending, Wren hadn’t minded at all but now, as they moved through the crowded dining hall with everyone’s eyes on them, it felt different.

It was as if Leah was trying to insinuate that they were together... like a couple making their relationship public and honestly, Wren didn’t mind the attention itself, but the implications were starting to concern him.

What if someone from Joel’s family was here? What if they took pictures and sent them to Joel? What if Joel’s family started making threats because they thought Wren was making moves on their daughter-in-law?

Sure, Isabel was Wren’s aunt... that connection was real but Wren genuinely doubted that the Merritt family would actually defend him if something serious happened.

He was still an outsider.

A maid in the ship’s elegant uniform approached them as they entered the main dining area. She smiled professionally and gestured toward one of the VIP tables near the center of the room.

"This way, please," the maid said, leading them through the maze of white-clothed tables. The others were already seated... Diana, Zoe, Priya, Derek, Toby, and Dani all sitting around a large circular table with pristine place settings and an elaborate floral centerpiece.

They all looked up as Wren and Leah approached with various expressions crossing their faces.

"Please remain seated once you’ve taken your places," the maid instructed politely. "The formal dinner will begin shortly with a welcome address from the captain."

"Thank you," Wren said automatically. The maid’s cheeks flushed slightly pink, and she smiled wider.

"Master Wren looks absolutely amazing tonight," she said, the words tumbling out quickly before she seemed to realize what she’d said then she scurried off before Wren could even respond with another thank you, disappearing into the crowd of staff moving between tables.

’What was all of that about?’ Wren thought, slightly bemused.

He finally let go of Leah’s hand and moved to take a seat on the other side of Diana, settling into the plush dining chair.

Zoe looked at him with a raised eyebrow with her expression completely skeptical.

"I’m surprised you even had a suit to wear..." Zoe commented.

Wren smiled slightly.

"I’m surprised about it too, honestly," Wren admitted.

It turned out that Leah had been preparing the suit before they’d even arrived on the ship. She’d apparently measured him with her eyes during their shopping trip to get his proper measurements, then had the suit tailored and delivered to his room.

That was very weird, and Wren had told her exactly that when she’d explained it earlier but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

Wren looked around the table, taking in everyone’s formal attire with genuine appreciation.

"You all look very good tonight." Wren said sincerely. "Surprisingly even you Toby..."

His gaze landed on Toby, who was wearing a surprisingly well-fitted charcoal suit with a burgundy tie. Wren honestly hadn’t expected Toby to own something so formal.

Toby cleared his throat lightly and adjusted his glasses with one finger with his expression becoming carefully neutral.

"If you’re being racist, you should just come out and say it," Toby said and Wren blinked, caught off guard.

"What? No... I was genuinely surprised that you look that good in a suit," Wren interjected quickly. "That’s a compliment, not—"

"I really don’t care about any of your gay talk," Toby interrupted, adjusting his glasses again with an air of calculated indifference.

He glanced around the dining hall, his eyes tracking the various women moving between tables.

"There’s approximately a thirty-three percent chance of women approaching me if I maintain a calm demeanor and simply wait..." Toby said, as if calculating probabilities in real-time.

Leah laughed at that.

"Maybe you could even get yourself a sugar mommy," Leah suggested with a grin and Toby considered this seriously.

"I really wouldn’t mind that," Toby said. "In fact, I would actively welcome it. Financial security combined with companionship seems like an optimal arrangement."

Before anyone could respond to that, soft classical music began playing from somewhere in the room.

Wren turned his head and spotted the source... a woman in an elegant black dress seated at a grand piano in the far corner of the dining hall.

Her fingers moved gracefully across the keys, the melody starting slowly and then building into something more complex and beautiful.

The music seemed to be a signal.

Immediately, waiters and maids began moving throughout the entire space with practiced coordination.

They carried silver trays, moving between tables, setting down crystal wine glasses and water goblets at each place setting with barely a sound.

The atmosphere transformed from casual anticipation to refined elegance in moments.

"It really is calmer than the club..." Diana mouthed quietly, almost to herself.

She’d never been in a place quite like this before... this level of wealth, this kind of formal sophistication. Everything about it made her want to sit up straighter, speak more carefully, and act like she belonged among these people.

Wren looked at her with a warm smile.

"I don’t think you should be comparing the Celestine to the Rustic Noir..." Wren said gently. "They’re completely different experiences but both have their place."

Diana turned to meet his eyes, and that earlier uncomfortable feeling she’d gotten when he’d been holding Leah’s hand... that sharp painful jealousy drained away completely as she stared into his gaze.

Before she could respond, Alfred appeared at their table as if materializing from thin air.

He carried a tray with several wine glasses, which he distributed to each person at the table with precise movements.

"Would you prefer red or white wine this evening?" Alfred asked the table at large. Everyone looked at Wren, as if he should make the decision for the group.

Wren raised an eyebrow at the sudden responsibility but shrugged slightly.

"I’ll have red..." Wren said and Alfred’s expression brightened with approval.

"An excellent choice, Master Wren." Alfred said warmly.

He produced a bottle of red wine from his tray... the label was written in some language he didn’t know and the vintage was clearly expensive, Alfred opened it with ease.

The cork came out with a soft pop, and Alfred began pouring the deep crimson liquid into each glass with perfect precision, never spilling a drop.

"This is the period for appetizers and socialization," Alfred explained as he poured. "If you wish to speak with guests at other tables, you are welcome to do so. However, we ask that you remain respectful of others’ conversations and return to your seats when the main course is announced."

He set the wine bottle down on the table within easy reach.

"Enjoy your evening," Alfred said with a slight bow, then walked off to attend to another table. Almost immediately, another maid appeared with a large platter of appetizers.

She set down small plates in front of each person, each one artfully arranged with various delicacies: grilled meat skewered on decorative toothpicks, small pastries with savory fillings, delicate slices of smoked salmon on crackers, stuffed mushrooms that glistened with butter and herbs, and tiny tarts with what looked like caramelized onions and cheese.

"Thank you," Wren said to the maid. The others echoed his thanks, and the maid nodded with a smile before moving on to the next table.

Dani cleared her throat softly, drawing attention. Wren finally noticed her properly... he’d been so focused on navigating the social dynamics that he’d barely registered her presence until now but she was definitely there, and she looked genuinely pretty tonight.

Her hair had been styled in an elegant bun that showed off her neck and shoulders, and her dress was a soft lavender color that complemented her complexion beautifully.

Dani looked at Wren with wide expectant eyes.

"Feed me one of the appetizers?" Dani requested, her voice sweet and almost childlike while Wren nodded without hesitation.

"Since you’ve behaved yourself, you deserve it..." Wren said with a slight smile. He picked up one of the toothpicks with grilled meat and held it out to her.

Dani leaned forward and took the meat delicately with her teeth, pulling it off the toothpick and her eyes lit up immediately.

"It’s amazing." Dani said as her voice was full of genuine delight.

"Is it?" Wren asked, he was curious now. He picked up another piece of the grilled meat... one without a toothpick and popped it into his own mouth.

Dani’s eyes widened as she realized what he’d done, and a blush spread across her cheeks.

’Wasn’t that an indirect kiss?’ Dani thought as her heart began beating faster.

"It really is delicious," Wren said, chewing thoughtfully. "The seasoning is perfect."

He looked up and noticed that all the girls at the table including Priya, who was seated next to Derek were staring at him with strange expressions and Wren raised an eyebrow.

"What’s going on?" Wren asked, genuinely confused by their reactions. No one answered directly, but there were some knowing looks exchanged and a few suppressed smiles.

Regardless, everyone soon began talking amongst themselves, mimicking the light conversation happening at the other tables around them.

The atmosphere was pleasant... with soft music, good wine, interesting food, and the low hum of dozens of conversations blending together then a young woman stood up from a nearby table.

She had long brown hair that fell past her shoulders in gentle waves, and she wore a stunning emerald green dress that probably cost more than Wren’s entire wardrobe combined.

She hesitated for a moment, gathering her courage, then gradually approached the table where Wren was seated.

Once she arrived, she cleared her throat softly to get attention.

"Ahem..." she said as her voice was slightly nervous. Wren turned to her politely, giving her his full attention.

The woman extended her phone toward him, her hand trembling slightly.

"Are you a model?" she asked, her words coming out in a rush. "Could you... could you take a picture with me?"

Wren smiled gently.

"I’m not a model," Wren said. "But I’d be happy to take a picture."

He stood up from his seat with fluid grace, his white suit catching the light from the chandeliers overhead and the woman’s face lit up with excitement.

She moved closer to him and lifted her phone... a latest-model Pearphone with a rose gold case that probably cost several thousand credits.

’Did she really have to flex being rich to my face?’ Wren thought with internal amusement but he smiled genuinely for the camera anyway.

She took a selfie of both of them, angling the phone to get the best lighting.

Click!

"Thank you so much!" she said, pulling away and looking at the photo with obvious satisfaction and Wren nodded politely.

[Host, this girl doesn’t even have a man~ Ew... Go find some married women to take pics with, not these kinds of girls. Where’s the challenge? Where’s the excitement?]

’Well, I need to reject her politely,’ Wren thought back. ’You never know what pretty women can do on the internet. One bad interaction could go viral.’

He sighed internally and was about to open his mouth to make a polite exit when the woman spoke again.

"I’m Clarissa, by the way," she introduced herself, extending her hand for a handshake. "I didn’t catch your name. And I’d love to know more about you. Are you here with family? What do you do?"

Wren shook her hand briefly.

"I’m Wren—" he started but before he could finish, another woman had appeared at his elbow... this one with striking red hair and a black cocktail dress.

"Oh my god, are you taking pictures?" the second woman asked Clarissa excitedly. "Can I get one too? Please?"

"Me too!" a third voice chimed in from behind them who was a petite blonde in a silver dress then a fourth woman joined, then a fifth.

...

Minutes later, Wren found himself completely surrounded.

A group of at least eight or nine young women had formed a tight semicircle around him, effectively cutting him off from the rest of the room.

All of them were laughing at anything he said, asking overlapping questions, requesting photos, touching his arm or shoulder or back to get his attention whenever he turned away.

"Oh Wren, you’re so funny!" one of them giggled, even though he’d just made a completely mundane observation about the piano music being lovely.

"Where did you get that suit? It’s absolutely perfect on you," another one asked, her eyes traveling obviously up and down his frame in a way that made him slightly uncomfortable. "The fit is incredible, you must have an amazing tailor."

"Are you single?" a bold brunette asked directly, leaning in closer than was strictly appropriate.

"Do you have Cliffgram? TokTik? Any social media?" Someone else wanted to know with her phone already out and ready to follow him.

"Can we get a group photo?" another suggested enthusiastically.

"Wait, let me fix my hair first—" one of the women said, pulling out a compact mirror.

"No, wait for me too, I need to check my makeup—"

"Someone get the waiter to take the photo so we can all be in it!"

The requests kept coming, overlapping creating a chaotic cacophony of feminine voices all competing for his attention.

Wren was one moment away from internally dying.

The attention was completely overwhelming.

He could feel Diana’s eyes boring into him from the table... He could see Leah’s increasingly annoyed expression in his peripheral vision even Toby was watching with what looked like a mixture of envy and calculation, probably trying to figure out what Wren was doing that attracted this kind of attention.

This was rapidly becoming a situation he desperately needed to extract himself from but he didn’t want to be rude or dismissive.

These were clearly wealthy guests... probably daughters of important families, heirs to fortunes, the kind of people who could cause social problems if offended. One wrong word could lead to complaints, could make things awkward for the Merritt family, could cause Isabel issues.

He needed an escape route that didn’t burn any bridges.

Just as he was trying to formulate a polite excuse, Zoe suddenly stood up from the table and all the girls surrounding Wren turned their attention to her as she walked over.

She looked shyly at the ground as she approached, her hands fidgeting with the fabric of her dress hen she reached out and gently grabbed Wren’s sleeve.

"Big brother?" Zoe said quietly. "I... I need help with something."

All the women immediately melted.

"Aww, she’s so cute!"

"Look at her dress!"

"What a sweet sister!"

Zoe tugged on Wren’s sleeve, pulling him away from the group. Wren gave the women an apologetic wave as he was led away.

"We’ll be here when you come back!" several of them called after him, waving enthusiastically.

Zoe navigated them out of the main dining room entirely, pulling Wren through a side corridor and around a corner... far enough away from those women and that room altogether that they wouldn’t be easily followed.

Once they were alone, Wren let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

"Thank you." Wren told her, He was genuinely surprised that she had actually helped him out. He’d expected Zoe to enjoy watching him suffer, given her usual attitude toward him.

However, Zoe stuck out her tongue and let out an exasperated sigh.

"The only one that should piss you off and nag you is me," Zoe said as she crossed her arms. "Not them. What the hell do they think they’re doing, swarming you like that?"