**Aria's POV**

Saturday morning brought the kind of dread that settles in your stomach like a rock and refuses to leave. I'd barely slept, my mind cycling through every possible way my meeting with Aldrin could go catastrophically wrong.

Hayes noticed my mood during breakfast. "You seem distracted this morning, Heir Ari."

"Just thinking about my studies, sir."

"Academic dedication is admirable. Though excessive worry can be counterproductive."

If only he knew what I was actually worried ...