Arianna let out a shaky breath and shook her head. "Not really."
She walked further into the room and sat on the bed, clasping her hands in her lap. Aiden sat back down, facing her.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Arianna said, looking down. "With my father, I mean. I didn't mean to make everyone uncomfortable."
"You don't need to apologize," Aiden said. "You had every right to be upset."
"Did I though?" Arianna looked up at him, her eyes troubled. "He's my father. He's just trying to secure a good future for me. That's what fathers do, isn't it?"
"That doesn't mean he can control your life as he sees fit," Aiden replied.
Arianna's expression crumpled slightly at the word 'piece.' "That's what everyone does though, isn't it? Thamoryn used my body for her schemes. My father wants to use me for his alliances. Sometimes I wonder if I'm actually a person to anyone or just... just a tool to be used."