──
✫age: twentyxx✫gender: femalexx✫wealth: ninexx✫kingdom: nearonxx✫tags: ambroseAnnalise felt numb. Her heart was pounding, her blood was racing, but her skin prickled, and she felt like her mind was suddenly in a completely different body. The body of a statue, perhaps; she showed one thing on the outside, but nothing but coldness and instability piled up on the inside. She had no reason to feel anger towards the man that was to dance with her, but her brain was moving far too quickly and evidently overthinking things way too much for her to simply forgive everything that was going to happen the second he made an appearance. It was a bad habit of Annie's, bundling up her troubles until they splurged out of her the second she opened her mouth, but it seemed she had no other choice in her current scenario. What was she to do, anyway? She had no siblings or parents that she could rush and sob off to, she couldn't flee from the building because there were guards at the door. Shedding a tear would start something unnecessary, and storming off in rage would be a disgrace to her family. Her tongue was dry, and swallowing was even harder. She still could not get her breathing to fall into a repetitive pattern.
Though her body did not move, not even an inch, her eyes shifted in another direction. Theodore was standing close to what appeared to be a pretty woman (it was hard to determine too much due to the masquerade masks). She felt for him; not only an hour ago had she teased him about finding a wife, and now here they were. She felt awful. He had made it fairly clear that he did not want to yet wed, and although unlike herself, for the most part, he would always have the final say in marriage, he was still forced to spend some time with someone he didn't know. Annalise hadn't seen Aretha, with the exception of their brief encounter minutes ago, in ages and therefore was not too sure what her friend felt in terms of speaking of marriage. Surely, though, this was not the way she wished to go. Though Annalise suspected this most likely was not the best way to solve the conflict between two kingdoms- how long was this
really going to last anyway?- and it probably was not official, especially since, in reality, they really didn't have the proper consent, it still felt awful to have to at least pretend to be overjoyed. On the contrary, though, it would only be for one dance. Annie wouldn't really have to say much more to this man after tonight, right? At the end of the day, it was her parents that were to give her away; they had to approve of whatever man she brought back, and she knew instantly that they wouldn't approve of anyone chosen by an arranged marriage that went behind her back. So, in all honesty, now that she had come to her senses, Annalise was not too worried.
Taking a steady breath, feeling a bit better about herself, she rolled her tense shoulders back and fixed her posture. There, that felt a bit better. She had nearly managed to convince her that everything was okay when a man in a black mask and a pleasingly navy blue suit stepped up in front of her. Her smile, once charming, faltered, as things suddenly became a reality yet again. Her emerald eyes stared blankly at him, daring him to make one wrong move. Though a frown had begun to play at whatever was left of her smile, visibly attempting to tense up her features once again, anyone with half a decent sense knew it was more so because of the entirety of the situation, rather than the gentleman that stood before her. Usually, Annalise was a pro when it came to men, specifically when they approached her out of the blue; she'd been properly trained how to act sweet and charming and absolutely dashing when in the presence of her mother. However, not only was her mother absent from the party, but Annalise was so taken aback by what was happening that she could no longer stomach a glittery smile.
"I do not believe I have much of a choice, Mr. Carter," she responded. Her tone was a bit bitter, reasonably so, but still touched weakly on her usual sarcasm. It wasn't nearly as flavourous as it was when she was at her most contented peak, which was usually only with her friends or loved ones, but it was enough for him to hopefully get the idea that she really wasn't being cold to him. Reluctant, yes, for Annalise felt she had done an awfully good job at avoiding anything to do with romance up until now, and she suddenly felt like she'd failed her task miserably.
Mother and father have to approve of the man overall, she reminded herself as she lightly placed the fingertips of her gloved hand on his own.
They would never approve of this situation, you mustn't worry. Her eyes skimmed over him. His clothes were not dirty, though well-cared for, and she could tell they weren't created specifically for him; it wasn't something many of her siblings could point out, but Annie had spent far too much time eyeing the outfits of those at the balls she practically grew up in than the faces of the guests themselves. Her parents hosted a dance every weekend, she really could not help it! He seemed clean, though, apart from the slight scar that was planted on his temple; she was sure that was only noticeable when his hair was gelled back, like it was now. The mask always made it difficult to get a good idea of who the person was. She supposed- with a reluctant sigh in the back of her mind- that she'd have to use
words to figure that out. She hoped he was a chatter, for Annie really was quite the introvert when it came to strangers.
"I hope you enjoy dancing, Mr. Carter. It seems our guests have gone for a waltz tonight."──────
──
♚age: twenty-twoxx♚gender: malexx♚wealth: fivexx♚kingdom: arkleyxx♚tags: effieIt seemed Lauren was having difficulties avoiding the balls of surprise that kept getting thrown in his direction. What kind of party was this? The few ones he'd attended and actually stayed at whilst by Rhonda's side did not have nearly as much variety as this one. Not only was there a large amount of comfortable diversity, for both he and Effie Jo were brilliant examples, but everything was so broad. When Lauren attended a dance with Rhonda, the people were usually a comfortable lower wealth; they had businesses of their own and could afford a good tailoring to their outfits, but did not often own fancy mansions far too large for the size of their family. They were never dirt-poor, but never rich enough to own half of whatever city or town they lived in. In all honesty, Lauren was surprised to note that there seemed to be a little bit of everything inside the Onryx. The Onryx was so prestigious, of such upper-class, yet the Royals didn't seem to have an issue letting anyone in. Did the Kings themselves even decide who was coming? There was a very, very slim chance they actually had anything to do with this, which is why Lauren found his suspicions based around the reasoning of this marriage concept so high. He did understand if it was for reproduction reasons, for the number of children produced had declined rapidly in some cities, but to keep the two kingdoms together in their faulty alliance? That sounded like something a child who had yet to reach double-digits would say. He wondered if there was more to it than what was being revealed.
He tuned back into the moment as Effie's soft, musical voice rang out yet again. He liked the way she spoke, it didn't seem to edge on his nerves; some women thought soft speaking was a way to seduce or really get to know what men were hiding, but Effie's was genuine. In fact, the little voice suited her rather well, Lauren decided. It was quite cute, really.
"If you insist, then I will go by Effie," he told her with a slight nod, feeling a strong sense of deja-vu happening.
"I will admit, though, that it isn't often that I refer to a woman of their primary name, for things are really strict in my community, so I do give my pardons well in advance if I do slip up." He gave her a small, rare smile at that, showing he was being truthful with his words. First names meant more intimacy, and Lauren wasn't trying to go any further than business-talk. He admittedly was rather shy of his vulnerable side and tried to avoid it as best he could; those emotions were what lost his father, after all. Those and his stupid errors of a child, and even into adulthood.
He inhaled deeply yet again. She wasn't going to give up; her dismissive words were reluctant, as if they were bothersome to say. Lauren didn't wish to be sharp with her, for she held too much innocence for him to be frank, but he was genuinely starting to feel uncomfortable.
"Miss Jo," he began steadily, before tilting his head,
"Effie, do know that it is not you that is upsetting me. I, too, find your company quite appealing, even if little has been said. And whilst I wish not to get personal, especially not on a night like tonight, I must admit that marriage-" he winced while speaking that word,
"-is not something that is a positive factor in my family. It isn't to say we Shaws do not appreciate marriage, but it has been... rough." That was a good way of putting it, yes? Marriage hadn't ever been about love in his bloodline, but status and economics. Lauren had wondered before if that would have been able to change if he hadn't spoken his vow, for their wealth had dropped astronomically and he really had no reason to seek out money the way his father had. He was happy with his position and knew what he had was enough to support a woman if he so chose to bring one in. But he couldn't break a promise. That was completely unethical, was it not?
"And I fear that if I accept that with open arms, I will only bring the bad luck along with me." His gaze grew softer, though he wasn't sure she could tell with the dark mask across his features.
"And with that being said, I do not want to hold you back. I do not care what that man has said, you are not obligated to marry me, nor anyone else, if you don't wish to."
