@jennifercollins1877

2 years ago

PoV: It was another one of the interminable social gatherings that the Hartsdown heir was required to attend. Never mind the fact that his father's actions in the last battle against the new empress had stripped his family of their titles, he was expected by his mother to make an appearance at least. "It is to further your fortunes," she had said bluntly. "We are impoverished now. No titles, no lands. At least your manners are good, and you inherited my family's intelligence. My dowry is enough to take care of you for a few years... but if you can make new alliances. Marry well, even?" She had even picked out a younger daughter of a family who had remained fairly neutral during the invasion, and pointed Darian in her direction. "She's a lovely girl. I have heard that she has a good heart. The family would be welcoming of you.." And Darian had fallen for her, in a way. She was charming, seemed interesting and interested, could carry on a decent conversation... and he was slowly getting used to the idea of waking up next to her every morning. He fingered the ring in his pocket and was about to cross the room, when the empress made her appearance. Katya's eyes swept through the room; Darian met them evenly. One accidental kiss was not enough to build a future on. From the way that her eyes moved away from his without slowing, she had apparently come to the same conclusion. He shook his head and looked over at the girl he intended to ask to marry him, and blinked rapidly. She was leaning back in another man's arms for support, seemingly startled by Katya's appearance and fanning herself. It was the look in her eyes that sealed his decision to stay where he was. She was looking up at the man supporting her as if she could never bear being forced away from him. Even if Darian thought that the almost-fainting fit was a bit contrived -- Katya wasn't that imposing, in his opinion -- he could recognize the expression as one that he had seen between his own parents once or twice. "I guess it was a fleeting romance," he admitted to himself ruefully. He nodded to the man supporting Liandra, and abruptly left the field of battle, depositing an empty glass with a waiter. He didn't see Katya's eyes fall on him as he left, and he missed observing the slight frown that passed over her face as she called for the dancing to start.

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