A ℓσνєℓєѕѕ ยภเ๏ภ {Echo}

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal adjusted his white collar and took a deep breath. So this was it? After two years of searching, his parents claimed to have found him a bride. It was his choice of course; unlike the possible bride, he wouldn't be forced into marriage if he didn't want to. His parents seemed very proud of their selection, though, and Nazeal had the feeling the 'option' of turning this bride down wasn't much of an option at all.

They would be meeting for the first time tonight, at a family dinner. Earlier that day, a servant had delivered a newly tailored suit for him to wear. Pure white trimmed with a lovely blue that brought out his eyes, the suit was expertly cut. It accentuated his height and figure, making him look even more handsome and lordly than usual. And yet, even looking in the mirror and knowing what was the come, Nazeal couldn't believe he might be married within the month. His days of freedom would be over.

A knock at his door brought the news that their guests had arrived. With a sigh, he grabbed the matching jacket and left his room, heading downstairs to meet with his future bride and her family.

[echolight4eva]

So this was it. Today was the day she met him. Her future husband.

The carriage ride was long and tiring, and afterwards, Adelaide's dress was somewhat dusty from the road. Her curly hair was up in a pretty bun. Her parents were solemn and jittery, because they had never expected to find somebody to marry their daughter. But Adelaide herself was very nervous. She didn't know what this man would be like... would he be old or would he be her age? Would he be ugly or cruel? There were far too many questions buzzing around in her head, like a hive full of angry bees.

When they arrived, a servant brushed off her sea-green dress to rid it of the dust, and then they approached the front door of the Venture household. She suddenly felt very self-conscious and cast her unusual violet eyes to the ground. Here goes.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal met his mother by the front door and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Are you ready, darling?" she said. She was buzzing with excitement, though his father looked as calm and stoic as usual. Nazeal nodded and the three of them gathered by the door. As the guests approached, a servant opened the front door to welcome them inside.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide's mother looked at her daughter scrutinizingly. "Be sure to be on your best behavior," she said, while her father led the way to the house. As soon as they had reached the door, it opened, revealing Adelaide's supposed future. Her eyes flew directly to Nazeal, and she breathed a small sigh of relief to find that he was her age, and was even handsome. She just hoped he would be kind to her.

All this she decided within seconds, and she and her mother dipped little curtsies to their hosts. Her father made a small, stiff bend at the waist. "Greetings, Venture," he said.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Welcome," Lord Venture said. The bows and curtsies were returned, and then Lady Venture gestured Nazeal forward. He offered Adelaide a polite smile, one that only those who knew him well would recognize as strained. He took her hand lightly in his and brushed a kiss against the back of it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Adelaide."

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide watched the proceedings, then, when Nazeal approached, looked timidly up at him. He was very tall. She dipped her head and smiled beautifully. "The pleasure is all mine," she said graciously.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal dropped her hand and the six of them made their way to the smallest dining room. Nazeal's parents sat at the ends of the small table, and her parents sat on the left, leaving Nazeal and her to take the last two on the right, which were right next to each other. Like a proper gentleman, Nazeal pulled out her chair for her and gestured for her to sit.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide looked at their home as they made their way to the dining room, marveling at its beauty. In her home, she rarely left her own quarters and she rarely saw the rest of the house. When he pulled her chair out for her, she thanked him courteously and sat. 

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal took his seat beside her and folded his hands in front of him, forearms resting on the edge of the table. "It's lovely to have you three join us," Lord Venture said. "And it's wonderful to have you here to meet our son," he added to Adelaide.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide's mother smiled brightly, her father dipped his head, and Adelaide herself smiled. "Thank you for your kind invitation. It is a great honor," she said eloquently.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

The dinner continued pleasantly, but Nazeal spoke only when spoken to. He didn't interact much by choice. Eventually, the food had been served and Lady Venture offered for the 'children' to take a walk through the gardens while there was still sunlight.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide smiled, although it wasn't entirely genuine. "That's a splendid idea, my lady," she said. She looked at Nazeal. "Shall we?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal gave a small nod and rose from the table. "I would love to," he said. Again, not genuine.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide looked at him shyly and stood, smoothing her dress. "Let's go," she said with a small smile.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal offered her his arm. He had a polite smile on his face still, but his posture was rigid. He wasn't comfortable, though not entirely unhappy. She was pretty, he couldn't deny that, but he didn't know her at all.