A ℓσνєℓєѕѕ ยภเ๏ภ {Echo}

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide looked out over the ballroom and smiled softly, the first smile that he had seen out of her that was genuine. She watched all the colorful dresses, happy for once.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Amazing, isn't it?" Nazeal said. "How everything can look so light and cheerful, but underneath it all... who knows what's going through their minds? They could easily be planning our downfall."

[echolight4eva]

"It's beautiful," she said quietly. "But all the political intrigue is even more interesting, I think. I like listening to my father negotiate with others," she continued. This was unusual for most women, as most women wanted only to talk about clothes and shoes. But Adelaide was interested in politics.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal shook his head slowly. It seemed he would have a wife more interested in politics than him. Maybe he could get out of the twisted games after all, at least for the most part. "Why can't everything be straight-forward? Why do they have to play their stupid games? People end up dead because of it."

[echolight4eva]

She looked back at him. "Oh, I certainly don't want people to die. No, I course not. And I don't want to participate; it's only fun to watch and listen," she said, somewhat surprised at him. She had been under the impression that all men enjoyed politics, but it seemed she had been wrong.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal glanced up from the ballroom and meet her eyes. "Just because I'm a nobleman doesn't mean I like scheming and back-stabbing," he said. "I never wanted to inherit my father's title." It had been meant for Theon, as the eldest, but his father had passed over him and given it to Nazeal. He still didn't know why, and it wasn't like he was going to ask either of them.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide dipped her head. "Of course. My apologies," she said quietly, turning back to the ballroom. She watched all the dancing ladies, wondering how they had become so graceful on their feet.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal was silent for a few moments. "This might seem direct of me, and perhaps odd," he said, "but were you pleased with the marriage arrangement?" Pleased didn't seem like the right word, but he didn't have another. He didn't know how to ask what he wanted. No, that's not true, he did know. But he didn't want to say it. Do you even want to marry me?

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide looked back at him, one eyebrow lifted. "I- I was very honored to be chosen to be your bride..." she said half-heartedly, biting her lip nervously. She looked down and sighed. "But... of course, you must have known it wasn't my choice." She gave a rueful laugh. "My parents couldn't wait to get rid of me."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"I think you know that's not what I meant," Nazeal said quietly. "I don't mean pleased to be chosen to wed the Venture heir, or accepting because your parents dictated it." He took a deep breath and leaned forward slightly, perhaps too far into her personal space. "I mean are you okay with marrying me?"

[echolight4eva]

When he leaned closer to her, she respectively took one step back. She clasped her hands together and looked at the ground in shame. She shook her head. "I don't know you. You are a stranger to me."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal let out a breath through his nose and leaned back against the railing. "Of course," he said. He paused, his eyes sweeping over her. "You're a strange to me, too. Though I suppose I can't complain about the engagement. You're not horrid, as some noblewomen. And you're beautiful."

[echolight4eva]

(LOL. I didn't mean to make Theon Venture say the last post xD)

Adelaide blushed slightly. "Thank you. And you are handsome as well," she said somewhat shyly.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

(I figured You can change it. Just click edit and then switch the alter)

Nazeal gave a soft but bitter laugh and turned away. "So I've been told. Many would call you lucky, you know, to have been chosen. I've had girls chasing after me for a long time." He didn't say it to sound conceited, he merely stated it as a fact. Perhaps that was one thing that would come of this engagement. He wouldn't have to worry about other girls anymore, although he wouldn't put it past any of them to try and ruin the engagement.

[echolight4eva]

(Awkward Theon is awkward. XD I'll change it.)

Adelaide raised an eyebrow and laughed a little. "I'm sure," she said, a hint of teasing in her voice. She smoothed her dress and stepped back from the balcony. "Should we be headed back?"