Chapter Text
Dorcas forces a smile as she meets Dayton’s eye. He might have been handsome, if he got rid of that arrogant smile. Truth to be told, if she was to rid him of every ugly quality of his, not much would remain, except for his blond hair. She kind of wishes it would begin to pour, so that she could excuse herself to her study, instead of spending her morning with Dayton in the garden. Luckily, his time is almost up.
Dayton has been talking about his estate and their future together for most of the conversation. Dorcas has done her best to look as if she’s paying attention, although her gaze can’t help but wander to where Lily and Mary sit together a few meters away. They share a bench, heads close together as they whisper among themselves. Dorcas is sure that whatever secret they’re discussing is much more interesting than the words coming out of Dayton’s mouth.
“I swear, he did not let me utter a single word,” Dorcas says, approaching the two ladies, while the Kingsguard’s son makes his exit. Lily looks up to meet her eye, her gaze heavy with an emotion she can’t place.
“At least there’s only Frank left,” Lily says, offering her a small smile of encouragement.
“He seems nice,” Mary agrees. Dorcas opens her mouth to reply, when Frank Longbottom himself appears through the gate. He looks dashing, a shy smile on his lips as he greets the ladies.
“Good morning, miss Evans, miss Mary,” he says, turning towards Dorcas. “My Lady.” He gets a chorus of greetings back, then he offers his hand to the Lady. She accepts, missing the look on Lily’s face as they begin their stroll through the garden.
She likes Frank’s energy. His kind eyes and shy smile. Still, that is all there is to it. If they were to marry, she could grow to love him as a friend. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Frank clears his throat, which grabs her attention.
“How are you enjoying the tournament, my Lady? Is everything as you expected?”
“It’s much bloodier than I anticipated. I never thought so many would want a chance to compete for my hand,” she admits, admiring the nearby rose bushes. The red color contrasts nicely with the surrounding green.
“Surely you must know how beautiful you are,” Frank says, gesturing towards her. It makes Dorcas laugh, which she hides behind her hand.
“Thank you, sir. Tell me, is that the full reason you’re here? Because I’m beautiful?” She halts next to an apple tree, the branches still bare of fruit. The blossoms remind her of better times, when she was just a young girl in a beautiful garden. Frank’s shoulders are tense and his expression unsure. He avoids her gaze.
“What is it? No need to feel shame, not in my company.”
Frank hesitates. “My father encouraged me to come. I was-,” he sighs, then spills everything, “I am in love with another. But our families keep us apart and now I fear it is too late. She is to wed someone else.” His expression darkens, his eyes filled with sorrow. Dorcas feels like she was just stabbed in the chest. She knows what he feels a bit too well. She glances back towards Lily, who looks radiant in her green dress. So close, but so far away. Unreachable.
“I’m sorry, sir. I hope you do not resent me for it.”
“Of course not, my Lady. I will be kind to you if we marry. I will give you my heart, as much of it that is left.”
She gives him a kind smile. “Likewise.”
~
“I can’t believe it!” Lily bursts into the room, the door slamming shut behind her. Mary startles, turning away from the mirror in front of her on the desk. She turns in her seat, a questioning look on her face.
“Dayton is such a piece of horse dung!” Lily stomps her foot, frustration seeping out of her like steam from a boiling kettle. “He got rid of three contestants! Even Valentine Bells!”
“What?” Mary frowns. Lily begins pacing back and forth.
“I was down by the tents when I heard some contestants talking. Apparently, he had a talk of encouragement with one of them and threatened to poison the other two, if they did not leave on their own.”
“What an insufferable excuse of a man!” Mary exclaims, eyes wide.
“The worst part is that there’s nothing we can do about it. He didn’t physically harm anyone, so we can’t make him leave. He might end up winning. Oh, Mary, the thought scares me so,” Lily says, her voice low and filled with anxiety. Her lip wobbles and she closes her eyes, feeling the familiar burn. She is not going to cry now. Not over a piece of horse dung like Dayton Goldhorn.
“It’s not set in stone yet.” Mary tries to cheer her up, but even she knows what he is capable of. It will all come down to his opponent. “He could still lose.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Come, let’s have some pie.” Mary says, reaching for her hand. “We need something else to think about for a moment.” Lily squeezes her hand, thankful for the distraction. What would she do without Mary?
~
“Are we there yet?”
“You asked that five minutes ago, my love. The answer is still no,” Remus grins, hugging his husband’s hand. Sirius frowns, leaning his head against his shoulder. With only the two of them in the carriage, there was no one to see him break posture.
“I’m sorry, but you’re not the only one who has missed Lily,” Sirius pouts, which makes Remus smile fondly.
“I know. We both miss her.” He thinks about the letters, about the unspoken feelings between her and Lady Dorcas. The latest letter mentioned nothing about the current state of her emotions, only details of the tournament so far and the contestants. Sometimes things unspoken are louder than those written down, which is why he is concerned. He has a strong feeling she’s not coping as well as she claims she is.
Remus rarely hopes to be wrong, but this time, he prays to the Gods that he is making this a bigger thing that it actually is.
The carriage comes to a halt and the door opens, revealing a guard on the other side. He helps Sirius to the ground, then Remus. His bones ache from the journey and he already longs for a bath. And a bed.
“Remus John Lupin!” Lily curses, coming into view, followed closely by Mary. “You didn’t tell me you were coming!” she manages to look both happy and angry at the same time, as if her face wasn’t sure what emotion to display. Her long, red hair bounces as she runs down the cobblestone path towards them. She throws herself in his arms and he hugs her back, forgetting all about his aching bones.
“Are you really here? I’m not dreaming?” she laughs, leaning back to study his face.
“We’re really here,” he agrees, smiling. Lily shoves his arm and he hisses out, clutching his arm with his other hand.
“That’s for not informing me.”
Remus shakes his head, laughing as she moves to give Sirius a hug as well. He considers telling her that it was once again, his husband's idea, but figures it’s enough that one of them got injured. Even if he was only partly to blame.
Remus embraces Mary in a hug, thankful that she doesn’t feel the urge to punch him.