Chapter Text
A young lady stood before the taller man, her whines filled the study the two were occupying.
“But brother, I am already of age to marry! I am already eight and ten. If you delay my debut another year I will be older than all the other ladies.” Her gaze was firm, the man barely looking up from his paperwork.
“Sister. You are also prone to hysterics. You are bad tempered and will surely bring rumours to our good name. You are a Focalor, one who is above most of the ton. You should act it.” He sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose before he looked back up at the young lady.
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for tonight's ball?” He raised a brow. She made a small indignant sound before she stomped out of the study. The man sighed.
“Whatever shall I do with her..” He let himself sit in thought for a moment before going back to the pile of paperwork that required his attention before days end.
—
The first ball of the social season was always an event that every family of note would attend, and that did not exclude the Duke of Poisson. He was in attendance with his sister, and surprisingly she was not yet out. And that season the Duke had but one intention, to find a bride.
—
The carriage carried a slight chill winter - that year had been frosty, and it seemed that even the town could not escape it. Furina shivered slightly in her dress. Neuvillette sat focusing on the plush wall behind his sister
The carriage came to a stop and the silence that was once filled with the sound of wheels and hooves upon cobble had soft whispers of the sounds inside the house. The door opened making the chill greater.
“Your Grace we are here” A footman spoke.
Neuvillette exited the carriage with a sigh before holding out his hand for his sister, she took his hand walking down the steps carefully before letting go. She looked up at the house with wonder.
“You should remember this night. You will have to wait until next season to experience this normally.” He led her through the halls of the house the candles cast flickering light over the walls.
“Now behave sister.”
“I believe you have made such a point clear brother.” She walked over to the group of young ladies standing on the edge of the room.
Neuvillette however focused his attention on the dance floor, recognising several young ladies from notable families. It seemed the sister of young Marquis Kamisato was in society that season.
However that seemed to be all he could gather before a stampede of mama’s gathered around him quickly introducing him to all their daughters. He wished he hadn’t made his intentions to marry this season quite so vocal now.
A quick cough and a small apology - something about his sister needing his attention - allowed him to shake off the group. He stopped to pick up a lemonade as he made his way across the room, a poor choice for how early in the evening it was, but he wished for something to cure his sudden need of a refreshment.
“Ah the Duke Focalors! To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you here?” The host - Marquis Kaeya Alberich - approached him.
“You know very well why Alberich.” He turned looking down slightly to meet his eyes.
“Yes yes to find a bride, to find your Duchess.” He chuckled a little while picking up a glass of lemonade himself. “Well if you need names I know plenty.”
“That will not be necessary. I am sure any Father or Mother would be eager to introduce me,” he responded, before drinking almost the whole glass in almost one swig.
“Well I don’t doubt it.” He smiled before leaving to likely dance with a few young ladies, maybe a gentleman or two.
Neuvillette stayed there for a few moments. He looked over the room again, making a small list in his head of young ladies to dance with.
Yanfei Lapis
Yanfei was handsome. She clearly had a brain, and she was confident and certain with herself. She danced well, and yet Neuvillette had no interest in her.
Bonanus Haagentus
She was pretty enough. She was however already being courted. Rumour had it she would be engaged by night's end, so whilst he might be a Duke he had no intention to brandish a title at a young lady.
Shenhe Zhou
He hadn’t yet met a young lady with such reserved countenance at an event like this. She was a fine dancer, and handsome, but he could not comment on any of her other abilities.
Kujou Sara
Kujou Sara was slightly harsh in her tone, she was proficient at the piano forte, and - somewhat surprisingly - she practised fencing. But similarly to Miss Lapis he could not find himself mustering more than polite interest in her.
After 4 dances he needed a break. He needed to breathe. The same conversation over multiple dances dragged on him. He looked over to his sister, she was chatting with a group of forgotten ladies.
He dragged his eyes across the room once more. He had only had a chance to properly speak with 4 ladies but he supposed they likely were all somewhat similar: Accomplished musicians, skilled enough dancers, pretty faces. Some however might not be large readers.
He supposed he should just pick the one who was least objectionable. The notion of love always portrayed in opera and literature was surely a fantasy; used only to fool the less knowledgeable into happiness with one's partner.
Perhaps he should depart early. This ball had been taxing on his patience already and it could not have been later than 1. Perhaps he could escape the ball, making at least one more acquaintance.
“Your Grace!” A lady who looked to be about 9 and 30 years of age approached Neuvillette with a young lady in tow.
“Ah greetings, whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?” Neuvillette looked over to the young lady, she was certainly dressed well, her long blond hair tied up with a few flowers.
“Lady Moreau, your Grace. My husband is over there. You might know him, he tells me you frequent his gentlemen's club” She smiled.
“Ah yes. And this is your daughter?” He gestured to the young lady.
“Indeed, this is Miss Navia Moreau. We have an older son but he is not in attendance today.”
“Thank you for the introduction Lady Moreau.” He nodded respectfully before walking away. Perhaps leaving early wouldn’t be so bad afterall.
—
Furina looked to the streets. Her face, instead of sadness, had a certain air of disdain or contempt for the man who sat opposite her.
“Sister you must understand, I could not leave you unchaperoned at such a large event. Not every man is so trustworthy.”
“And you need not coddle me so. Brother, I believe I am quite able to protect myself!” She turned her head, her eyes carrying all the truth of her anger.
“You are truly hysterical.” He crossed his arms it was his turn to stare out into the street.
“And you brother, are a contemptible man.” After she spoke the carriage fell into silence. The bitterness hung in the air. Surely it would choke them both before they reached home.
“Then allow me to apologise dear sister. But I am sure you will find me more amiable than those men who come crawling for any ladies’ fortune.” The ride was once again blanketed in silence, punctured only by the creaks from the carriage.
—
Neuvillette rested well that night. He wanted to prepare himself quickly; maybe a hasty meal could be prepared that allowed him more time to visit the young ladies of the town. Though it would likely not give him any better opinion of any of them.
“Tell the butler that I would like to know the flowers the nearby florists are offering.” He readjusted his cuffs.
“Yes your Grace, would you like us to make any other preparations?”
“I wish for a carriage to be ready for my morning calls.” Neuvillette double checked his cravat was in place.
“Of course your Grace.” The servant dipped their head and left the room, as he mentally readied himself for the socialising of the day.
—
“Ah! Your Grace, how wonderful for you to bless us with your presence.” Lady Moreau seemed pleased but surprised by the arrival of the Duke.
Neuvillette had brought flowers for the daughter and the Mother. Whilst not classic courting gifts, it should further serve to convince her Mother that such a match would be fortuitous.
“It is so very pleasant to see you, your Grace.” the young lady smiled. She was dressed well in a light yellow day dress patterned with calla lilies - fitting for a debutante.
“As is it to see you Miss Moreau. May I take a seat beside you?” He gestured to the free spot next to her.
“Oh- yes it would be a pleasure, your Grace.” Neuvillette crossed the room in 4 paces, and claimed the seat next to her.
“So your Grace, do you have a large family?”
“Ah no, my only family is my younger sister. You have an older brother, yes?”
She let out a small laugh “Yes I do, he is quite reserved though. I am not sure your Grace would find him capable of much conversation.”
“Does he frequent any particular gentlemens club? He might not be capable of much conversation, but I’d still like to be acquainted with your brother.”
“I’m sure he would be pleased with that.” She made a small motion for the biscuits.
The morning ended with the two discussing matters common to a suitor recently introduced to a Lady. Her preferences, the number of children she might want, how she would handle situations that most would not encounter until later in life. He wanted to know that a future Duchess was without as many faults as possible.