Chapter Text
Pyro wishes he could say that he was surprised when he was called to his father's study. If it had been the usual song and dance of the Von Pyroscythe residence, he would have been.
His parents rarely sought him out or even gave him the time of day when it wasn't to keep up appearances. Pyro still clung onto those moments, no matter how disingenuous, but this wasn't that. Mother and father wouldn't have bothered calling him home from university if it was.
So, when his father told him to meet him, Pyro already had a sinking feeling that things were going to go wrong.
Still, knocking on the study door, Pyro walks in when told to enter. He keeps his hands folded in front of him, glancing between his father and mother, before his gaze lands on the unfamiliar man standing beside the desk.
He was tall, though not quite as tall as Pyro. His dark hair was slicked back, his clothes clearly of expensive taste, though he was dressed more similarly to a servant than a lord.
“You sure took your time.”
Pyro looks back at his father as he speaks, bowing his head in apology. “My apologies, sir.”
Father shakes his head, but doesn't scold Pyro further in front of their guest.
“Jack,” his father nods towards the man. “Meet Derek. He's going to be your chaperone.”
Pyro's brows furrow, a light frown pulling at his lips. “Chaperone, sir?”
The man, Derek, steps forward. “I'm the head servant of Lord Goldsmith. I will be escorting you to his estate.”
Pyro's stomach drops. He turns to his father, eyes wide. “...Father? What's happening?”
Father looks unfazed by the thinly veiled fear in Pyro's voice, stern as always. Mother doesn't look any more sympathetic, though she's the one to actually answer him.
“We reached out to Lord Goldsmith with an offer for a union. In exchange for a business relationship with your father, he has agreed to have your hand in marriage.”
Pyro stares, uncomprehending. “Marriage–? Mother, you can't be serious.. What about my education?”
Father speaks up again. “Don't speak to your mother like that, Jack. The decision is already final. Don't you want to honor your family?”
Words stick in Pyro's throat, but he refuses to let the burning in his eyes turn to tears. This wasn't a choice. Pyro had always known that he would have his partner chosen for him, but he never would have expected to be sent off to some far off lord.
Lord Goldsmith.
Pyro wasn't stupid. He knew exactly who Lord Goldsmith was, and the rumors surrounding him. He knew his parents did as well.
Did they hate him that much to send him to someone so feared? Not to mention that Lord Goldsmith had agreed to marry Pyro. What would such a powerful man want with someone like him?
He clears his throat. “Yes, sir. I want to honor my family.”
Just not like this, Pyro doesn't say.
Father looks to Derek. “When will you set course?”
“As long as the young lord can get his belongings in order within a timely manner, Lord Goldsmith expects us as soon as possible.”
Pyro resists the urge to shift in place as his father looks back to him.
“You're excused, Jack. Go get your things together. We wouldn't want to keep Lord Goldsmith waiting.”
Pyro swallows dryly, bowing his head again before leaving the study in as calm of a manner as he can manage.
He makes it back to his room, only getting a few odd looks from the servants as he darts down the hall.
Pyro doesn't let himself break down once alone in his room, knowing already that the walls are too thin. Derek was waiting for him to get his things packed, so that he could bring Pyro away to Lord Goldsmith's estate.
Away to Lord Goldsmith's estate to be married.
He wasn't going to finish university because he was getting married.
Pyro shakes his head, running a hand over his face. He pulls out a trunk from out of his closet, forcing away all his thoughts as he folds and puts away clothes and small belongings.
It doesn't take nearly as long to get everything packed as Pyro wishes it did. He sets the trunk down on the bed, lingering in his room for as long as he can justify before making his way out into the hall.
Pyro hesitates outside their father's study, listening to the muffled voices speak for a moment before working up the courage to knock again.
“Come in.”
Pyro takes a breath, opening the door and peering inside. “...My trunk is ready in my room, sir.”
Father nods once, looking to Derek. Pyro pretends it doesn't hurt that their father is so unaffected by their departure.
“I'll have the servants get it set up in the carriage. You don't need anything else for Lord Goldsmith, do you?”
Derek shakes his head. “No, Lord Pyroscythe. Just the young lord.”
Father nods again, turning back to Pyro. His eyes are cold as ice and utterly unfeeling.
“Be good, Jack. Represent our family well.”
Pyro swallows hard. Would this be the last time they saw their parents? Not even bothering to see them off?
“Yes, sir.”
Mother steps forward, and Pyro holds back a flinch as she straightens their shirt collar. They try to ignore the stinging in their eyes.
Mother always hated tears.
She cups their face gently, though there is no softness in her face. “Don't disappoint us. Treat Lord Goldsmith with the respect he deserves.”
Pyro nods, letting themself lean into the touch this once.
Mother pulls away much too soon, and without another word, lets Derek lead Pyro away.
Pyro's steps lag behind as they make their way through the manor, though Derek does nothing to rush them. Pyro is grateful for the small kindness.
Once outside, Derek holds the carriage door open for them. They pause before entering, turning to stare at the manor.
There had been very few good memories held in those walls, but it had been Pyro's home their whole life. The loneliness had been unbearable, and growing up Pyro had wished to be anywhere else.
Now, they don't want to have to say goodbye.
Everything was happening so quickly.
Only a week earlier, Pyro had been at university, studying their passion. Now, they would never go back.
They breathe out shakily, stepping into the carriage.