Chapter Text
After your time at the akademiya was (unfortunately) over, you had to make your way back to Shneznaya—your homeland, which after all this time….seems much colder than it was before. Not to mention the entire way there, the roads were buried in snow, so the men had to jump off the carriages multiple times to shovel and haul snow off the roads.
But home was right where it had been even after all these years. The same pointed and elegantly swirled fence, the hedges that were always trimmed to perfection, the cobblestone tiles, some with intricate designs (that your mother picked when she was your age), and so much more. When you arrived at the front door, you paused, heart pounding as memories crowded your mind.
When you had turned eighteen and your father had allowed you to attend the Akademiya, even when your acceptance was sent to you months ago. When you had turned twenty, and that summer break your family threw you a party that was the talk of the capital for weeks. When you were ten and sitting in your mother’s study alongside your siblings, running amok in her tidy space and turning it into a melting pot of chaos.
So many wonderful memories that were once at the front of your mind, being slowly pushed back by the time in the Akademiya.
There at the entrance stood your mother and father, despite seeing them every summer and during the holidays, you still couldn’t help but get a little mushy with them. After all, every year you spent away you’d get older, and so did they.
You had prepared yourself beforehand to get your ear yapped off with questions of ‘a special someone’ or even marriage proposals from other nobles within the capital. But somehow your graduation and return from school seemed to bury those questions for now.
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It wasn’t very long until the questions did come. With your father bringing it up over dinner.
“You remember the conditions of—“
“Yes, I remember, Dad.”
You replied, mid-bite of the steak you’d been craving all day. It’s not like you didn’t want to talk about but….it did just take thirteen hours to get from Sumeru to Snezhnaya.
your mother, who was always quick to whip your father into shape.
“Arkadiy! Archon's sake, she finished the grueling 13-hour trip here, and the first thing you ask is about marriage?”
Despite your mother’s words and how they could be interpreted as harsh. It’s the tone she uses that shatters any misconceptions of anger.
Your father purses his lips but relents (for now) and lets your mother have this one.
“I suppose I’d dislike it if my father did the same at her age….” *he mumbled in begrudging agreement.*
Before the topic could be revisited you asked about your siblings.
“Where’s Irinei and Liudmila?”
“Irinei is out hunting, I told him to return before twelve in case you returned earlier than expected. Liudmila is with her in-laws, her husband's family wanted to celebrate their fifth anniversary.”
You hummed in acknowledgment. You don’t feel sad that your siblings aren’t here at this very moment since you’re all grown-ups. They do spoil you, nag your ear off, and stick to you until the moment you’d set off to return to school.
“Anniversary huh… can’t believe it’s been that long since Liudmila got married.”
You bit your tongue, when both your mother and father revisited the topic of marriage. You can’t deny that you set yourself up.
“Look! Look. I’m alright with talks of marriage but can we talk about it tomorrow? When I’ve actually gotten a good night's rest? I also want to finish this steak…”
the last bits you mumbled out which got a chuckle out of your father.
“Fine tomorrow, but you will not try to work your way out as you’ve done before! Remember it’s always best to—“
“Yes face things head on…! I know, Dad, you tell me every time I complain. How about we face dessert together first, since my stomach might riot if I don't eat something sweet tonight?”
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Your mother winced slightly hearing your voice rise in a panic.
“Already!? A ball? I haven’t even been here for a full week and now you’re saying I have a ball I have to attend!?”
You flop back onto the velvety couch, the drawing room being filled with your groans of annoyance.
You got used to a society that didn’t revolve around money, power, and status, but rather the humanities and education.
Gosh, you missed Sumeru a little more at this moment.
“Do I have to worry about going to a tailor or boutique for my outfit?” You lifted your head toward your mother who shook her head.
“Nope! Do you remember the last letter I sent? I had you send me some fabric you liked from Sumeru so I can make an outfit. I knew you’d need a couple of days to yourself, so I took it upon myself to get your outfit beforehand.” Your mother hummed and brushed some hair out of your face.
“I know it’s not ideal and you’d like a couple more weeks before going back to the politics and social gatherings… but it’s her highness's ball. At least you won’t have to worry about hosting a ball for your return.”
She seemed to know the right words to soothe the irritation gathering in your brain, and she had a point. You wouldn’t be able to host a ball that overlapped with her highnesses. So you could just re-enter society with this one.
“Thanks for getting my outfit”
You murmured and rested your head on her lap. She responded with a smile and a caress to your cheek.