Despite everything she had heard about the Marquess of Dragny, he didn’t look at all like Anastasia had imagined him to be. His brown hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, revealing a young and handsome face where she had expected a visage wrinkled with old age. Regardless of his status, he was clothed in plainer colors rather than purples or blues most high ranking nobles favored. Forgoing typical noble dress, and instead opting for a muted bronze tunic with a plain dress shirt underneath. His hazel eyes locked with her own, and a knowing smirk graced his lips. Anastasia realized she had been staring at him this entire time.

She quickly cleared her throat and sank into a curtsy before she could embarrass herself any further.

“Welcome my Lord, I hope your journey here was well” she greeted, staying in her curtsy.

Anastasia could hear footsteps approaching her, and held her breath.

“You may rise, my lady.” Anastasia straightened, and was taken aback by how close Marquess Corvus was to her. He looked at her in a strange way, like a puzzle he was desperately trying to solve.

“Well, shall we have a seat to get ourselves acquainted? Under the watchful eye of your mother here of course” he nodded towards the chaise with a smile. She wanted to correct him on the “mother” comment, but figured it would only make things more awkward. Lady Lilith must have thought the same, for she wordlessly took up a seat nearby, cutting her with a look that read “do not mess this up”.

Sitting a respectable distance from each other, Anastasia decided to break the silence.

“So tell me my Lord, what is Dragny like?”

“You’ve never been to Taivia’s capital before? I must say, that’s quite a surprise. I would have thought a lady of the Valenris household would have at least been to the capital of this region” the marquess mused. The way he laid out her travel shortcomings so bluntly made Anastasia’s face heat up in embarrassment. She couldn’t help that her life had been restricted to Valenris. Lady Lilith had always said there was no need for her to venture beyond the estate, even though she was to be the heir. She supposed she couldn’t just say that with Lady Lilith two feet away listening to every word.

“I guess you could say my duties here kept me very busy, and I don’t like the outdoors very much.” A lie, but the marquess seemed to buy it as he took in her words.

“That’s a bit of a shame,” he shook his head, “I love nature, birds in particular. They’re such beautiful creatures, free to fly wherever they wish.” He paused before gazing right into her eyes. “It makes one want to capture them for themselves.” His words chilled Anastasia for a moment, and seeing her face he burst out laughing.

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“Ahahaha! I’m sorry, that wasn’t a very good joke was it? You don’t have to look so frightened, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to ease your nerves.” Sitting up at his apologies, Anastasia began to profusely apologize.

“Oh I’m sorry my Lord! I hope I didn’t offend you, birds are a perfectly fine interest” she rambled.

“I’m not offended at all! And please, call me Sebastian” he reassured with a smile.

“Oh, of course my… I mean Sebastian” she stumbled.

For the next hour Sebastian delved into the details of the marriage, with an occasional question or comment from Lady Lilith at any mention of the Corvus manufacturing business. Anastasia gleaned from their conversation that Sebastian’s family mainly dealt in the manufacture of textiles made from the richest materials cultivated in the Taivia region ranging from linens to silks. It was due to the Corvus family that Taivia was the clothing and fashion center in all of Tamriel. When the sun began to sink in the sky, Sebastian stood up and reached out his hand towards Anastasia to help her up.

“I hope all this technical talk didn’t bore you too much, but I wanted you to know that your life as the Marchioness of Dragny will be very secure, and you will be well cared for” Sebastian explained. “Besides, we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other when you depart tomorrow.”

“Depart? What do you mean?” Anastasia questioned, getting a sinking feeling in her stomach.

“I want you to reside with me in Dragny before the wedding next month, in the hopes that you will become more comfortable with your surroundings and acquainted with your household duties” Sebastian responded.

“What? But such a thing is unheard of!” Anastasia exclaimed.

“I have already given my approval” Lady Lilith added from where she was seated. “I think this would do you some good. Especially since you’ll need all the preparation you can get to become a competent lady of the house.” Anastasia wasn’t too shocked that her stepmother wanted her out as soon as possible. “Fret not though my dear Anastasia, we’ll see you again on your wedding day” Lilith cooed in mock motherly love.

Dropping to one knee, Sebastian grasped Anastasia’s hand and placed a kiss on her hand. Gazing up at her with those hazel eyes that seemed to hide so much, he smiled gently.

“I cannot wait to see you tomorrow my dear. I pray your travels will be swift and safe. I bid you a good evening, Anastasia.” Straightening, Sebastian bowed one final time, and left.

Anastasia watched his carriage depart from the windows, until it was no more than a speck in the distance. Lady Lilith ordered her back into her room for the night, leaving her to her own thoughts. As she laid in her bed, she mulled over everything that had occurred. The sudden wedding announcement, the Marquess of Dragny, and her move to the Corvus estate in the morning. Everything had happened so fast, and it gave her a headache just thinking about it. Closing her eyes, Anastasia thought of Sebastian. He seemed like a kind enough gentleman, so what were those rumors then? Slander from jealous rivals? For her own sake, she hoped so. Anastasia began to hum the old lullaby her mother used to sing, calming her heart and mind. Before she knew it, the gentle embrace of sleep claimed her.