Private Tales To Eclipse Them All

[Leovold]

A fair point. More than one might expect. Surely the nobility had played these little games of life and death for more than one generation in their never ending hunts for power.

"There will be times in-between to plan. Doors to close, whispers to be had behind them. Let it be known that Leovold Solherre might be brazed, but he is no fool."

With that assurance, the music drew to a close. Leovold let slide a "tch" before bowing to his new fiancée. Their families would expect them back sooner rather than later.

 

[Eira]

Eira could hear what was unspoken in Leovold's words. There was an act she must keep up, one they both needed to put on for show.

Not just for their families, but for Thanasis and beyond...

After he bowed, Eira sank in a deep curtsy before him. She would wait until he extended a hand to her, and it was that moment Eira would need to sell the perfect picture. Her head would lift as soon as she registered his movement, her eyes glancing up to his hand before traveling to his face, and there, she would hold his stare a moment before taking his hand.

In that brief moment, any trained eye would see the infatuation.

The Moon looked to the Sun.

Standing before him, Eira feigned a small smile that gave her a flattering look. "We may also speak in public. It is xpected for us to court, to be seen. If we do well in that, in selling our act, we win the favour of the nobility. Their support will help us all with the aspirations we have..." She murmured so softly, her lips barely moved. She took his arm, motioning sublty for them to return to their families that still gathered where they had been before the dance.

"See, Mother, how happy Eira is? This is an advantageous marriage proposal... you brought her up to be a lovely wife to a Lord one day." Ilir smiled, but there was a stiffness in his gaze. It was as if he was watching his younger sister with calculated scrutiny, deciphering whether or not her gentle attentions to Leovold were a game or genuine emotion.

Eira gave him no room for doubt as she willed her cheeks to redden.

She was glad she had worked with Leovold in the past, had crossed paths and engaged in conversation while with the Thunder. Without that, it would have been harder to convince her family she was content with this arrangement.

"It is easier to accept such an arrangement when you are good friends with your husband to be." A pulled her lips into a winning smile, ensuring that it grew wider still as she turned to look up at Leovold before looking to his father. "And I will insist on having dinner with you, Lord Solherre, and your family. I hope to learn more about your family's histories, and the dragons. No need to convince Tyafainne to make friends with the Sun Dragons..." And at that, she laughed. Kleio Malennis surprised herself by joining in, but it was Eira's act that had her concerns lessen.

She knew her daughter to be strong, built for this.

Ilir watched Eira, amusement sparking across his face.

"A perfect match for House Solherre. She was born for this." And her brother smiled, bade the Solherres farewells before escorting his mother elsewhere in the ballroom. Eira did not cower being left alone. She was dressed like the darkest hour before dawn, a moment waiting on the sun to rise and fill this world with light.

The Lords of both their Houses did not know what they were in for.