"Oh now, don't those dresses become you?"

Gharam, Maanah and Zaafira looked up as Maire-Fey walked into Rosalia's apartments that evening.

"Naturally these are just for now," Antoinette said from where she stood behind Zaafira with a maid, pointing out where she wanted some of the lace tightened, "But they'll do."

"How on earth to you tolerate these clothes back home?" Zaafira said in disgust, her hands to her corseted stomach.

"I'm made of sterner stuff than you," Marie-Fey said bluntly while smiling at Gharam who rushed over to show her the delicate baby-blue gown that had belonged to Rosalia.

"What do you think?" Gharam asked.

"It's perfect for your complexion," Marie-Fey said, neatly adjusting the low collar so the lace hem was even.

"Isn't it just?" Rosalia said, smiling as she joined them, "You must keep the gown, Gharam. It's perfect."

"What do you think? A similar shade in satin?" Marie-Fey asked.

"I was thinking a variety of silks," Rosalia replied, "To highlight her delicate stature."

"Well! Isn't this the nicest sight for a passing gentleman?" Constantine said as he pushed the door open, eyes scanning the ladies.

"Gentleman? Where?" Marie-Fey asked and he elbowed her before grinning at Maanah who's dress was a rich plum.

"Stunning," he said and Maanah smiled slightly, glancing away.

Marie-Fey elbowed him back and pushed him towards the door. "You leave her alone," she hissed.

"I haven't done anything, yet," Constantine said, grinning as he saluted goodbye to the women and allowed her to steer him from the room and down the hall.

"You have all of Town to ruin, and you spent the entire day with Ivy. You have her to torment before you mess with my ladies."

"I don't have Ivy, so I'm free to mess around with whomever I please," Constantine said, and his sudden forced brightness made her stop pushing him and step in line with him to look up at his face.

He smiled down at her; his bright eyes not quite as bright as usual.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Ivy's engaged as of last night," Constantine said with a dramatic shrug, striding on ahead of her, forcing her to hurry to keep up, "I always knew old Bayley would finally pluck up the nerve ask her. She told me when we took a turn around the garden after you left."

"Wait, wait," Marie-Fey said as they reached the main stairs, forcing him to stop as she got in front of him, lest he knock her down the stairs. "What are you saying? Ivy is marrying Markus Bayley?

"Fine young man, wouldn't you agree?" Constantine said, trying to side-step her but she got in the way.

"What do you mean she's marrying Bayley? She's been waiting for you to propose to her for years!"

Constantine snorted and started laughing at her. There was an uncomfortable broken undertone to the sound that Marie-Fey had never heard before and it sent chills up her spine.

"I ruined my reputation too long ago to suffer that on someone like her," he said, planting his hands on his hips and smiling down at Marie-Fey.

"B... but...!" Marie-Fey said, gaping. "But you wouldn't ruin her reputation! She's too special to you."

"Yes, but it would be ruined by association. She couldn't marry someone like me. The only person who could bring more shame down on this family for his behaviour would be Bel if his secret got out. I couldn't bring shame to her. It's sketchy enough just our friendship."

"But Con—"

"You know you should pretend to be married to Zaydan."

The topic change was so jarring Marie-Fey blinked stupidly at Constantine for a moment. "Huh?"

"Think about what it could do for your reputation," he said, "My reputation was downed by myself; I cannot fix that. But yours? Yours is being ruined by an idiot of a man who doesn't know his duties as a husband, and it makes people talk. Those idiotic people think that something is wrong with you because of his absence – if they had half a brain, they would see he is the problem, but they don't. Use Zaydan if he's offering. Let him fix the reputation his brother is tarnishing."

"I don't need Zaydan's help."

"Well consider it," he said, easing her aside with a hand on the shoulder and a kiss on the temple before striding down the stairs and into the grand entrance hall.

One of the side doors opened at that moment and Beldon stepped out, smiling when he spotted Constantine.

"Perfect. Luka, Val and I were about to start a game of card, are you joining us?" he asked.

Constantine looked at Beldon for a time as he pulled on his coat and picked up his hat, mixed emotions in his features.

"Hmmm, no. I don't think I can stand to be around you at the moment," he said breezily.

Beldon raised an eyebrow at that. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"I don't suppose you fancy causing a scandal so big it'll brush all my bad behaviour under the rug?"

"I can't cause a scandal that big," Beldon said, folding his arms.

"You could let slip your secret," Constantine said with a wicked grin and Beldon narrowed his eyes.

"I could," he said, "But I really don't want to be jailed, locked up in the mad house or hanged."

Constantine sighed. "I suppose I don't really want that either, I love you a tad too much – monster that you are."

Beldon's eyes flashed and Constantine reached over, pulling him into a hug and squeezing tightly.

Beldon's anger faded at whatever Constantine muttered to him and, after a moment, squeezed him back before Constantine let go and headed for the doors.

"Where are you going?" Marie-Fey asked as she walked down the steps.

"I'm going to set the world on fire!" Constantine cheered with a blinding smile before he strode out, heading for the stables.

"What was that about?" Beldon asked, looking at Marie-Fey.

"What did he say to you?" Marie-Fey asked in reply, "Surely he wasn't calling you a monster because... you know."

"He said I was a monster because I got all the ladies and it wasn't fair," Beldon said, "What's wrong with him?"

"Ivy is getting married to Markus Bayley."

Beldon was quiet for a moment, then bit his lip. "Ohhh," he muttered, thinking. He was quiet for a moment, then looked up. "I think Luka, Val and I should go out drinking instead."

"What a good idea," Marie-Fey said and Beldon headed back to the room where the others waited.

"They're going out?" Zaydan asked, appearing at Marie-Fey's side, making her jump.

"Stop materialising out of thin air," she snapped at him.

"I called your name from the top of the stairs," Zaydan said, raising an eyebrow as he took her arm and lightly wrapped it through his.

"Zaydan" Valentine said as the trio appeared, collecting their outdoor clothing, "We're going for a drink. Will you join us?"

"Are you sure you won't come?" Beldon was saying to Luka, his voice low.

"This is between brothers," Luka muttered back.

"But he sees you as a brother."

"He does but this is different. It's better if it's just you two."

Their voices were so low, Marie-Fey was surprised Zaydan heard, but he clearly did because he smiled at Valentine and shook his head.

"I'll stay in this evening. I'm sure Beldon is quite sick of my company."

"Quite sick indeed," Beldon said loudly and Luka shoved him away towards the doors.

Once they were gone, Luka excused himself to go find Braydon and Marie-Fey was left with Zaydan.

She didn't even notice leaning her weight against him as she let out a sigh, still looking at the doors.

"Shall we take a turn around the garden before dinner?" Zaydan suggested.

"Sure, why not?" Marie-Fey muttered, letting him guide her away towards the back of the manor and towards the grounds.

"I take it something has happened?" Zaydan said as they walked down one of the trails that led to the small lake.

"The only woman Constantine ever loved is marrying someone else," Marie-Fey said.

"Ah, heart-breaking indeed," Zaydan said, looking away.

Marie-Fey pursed her lips as she thought about it, then clicked her tongue. "Serves him right. He has a shameless reputation and he brought it upon himself. I'm not sure even Ivy herself believes him capable of love."

"But he is, is he not?" Zaydan said, looking down at her and she shrugged.

"Who can tell?" she said dismissively as they reached the edge of the lake and she pulled away to glide up the steps of the gazebo, dropping down on the cushioned seats and looking out over the lake.

Zaydan took a seat beside her, leaning back and stretching his arms along the wooden balustrade, crossing his legs, one ankle on opposite knee.

Marie-Fey was quiet for a moment, thinking as she crossed her own legs, her knee resting against his as she settled her elbow on her thigh and cheek on her knuckles.

The evening silence settled around them as they watched the sunset turn the lake surface to glassy fire, birds spiralling along its reflection, chasing dragonflies.

"I think he's scared of falling in love," Marie-Fey said into the silence.

Zaydan looked at her without saying anything.

"Our mother's death and our father's reaction affected us all in different ways. It affected some less than others. We were all young and it was... it imprinted fears in us, I suppose."

"In what ways?" Zaydan asked carefully.

"Val and Ann fared well enough. I think love has taken Val by surprise by he always just assumed it would arrive one day. Ann found the man she wanted to marry years ago and held onto that love desperately through... well things happened but he waited for her. She basically had to raise us after Mama died and she was too young for that responsibility. We had our nurses and governesses and nannies, but she held things together. The man she married was the only shining light for her. She'll never admit to how overwhelmed she was and how much it wore her out, but he held her up."

"She certainly seems like an unshakeable fortress," Zaydan conceded, thinking about Antionette and her steady, unyielding gaze.

"Rosalia never let go of the idea of falling in love with the man she married," Marie-Fey continued, tilting her head to the side, "I think it almost sabotaged her chances of getting married in all honesty because she rejected every single person who came her way. Maybe it was an excuse to put off potential heartbreak."

"Until Braydon."

"Yes... that was unexpected," Marie-Fey said, frowning as she thought about the circumstances surrounding that marriage. "Whereas I think Constantine gave up on falling in love. The heartbreak scared him too much and he didn't want to suffer that – though he's only ever admitted that once while very drunk. Irony of ironies, he gets to suffer it anyway. He caused enough heartbreak, about time it hit him back."

"And how about Beldon?" Zaydan asked.

Marie-Fey pursed her lips, thinking about it. "He gave up on love a long time ago, I think," she said, "It's hard to tell though, he never talked about such things. The whole notion depressed him."

"Of all the things that man is, I wouldn't imagine him depressed."

"One can't read depression like it's written on the skin," Marie-Fey said.

"True."

"Besides," she added, "He's changed his outlook on life."

Zaydan was quiet for a moment. "And what about you?" he asked slowly.

Marie-Fey snorted. "I don't need it, never have and don't care for it," she said, straightening up with a dismissive flick of the hand. "I don't care that my husband doesn't love me. I just want him to follow through on some of his duties. All I want from the man are two things."

"Two?"

"I want him to show at at least one event so people know he still exists, and I want a child."

Zaydan looked at her in mild surprise.

"What?" she said, shooting him a pointed look, "Can't see me as a mother just because I don't have Rosalia's charm and Antoinette's flawless nature?"

"I can see you as a mother," Zaydan said, smiling as he tilted his head towards her, "And you would raise children as brilliant and fiery as yourself. Men and women fit to conquer the world and bow to no one."

Marie-Fey was lost at that and Zaydan smiled, closing his eyes and turning his face away again.

"I want children as well, so I understand," he said.

"And what's stopping you?" Marie-Fey asked, leaning back against the backrest, bumping Zaydan's arm.

"I'm still recovering from my last heartbreak."

"What heartbreak?"

Zaydan slowly opened his dark eyes, tipping his head back to examine the intricate patterns painted onto the ceiling of the gazebo.

"I sympathise with Constantine," he said, "I also loved a woman who married someone else."

Marie-Fey was quiet, turning to look at him. "What stopped you from proposing?"

"I wasn't allowed," Zaydan said with a shrug.

"Why?"

Zaydan sighed, closing his eyes, his brow creasing. "We were born for other things."

Marie-Fey opened her mouth and Zaydan's eyes suddenly opened and he looked at her, smiling.

"It was a long time ago though," he said, "We live and learn and move on. She'd never love me anyway so it's fine. One sided love never works out in the long run. Just breaks one and burdens the other. I'll find someone else one day."

Marie-Fey looked at him as he smiled at her.

"Maybe we'll find you a lovely young lady at the parties here," she finally said.

"But then I can't pretend to be your husband," he said, grinning.

"You are not being my husband," she snapped and he laughed.

"Fine, be boring. We'll miss out on all the fun to be had pretending to be married. I'll never know the love I missed out on!" he said, flinging the back of his hand to his forehead like a damsel in the theatre.

Marie-Fey rolled her eyes. "I would hope you loved a girl sweeter than myself," she said.

Zaydan just smiled as he looked out over the lake.

Marie-Fey looked at him for a moment, then closed her eyes and let out a sigh, knowing she was going to regret asking what she was about to ask.

"You're not... you're not for some reason... talking about me... are you?" she asked.

Zaydan blinked then looked at her. "Huh?"

"The girl you..." Marie-Fey stopped.

Then felt her face begin to heat up at the arrogance of the question.

"Never mind," she said, standing up and smoothing her gown. "We should return to the house. I'm sure dinner will be called soon."

She swept down the steps and looked back to see Zaydan still sat, watching at her with a considering look.

"What?" she said, instantly annoyed.

He smiled at her, then smoothly got to his feet and followed her down until he was at her side.

"As I said, we were born for other things," he said as he passed her by.

Marie-Fey stared at his back as he walked away.

"W—wait," she said, startled but a voice interrupted them, proceeding Rosalia as she and Gharam turned the corner.

"Ah, there you two are," she said, smiling before whatever she saw in Marie-Fey face made her pause. "Is... are we interrupting?"

"You're—" Marie-Fey started before Zaydan cut in.

"Not at all," he said brightly, joining them, the two women parting to allow him to take them both arm-in-arm, "Has dinner been called? We were just on our way back. I must say, Ms Rosalia, these grounds are gorgeous."

Gharam slipped free from Zaydan's arm as he guided Rosalia away – though not before her sister glanced back at Marie-Fey.

Gharam returned to Marie-Fey's side, her expression concerned.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Since when did that man decide he had time to fall in love with me?" Marie-Fey hissed at her, pointing after Zaydan.

Gharam blinked at her. "Um... a while ago?" she said.

"What?"

"It... was it not obvious?" Gharam asked, her voice a squeak like Marie-Fey was mad at her.

"No it was not obvious!"

"... Are you sure?" Gharam asked, "Or... well I suppose we noticed because we weren't busy hating him?"

Marie-Fey stared at her. "I don't understand," she said, truly baffled for what felt like the first time in her life.

Gharam glanced in the direction Zaydan had gone then smiled at her. "It doesn't matter anyway, does it?"

Marie-Fey looked at her.

"You're married to his brother," she said as if Marie-Fey could forget, "Lord Zaydan doesn't matter. He's just the brother who lost."

Marie-Fey didn't have a reply for that.

"Come, dinner has been called," Gharam said, taking her arm and leading her back to the house, telling her about the day she, Maanah and Zaafira had had, the dresses that had been ordered for them and the parties Antoinette had assured her they could attend in the coming days.