Based on my own lil love story

 

“Are you certain about this?” I said as I helped Evangeline fix her outfit, dusting off the broad shoulders she’d given herself beneath the purple velvet suit. She was taller now, with shorter curly hair and more angled features. A fine-looking young man, I’m sure the other women would say.

She sighed. “Of course I’m certain,” she grumbled. Her voice was so much deeper.

I brushed off her coat. “Alright… remember, midday, (S/N) Estate. Money and—”

“—staff.”

I pursed my lips together and looked at her eyes. I fixed the family crest pinned on her jacket. It was a flat oval, with an outstanding gold dragon on a green backdrop, gold filigree decorating the edges. “Don’t skimp out—”

“—on accessories. And keep my—”

“—head high.” I stood back and crossed my arms, looking over her outfit. “You look like a smart gentleman, coming to preserve a long line of mage blood.”

She snorted, amused. “Your parents will be oh so disappointed.”

I shrugged. “There’s worse fate and worse truths for them to know.” I sighed. “You look ready though. Maybe wander Waterdeep to get a feel of the place before coming to meet my parents?”

Evangeline nodded. “Sure. Then Evan Dragonclaw will come along and woo them, and you.” She winked and bowed, forearm to her chest.

I covered my mouth to stifle my laugher but failed. “Who?!” I doubled over laughing.

She lifted her head and stared at me.

“Evan who?!” I repeated, howling.

Evangeline stood up straight and cleared her throat. “Dragonclaw?” she slowly questioned. “Is that not a good name?”

I picked myself up and sigh, wiping the tears from my eyes. I cleared my throat. “It’s a fine name. Just amusing. Hardly an unlikely name to have. You’ll need a story though; Where do you reign from? How did you hear about my family? And what can you offer?” I crossed my arms. “There may be a question about your name, so prepare to defend it.”

She nodded slowly, reaching for where her long hair would usually be, but met a tassel of her jacket. "Y-yeah. That makes sense.” Her hand fell to her shoulder, and she sighed softly, tooth digging into her lip.

I stepped closer, putting my hand on hers. “I’ll help you now,” I grabbed my handkerchief from my skirt and took the lead pencil from Evangeline’s pocket. “You reign from Neverwinter, and your family is pureblooded—like mine. At this point, you’re rooted in as many family trees as possible. The rest of the mage families will not unite with the Dragonclaws, as they have their own blood-related reasons. A grudge lasting a few generations or something.

“What can you offer? Pure mage blood, specialising in nature magic and wild-forms. A family fortune worth hundreds of platinum and gold, with some heirlooms and antiques. They’ll speak of my dowry, which you’ll have heard of; worth ten platinum to take my hand.” I scribbled it all down as I spoke and folded the handkerchief. I met Evangeline’s eyes. “Oh, and the function to give heirs through me and keep mage blood strong.” I put the handkerchief into her chest pocket and sighed. “How does that sound?”

Her face was flushed and after a stunned moment she nodded. “I think that’s pretty solid… I would’ve never thought people cared that much about uh, blood.”

I sighed and fixed my skirt, shaking the soil from the hem as the sun lit up its velvet shimmer. “They do unfortunately. And they care very much about it. How fun it is to be a cow to produce another mage, instead of a human who would like to follow her heart… not that they’d get a child that way either, I suppose.” I lifted my head.

Evangeline looked at me with those soft brown eyes, taking pity on me. “Hopefully, this will grant you some freedom.”

I smiled a little. “It should. Once I am wed, they won’t be watching me. I will be yours, or Evan’s, and then we’ll come to some arrangement ourselves.” For some reason, I wasn’t so bothered by the thought of it.

She shrugged and looked out at the cobblestoned road behind me, the main road between Waterdeep and Neverwinter. “Yes, we will come to an arrangement. If I am to make mother happy, that’d mean making you happy. She likes you a lot.”

I laughed softly. “I am aware. I quite like her too.” I stepped into the road. All was clear but the lunchtime gathering was about to arrive, the convoy not far in the distance. The sea lapped at the coast and glowed in the midday light. It felt hopeful.

I looked at Evangeline. “Let’s get going. The city will help you prepare your speech.”

*~*~*~*

They were the longest three hours of my life. I spent it fixing up myself, restyling my hair, donning a fresh green summer frock with a set of amethyst jewellery.

But even after that, she hadn’t arrived. I found myself burning through all the odd things I’d put off for who knows how long; reorganising my books, storing my paints, and sharpening my embroidery needles.

Mother was curious when she saw me.

“What’s gotten into you? You’ve been shoving this aside since last winter,” she said in disbelief, sitting across from me as I held the needle in my hand.

I bared my teeth as I pricked myself again. “Nothing. Just figured it was a good time.” She wouldn’t buy that.

“Oh? And why not last week when it was teeming? Or yesterday when your father had that boring bank meeting?” she crossed her arms.

I drew in a breath as a thought crossed my mind. I raised my head slowly.

“There’s a mage in town. From Neverwinter.”

Mother cocked a brow. “A mage?”

“A noble mage. In the finest suit I’ve seen, a crested badge on his chest. He’s in search of a maiden with a dowry.” I placed the needle on the desk beside me, urgency in my voice.

She seemed suspicious but let me continue.

“And he’s quite handsome. With a strong name, Dragonclaw! Have you ever heard such a name, Mother?” I jumped from my chair and turned my back to her, eyes fixated on the window overlooking the bazaar below.

“And you think he’s headed here?” I heard her skirts shift as she rose from the chair.

I nodded and spun around, the loose skirt of the frock adding to the excitement. “Oh yes! He asked at the gate! I was picking up the persimmons when he was asking.”

For a moment, her face was unreadable. It made me nervous. But then she beamed and hugged me close. “How wonderful! There might be luck for you yet.” The tapped my nose with her finger and stepped away. “I’ll let your father know to expect him. Dragonclaw was it?”

I nodded. “That’s him. Dressed in purple, green family crest.”

She tilted her head to me. “Very wise choice in dress then, (Y/N).” She grabbed the door handle. “Be ready. Stay fresh. I’ll send Alys when he’s here.” Mother rushed out the door and I was left thinking.

There might be luck for you yet.

*~*~*~*

It was the most awkward tea party of my life. But Evangeline—Evan, played his role perfectly.

And apparently, I didn’t do so bad either. Though it’s easy to be perceived as enthusiastic when you are enthusiastic. My interest let my parents release their hold on me quite a bit. Any excuse, they sent me to off to talk with him, even allowing him into the gardens of the estate; reserved for only the finest of family events.

“Are they still watching?” Evan whispered; arm linked in mine as we passed the buzzing rose garden.

Turned my head to look at him, smiling warmly. I turned my eyes as far as I could, seeing my parents watching from the balcony.

I sighed and returned my gaze forward. “Yep,” I said through a for-show smile. The smells of the garden were sweet and earthy. It was well taken care of by the servants. All the bushes were blooming, the flowerbeds were full, and the lawn lush.

“What do they think of me?” he took in the blossoming trees arching over the path, shadows falling upon us.

“You’re in the garden, left to saunter through as you wish. They love you.”

Evan nodded and plucked a purple blossom from the flowerbed below—violets. “Should I bring up the marriage soon?”

I nodded, watching her spin the flower in his hand. “Yes. Or someone else will ask.”

“Mother won’t let anyone—”

“—I know she won’t.” I cut him off, harsher than I intended. I sighed. “But we need to use their interest, praise and adoration of you soon or they will look for someone else. Ask for my father’s blessing. He’ll probably give it easily. Mother will give you a ring. It was my grandmother’s and her mother’s before that. They may request a way to be engaged, something they can attend and watch and celebrate. If you want to follow that, agree. If not, they’ll agree to you whisking me away for a night and we’ll pretend or… something.”

I released a slow breath. It wasn’t a façade anymore.

We stopped at the entryway to the gazebo, and I guided him in. We were well out of sight now.

“And what do you want?” Evan asked.

I lowered myself onto the blossom and leaf-covered bench. I looked up at him. “I want my parents to stop forcing men on me.”

He grumbled and sat beside me. “I know that. I mean, what kind of engagement do you want?”

I looked at my pastel pink dress and fixed the skirt. “Private. You and me. No illusion.” My heart thumped loudly. I could see her before me. “M-maybe for Claugiyliamatar to oversee it,” I continued, stumbling over my words. “If she likes. I don’t know if she’d have an interest, though.”

Evan turned to face me entirely. “I think she’d love to see it. Though she might have her servants set up a date for us or something.”

I thought. “Probably. I wouldn’t mind. You’ll need wedding guests, though. She’ll have to dress them up.” I met her gaze. Those eyes were still Evangeline’s; warm and big, the most caring gaze I’ve ever seen.

She noticed, looked around quickly, and deactivated the enchantment on the brooch. She brought her hands to my hair and carefully positioned the small flowers throughout my braid—she’d picked them up during my spiel probably. Evangeline smiled, a kind of smug grin but also deeply caring.

My heart fluttered.

Her dark hand came to my face, hand on my cheek as tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Can I admit something, (Y/N)?”

I swallowed thickly. I forced myself to nod. “Sure,” I croaked, my mouth dry.

“My mother isn’t the only one who admires you.” Her hand came forward, finger tracing my jaw. My skin tingled, heart raced at her touch again. “Turns out I like the women she aspires to be.”

I leaned forward, my face passing by her hand. This was my chance to make my choice. My lips touched hers. “I like you too.”

*~*~*~*

I the warmth of her kiss lingered as Evangeline pulled away, ring slipping onto my finger. The yellow and green lighting-orbs lit her up like the angel she was in this lush forest. I caught a glance down; it was my grandmother’s. A silver ring with a peridot set in it, very fitting.

Claugiyliamatar clapped and grinned, coming forward. “Congratulations!” She set herself down and put a claw on each of us. “It’s so delightful that it’s all working!”

Evangeline touched the claw on her shoulder. Masculine outfits suited her; the dark forest green of her dress shirt complimented her and matched Claugiyliamatar. “Me too, Mother. This way, we all get to have our happily ever after.” She looked at me with those deep, caring eyes she’d been watching me with.

I had to look away, getting flustered. This was my first time having anything close to this burst of feelings, to feel genuinely wanted and loved, and wanting to reciprocate those feelings.

Then Evangeline looked at Claugiyliamatar. “And I have something for you, Mother.” She looked at the servants.

“I’ll give you two some time.” I touched her shoulder and moved to step away.

“No. Stay. I can only give her this gift, thanks to you.” She smiled at me and then at her mother. “Please, send them away, Mother.”

Claugiyliamatar nodded and waved a claw at the musicians. Once they were gone, she looked at Evangeline.

She cleared her throat. “With thanks to, (Y/N), my love and lady, I made this for you.” She pulled out a gold necklace with the same dragon brooch as Evan had worn, with an emerald for the dragon’s backdrop. “It is for you to attend the wedding.” Evangeline raised her arms and Claugiyliamatar lowered her head. Evangeline wrapped the necklace carefully around Claugiyliamatar’s horn. It was quite a pretty accessory.

Claugiyliamatar’s eyes shone. “Oh, Eva!”

Evangeline wiped under her eyes. “Try imagine being shorter, Mother. That should trigger it.” with her practice of druid magic, Evangeline had tested wild forms before.

Claugiyliamatar closed her eyes and, after furrowing her brow for a moment, changed into a tall, thin and elegant woman with the necklace on her neck and long ash blonde hair. In the light, it seemed to be tinted green.

I looked away in shock, as she was naked, but I was smiling.

Claugiyliamatar had gotten her wish.