Chapter Text
Your eyes scan the paper as you read the bold head line
‘Talks of war between Eldia and Marley’
Before you could even continue reading below the obnoxiously large headline the paper is snatched away
“Wait!” you call out before setting eyes with your dear aunt
“You are supposed to be getting dressed not reading whatever new scandal is arising” Your Aunt Charlotte, the sister of your father and widow to the late Lord Wellberry, has always been proper and lady-like. She was quick to shut down any gossip for it is tasteless for a lady to speak on another's misfortune and very respected among the ton, both things you adored and found quite troublesome about her.
“It wasn’t scandal” you sheepily answered back, trying your best not to have a bitter tone for fear it may come off as talking back “Is there going to be a war between Eldia and Marley?” you ask. Your aunt turns to you paper still in hand before sighing.
“Do not worry about that sort, your duty right now is to worry about debuting into society” She says this time more gently but still with as much firmness behind her words. She understood your worry, if a war did break out between Eldia and Marley who knows what would happen to your older brothers. No amount of noble title could save any of you from the wraths of war.
Your Aunt had always been there for you in place of your late mother, who had died in childbirth. She was there to teach you about what it means to be a lady and what your duties were for being the daughter of the Duke of Sina, which were in theory pretty simple – marry well and don’t bring shame to the family. You had done pretty good on the second part but on this day, in a few hours, you would be officially debuted into society and how that goes would determine whether or not you would marry well. Most other 19 year old daughters would have their mama’s guide them through the season but you had your Aunt Charlotte which in ways you preferred but couldn’t help but envy the daughters who get to have this moment with their mothers.
“Yes Aunt Charlotte” you replied. Satisfied with your response she called for you lady’s maids to come and dress you. Though the idea of being put up like a cow for men to gawk at you made your stomach turn in uncomfortable ways, you would be lying if you said you weren’t somewhat excited. Your mother and Father had the rare chance of marrying out of love and producing three beautiful children, your two older brothers and one beautiful daughter, you, who was the spitting image of the late Duchess. From stories you heard from older maids and family members you know your mother and father’s love was one you could only find in story books. You couldn’t help but long for love like that, you wondered what your soulmate would look like, Would he have green eyes or blue? Would he have siblings like you? Oh how you longed for a great love. Despite the absence of your mother, your home was always filled with love, your father had spoiled you with all that you could’ve wanted in the world and your two brothers adored you. If it was up to your father he would have had you cooped up in the family estate with him and your brothers there to protect you.
As you step into the white dress tailored perfectly to your body you couldn’t help but smile at yourself in the mirror, your fingers danced on the gold lace carefully sown along the bodice that trailed down to the ends of the dress patterning in beautiful swirls.
“You look absolutely beautiful Ms.Sterling” Mikasa, your lady’s maid comments as she secures the dress onto you. You and Mikasa had been attached at the hip since 15 when she was appointed to serve not only as a handmaid but also a friend. Though Mikasa hadn’t been born of nobility, she was one of your truest friends. It was her you could confide all your secrets to, it was her whom you always saw first thing in the morning, it was her who always knew what you needed and when you needed it. Honestly you probably wouldn't know between your left foot and right hand if she wasn’t there.
You step away from the mirror now fully in what a true debutant wears. White silky gloves reaching up to the forearm, a feathery headpiece which you knew would catch some snarky remarks from your brothers, and finally the dress, the white gold laced dress you had been waiting all your life to wear.
“I feel like a princess” you say smiling in delight swaying side to side
“Careful now you’ll wrinkle the dress Mikasa worked so hard steaming last night” You Aunt warns. You give her a playful pout before she turns besides you and says “You have made a beautiful debutant my dear, now let’s go see what the rest of Paridis thinks”
You loved your family estate back home in Sina of course but Paridis was the capital of Eldia, it was always bustling with life compared to the quiet region your father governs over. Sina was a region just outside of Paridis close enough where every few weeks you could stay over with your aunt at her estate in uptown Paridis. But because you had just turned 19 and were preparing to debut into society your family decided to all stay at your favorite estate that your father owned, Maria Hall right in uptown Paridis.
As you make your way down the grand stairs you have grown to love so much with Mikasa and Aunt Charlotte following behind you see your father and brothers waiting not-so-patiently at the bottom
“Is she going to take any longer?” Theodore, your second brother, whines while fiddling with his suit.
“You must be patient Theo and stop messing with your suit” Simon, your eldest brother, scolds, slapping Theo’s hand away from fiddling with the collar of his suit.
“She can make haste though, can she not?” Theo shot back, crossing his arms.
“Enough you two” Your father finally steps in “We will be Patient and we will support your sister as she makes her way into society, understood?”
“Yes father/yes sir”
“And might I add you two are at the age of marriage am I wrong? I suggest you start looking for someone who you may fancy”
Before your father could continue on to one of his long speeches about love and finding love which somehow your brothers always found themselves at the end of, your aunt clears her throat drawing the attention to the stairs which you stood on.
"Now baby brother, stop giving my nephews a hard time” your aunt says.
“Please Lottie I’m a grown man now”
“And that stops you from being my younger brother?”
Your aunt and father had always been close, always aiding each other in times of need. But when both your aunt and father lost their spouses they heavily relied on each other for support, seeing that you and your brothers had mirrored the close relationship they had.
Before your father could continue on the sibling banter that carried on even years into adulthood he was interrupted by Theodore’s obnoxious laughter.
“Is that a feather on your head sister?” He says trying to catch his breath in between his fits of laughter
You roll your eyes, you would have punched him in the stomach but you feared Aunt Charlotte's wrath and lectures more than whatever insults your brother had to throw.
“Yeah well at least I look elegant and not like a drunk” you spat back crossing your arms “Honestly Theo I don’t understand how you can be the age you are and not know how to take care of yourself”
“Well elegant isn’t the word I would use for you more like a-”
Before Theodore could spit back with an insult that was far worse than what you had to say Simion stepped in between you two.
“Enough both of you” Simon said slapping Theo on the head “and she’s right you look like a drunk I told you to stop spending your nights at the saloon”
You smile at your brothers as they bickered. though they were a cheeky bunch, You cared and loved them so much, you would miss them once you married. As you laugh at whatever argument your brothers had gotten into now you turn towards your father who to your surprise hadn’t broken up the bickering.
“Papa?’’
He looks down at you as he takes your hand, your father had never been an emotional man, not in front of people at least but as you looked up at him you could’ve sworn you saw tears welling up in his eyes.
“You look beautiful” Your father says kissing your forehead “Just like your mother”