September 23rd, 1894 — Generic Ball, London

Don Juan's letters hung like a noose over Valencia's head. Too far - she had pushed him too far with her taunting replies, but what else was she to do? He certainly wouldn't have paid her any sum to leave his reputation alone. Nor would he even confess to being a bigamist! He would twist the truth as he always had, omit the important details as he was known to do, and frame himself as some sort of dutiful hero. Valencia couldn't take the chance.

But still, it left her feeling wholly desperate once more. If he was prepared to defend his actions, then surely one of his first moves would be to inform his brother. However, seeing as no one had stopped either Ignacio or herself from attending tonight, Valencia could only hope that she'd beaten Don Juan to the punch.

It took time to find a moment to speak to the minister without another either actively engaging with him or standing near enough that she'd have to fear them overhearing. Though, when she finally did, she could spare no time reconsidering her actions as she asked in as unaccented a voice as she could manage, "Minister Dempsey, might I have a minute of your time?"

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Fortitude Greengrass / @"Ozmandias Dempsey"

  

Another day, another society event. Oz had enjoyed these more before he was Minister; before they'd been taking him away from actual, important work. The voting bill had been sent back with questions from Wizengamot and he would rather have spent the night with his secretary drafting responses — but Sina had already accepted for tonight, so here they were.

He offered a smile to the woman who approached. Dazzling, but superficial. His mind was still elsewhere. "Of course," he answered. He turned to her but didn't move otherwise, assuming she wanted to converse here in the ballroom. Probably about something entirely banal.

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MJ is the light of my life <3

It struck her just how similar the two brothers likely were, with their charming, beautiful smile and viperish tendencies. Valencia would have to proceed even more cautiously than she originally intended.

With her request accepted, Valencia took a few steps closer, stopping still an appropriate distance away but close enough that she could talk lowly and most likely not be overheard. "I am terribly sorry to burden you with this, I can only imagine how busy you are." She began, her tone and expression matching with her practiced sincerity. "It regards one of your brothers."

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The drop in volume wasn't a good sign. Ozymandias' brow furrowed. If she thought her news was a burden, she was likely correct — particularly if it involved one of his brothers. Earlier this month he'd had to contend with people saying he couldn't govern effectively because his sister happened to take walks in Padmore Park occasionally without his knowing it. He wasn't keen on hearing any more about how he ought to be responsible for his entire family, in addition to the future of the country.

"What did you say your name was, Miss?" he asked. He didn't recognize her.

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MJ is the light of my life <3

The moment of truth. Valencia swallowed back her fear as she said, "I have been introducing myself here with my maiden name to not cause scandal - Miss Valencia Delgado. In truth, I am your sister-in-law, Mrs. Don Juan Dempsey."

She allowed the revelation to sit for a second before adding, "might we arrange a time to discuss this matter privately?"

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Oz's face slipped into a blank mask of composure. Of the pair of them, Don Juan was the less surprising option for having done something entirely stupid. Or at least, to have done something stupid in a way that lead to it coming out like this. Endymion might have married someone inappropriate, but he would have been too earnest and naive to keep that a secret. He probably would have even managed to be sanctimonious about it.

This was a fine kettle of fish Don Juan had gotten himself (and by extension all the rest of them) into. This would be a mess when it came out — but he still wasn't sure what she wanted from him.

"What matter is that?" Oz asked, tone perfectly neutral.

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MJ is the light of my life <3

The mask he slipped on was the distinct difference between the brothers. Don Juan would have had his every emotion on his face, his fury ready to throttle. This brother was a politician, his social intelligence was a skill of the utmost importance. Valencia regretted posing her question instead of allowing him to address the revelation.

"My fee for keeping the scandal from the papers." Valencia eventually replied in her continued low tone.

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Ah. Blackmail. Well, Don Juan certainly knew how to choose women. But given how this interaction had gone so far, and what he knew of his brother, Oz rather suspected Don Juan hadn't chosen her at all. She seemed cool, mercenary; he was hapless. She'd probably picked him out as a suitable target and he'd followed along like a puppy, right up until the moment she'd flipped the switch and let him know he was trapped. (At which point he ought to have told someone, Oz thought — whether that someone should be him or not was debatable. This was a problem that might have been better handled by their parents... but certainly Don Juan wouldn't have been able to handle it himself. He was a fool.)

"How decorous." He gave her a cool look, taking the measure of her. A beat passed. "You may write me at my home address."

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MJ is the light of my life <3

It was a victory, however small. Valencia nodded once and took a half step back. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Minister," she said at a normal volume with a perfectly polite smile on her face. Then, lower, she added, "I look forward to your response."

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