She didn’t wear her jealousy on her sleeve like some other debutantes might, at least. She kept something of a smile on her face as they began to twirl nearer to the crowd, nearer to the portraiture lining the walls. Now was the time. He’d probably hate it no matter when she did this, but she had a plan and she wasn’t going to deviate from it. No matter that she was actually finding his conversation pleasant.

“Would you ever consider marrying someone like me?” Naeva asked, batting her eyelashes once, twice, before smiling broader. His response would be important. The crowd was drawing closer.

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