Elian found his friend's stunned expression amusing. In under a second, Bianca had resolved his lifetime of romantic complaints.
Most men chased families and simple peace. But peace was never free.
Society didn't reward loyalty. Or skill. It rewarded those who knew how to compete.
Whether in war or courtship, the rules were the same: limited winners, too many players, and a system designed to discard the quiet ones.
Charlotte longed for a partner who wouldn't betray her—but her station ensured she'd never meet one. The ones worth loving were hidden in plain sight.
Ned, poor and earnest, would've died never even seeing her face. Not for lack of worth—just lack of opportunity.
Without intervention, they would've remained in different worlds. That was the reality.
It felt good to be wanted, to be loved, to be depended on. Elian felt grateful for every single day since he met Bianca. And he wanted those he loved to feel it too.
