Passions of the Night

The unexpected news of the Damarius' and Laurialos families hosting an engagement ball in celebration for their two eldest sons as they'd join in holy matrimony was heartbreaking to the young women as they'd lost their chance to court one of the fine bachelors before their prime. Still, just receiving the opportunity of an invitation to this esteemed gathering of high nobles gathering together from all over was enough as it gave them and those lower nobles in society a chance to garner the graces of the soon-to-be-wed couple and their influential guests. It wasn't everyday a chance to make top connections, and to risk offending either the Damarius or Laurialos family was like signing the destruction of one's present or future success.

Something no one would dare risk.

Still, when putting all that aside, for those that had been lucky enough to receive the esteemed invitation, the night to dress in one's best attire and have part in the rich entertainment was enough to take pleasure in the joyful festivities and plentiful company. However, not everything was as happy as it seemed.

Oliver Laurialos was far from delighted to find out his life had been tied to another without so much of a word of consent, and right when he'd planned on furthering his skillset abroad. But this sudden change of plans wasn't what upset him. Having long known his parents had been searching for any son of their noble status from the moment he'd come of age, especially after Oliver had decided to make his sexuality known not long ago, he was more than grateful they had been so accepting and were doing their best in making sure he'd be happy despite what the rest of society had to say on the matter.

But, of all people, why did it have to be Idrian Damarius!?

Having familial ties to the royal family and the handsome looks to boot, what was there to hate, right? Any single woman or man would've been more than happy to be set for life and have a gorgeous husband who had both the talent and endless charm to have you falling with a single word. And any noble family with an ounce of common sense would happily take the opportunity to rise in both status and prominence among other benefits.

It was an irresistible offer. One that Oliver knew his parents couldn't risk turning away. And neither would Oliver blame them for he had yet to confess the one secret he'd hidden years ago that had everything to do with the very man he was to be married to.

Believe it or not, just as all the smitten young women, Oliver had fallen for those sweet words and promises that had felt like dreams coming true. As the Laurialos were well known in the shipping and merchant trade, being invited to any and all of the numerous gatherings of businessmen and merchants was a common occurrence. Being the only heir to the company and Laurialo fortune, Oliver was forced to step out of his bubble to accompany his father and mingle among those of their kind.

Finding himself already the odd duck in a crowd of strangers with judging gazes as meeting after meeting passed trying to fit into the ongoing politics, Oliver met Idrian.

A man who both stood out of the crowd with his handsome looks and still blended in seamlessly with those around him from his vast knowledge of the trade and a multitude of other subjects. Even being the same age, Oliver could see how different he was from Idrian- in all aspects. And for the first time in his life, Oliver wanted to know everything there was about this radiant man who seemed so close yet so far away. Before long, slowly having almost every waking thought and sleepless night lying awake overtaken with fantasies of those dark eyes looking only to him alone, Oliver began to realize he wanted more outside of his imagination.

Making a stuttering fool of himself over the first greeting wasn't what Oliver had intended after days of summing up the courage but having Idrian's full attention on his every word had Oliver forgetting everything he was going to say. But it was a start.
To Oliver's surprise, Idrian had personally sought him out the next meeting, and that rest of the night was spent getting to know one another. And Oliver soon figured the butterflies in his stomach wouldn't be going away anytime soon.