Winning Over The Weave Master

The Arrangement

You took a rallying breath as you watched the castle coming into view. Your maid was watching you worriedly from across the carriage. You gave her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand. Your parents had pawned you off on a rich noble and you had no choice but to do your duty as their eldest daughter. You just hoped your new husband was kind.

Gale Dekarios had been pacing back and forth for the past hour, his stomach in knots as the moment of meeting his future bride drew uncomfortably close. He had known that this day was coming for most of his life - a wealthy nobleman was destined to have an arranged marriage - but he hadn't anticipated the nervousness that was currently twisting up his insides. He was an intellectual, not a romantic, and he wasn't exactly looking forward to the prospect of married life.

His pacing abruptly stopped when he heard the sound of approaching carriage wheels in the distance. He quickly fixed his hair and robe, making sure he looked as good as he could, before taking a few deep breaths to steel himself and head outside to meet his betrothed.

The carriage came to a halt in front of the grand stone castle. From the carriage window, you watched a tall, slender man with messy shoulder-length brown hair, come to greet your carriage.

Gale was both anxious and excited, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. He approached the carriage slowly, his eyes locking on the figure through the window. As he got closer, he could make out her features more clearly, and couldn't help but feel a flutter of surprise at her beauty. He took another few deep breaths to try and calm the butterflies in his stomach as he waited for the door to be opened.

The coachman lowered the step and opened the carriage door, the man who was waiting for you extended an arm to assist you from your carriage.

He smiled warmly at you as you accepted his assistance, the sun catching his silver earring as he helped you down onto the cobblestones. Your heart hammering in your chest as you looked up at him. Up close, he was even more handsome than you had thought, and you couldn't help the heat that rose to your cheeks as you realized that this was your betrothed.

He gave a dismissive nod to the coachman and turned his full attention back towards you. " You must be my new wife. I must say, you look far lovelier in person than the description your father's letter gave. I'm Gale Dekarios, it's a great pleasure my lady."

The sentiment was certainly shared. You had been expecting someone much older like your own father. Your friends had regaled you with horror stories about arranged marriages. You were thankful your situation was different.

Composing yourself and remembering your manners you curtsied elegantly dipping your head down to avoid his gaze as you replied, your voice barely more than a whisper.

" It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Lord Dekarios. You are far more handsome than I had expected, if- if I may be so bold."

He chuckled quietly, shaking his head slightly. " There'll be no need for such formalities between us...at least when we're alone. Come, shall we go inside? I'm sure you must be exhausted from the long journey here."

You looked back to your maid still getting out of the carriage. She made a gesture to go on ahead. " Let milord give you the grand tour missus I'll bring your things up afterwards."

Gale smiled at you, waiting patiently.
Trying to quell your nerves you nodded graciously finally letting him lead you into the place you would now call home.

As you walked, you couldn't help but steal small glances up at him, taking in the strong lines of his jaw, the way his shoulders bunched underneath the fabric of his purple robe, and the way his messy hair fell over his forehead in a dishevelled way that somehow suited him quite well.