Green - Draco Malfoy

one

2005

"You will not have to work, darling girl! You can depend on him entirely!"

Ew no.

"You will have a secure and stable life; you need not worry about your children."

"All you need to do is to sit still and look pretty, you'll still be secure."

This isn't the 16th century.

"Might I remind all of you that my granddaughter is perfectly sentient and able to look after herself even if she marries into a family that is not the Carlisles?"

Ah yes, we're in the 21st century, I remember now.

Raleigh Garnet's eyes turned towards her stern grandmother's figure, standing by the doorway of the parlor in her elegant navy blue attire. Out of habit, the group rose from their seats, greeting Carmella Sandoval as she found her place in front of the hearth. Her lips curled into a grateful smile, placing the empty teacup down on its saucer in front of her. Her cousins and aunts had all gathered and cornered her hours before the gala began, proceeding to remind her just how advantageous her marriage was. They were visibly more excited than Raleigh was and she questioned how her fiancé's family did not pull a Charles Bingley on her after such a display.

Two months ago, Sebastian Carlisle had just asked her for coffee in front of her apartment building and three days ago, bent a knee with a 1.5 carat diamond ring. Sebastian Christian Carlisle was the only son - hence sole successor - of Jonathan Carlisle's wealth and assets. They were one of Britain's most powerful families, bearing a position in the parliament and owning several companies that churned the country's wealth. She had met him by chance, simply during one drunken escapade on one of the hardest days of the year. Raleigh swore each year it would be different, but each time the date arrived, the weight on her chest became increasingly unbearable. Sebastian was on his way for a drink after a long business meeting in Berlin and had pulled her away when she nearly caused permanent damage to a man's testicle. After his proposal, he was almost on his knees again, begging for an engagement party.

"Oh but gran, we are simply excited by Raleigh and Sebastian's union!" Iris, her youngest cousin, leapt from her seat and towards the elderly woman before she could even sit.

"They make such a marvelous couple, don't you think?"

"I am not blind, child, I can only imagine the beautiful children these two will have." Carmella teased, patting Raleigh on the thigh after she huffed. "Oh and how smart and charming they will be as well, all regal and aristocratic just like their father."

"With rich blonde hair and green eyes!" Aurora, the third youngest brunette, hummed, the blissful glow across her features imitated by her other cousins. "How lucky you are indeed, Raleigh!"

Aurora reached forward to clasp her hand, enough to snap her back to reality before her memories swallowed her in. Pushing at a stray brown curl from her forehead, Raleigh gave her a small smile and pushed herself up from the cushion, feeling her throat strain at the lingering nostalgia her words awakened.

"Oh all this talk of children is making me more nervous." Raleigh uttered honestly, making her way towards the tall windows showcasing the gardens. "It's exciting and all, but-"

The brunette paused, glancing down at the simple ring placed on her left hand. How heavy it felt now that the world was going to see it. And how heavy was her heart as she twisted it out of nervous habit, wishing it was not a diamond resting there. He would know. Raleigh met the questioning eyes of the women in her life, her breath hitching at the fear lingering there. The eldest being twenty-four, two years younger than her and the youngest at the age of fourteen, yet they waited with bathed breath for advantageous marriages. Only Carmella seemed pleased with the fragment, she thought, fiddling with the ring once more.