Victorian Era AU (Classy Violet main task)

Calliope was trying to focus on her book. She was sure if she raised her eye and took a look into Valerian’s face she would start crying. She was feeling miserable. She remembers with a bittersweet taste the last years, the Coming Out and The Season were a wild ride. Nonstop parties and events, the race to find a husband to marry, but most important someone she could love. After all she went through and her adoptive mother was now crushing all her efforts. She demanded Calliope to marry a “more suitable man” and arranged a marriage with a man from a wealthy family Calliope didn’t even know, all she knew was his name; Arthur Williams.

Memories from the first time she met Valerian came to her mind. It was the first ball she attended and she was excited to dance and meet new people. She remembers when Emma -her chaperone- was repeating the proper way to behave in that situation when Valerian approached her. He lent his ball card to Emma and waited politely for Calliope’s answer.

Valerian had a charming smile, standing proud at the spot and his eyes focused only on her. She accepted his request to dance, offering her hand. He took it gently, caressing her knuckles with his lips for a brief moment. A soft kiss on her hand, sweet and careful. He had something in his eyes that made him seem mysterious and Calliope found that interesting.

They danced and Calliope didn’t want it to end. The way Valerian held her, how he was only looking at her and his controlled voice made her melt. By the end of the third time they had to separate because the proper way was only to dance three times at most, and Calliope hoped he would be interested in meeting again.

Both went their ways and continued with the party, but Calliope couldn’t help looking at Valerian from time to time. He was talking with a friend of his at the other side of the hall, he didn't even dance with another woman. Stolen glances and concealed smiles were exchanged through the night when he realized her attention was on him, making Calliope blush and feel all bubbly. 

Calliope asked Emma to give Valerian his card back, which meant she was interested in him. 

After that they met again, they took walks together, they had tea and cookies and talked about themselves a bit. They started to know each other. 

Three months later plans for arranging the marriage started, but her adoptive mother was against it. She said she found a better suitor for Calliope. Her adoptive father didn’t have a say in it -like usual-, he only did whatever his wife said. So without her father's approval, she couldn’t marry Valerian.

Calliope saw Emma rise from her seat and make a gesture to let her know she was leaving for a second, the stern look on the old woman reminding Calliope to not do anything inappropriate in her absence.

The moment she left the room, Calliope felt Valerian turn towards her in the tête-à-tête.

-My dear… Please, look at me. -Valerian took her hand in his, gently- I know you’re worried, but I’m sure we can convince your father to reconsider.

With a sigh, Calliope closed the book she was trying to focus on - unsuccessfully- and turned towards Valerian. She took a look at him; his worried expression and how close he was. Calliope didn’t stop him when he brought her hand to his lips. A sweet kiss, full of love. It made her melt. That only made her sadder though. She really wanted to marry Valerian. Tears began to appear and she felt his other hand caress her face.

-I hate it when you cry. If only that man just disappeared… -Valerian’s face was calm, but Calliope could distinguish his unusual cold and sharp side-.

She reached to him and placed one hand on his chest.

-Don’t let hate consume you. -She took a deep breath and cleaned her tears with a cloth tissue- You’re right, I’m sure we can convince my father. You’re such a charmer when you want to, just don’t talk about people disappearing.

-I won’t. -There was the smirk that Calliope loved, one sincere expression from Valerian-.

As footsteps could be heard again, they went back to sit properly. Calliope rested both hands on her book, with a small smile.

Two weeks later, Calliope just took her morning bath and when she was coming down the stairs she heard a discussion taking place in the dining room. Valerian talked to her father three days ago, with no positive results, which ruined Calliope’s mood, usually cheerful.

In the dining room, the consternated voice of her mother startled her.

-This can’t be happening! What are we going to do now? Everything was already talked and settled…! -Her mother was sitting on the sofa, fanning herself heavily. She was red and very distressed-.

Her father was in his usual seat, focused on the newspaper in his hands.

-What happened? Is everything alright? -Calliope’s voice startled both of her parents, making them stop breathing for a second-.

She walked towards her father, curious about what could have happened that made them this hysterical.

When she read the spread her father was reading her stomach dropped to the floor. She felt time freeze, everything went still and she didn’t dare to move a single finger.

“Young man went missing yesterday, he looks like this and he answers by the name of Arthur Williams…”

The picture of the betrothed her mother chose for her was on the page. That was his name. And he was missing.