For a moment, Alto's thoughts falter, unable to grasp the absurdity of what she's just heard.
'...h-husband?'
Of course, she's not caught off guard by the fact that her father would arrange her marriage, even with such little notice and consideration for her feelings. Among the wealthy of Azura, such practices are common, be it in human or elven culture.
However, what she did not expect is for such an arrangement to come so soon. While it's true that the human nobility of Azura routinely marry off their heirs at fifteen, the same cannot be said for the long-lived elves. What her father is doing is not illegal, especially since he's not arranging the actual marriage yet, but given how long even normal elves live, considering such arrangements before fifty years of age, much less twenty, is generally avoided. Which...raises an obvious question in Alto's mind.
She studies her father, trying to keep the panic in her voice from showing.
"Why? I am not even twenty yet." (Alto)
Her father raises his eyebrows at the question, then studies her in silence for several moments, as if deciding whether to answer. Eventually, he leans forward in his seat, locking eyes with her seriously.
"Because the young man in question is Tegan Stone...heir to the Stone Construction empire. Their company's wealth and influence in the Kingdom rivals even our own, while there's minimal overlap in our markets. Tying our two families would basically set our dynasty in stone...no pun intended.
"Normally, I would not have you courting another heir so young, but...this is the Stone family, and you're mature enough for it to work. More importantly, I've heard rumors that Tegan has taken a fancy to a girl from a working-class family, and his father is considering giving his blessing for their relationship. If we wait until you're older, we may very well lose this opportunity." (Master Silver)
Just like that, her incredulity evaporates. Not because she agrees with the situation, or because it's not ridiculous, but because it's completely in line with her father's mentality.
'I really am just another tool in his business arsenal...a long-term investment.'
As for the Stone family, she's naturally familiar with them. She's been to high society events several times in her life at this point – balls, birthdays, and what have you – and she's met the Stone family members on occasion. Once, she even met Tegan, though there's little she can remember about him. He wasn't talkative, he didn't stand out in a good or bad way. In fact, there's only one thing she can recall about him with certainty.
She purses her lips, trying not to let her inner turmoil show as she addresses her father.
"Is Tegan not...a bit old, to be my suitor?" (Alto)
Her father waves dismissively, partially returning his attention to a parchment on his desk.
"He's barely older than you...not even sixty. A trifling difference in the nine or so centuries you'd spend together. Also, do not misunderstand...he is not your suitor, you are his...seek his favor with that in mind." (Master Silver)
Hearing her father's nonchalant appraisal, Alto can't help but feel a wave of disgust...for him, for her situation. Truthfully, it's less about the age difference than it is the pure disregard for her autonomy or opinion. Even if she'd been secretly pining for such an arrangement with Tegan, she'd be hard pressed not to recoil from the way her father has introduced the idea.
Her father glances at her, noting her silent presence, before returning his focus to his work. He speaks, almost flippant.
"Anyway, that's all for now. You can go." (Master Silver)
For the briefest of moments, Alto hesitates there, churning with unwillingness, discontent to her very core. Revoking her magic training, encroaching on her enrichment, and now, forcing this prospective husband onto her...it's too much, far too much for her to bear. And yet, also not enough...not enough to outweigh the fear of putting her foot down, of trying to fight for what she wants, of risking her father's full ire. Not yet, anyway.
So, she silently exits the office.
*****
A week passes, her fifteenth birthday comes and goes without the "frivolous" fanfare of a coming of age party, and Alto now finds herself standing outside a high-end restaurant. Naturally, she's here for her first "date" with Tegan, her father's favored prospective husband.
'Father is even more set on marrying into the Stone family than I assumed...'
She can't help but think so, given that the restaurant in question is located in Urilia, the capital city of Tessa Uril's territory and home of the Stone family. That meant her traveling half a day by carriage from Tsige, the neighboring city where the Silver family resides. Of course, her father said she was to facilitate these "dates" using her enrichment time, which is only two hours, and he didn't suddenly grow more reasonable.
What does this mean? Well, that attending this date required her to bring almost all of her tutors with her, completing all of her regularly scheduled studies during the carriage rides here and back. On top of the inconvenience to her, this also cost her father additional wages and travel expenses for the various tutors. And yet, he's the one that insisted she do the traveling for her and Tegan's meetings. Hence, her conclusion that her father must be deeply invested in this arrangement.
Unfortunately for her father, it doesn't seem that his investment in the arrangement is being met with similar enthusiasm by the Stones because...Tegan is quite late.
'How long has it been now? Twenty minutes? Thirty?'
Alto glances around the bustling street, searching for any sign of the Stone heir's arrival, but finds none.
Another ten minutes pass, and irritation starts to set in. Partly because of Tegan's tardiness, yes, but at least as much because...she can't do anything about it. Her father absolutely would not accept her leaving prematurely, even if staying means waiting alone outside this restaurant like an idiot for the two full hours.
Fortunately, she's not subjected to such an eventuality.
Approximately forty-five minutes after their agreed upon meeting time, Alto spots a young man resembling her vague recollection of Tegan – appearing about 20 by human standards, rather tall, lean build, jet black hair, brown eyes, and a face handsome enough that even Alto can appreciate it.
He steps out of a carriage down the street and begins walking towards her. Coincidentally, it does not escape her notice that the carriage he arrived in...has been there for as long as she has.
Realizing the incredibly rude implications of that, Alto's jaw clenches so hard that she fears her teeth might crack. But, reminding herself of her father's emphasis on this meeting, she manages to get her anger under control. As Tegan arrives a couple meters away from her, his lips pursed thoughtfully while he studies her, she manages a light curtsy and polite smile, strained though it is.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Sir Tegan. I trust that you've been well?" (Alto)
There's a flicker of surprise across his face, though the reason for it eludes her, then he nods curtly.
"Naturally. Anyway, let's go...I'm rather hungry." (Tegan)
Without waiting for a response, he walks past her coldly. Her eye twitches as his words register.
'Then why keep us both waiting!?'
Nevertheless, she suppresses her anger and turns to follow him. However, as they reach the door to the restaurant, he suddenly stops and turns to face her. For several moments, he says nothing, just staring at her expectantly. She raises her eyebrows, her voice polite by sheer force of will.
"Is something the matter?" (Alto)
Tegan frowns, then sighs in displeasure, as though preparing a lecture for a clueless child.
"Do you intend to open the door?" (Tegan)
Alto blinks. She's so baffled by his statement that she initially can't even muster anger.
'Since when is that something young men expect of their dates?'
Though it is less evident in cultural norms the further one moves from royalty in the elven social hierarchy, their Kingdom is still a matriarchy. At their level of wealth and social standing, if anything, Tegan should be embarrassed if he doesn't open doors for her. Him making this show is nothing short of equating her to a servant, like saying she's so far beneath his social standing that inter-class cultural norms supersede gender norms.
'It's like he's not even trying to leave a good impression...'
Her instinctive desire is to just leave, or at least insult his intelligence and question how entitled he is. However, then she remembers her father's parting words from the other day.
Do not misunderstand...he is not your suitor, you are his.
'Is this what father was implying, that he expects me to slave away for Tegan's approval, if necessary?'
If so...she's infuriated by the very idea. Especially because, if she's right, she either has to accept Tegan's incredibly degrading attitude with grace, or risk her father's ire. If it were simply an influential elf at a party, she'd be less hesitant to just tolerate the disrespect. But if she tolerates this and ultimately meets her father's expectations, won't Tegan become her husband? Won't she be permanently assigning herself as some kind of servile wife?
She's not without pride, and her tolerance has limits, so...
She plays dumb, giving Tegan a faux-concerned smile.
"Oh dear...to think your hunger has taken such a toll on your strength. Please, allow me...petite as I am, I'm sure I can at least manage a door for you." (Alto)
She takes a seemingly eager step towards the door, looking to move past him, but he suddenly sticks his arm out to block her way. She glances up, eyes wide in mock surprise, only to find his face flushed red . Seeing her questioning gaze, he quickly grabs the door handle, his voice laced with equal parts annoyance and embarrassment.
"I can manage..." (Tegan)
Unsatisfied, Alto tilts her head skeptically.
"But your hunger, you mentioned it yourself...are you feeling faint?" (Alto)
His lips press into a thin line.
"I'm fine...let's just go..." (Tegan)
Without waiting for her response, he opens the door to the restaurant with an annoyed jerk and abruptly walks inside. Suppressing the urge to chuckle to herself, Alto follows him in.