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The next time that Arthur sees Mathew is at a formal ball a full month later. Mathew is standing to the side, awkward, not dancing with anyone despite all the pretty girls that keep coming up to him. This causes Arthur to notice him, and watch Mathew for the rest of the ball. And, by so doing, develops the start of a crush. But, then again, this is Arthur in the height of the British Empire we are talking about right now. A crush for him and the feelings it elicits might be a tad different than what the future gentleman Arthur might entertain in his thoughts.
Mathew's fake memories compel an almost feverish loyalty from Mathew for his new mother. He remembers nothing of being a nation and now his every thought is set to making his "mother" proud of him. She herself though is a social climber.
Currently, Mathew is being fitted for a suit for an upcoming ball arranged by his "mother."
"This is what it feels like to be distinguished, Mathew. How do you like it?"
He nodded eagerly, smiling gratefully. After all, he truly did love his mother. She was everything to him. After all, she was all he had left now that his father had died. Plus, she was the entire reason why they hadn't been tossed onto the streets after father's death.
Everyone knew that women do not deserve to earn property. Yet, because of the status she had so skillfully gained at court and at every grand ball. How she hadn't messed up once. She had been perfect, wearing a new dress to every event, acting perfectly demure like a true high lady, yet had still been devious enough to interest everyone and have sooo many secrets spilled to her. She had saved them through her actions. That simple.
He must do whatever she wished. It was only fair. He had to repair her for her tireless efforts to raise him well, after all, even if said good upbringing could hurt or be an annoyance, such as now.
Mathew instinctively suppressed a wince when a pin stuck him in the leg. Why was his mother insisting on such a form fitting suit? He sighed, again.
Ah yes, that's right. This was pretty much his debutante, his entrance into respectable society. He must look his best, and he also must be the best there. He had to.
She was his everything, after all.
Arthur had to admit it to himself. That boy across the room looking so nervous to be there, with a little blond curl having escaped from the tiny violet ribbon holding back the rest of his hair, and matching his eyes perfectly, and bobbing in front of his head as he shyly stayed stuck to that single spot with his eyes either darting around the room in an anxious fit or staying glued to the floor, was simply ravishing.
And Arthur briefly entertained the thought of kissing the man. Thoroughly. And deeply.
But, no matter how brief the fantasy was, Arthur always got what he wanted, and with his status in society, it wasn't like the boy could really refuse him, even if the boy ended up balking at their both being males or not.
Now, who was his mother again? Ahhhh, yes.
Her.
Oh, this was just perfect. That woman was always so eager to ascend the social ladder. He could always reassure her that there would be no whispers of scandal for his actions, so long as she fully gave him the boy.
How simply wonderful would that tall blond boy look in one of his servants extra butler uniforms? He could even be his personal butler, perhaps.
When the courtiers standing by him started to shiver and scooch a tad bit farther away from him, Arthur ignored it and kept smirking.
He was a genius.
And, better yet, he was a genius who always got what he wanted. After all, he was the Arthur Kirkland. The unspoken but fully known trusted advisor of all the politicians and government officials of the British Empire. Everyone who a someone knew that. And that he could take full advantage of.
It was a pity that the nations never could tell who they really were, what they represented; but, of course, that had never stopped him from gaining his rightful place within his own society.
Question: Should I include that little synopsis thing at the beginning? Yay or nay? Wuvs you, cuties~ ;)