The majority of the season afterwards passed without a hitch; she had transformed into one of the newest darlings of high society, things seemed to be progressing rather nicely with Heinrich, and even if things didn't work out between them, she had a small boatload of others who could take his place.

She was finally winning, and it felt glorious. Glorious in a superficial sense, mind you, like a decoration shining on an officer's uniform, but even then, it was incredibly satisfying to see one's hard work pay off.

It was arguably far better than the kind of bliss wrought from undying romantic love, or the bonds of true friendship. Because even if it wasn't satisfying in the long run, it was unlike undying love because love required a person to show their most vulnerable side, to be daring enough to take a chance. And even though superficial success faded quickly, it didn't leave a person crushed and broken in the aftermath.

To her, it didn't seem worth the risk. And while her cynicism and practicality were what divided her from real society ladies, she wasn't scared. If there was one thing she would remember from her short friendship with the dark-haired youth, it was that she wasn't alone in that respect. Together, they had observed people who had been part of the elite far longer than she was, people who did unbecoming things when they thought nobody was paying attention. She'd learned that high society was riddled with people who, like her, left parts of their fundamental being in the shadows.

And soon came the night that her hard work would truly pay off. The final ball of the season, where she hoped Heinrich would propose. Because after that point, people would flock back to their estates in the country and start the cycle anew. She only had this night, if she wanted to avoid waiting months upon months for a proposal. So she smoothed out her satin dress, and joined a conversation about a romance novel she'd read, but didn't care for.

She surprised herself by being an active participant in the conversation, though it was likely just to occupy herself while waiting for her hopefully-soon-to-be-fiancé. He had to be coming any minute. If only just to save her from this dull conversation.

He arrived scarcely ten minutes later, caught her eye, and gingerly stepped over, without even the sound of footsteps. She decided she would take this as her cue, and the two whirled off in a dance.

It took about 3 minutes before either of them said a word, though it was not because Elsa was at a loss for words. Instead, she was focused on giving subtle glances and feather-light touches. She needn't seem too talkative after all. It was already fairly evident what her intentions were; talking at this moment would make her seem desperate.

He smiled down shyly, and spun her around gently.

"I must say, it's lovely to see you again."

"I rather feel the same, I confess. I found myself missing your kindness and wit. You're far easier to talk to than most of my business partners."

Kindness, she could understand, but wit? It was a bit of a surprise to hear that he enjoyed her wit. Or even that he noticed it. She had kept an active grip on her off-color sense of humour, and she could have sworn that no comments had slipped through. But that that point, she realized that his definition of wit was probably very different from hers.

"Oh? And how is your work going?"

"It's something to do, as always. I feel the same as I did as a boy, when I would get excited every time that my lessons were over."

She smiled. "I suppose in some ways, we never really change. But it truly is a terrible shame that you have so little interest in your work."

The idle chatter ebbed and flowed through many topics, never reaching any territory that could provoke emotions, but never offending, nonetheless. And after a few dances, Elsa was unsure as to whether she should switch partners or continue dancing. She didn't know as to whether switching would make him think her rather flighty.

And and change his view of her, or whether it would reinforce the idea that she was appealing to many.

But in the meantime, she was unable to hear a group of old acquaintances calling her over, and mistaking her thought for apprehension, Heinrich pulled her closer- but a respectable distance, mind you, and whispered "If you're worried about me, you really shouldn't be. Go and join them."

And as she traversed the dance floor, she wondered how her chances of marriage were affected by this Belle Époque-esque martyrdom.

"Me? I've had an absolutely lovely time this season, but how about you, Elsa? You haven't said a thing about what you've been up to."

"Oh, I've been reconnecting with old friends of the family, nothing much." she said, hiding a smile. "But I simply must beg my leave now. I feel a bit faint."

Now that wasn't entirely false. The stress of the potential proposal had left her feeling jittery and odd for the whole night, and her corset felt much too tight, but she merely wanted a chance to talk to Heinrich again before the night ended. So on her way to the balcony, she stopped by Heinrich again, and merely announced that she would be outside.

And as she strolled across the balcony, she felt a sense of satisfaction creep across her. Truly she hadn't thought of it before, but an excuse that required fresh air was quite clever. The relatively empty balcony made for a rather picturesque place to talk in privacy, which could definitely quicken matters towards the direction of marriage.

And all she'd have to do was wait. And stop worrying. She leaned her upper torso up against the railing to feel the breeze and closed her eyes. And even though the summer heat was suffocating when paired with her layers of undergarment, she let herself stop thinking for only a minute, and she felt the weight of her dress disappear as her mind floated into the sky.

But just as it did with Aschenputtel, peace could only last so long, before the time started to run out, and she started to become concerned. The breeze was no more, and instead, she just felt suffocated. Deep down, she had this sick nagging that she was going to return home just as she had before the season. That she would resume to her life, and the season would remain like a fairyland- a time when she thought that she had a chance. At least until she met Heinrich again, which could take months, if not years. In that time, she'd most likely be able to find someone else.

The balcony was completely empty. She decided it would be best to just leave then, and spare herself some humiliation.

At least until Heinrich approached, with a small box in hand.

Of course she said yes. And now, she walked down the front steps, sizing up how the name 'Baroness Elsa Schraeder' sounded. Frankly, it didn't make her heart flutter, but she had to admit, she liked the sound. It rang through her head, time and time again, like victory bells, as she waited for her chauffeur to arrive. Of course, that meant that her heeled shoe dug itself into the gravel drive, and she lost balance, falling into a shadowed figure.

"I must ask your apology, that was rather-"

And then she was speechless, for she had once again run into the dark-haired youth.

"Fancy meeting you here."

"Oh, be quiet." she replied, though it was obviously in good nature.

"I see that you got what you wished for." he stated with a mocking edge, receiving only a puzzled stare in response.

"You are a spoken-for woman, are you not?"

"Ah, yes. I'm to be the next Baroness Schraeder, you see."

"Then I must be sure to keep in with you."

"I'm sure you will." she stated between chuckles. She wished she could entertain it. But a friendship between classes quite like that would be more trouble than it was worth keeping. And either way, she could see her chauffeur out of the corner of her eye.

"My car is here now." she started. "But may I ask your name?"

"It's Maximillian Detweiller."