"Duty," Cygnus says, standing just in front of the family tapestry. "Duty, Narcissa, is the most important trait you can possess. Our family stretches back ages… Since the beginning of magic. It is a badge of honor to bear our name. The proud Black family. And you are a member of this family, an important cog with a role to play. As you know, it is your mother and mine's responsibility to find you a suitable husband. It is your duty to do right by him. To bear his children. To pass down our pure blood, Narcissa. We cannot afford a second mistake in this family. Andromeda's slight was costly enough. Do you understand, Narcissa? I know you're young, but do you understand? Duty. Family duty comes above all else."

Narcissa tried to pay attention to the words coming from her father's mouth, but everything felt like it was in a heavy fog. She felt submerged in milky water and it took her a moment to process everything her father was saying. She could feel the words floating around in her head. "Duty, duty, duty." It pressed on her. Weighed her down. All the questions she had had just a few weeks ago, all the feelings and concerns… they seemed to mean nothing now. Nothing meant anything. Nothing but that little word her father keep repeating. "I understand, Father," she whispers. Her voice was always a whisper nowadays. She didn't know if she could scream if she tried. It hurt to talk. Pained her.

Her father came to her and sank down so they were eye-to-eye. "I can't lose another daughter, Narcissa. It would destroy your mother. You have to understand. Duty comes first. Above all else. Duty."

"I understand," she whispers again, the words even harder this time.

Cygnus cups her face gently for a brief moment before standing up. His shows of affection were always brief. Usually, Narcissa savored them. She knew that Trixy was her father's favorite and it was rare of him to spend any amount of attention on her. But right now, it just pained her further. "Go make our guests feel welcome," Cygnus says with a sigh. "We need this to go well with them."

Narcissa nods and quickly slips out of the room. She could feel the walls closing in. Everything was getting tighter, tighter. She just needed to breathe. Just a moment to breathe. Deep down, however, she was worried she had forgotten how to.