Chapter Text
“This would be a favor to the Crown,” Minako explained. A renowned figure of the world of opera, Minako was a very respected and dear friend of the Katsuki family with close connections to some of the most powerful people in England, as high up as Queen Victoria herself. Her hands shook with the weight of the letter as she extended it meagerly for further inspection from Yuuri’s parents. Yuuri barely looked up; the height of his collar felt like it was choking him.
Minako continued, “Of course, this means Yuuri would not be able to participate in the coming social season, but he might still have an opportunity to be presented to the court with this match, seeing as it is a match being made precisely by Her Majesty.”
Hiroko took the letter from her husband.
“I’m not sure that we could push Yuuri into such a compromising position,” she said, folding the letter and setting it on her lap. “Besides, he already has invitations to events starting as soon as next month. We have put everything together. I’m not sure this would be in his best interest. What do you think, dear?"
Her husband looked pensive as he took off his glasses to rub at his eyes.
“Dear friends,” Minako interrupted, “not to speak out of turn, but I encourage you to consider it wholeheartedly and accept without reservation—an omega with Yuuri’s background is unlikely to find another opportunity to enter the upper classes.”
It was no secret that the Katsuiki family experienced a strange series of contradictions in their London life. Although Victorian England belonged to the merchant classes, Yuuri’s beauty was only of interest to alphas with keen, if not altogether unsavory interests—the type who often saw him more like an exotic collector’s item than a person. Certainly, while a member of the high middle classes would jump at the opportunity of marriage with him, chances were a member of the royal and noble classes would not. He had no title. He came from a wealthy family, but not one without boundaries to their wealth. He had no title, either, and was perhaps too intelligent for the taste of an alpha looking for someone to impress his friends’ spouses. For all purposes, Minako was right. Yuuri was unlikely to find a better match, even if he tried. This was even clearer given how easily he’d crumbled from the pressure last season.
Yuuri had debuted a year before at eighteen. He was at a fine marrying age, even now, but his prospects would not be as good as his first cycle.
Despite his family’s money, land, and connections, and his father’s position as a physician, Yuuri had chosen a quieter route, starting off-season in the countryside without a presentation at court. His nerves had been shaken by the pressures of finding a good match and the amount of attention he’d brought on himself had been too much, too soon. His family had been practically shamed to take card after card from callers left standing without further invitation while Yuuri sulked in his bedroom (and, worst, tried to hide in balconies unaccompanied during evening balls). He’d lost so much weight that his cheek had grown hollow and his family had sent him to the country home of a dear friend in hopes of seeing him return to health, away from the city and its tribulations. A year later, he finally felt surer of himself, knowing his good friend Sara (a beta) would be debuting as well. Now, it seemed any chance of finding himself a mate was gone with an irrefutable invitation.
“Why our Yuuri?” Toshiya asked, handing the letter to his son.
“I could not say, although we mustn’t be hasty in dismissing the charms of our dear boy. Yuuri was a very popular debutante the year before and he easily meets all the standards sought in a respectable mate: He is well-trained in dance and music and speaks multiple languages, in addition to having an attractive dowry and a respected family with a good name. He has come to no scandals, has an excellent education, and a face that has earned him many a suitor already. Again, this is not an order, but a favor to the Crown. Her Majesty seems to think Yuuri would make a fine addition to the Mayberry household. It is Yuuri’s choice whether he steps up to serve.”
“Then,” Toshiya smiles, his cheeks strained with stress, “perhaps Earl Nikiforov may be so kind as to pay us a visit, as would be customary of one seeking a respectable engagement, or is that not in line with his particularities? Our Yuuri is a fine young omega with excellent prospects still ahead of him; I’d like to think a visit is the least he deserves, seeing as he would otherwise receive no courtship.”
“I think we all know that is not possible, given the Earl’s very particular situation,” Minako wriggled her nose, looking just an inch towards the side of desperate. Yuuri held the letter in his hands. “My dear, dear friends—”
“No amount of endearments can endear me to the proposition, Minako. This is all quite distasteful,” Hiroko responded, looking distressed. Despite her panic, her voice remained even-keeled, matching the usual softness of her temperament. Even as she seemed confused, her usual cheeriness seeped into the corners of her anguish, like a lilt too high to be broken even by formality, “I am being asked in no uncertain terms to give up my youngest child, my sweet Yuuri, to the hands of a criminal. Sanctioned or not by the Crown does not assuage my concerns or befit the expectations I have had for my son since his birth and his presentation. We are a good family, as you say, with sensible morals and good education and relatively fine means. Our Mari has made a wonderful match for herself with the omega son of a Navy captain. We are pleased to see one child happy. I’m not sure we can risk the other’s unhappiness, knowing what is possible. Pray tell me, as a dear friend of our family, what would ever persuade the crown to demand the son of a physician marry into the family of a controversial Earl?”
Yuuri fisted his hands over his thighs, trembling from nerves. He licked his lips, trying to ease the tension pinching at his neck.
“Toshiya, Hiroko,” Minako sighed, “as much as this is a difficult favor, it will be wholly unfavorable for Yuuri to refuse. I fear, despite his otherwise excellent qualifications, Yuuri will not find another match, not a better one, at least. The rumors have spread rapidly, perhaps from the moment Her Majesty set pen to paper. The House of Mayberry has chosen a match, after years and years without a Countess, and I fear that, even if you refuse, the brand on Yuuri will remain for this season, the next season, and perhaps all the remaining seasons until Earl Nikiforov finds himself a spouse and Yuuri is left too old to wed.”
Toshiya looked towards Yuuri with alarm.
“Then, Minako, if this is true and we have come to this, then pray ask Her Majesty to kindly give her permission that the two may meet, just once. Surely if Her Majesty has determined it is only my son who could best fit the title, then she will consider it only fair to give him the choice to decide, after he has met his potential future husband. After all, my son would come to this marriage with a dowry. He could inherit a decent trust at twenty-one. As far as I’m concerned, his mother and I are in no position to deny the Earl, lest Yuuri be the one to show disfavor.”
Minako nodded, reaching for her gloves, “Very well. I will see what is possible, but at least give me a couple of days.”
.
Minako left on a Monday. Earl Victor Nikiforov showed up unannounced on a Thursday in a Town Coach carriage with his coat of arms on the door and edgings of gold-leaf over the edges of the windows and rooftop. Had Yuuri not known any better, he would’ve mistaken the Earl’s carriage for one of Her Majesty’s vehicles.
He pressed his hands against the window, nerves pooling inside his belly. Many an omega had been warned since childhood against the Mayberry bloodline. To marry into the Mayberry coat of arms was to bring shame to an omega’s family, although nary an omega (or rare beta) had ever turned down the so-called honor though history. As far as Yuuri was concerned, the last Countess had been a beautiful oddity, talented as she was refined and quiet, with a tactical mind for social politics.
“But I’m not, I’m not dressed appropriately,” Yuuri wheezed next to his sister. He was wearing a pair of brown trousers with a high-neck shirt with ruffles (to add a flair of beauty to his appearance, as was demanded of him as an omega by etiquette to beautify the world,) and a waistcoat to match. This was the customary, acceptable clothing of a male, middle-class omega in the comforts of his home, but not something worth wearing for a visit from a suitor, especially not one with a high rank.
Yuuri watched as Minako walked out of the carriage first, wearing a dark green dress that contrasted beautifully with the tone of her skin and the dark auburn of her hair. After her, a male figure stepped down, dressed in a demure set of matching trousers and coat in dark blue. His waistcoat was a different color—a light gray that caught the eye and redirected it towards the shiny silver buttons of his coat. If Yuuri squinted, he was sure he might see the coat of arms of Mayberry blazoned on each one. Yuuri understood that had to be the Earl, who carried himself proudly with his hat and cane on the other hand. The topper of the cane also appeared to be silver, and Yuuri wondered if it wasn’t just plated, but sterling. It matched the veneered mask over his face, heavy and imposing, as if trying to blend into the platinum blonde of the Earl’s short hair. Despite being unable to see his face, Yuuri suddenly understood what people meant when they described the Earl as regal—his broad shoulders and tapered waist added to his height and gave him a certain level of elegance.
“Well,” Mari whistled her admiration next to Yuuri. She rested an arm around his shoulders, “I see Her Majesty must have ordered him to dress respectably for you. He must be furious.”
“What do you mean?” Yuuri asked innocently, wishing he could find the family poodle to hold him close.
“He’s the Earl of Mayberry, little brother,” she chuckled. When he waited for her to continue, she clucked her tongue, “Mayberry isn’t a family name or a real place, Yuuri. It is a title, passed down only out of formality to the royal errands boy, but everyone knows no Earl of Mayberry has ever been too normal of sorts. I hear Earl Nikiforov is but the most recent incarnation of his family’s peculiarities and you would do well to be careful. He does what he pleases and, right now, I hear he pleases to wear breeches and velvet and all types of things he sends made to fit but his whims. Although, considering he’s here, you’re the latest whim, I suppose…”
“Yuuri, Mari, stop spying by the window,” Hiroko urged them, moving to usher her children away from the parlor room. “Yuuri, quick, into the piano room for you. Mari, back to the table for you.”
Mari groaned, but pressed a kiss to her mother’s temple before rushing away. Her black skirts—a color customary to her alpha and married status—swished behind her as she tried to fix her tie and pull down her coat.
“Yuuri,” Hiroko reached for his hand as he attempted to move. Yuuri stood still in front of her, letting out a deep breath. She rested her palm against his cheek, cupping his face, “do what’s in your heart, Yuuri.”
Yuuri furrowed his brows, unsure what to make of his mother’s statement. His heart had little say in his future, considering he was expected to marry well to bring his family some comfort. Had he been a male alpha and Mari a female omega, there might not have been much to prove, but Hiroko had given birth to the opposite and likely been judged harshly for it, as were all mothers in similar situations. Yuuri could at least make a good match for himself to repay his mother’s love.
“I’ll do what’s right,” Yuuri promised her, kissing her temple. “Thank you for your support.”
“Oh, Yuuri,” she sighed, “I’m your mother. It’s what I’m supposed to do. Now, go in there and do what’s best for you.”
.
Stuck in a room with Earl Nikiforov, Yuuri hadn’t known what was right or wrong. There had been no chaperone, despite the demands of propriety. Yuuri understood this was a visit solely for his benefit, but he almost wished it hadn’t happened. He took a seat on one of the sofas, giving the Earl a shy nod to entreat him to sit on the opposite chair. Instead, Earl Nikiforov simply turned on his heel and walked towards a bookshelf, studying the books with his gloved fingers. Yuuri felt insignificant, like he was being entreated to remain standing—and he suddenly questioned if this was, in fact, a social visit and not a dismissal. A part of him still wished for the latter. He could be free a little longer, but then the Earl started talking and Yuuri lost all hope.
“Mr. Katsuki,” the Earl spoke, “I take it you have read the letter sent by the Crown and had ample time to make the appropriate assessments and have your family entreat as to my character, my accounts, and my lands. I, too, have had an opportunity to look into your family and determine the benefits of a match. Needless to say, Her Majesty has seen it fit that I wed promptly. I presume you would have been informed that, as such, I cannot promise a lengthy engagement and would require a marriage at the soonest opportunity, which, I realize, may put you in an uncomfortable position, but I assure you it will be no more than the one I am in.”
Yuuri frowned, confused, “Your Lordship, with all due respect, I fear there’s been some misunderstanding…? Perhaps if you would sit, we might talk and discuss a bit more—”
The Earl whirled around, and for the first time Yuuri could see a flash of blue behind the mask. His eyes were like ice. Yuuri stayed rooted in his seat.
“Pray, explain yourself, then, because I make no mistakes. Ever. My employment requires absolute precision and accuracy. Nothing further on the matter? Very well, then,” he said, resting his cane on the side of a table. Yuuri watched in horror as the hat was thrown onto the chaise. “Now, onto the question of your dowry. It is of a respectable amount, albeit not impressive, but given the nature of the match, I believe it to be wholly acceptable and I don’t foresee that you will want of anything under my care. Looking at you in the morning light, I’ll say you are certainly beautiful and your exotic features will bring some charm to the title. Are you any good at hosting—”
Yuuri closed his eyes tightly, standing to yell with a breaking voice, “My Lord, once again, I must entreat you to sit and listen. I fear you are wholly mistaken. I have not agreed to an engagement with you!”
The Earl almost immediately stopped talking. His gloves squeaked as he retracted his hand.
“Is that so, Mr. Katsuki?” he seemed to swoon for a minute. “Then why was I summoned?”
“So that you may make a proper ask, so that I may see if this could be a suitable match for us both,” Yuuri whispered, blushing brightly as he stared down at his shoes. “But hearing you speak just now, hearing you dissect the elements that might account for an engagement, I fear that you are looking less for a spouse and more for a—”
“A business partner,” the Earl completed.
“Yes, that, perhaps even an employee,” Yuuri corrected. “Is that what you want, then?”
The Earl paused for a moment, sitting down on the chaise closest to Yuuri. He remained quiet for a few moments, his eyes broad brushing over Yuuri. He knew he wasn’t exactly dressed to meet a suitor, but Yuuri thought he looked respectable. Now, being studied, he felt exposed. He tried pressing his arms closer to his torso.
“Tell me, Mr. Katsuki,” the Earl said, steepling his hands, “what is it you are looking for in an engagement? – That is not love, of course, because, frankly, I think you have some understanding of the position in which we are both currently entangled, yes? – and love is not in the equation.”
When Yuuri remained quiet, the Earl cleared his throat, “The Crown has decided the House of Mayberry needs a respectable, middle class, well-liked omega of marriageable age and without too many social seasons under his belt. And I am afraid that means my entire future is wholly in your hands, which means I cannot leave until you say yes. Now, I don’t know how much you’ve heard of me, but I am very persuasive, Mr. Katsuki. In fact, people find me horribly charming. Oh, do I make you nervous? I don’t mean to.”
Yuuri licked his lips nervously, “Then perhaps you might take off the mask. If your intent isn’t to intimidate me, that is.”
“That I cannot do,” the Earl tisked, stretching out his legs comfortably. “I may only show my spouse my face. I’m quoting there. This isn’t easy for me either, Mr. Katsuki. I, too, am being asked to place an immeasurable level of trust on a complete stranger. But the Crown thinks you worthy and I must abide by the strict requirements which my title demands of me at the service of Her Majesty. To decline is too risky.”
“You speak as if this were a punishment to be married, as if Her Majesty might have something against you, Sir. I don’t see why Her Majesty would intervene in the marriageable prospects of someone she does not like and would seek to punish. Marriage is a wonderful, beautiful institution in which people come to respect and love one another and, perhaps, if they are lucky, have children and lead comfortable, merry lives. Such is the role of the middle and upper classes. We have little to worry about, so marriage is ours to enjoy, not suffer through.”
The Earl sighed, “Oh, but it is precisely because she likes me, albeit not my bloodline, that I am in this precarious position. It is my understanding that she thinks an even-keeled, respectable, homely omega might make a home of the unruly, scandal infested den that is the House of Mayberry. Now, I don’t deny I’ve been less than proper, Mr. Katsuki, but scandalous? – I’m no angel, but also not a devil, despite my reputation as an untamable bachelor.”
Yuuri arched an eyebrow, “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
The Earl jumped over to the sofa next to him, reaching to take his hand. He leaned forward, their eyes locking for a moment, “All that to say: I think Her Majesty thinks your gentle touch might tame me.”
“I wasn’t aware of your reputation,” Yuuri gasped, snapping his hand back. He flushed curiously and cleared his throat, thinking of his mother. “My Lord, I must ask you to behave. Now, tell me, Sir—”
“Victor is fine.”
“Victor, then,” Yuuri said, trying to settle his beating heart, “tell me, Victor, do you expect children? If this is to be less a marriage and more a business transaction of sort, then I’d like to know what duties await me.”
Victor chuckled, “Mr. Katsuki, a very bold question if I ever heard one. May I be frank? Yes? Thank you. Mr. Katsuki, I have no need for children; I have no desire for heirs. Were it up to me, the curse of the Mayberry line would end with me.”
“Then why seek an omega?” Yuuri pursed his lips, confused, “Preventing pregnancy altogether will be difficult and, regardless of my spouse’s predilections, I’m afraid I will not accept extramarital affairs of any kind. It would bring shame on me and my family. I also do not intend to remain untouched for life, Victor. It sounds to me like this marriage of ours would be a disaster.”
Victor sat up, leaning forward, “An interesting proposition. Mr. Katsuki, may I call you Yuuri?”
“You may not,” Yuuri smiled coldly as he inched away from the Earl. “Now, Sir, answer the question.”
Victor laughed, “Mr. Katsuki, were it up to me, I would find myself a male beta for a spouse. But I live and die to serve Her Majesty and, as you well know, there are still certain rules of modesty that must be followed in our times. As such, the state of marriage as the means through which lines procreate and wealth multiplies must be respected. The only acceptable option for Her Majesty is a male omega. I suppose she sees it as a positive that the opportunity for an heir is available, if not inevitable. Should you wish to fall with child, I will kindly assist.”
“But you would not want one, an heir?” Yuuri blushed, looking away.
“I would not want that which you would not wish to give. I am not here seeking a spouse, Mr. Katsuki. I am here seeking a Count, a consort of sorts to play the role countless others before have played to bring a certain level of glamour to the Mayberry line.”
“I don’t know if you know what people say about the Mayberry wives and husbands, Victor, but glamour is not the word they use,” Yuuri huffed.
“I know well what they say: That they’re beautiful. That they’re intelligent. That they speak frankly of politics at the table, affairs of the heart during dessert, show their ankles and cry in public, and earn the fear and disgust of the Crown. If only I could find someone like that, I would be a slave to their every word.”
“Yes, that,” Yuuri gulped. “What makes you think I could ever become any of the things you seek?”
“I have no believe that you could, Mr. Katsuki. And that will be my cross to bear that I must be peculiar enough for us both. Your role is only to be that which Her Majesty knows you are. Nothing more. I am not asking to be surprised; I highly doubt you could surprise me—I am merely asking you to be yourself. In exchange, you will have access to a noble title and wealth unimagined.”
“And what makes you so confident you know me so well?” Yuuri frowned, “I feel plenty confident I could surprise you.”
Victor sat back, “Oh? Well, if you feel so confident, then it is surely decided. I shall speak to your father and we will wed a week from now.”
Yuuri gaped in panic, “So soon?—I mean, I have not even accepted a proposal. You haven’t even proposed!”
Victor stood, walking to retrieve his hat and then his cane, “Mr. Katsuki, this visit is as much of a proposal as you will get from me. Now, like I said in the beginning, I will not be dismissed without a yes. May I assume I have it?”
“And what if you don’t?” Yuuri asked, crossing his arms.
“I have a feeling you do not know me very well, Mr. Katsuki. I do not much appreciate being under Her Majesty’s spotlight. I will do anything that will, quite frankly, get her off my back and onto someone else’s. It seems, in this case, only you will appease her desire to see me become a respectable husband and sire. May I send the engagement ring and a list of the properties and accounts under my name this afternoon?”
“A week wouldn’t be enough to plan a respectable wedding. Surely you understand the pressures this will put on my family.”
“Obviously you have not heard of a Mayberry wedding. No cost will come to your family. In fact, I will send Lady Mila Babicheva to assist you. We will need but an afternoon. Thereafter, you will need but suffer me for a few months, perhaps tidy Mayberry estate a little and have tea with Her Majesty once or twice so she may be appeased that I am a changed man. Eventually, I’m sure we can decide on an appropriate expense account and you can choose the nicest home in London to make your own. I will not bother you and neither will the Crown bother me.”
“I would like one close to the opera house. I enjoy the theater, especially the ballet,” Yuuri whispered.
“A home in Paris, then,” Victor nodded, reaching for Yuuri’s hand to rest his forehead on his knuckles. “You have my word.”
“Somehow,” Yuuri sighed, “I’m not sure that means much. Wed a week from Friday, then.”
“A week from today,” Victor reminded him.
Yuuri arched an eyebrow, “A week from Friday, as I said.”
“Fine,” Victor huffed, “a week from Friday, then. I will have the ring sent.”
TBC