Orc Boyfriend: Severin (special preview)

You remember having a discussion with Severin about the future, how you were expected to marry, what your family expected of you. Severin had been disheartened by this, knowing that his stature wasn’t smiled upon by most. He felt neither Orc nor human because of it. 

“You look Orc,” you told him.

“I look like a goblin,” he huffed. “No one will want me.”

“Don’t say that.” You watched him as he sat their brooding. You looked down at your hands, wonderign what exactly you could say to cheer him up. You liked him? No, he wouldn’t believe you. There was someone out there who he made smile? No, that sounded corny.

“I’ll marry someone I’m sure, but neither of us will be pleased about it.” Severins tood from his chair to move closer to the fireplace. “But part of me still wants even a sliver of what my parents have.”

Your not sure why you never spoke up, perhaps it was because you weren’t sure of Severin’s feelings for you, maybe you didn’t want him to think you were teasing. In any case, it was too late now. You should have told Severin about your feelings when you had the chance.

The day of the ball arrived, and for the first part of the day you and your mother went through the usual ablutions. You had a hearty breakfast because you wouldn’t be having lunch, had to squeeze into those dresses after all. You were then pampered and polished from tip to top. You soak in a milk bath with rose petals, slatered with creams, hair pulled taught into curlers and clips that fellt stabbing into your skull. 

You feel like a stuffed sausage in your dress, but at least you could finally eat when you and your family made their grand entrance. Once that was done all you needed to do was visit with some people then you could go and hide in whatever room you wanted. As long as someone told your mother you looked ravishing, that was enough for her.

You were trying to grab a glass of champagne, one of the ones that were pink with massive strawberries at the bottom. Chasing around a waiter, you could hear a commition coming from down the hall. It sounds like a scuffle, but then, the doors open and a familiar figure stands there. He’s slightly dishevled and breathless, but he quickly adjusts himself and slicks back his hair as he nervously looks around the room. When he notices eyes are watching him curiously, he sulks to the side where he turns his back to the room and faces the table of food.

“Who on earth is that?” Someone near you whispers.

“Looks like an Orc.”

“But he’s so...small.”

You push through the crowd, racing towards the table. You stand at Severin’s back, watching him as he grumbles and bemoans over a plattered of cheeses. You can’t believe it’s really him! What one earth was he doing here?

You tap his shoulder and his spins around with a glare that quickly melts with wide eyed awe. He clears his throat and stands stiff before he bows.

“Your home is lovely.”

“Severin,” you gawk, “what are you doing here?”

He stands rect again and his soft blue move rapidly over your face. “Your grandmother said-” He stops to clear his throat again. “Your grandmother suggested that, maybe, I should make an apperance here.”

You smile, relieved to have him here regardless. Seeing him come through that door was the sight you needed. “Don’t get me wrong, I am so happy to see you, it’s just such a shock.”

“I know, and I am sorry if I an intruding, but-” He stops completely, frozen in place like a cornered animal.

“But?” You ask softly.

“Your home really is lovely,” his voice cracks.