as helga aged, her final performance was fast approaching. it was held at a ball at the local hortense opera house, which the whole family of course attended. katya adored her grandmother and her talent, and although she was sad to see her retire, she was glad the hardworking woman could finally get some much needed rest and relaxation.
also in attendance at the ball were the crowleys. both katya and nathanael's parents strongly suggested they dance with each other, which they ended up doing, wanting to please them. it had been a while since katya had seen nathanael. he had grown into a tall and handsome young man, who intimidated her - far from the giggly little boy he once was.
the dancing was pleasant enough - he was clearly trained in it - and katya could feel herself getting lost in the music.
"i believe i have something i must tell you," he suddenly said. curious, katya responded. "what is it?"
nathanael moved behind katya, continuing the dance. "do excuse me for being so forward," he leaned in closer to her ear, speaking quietly. "i fear our parents wish for us to marry."
katya felt shivers go down her spine. "marry?"
"yes, marry," he responded. "i've heard my father discussing a merger, and well, yours works in publishing too, does he not?" he continued. "besides, what must all this mingling be for?"
katya was very confused. "marriage is done out of love, is it not?" she asked. nathanael scoffed at her. "are you really that naïve? arranged marriage has been happening for centuries." katya felt a queasiness growing in her chest.
"my parents wouldn't do that to me, they would never!" she exclaimed, her eyes filling up with tears. "please, let me go and stop with this nonsense!" she ran off to the balcony of the opera house and began crying - in her heart, she knew it may be true, as much as she tried to deny it.
