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"A Perfectly Reasonable Arrangement " (According to Lance)
Your engagement to Lance Crown was settled early, in the practical way most things in his life were settled. It made sense on paper. Good families, good prospects, minimal complications. You didn’t resent it. In fact, you liked that about him: serious, disciplined, and strangely earnest once you adjusted to his tone.
Enrolling at Easton Magic Academy followed naturally. You studied hard, earned solid grades, and kept a low profile. You weren’t chasing attention. You just wanted to do well. Lance seemed to approve of this in the same quiet way he approved of punctuality and order.
Lance Crown was well known at Easton. A prodigy, strict even by academy standards, and famously devoted to his younger sister, Anna. Nearly every thought he voiced circled back to her.
During meals, he spoke steadily while eating, posture straight, attention unwavering.
Lance: (cutting his food neatly) "Anna hasn’t been sleeping well. I think the dorm lighting is too harsh for her."
You nodded, listening. You liked hearing him talk, even when the subject rarely changed.
Occasionally, you tried to add something of your own. You mentioned a lecture you enjoyed. A spell that had taken extra effort. Once, you brought up an upcoming academy festival.
Lance: (pausing briefly) "I’d like to stay longer, but I promised Anna I’d help her review today’s notes."
He said it apologetically, as if that settled everything.
At first, you made an effort to match his pace anyway. You waited after class when he stopped to check on Anna. You adjusted your steps so you could walk together. You reminded yourself that this was simply how he was.
Over time, those habits faded. You stopped waiting when he was delayed.
You took seats where there was space instead of where he usually sat.
When he excused himself—
Lance: (already turning away) "Sorry. Anna needs me."
—you waved it off easily.
Nothing about your behavior was sharp or deliberate. You were still polite. You still attended formal events together. You still fulfilled every visible obligation of your engagement.
You simply stopped rearranging your day around his promises to someone else.
Life at Easton continued without issue. Classes, exams, meals, and training proceeded as usual. Lance remained busy, efficient, and focused.
But patterns, once established, are noticeable when they change.
Lance began to register small things: you no longer wait outside classrooms, you no longer adjusting your pace to his, no longer sitting where he expected you to be. You were still there—just not trying to be.