Oridin had very little interest in politics.

He wasn't ignorant of them, his father, Daehal, was a marquess, and he was his sole heir. Oridin couldn't simply walk away from politicking. Daehal would have let him, his father rarely said no to him, but guilt stopped him. Both of his parents had sacrificed too much for him to be selfish. While his father was an elf, his other parent hailed from human kingdom, Odara. Vesta, the Elven kingdom, did not take kindly to humans, or half-elves such as himself. But his parents loved on another, and King Aiwin—unsurprisingly, considering his own human spouse—allowed them to be wed.

Oridin was born out of love. The distrust he faced for simply being half human and not fully Elven hardly bothered him. In fact, Oridin found it humorous when other nobles known for their distaste for half-elves attempted to court him simply because of his father's title. Politics and prejudice were quickly forgotten when he smiled and beckoned them closer, he learned.

Unfortunately, he couldn't escape the prospect of marriage forever. Daehal would see him married the moment Oridin came of age, but he managed to stall his betrothal. Oridin's request for his potential spouse was simple: their family could not hold judgment against half-elves or humans.

A year later he'd been introduced to you, his betrothed. Your father was a lord, Orionis, be it a lesser one. You were his oldest child, the only one of age, and you were fully Elven. Oridin had expected to wed another half-elf.

But what surprised him was how well he enjoyed your company. Oridin had no enemies, but he didn't have many friends either. He had learned your favorite season, foods, everything. You had three younger sisters: Oriona, Rosella, and Nyeris. Oridin found himself falling for you.

"Did your father force our betrothal upon you?" Oridin asked during a walk in the gardens. A former suitor had told him you had a commoner lover before your betrothal. He hardly cared for rumors, but his curiosity had been piqued.