"Every word she said was worth more than gold and the finest things in life. That's why everyone wanted to be in her class. She taught you how to thrive in chaos and prepare for the unpredicted,"
— Eregia in an interview

Quintus Glasstower and Hortensia Wellsbrew stood in their form fitting outfits in front of one of the most brilliant minds and most powerful women of her generation. Hortensia, who had donned a matching bright bubblegum blue suit with a grand perlum and pants, cleared her throat out of nervousness.

"So moving on to after engagement period we strategised your wardrobe as we 'labelled' trophy wife' where colours include mainly gold or black with gold accents to balance. Reference designers include Tigris Snow, Imella Rosenberg, Chaffe etc. Then we were thinking depending on how fashion trends later move when you become pregnant we'll go with florals—"

"Ah Scilla darling, there you are!" a familiar voice strides into the room. Coriolanus Snow dressed smartly in his regal attire of his usual white shirt and crimson pants and vest. 

It's true what they say about him Hortenisa gushed. He's more handsome in person. 

Ever since their agreement, Drusilla had moved into the Corso's penthouse with Coriolanus much to her glamorous aunt Esme's delight; whilst Tigris had moved out a few weeks ago.

"Coryo dear," she smiled in a laboured manner. "I'm in a meeting with my stylists, this is Quintus and Hortenisa," she introduces as both bashfully smile as Coriolanus returns with a smile too.

"Uhh what's this?" he muses walking up the large board pinned with images and drawings. He hums with satisfaction at the selected images and chuckles as he points to 'trophy wife.'

"Gold is such a empowering colour—"

"Metallic," Quintus corrects as Drusilla laughs.

"I think Ms von Tougaard would look stunning wouldn't she?" Hortensia gleams.

"She always does," Coriolanus chuckles looking back at Drusilla who scoffs at his attempt.

"I thought you had a meeting dear with the other game makers?" Drusilla inquires.

"I did but the presentation was absolutely atrocious. A waste of everyone's time," he sighs. "I thought I would spend the rest of the day with you before I attend the cabinet meeting with Gaul."

Hortensia lets out an 'aw' as she put her hands on her heart.

"Alright thank you the both of you for your work," Drusilla gets up as she nods to the two of them. She walks out of the drawing room followed by Coriolanus.

"I'm off to Madison street," she says as she puts on a shawl that an avox hand over. "After I pick up a few outfits we can grab a bite if you can bare sitting for an hour."

"I would love to dear," he holds out his elbow as she wraps her hands around it.

⎯⎯⎯

It was in Panem lore that each house had a primary colour like in the ancient days when Panem had started. It was Tragan Heavensbee, the founding father of Panem, who wore the colour of royalty a deep purple out of the rubble with Prunelis von Tougaard at his helm wearing blue and thus every officer who entered the military bore that colour, red for the Snows and green for the Cranes.

Drusilla remembered before the Dark days, the flag of Panem was once purple before the Heavensbee scandalously decades ago fell on hard time until they had married the Walshes. But besides that point for a lifetime she had always worn the colour blue, her family always wore blue. Until now as the corset of the red gown encrusted with rubies had painfully slipped on 'like a glove' the assistant said. How do people breathe in these? she cried.

"Come out love I want to see," Coriolanus called. You've seen all of them already she rolled her eyes. Thank panem this was the last one.

"Alright," she said as she slid the curtain to the side and the store owner gushed (again) at the sight of her. Coriolanus on the other hand to what Drusilla pondered about couldn't tell if had looked prideful or is he looked at her like a piece of meat.

"Red is definitely her colour," the owner gushed.

"It is," Coriolanus smiled as his eyes trailed up and down as the brunette twirled in front of the mirror inspecting it. "We'll take this one too after she takes it off."

"This would be all, thank you," Drusilla smiled. They were only so supposed to be there for at most half an hour. Not two hours. She was growing fatigued and had a faculty presentation later. Plus she still had to get her gift for friend.

Once Drusilla changes she carefully passes the gown to the assistant as another hands her shawl.

"I've already paid dear, do you want to have a look at the shoes?" Coriolanus gets up.

"No thank you, I have to still grab a gift for Antigone from Chaffe and go back to my paper," she sighs tiredly. Coriolanus signals for the avoxes to grab the boxes and put them in the car as the two of them walk out and head a block down towards the illustrious jewellery store. 

"I never asked who is Antigone?" Coriolanus quips.

"She's a friend I made at the university, she teaches history but specialises in the old world's ancient world. Everything BC," she replies as the both of them enter Chaffe. "I saw this necklace last week—"

"Hi, can I help you wit anything today?" an store employee who instantly recognises both of the figures asks.

"Ah yes, I'm getting a gift for my friend. I saw this pearl and sapphire collar necklace. It was sort of shaped like a star?" she informs.

"Oh yes, follow me," he nods as the two follow him a bit further up as he unlocks the draw and pulls out the piece. 

"Oh yes, it was this one exactly," Drusilla says.

"These are grade AA sapphires lined with two rows of district four sea pearls," he explained. "Very ancient inspired design—"

"Oh yes, that what I was going for. My friend is a history professor at the Capitol university," Drusilla chuckles.

"Oh really?" the employer exclaims.

"Yes... well I'll get these," she says satisfied. The employer signals for another employee to help him to wrap it.

"Is there anything else perhaps you would like to look for yourself?" he asks.

"Oh not—"

"That would be excellent, could you perhaps set up the private room upstairs now?" Coriolanus cuts in.

The employee blinks and looks to his other employee. "Sir, with all due respect it takes hours to—"

"Well I'm telling you to do it in five minutes," Coriolanus' smile had not masked the coldness in his tone.

"Coryo," Drusilla chuckles hesitantly. "It's fine, I—"

"It shouldn't be an issue? Shouldn't. It?" Do you not know who I am? Coriolanus practically says.

"Of course," the employee nervously says as the other nods and notifies the other employees.

I just wanted to work on my paper Drusilla bitterly says.

⎯⎯⎯

"This is quite special Ma'am, the necklace totals to over one thousand in carats. Red diamond teardrop pendant from two, and canary diamonds," the employee presents as Drusilla moves her hair to the side as he gently locks the necklace and moves the mirror.

"Wow," she breathes out feeling the weight and focus' on the singular pink diamond. This necklace could feed eleven and twelve for months she scoffs. 

"It looks stunning on her," the employee smiles.

"Everything does," Coriolanus chuckles admiring Drusilla as she assesses the piece. "Scilla my love what do you think?" he asks becoming weary of the pregnant pause.

It's ridiculous.

"It's beautiful. The craftsmanship is outstanding," she notes. How much more things must I try on before I can leave?

"We'll take that one too," Coriolanus nods.

Drusilla weighs the options in her head, choosing to spare the long conversation as she mouths a thank you to the employee and not comment on the unwanted gift. As he takes off the necklace a bracelet catches her eye from the corner of the room.

"What's that one over there?" she gestures. 

"Could we see that one?" Coriolanus' words were more of an order than a question. 

Drusilla's eyes widen at the bracelet that is gently set on the plush red velvet cushion. It was a diamante flower chain necklace that were shaped much like apple blossoms. 

"They're beautiful," she breathes out in wonder. "Are they pre-panem?"

"Yes you have a good eye. Rare pink diamonds from a long gone continent and rare south sea pearls that as you know no longer exist anymore," he says. "However... ma'am," he hesitantly says, "they are going in display in the museum. I'm afraid they're not for... purchase due to it's history. Apologies."

"Oh," she trails. "May I at least touch them?"

"Of course," the employee complies. 

Something had taken over Coriolanus Snow. As he watched a smile , one that he had never seen from Drusilla before, creep upon her face. It had felt like over again the world had stopped and there was only her beautiful smile and eyes filled with interest. It wasn't the sort of obsessional interest that Dr Gaul had, but one of warmth and beauty that had made his heart swell.

"Are these apple blossom flowers?" she asks.

"Yes ma'am," he says.

"How much?" Coriolanus asks.

"P-pardon sir?" the employee gulps.

"I'm sure we could organise a price for you to let go of the bracelet," the blonde says. 

"Sir—, I'm afraid we can't let go of this bracelet."

"As I said I'm sure we can organise something," he slows his pronunciation of constants even more and gives a piercing stare from across the room that had even made Drusilla freeze.

"O-of course w-we can sort something out," he stumbles, gulping in fear at Coriolanus Snow who gave a very satisfied look.

⎯⎯⎯

"Oh my! That is perhaps one of the most romantic things I've heard!" Lysistrata almost exclaims gazing again at the bracelet that shone brightly under the warm-lit board room of the university. Lysistrata who had rose up to become one of the few people from her university batch to start working closely under the minister of education - of course her impressive resume and connections played a factor - had complimented the bracelet after the meeting with the future direction of university expanding it's education courses. 

"Thank you," Drusilla says picking up her files as Lysistrata waits for her. 

"You will be attending the happy hunger games announcement gala won't you?" she inquires.

That dreadful thing Drusilla drawls. Ever since the Hunger Games began to blow up into a national holiday the elite had exclusive access to early announcement for bets and investments into new arenas. Of course she would have to attend. Of course she would have to be there the entire night for Coriolanus and play perfect wife. She would have to wear one of those ridiculous gowns he had bought for her.

"Of course," Drusilla smiles, catching herself quickly from sighing in response knowing well that Lysistrata was always the perceptive one. "You have a ride?"

"Oh yes, I saw my car in the window next to yours."

"Well, I'm going to head down now. You sure you don't need any help?" she offered. 

"I'm sure, thank you again and I'll see you at the gala."

The car ride is peaceful—; everything really, was peaceful really when it was just her. Alone watching the city sky scrapers become a mosaic blur as she rested her head along the window. After security had let them into the Corso, Drusilla exited the car as she walked into the empty lobby. Her heels echoing powerfully over the marble floors until from the corner of her eyes spotted a small head peeping from out from one of the hallways that lead out to the back gardens. 

Stopping, she takes off her heels and makes her way over as her eyes widen to see a young girl no older than eight playing on what seemed to be a makeshift checker board with cap bottles and other small trinkets.

"Hello," Drusilla said causing the young girl to jump and turn around looking up at her. "Oh darling I didn't mean to frighten you," she bent down to her level. "What are you doing here sweetie? Where are your parents?"

"I— I'm sorry. It was really cold and the lobby is just warm—! I was only going to stay for a little bit!" she stuttered, terrified of being discovered.

"It's fine dear, I'm more worried about you being out here by yourself at night. Where are your parents?" Drusilla asked in a concerned manner.

"My mum works a night shift here," is all she says. "She said she was finishing at ten."

That's in three hours. Drusilla takes a second glance at the girl. Her dress was pretty however it had looked like it been worn a dozen times in a row from the unproperly iron creases. Probably ironed when it was still slightly damp from a being in a rush. 

"Do you want to wait for your mum with me? I can notify night staff. It can get quite cold out here sometimes and can be a bit scary," she proposes.

"Yes please," she nods. 

"My name is Drusilla, but you can call me Dru. What's your name sweetheart?" she stands up watching her quickly pack up.

"Eregia."

"That's a very pretty name," Drusilla smiled.

⎯⎯⎯

"You live here?" Eregia exclaims looking up in wonder at the penthouse. Drusilla chuckles at her astoundment of the place, who spins around admiring all of the paintings, the chandelier and vases. 

"I do, with my partner," Drusilla takes off her shawl. "Just head to the living room dear just of there, I'm going to get changed—, oh and if you see a cat his name is Lucifer. He's a bit grumpy."

Once Drusilla changes into her silk and lace nightgown and fur sleeping robe she strides down stairs to the main living room that is wrapped in the warmth from the fireplace. She spots Eregia near the frames adjacent to the fireplace, her brown eyes that were illuminated by the fire down below, eyeing at them on by one.

"I already noted night staff and they said your mother has been notified. Would you like me to make you tea? Hot chocolate perhaps?" she offers.

"Yes, hot chocolate please," she nods where before the older woman made her way to the kitchen Eregia asks "Is that you and your brother?" pointing at the frame furthest from the fireplace.

Drusilla walks back, and bends slightly to take a closer look at the frame of her in a child's military attire and her brother in his, when they were ten and twenty. It was one of the few photos she had as at the time, especially just after the war technology was limited to only purposes that contributed to the reestablishment of Panem and it's military. 

"Yes, that's my elder brother Auggie," she smiled fondly at it.

"You don't look a like that much now," Eregia looked up at her. She looked more like her mother if anything.

"No, I use to but they say I look like my mother."

"Is that your husband?" Eregia then points to the photograph closest to the fire. Drusilla's eyes following her finger to the frame.

She remembered well that day, after the arrangement Dr Gaul thought it would be beneficial to have some photos of the two of them when Drusilla had moved in. Setting up a pre-organised shoot with Drusilla sitting in a beautifully draped ivory gown classically with Coriolanus looking down at her who stood from behind. 

"No," she said rather too quickly. "No, that's my boyfriend Coriolanus. We're not married yet."

"Do you love him," she innocently giggled that had caught her off guard.

"I mean I wouldn't be with him if I wasn't," Drusilla forcefully chuckled tickling her side. "Now, have you see my cat yet?" 

"I did, I tried to pet him but he just ran a way," she shrugged. 

"Silly cat, turn on the tv and I'll make some hot chocolate for the both of us alright?" 

"Okay," Eregia giggles and jumps onto the plush couch.

⎯⎯⎯

Ever since Coriolanus Snow had become head game maker, allowing Dr Gaul who at time felt the physical weight of old age focus as head of the military department, the Games success each year grew exponentially. Weeks of work were now completed in mere days, more experimental tests could be done and allowed Coriolanus some more time off to either get a drink at the bar with Festus, rub shoulders with senators, make time for boring dates with daughters of those senators—, and now spend more time with Drusilla. 

He couldn't help it. He was utterly fascinated and infatuated by her. Her mannerisms, her aura, her mind, her body—

"Scilla dear!" he called out throwing his coat on the stand. "Petal?"

Is she perhaps asleep? his mind trailed to the bedroom.

"Coryo, in the lounge," he heard her as his polished leather shoes echoed in the marble entry and down the hall. Upon entering the lounge room his eyes widened at the sight of his Drusilla who instantly reminded Coriolanus of an old renaissance painting he learnt about back in his academy days. As the amber glow lit her features softly and sharpened shadows from the fabric creases of her nightgown. Yet what surprised him more was the little girl on the other side of the chess board.

"Your home early," Drusilla said. Unfortunately. 

"The tests ran successfully better than expected," he informed and then turned to the little girl. "And who you might be?"

"I'm Eregia sir," she greeted as Coriolanus chuckled at her mannerisms that didn't fit her run-down outfit. 

"She's been keeping me company tonight until her mother finishes work," Drusilla adds. "Come dear, sit with me," she patted to the spot next to her on the floor. He hesitated Drusilla noticed, he hadn't sat on the floor since his academy days. Since those dark times when he was fighting for every scrap he could get. The days that perhaps Drusilla wouldn't have bothered taking a glance at him.

He however, knowing he hesitated for too long, grabbing a pillow first to sit on as he wrapped around her waist, kissed her cheek and leaned his head on her shoulder in a picturesque manner. 

"Looks like she's a step head of you dear," he looked at the board impressed. She went easy on her of course but he could tell her mind was sharper than most kids her age. In a way she reminded of him a little. 

She has an eye for talent he praised.

"I've never been a person of chess. I much prefer poker," she scoffs, moving her rook watching Eregia grin. "Never show that you're winning till the task is done Eregia," Drusilla advises as the girl instantly wipes the grin off her face instantly making Coriolanus chuckle. Eregia looks back at the board realising now that it was Drusilla playing her instead. 

She takes her time thinking about her next move, struggling on where to put her next chess piece. Eregia then looks to Coriolanus who gestures with his eyes to the chess piece, her eyes widening as she instantly moves the piece forward and cries "Checkmate!"

"It seems she's won love," he chuckled huskily.

"Yeah well I don't lose especially to cheaters," she rolled her eyes moving her chess piece then taking her queen then her knight then king.*

The two elders look at Eregia, whose back just becomes blank before swelling up with tears as she then runs out to the nearest bathroom. 

"Darling, why didn't you just let her win? It would have saved the tears."

"Coryo, dear," she sighed running her fingers through his hair as he hummed in response, "you forget my job is making kids cry most of the time."

*disclaimer I don't know chess I'm making shit up as I go.