Requested by: MDandDisney

Out of the hundreds of balls one woman could attend in her lifetime, there was always a specific one that never left the faintest of memories. Whether it'd be from the music, or the guests, something about romance managed to tie it's way into the end of the night.

Angelica, a respected daughter of one of the most well known men at the time, knew how weak it would be to fall for someone. She had to be strong, independent, and resilient against any romantic notions.

A word of madness and rebellion surrounded her, and love couldn't possibly be the priority.

But oh, she fell too deeply into her misery of marriage, and the reality of what was to come for her family. Terrifying relations of her life beginning to finally set in place and made her think twice about all the effort put in.

Declaring herself as still young and lively, Angelica flirted her heart out with every man who stepped into her father's home. She felt at ease with strangers, unlike with her own husband, which didn't seem too unordinary.

She tried to convince all the young men that arrived at each ball of how worthy she was, and that there was more to her than met the eye. It took attempt after attempt, tripping over her feet, just trying to grab the interest of one.

Somehow it finally happened.

Angelica met someone unlike the others. Heart fluttering the moment he started talking to her, giving little details, but just enough to make her wonder. Something about him stuck out as unique, and the very question of that was driving her even farther into an eclipse of love.

From the moment he entered the room, all she could do was swoon internally. He sauntered in, followed by his friends, a complete heartache at its finest.

He kept his distance from her for the beginning of the evening, but could no longer hide his attraction, as he detached himself from the group of lieutenants and made his way over.

Charming compliments flushed her heart, as he started off with an introduction. The way his name drifted off his tongue with accuracy made every muscle in her body relax.

She melted at the sound of his voice, the faint rasp in the back of his throat, and those eyes.

Night after night since that one she lay awake remembering the events. Sometimes it all got messed up in her head, and she had to concentrate enough to recall what was right and wrong.

She couldn't let a detail be lost.

Angelica often poised herself in front of a mirror, brushing out the curls gently, observing her reflection. Staring right back at her would be the lovesick girl she'd always known.

There were times she imagined seeing him step through her bedroom door and wrap her in a comforting embrace. But it was an impossible thing to even fantasize.

She recalled the moment her sister had caught an interest in the man she adored. It wasn't a surprise, he was a handsome flirt, but not someone she wanted her dear sister stealing.

Angelica whimpered softly at the memory. His arm hooked perfectly with hers, as she walked with him towards her. Each step had been cautious and heavy, for she couldn't bare to give him up so easily.

She had begged for a reason. Why had she laid her eyes on him? How dare her heart be so selfish and one minded? Why, why, why?

He introduced himself yet again, only this time with a unique look in his eyes. It seemed that instantly he was lost in hers as well and Angelica could only watch it unfold before her.

Doing as she did every night, Angelica twisted a strand of hair tightly in her finger. The curl bounced back the moment she released it. A brief picture of her sister playing with her hair helplessly flashed in her eyes.

And from that moment it had seemingly moved forward to this time. Angelica avoided looking at the wedding invitation in the corner of her mirror, which had arrived that morning.

She'd been aware of the arrangements and day it would be taking place beforehand. This was her sister. She had known it from the second those two gave each other a smile that something would grow.

That her entire world would come crashing in, just as another built its way up.

Time for being selfish passed. Angelica tried to think of the brightness in her sister's future marriage, getting to stand by his side, create a lovely family, and get to be called his wife.

All her life she stood by morals that expressed how a woman shouldn't be restricted by her husband or any other man. She stayed independent from the moment she learned what the term meant. And she couldn't give up.

Memories of his eyes twinkling back at hers crumbled in her brain, blocking out any other thoughts, and making her shiver. The way his gaze flickered up and down her body, almost undressing it with every blink, struck her as a clever move.

You're married, she reminded herself harshly, tugging the brush in her hair, and awaking a whole collection of lost recollections of those night she'd forgotten.

The first time she'd seen her sister press lips to his, in a gentle, eased way, Angelica recalled freezing on the spot. She wished somewhere in her naive heart it could have occurred to her to make a move when it was possible.

But she could only watch in distaste and think of what could have been.

Rising from her seat, Angelica strolled to her bed, where it lay awaiting her exhausted, torn apart body. The pillows cushioned the sides of her face and she breathed out in relief.

One of her hands drifted aside to the empty space of where her husband should be laying, fingers curling around the creases in the sheets. Busily working in his study, he never seemed to be there, and able to be a husband.

And then in a sudden flash of light, the vision of a handsome particular man laid beside her, his charming eyes staring back at her. Angelica found herself mesmerized and falling to pieces at just the one look.

She reached forward, forgetting the ability her thoughts had to weave pictures, and collapsed on the empty space of sheets. Her hands gripped the bed, and she rose up again.

Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. She took hold of the sheets tighter, trying to hold back what little she could control. How do you manage to charm all that see you? Echoes of his once spoke words clouded her brain.

Angelica had given up in that moment. She reached out again helplessly and collapsed into her pillow. Her heart ached and grieved, but she could fantasize no more, for her mind took the best of her and silenced any more remarks of love about her to be brother in law.

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A/N: Thank you MDandDisney for requesting this! I had a wonderful time writing this for you and hope you enjoyed the outcome. And thank you to everyone reading for being so patient with my schedule and everything!