Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

St. Petersburg, Russia.

It was the year 1874, Winter started rolling in nicely with each day becoming colder and darker. Russian people liked warmth and fun so there was a ball hosted at least a few times a week. And today your mama decided for you to attend one, only you and her she said.

“You’re 20, you need to find a husband darling.” She said and gripped the strings binding your corset together “Time is running out.”

And before you could even scoff or talk back, you groaned in pain of how tight she had pulled on the strings.

“Too tight mama! Too tight-“ you hissed out and stabilised yourself on the oak dresser before you. Your nails digging into the wood and slightly scratching it. Your breath became heavier and your back was forced to be straight. “Mama!” You grunted out

She tsk’d with her tounge in disapproval. “It is not too tight,” she pulled it even tighter and you yelped “you need to get used to it, you know it. It’s not your first time wearing a corset, sweetie” and she shook her head in disapproval.

Your mother was a woman of high class. She was always looked up to because of how elegantly she carried herself, even back when she was younger. She married your father very young, she was just about 19. This was why she puts such pressure on you. At 20 she had already birthed your older brother, Dmitri. Dmitri has moved to Moscow some time back. At 25 she birthed you. She and your father never necessarily loved each other, you never saw them kiss, hug, touch in anyway or exchange any nice words with each other. He left a few years back for another woman, he still sends money to your mom regularly because they’ve not divorced.

Because of the poor the poor example at love that your parents gave you, you were never fond of finding a husband. Not so early anyway. You didn’t want to end up like her, unhappy with her husband, children and also herself. But instead of sparing you from this fate she forces it upon you, as of to make you suffer like your father made her.

You mother ran her hands up and down your corseted waist as if to measure. You held onto the oak dresser and tried to control your breathing. “Mama, I do not wish for a husband so soon..” you mumbled, hoping you’d convince her somehow.

“Nonsense Darling.. You don’t know what you want” Your mother chuckled and gave you a pat on the head before ordering your governess(?) to dress you in your ball gown and do your hair. “I’ll see you downstairs, yes sweetie?” She asked behind you. You just nodded.

You got your breathing normal again as you got used to the tightness of the corset. Your governess dressed you in a pale pink gown, decorated with lace and and rose details. Your hair was let down in soft waves with the front pieces pinned back from your face. You put on pearl earrings and a soft pearl necklace. Your mother was very set on finding you a husband soon so you needed to look your best. And as you stated at yourself in a mirror you really had to agree with your mother, you looked very good.

Before you walked out to go downstairs, you sighed. Dreading to talk to men at the ball, but if this was what you mama wanted from you, you shall do it. You walked down the big stairs, your hand sliding down the railing and your steps careful not to tear the heavy gown.

“You look absolutely amazing my daughter!” You mother was delighted to see you so pretty and was very sure you’d find a suitable suitor tonight. Your mother started talking of something as you put on your big fur coat, you didn’t listen and stepped into the carriage behind her. The horses neighed and started to walk bringing the carriage in action.

“…Prince Tserkvoy is a nice fellow! The boy from the Kartasovs is quite lovely too.. Oh and the Vronsky boys! Both single, darling!” She started counting out all the men that surely would be present tonight. You sighed again and looked out of the window, the snowy fields passing you by way too fast and the wind way to loud in both your ears

“That’s nice mother, I do not wish to speak to any of them” I smiled at her and looked back out of the window. She scoffed “You do not know what you’re saying child..” with clear disappointment, your mother also looked out of the window.

A few moments pass and the horses come to a halt before a big mansion, from the window you can see many people inside. Your mother stepped out into the cold air with a grand smile on her face, while you followed suit with a scowl. Yes you liked balls, but not the ones your mother forced a husband upon you. With a sigh you started to walk toward the entrance of the mansion, dreading what was before you

Chapter Text

You and your mother entered the ballroom, earlier a maid took you coats and lead you to it. As the big doors opened you were stunned. Many people were on the dance floor dancing happily, on the sides equally as much were drinking, talking and eating. The ball room had big mirrors on the walls, above was a big mural showing angels and what looked like greek mythical creatures. The floor was of a light wood and slightly creaky. Details at the mirrors, windows, paintings on the walls and the fireplace were gold. Two big chandeliers with diamond details hung from the ceiling. You looked around at the beautiful interior of the ballroom. One of your first thoughts was how expensive that might have been.

Your family although of high status, recently not as rich. But you and your mother were content with as it was.

The ball was hosted by the Kartasovs, the woman of the house was a good friend of you Mama’s and also happened to have a son that was around your age and single. The thought of it alone made you cringe. Why should you find a husband at 20? You probably wouldn’t even love him, let alone he wouldn’t love you!

Your mother hooked her arm into yours. She was dressed also as lavishly as you. Her gown of a cream colour, gold jewellery decorated her and her hair in a bun. She looked very pretty you thought, your mama was a naturally pretty woman.

“It’s amazing isn’t it, Y/N?” She asked, dragging you towards a table where champagne was standing. Next to the champagne were strawberries, other fruits and chocolates.

“I like the interior, the mirrors they make quite the difference..” You looked at one of the mirrors and saw yourself in it, turning your face a bit examining it in the relection. Then suddenly you felt your mother press a champagne glass into your free hand. You looked back at her and freien your arm from hers, to rub your temple in distress.

“Mama, no” you sighed. “Oh, yes. Now down with it at once, you’re too stiff.” She encouraged you and gulped down her own champagne. You looked at her with a scrunched nose and slight disgust. As she was swallowing she waved her hand in a circular motion to show make you drink the champagne. You gave in and took a big sip of the alcohol.

“Miss Sokolov?” You suddenly heard behind you as you were trying to down the champagne. The voice started you so much, you nearly choked on it. Before you coughed it all out you managed to swallow, after swallowing you briefly coughed. Your mother looked at you with a very disappointed look, but honestly you couldn’t care less. As you turned around you saw Valentin Kartasov, the son of the hosts. “Lady Sokolov” he greeted your mother. You both smiled at bowed as it on que

“Sir Kartasov” I greeted back. Sir Kartasov was a short man, merely a few centimetres taller than you. His eyes were brown and hair an ashy blond that almost morphed into a light brown. His hair was combed back showing his receding hairline and he looked almost comical like this. He was dressed in an elegant suit, a bow around his neck. He smiled as you greeted his back, putting his two big front teeth on show.

“May I have this next dance, Miss Sokolov?” He asked and reached his hand out to take mine, I glanced at mother in horror. There was no way you’d dance with this man! Your mother caught your glance but didn’t care. “Oh yes she will, Sir Kartasov!” She answered for you, then proceeded to take your hand and guide it into his. You looked at her with pleading eyes. She still didn’t seem to care. You chugged the rest of your champagne down and gave her the glass, before Valentin took you to the dance floor.

As he dragged you down you locked eyes with a man. He hand blue eyes and wavy blonde hair, he must’ve took notice of how you were forced onto the dance floor and nodded to you. You scrunched your eyebrows in slight confusion before nodding back him. You held eye contact with the man before Valentin Kartasov started speaking.

“How are you Y/N?” He grinned showing his big teeth on display once again. He put his hands on your waits and in your hand, to get into dancing position before the music started. Before you could answer, the music started and you were forced to start dancing. “I’m doing well Valentin” I answered and forced a smile back before focusing on the dance moves again. Dancing with him was hard, he wasn’t that good a dancer and you basically had to lead everything. Hard on his feet, you thought.

“I’m so happy I got to dance with you, I thought you’d never agree” he laughed. You grew more disgusted by the second. You never even really agreed to it! Was he so blind? “Mhm..” you hum, not knowing what to say to this. He continued asking questions regarding your private life and educating, which you answered without any interest.

“My mother keeps telling me to find a wife, that I need to get married, I think you’d be perfect Y/N.” He suddenly changed the topic. As he finished the sentence he stepped on your foot. “Watch your step” You muttered and looked down to watch your own. “Sorry” he quickly mumbled. After a few seconds of silence and Myom ignoring what he just said, he broke it. “So?” He gripped your hand a bit tighter.

“So what?” I asked “Oh marry you..” I stopped dancing and looked at him with disgust, as you often did. “I think that’s silly to ask now Valentin” You tried to answer as softly as possible, knowing damn well you’d never get married to Valentin Kartasov. “I think I should go now” you tired to leave but he gripped your hand even tighter “The dance is not done, Miss Sokolov” he reminded you.

“I’m done though.” You tried to rip yourself out of his grip but he pulled you into him. “I’m not done until you’ve agreed to marry me” Valentin grew angry and his hands started to wander down from your waist and you got scared suddenly, feeling weak and not wanting to imagine what he could be able to. But then you heard a voice behind you. “I think the lady is done, Kartasov”

Valentins hands let you go and he looked to the man who told him off. He sniffed angrily, and scurried away. You turned around to look at the man. He was tall, had brown curly hair and a moustache above his lips. His eyes were a deep green. He wasn’t in the military ,you saw because he was wearing a suit and not a uniform as soldiers did. The man looked an awful lot similar to the blonde man with whom you locked eyes before. Except a bit older and with green eyes.He leaned down and slightly bowed before you. “Alexander Vronsky, miss” he introduced himself. He looked up into your eyes with his green one’s.

“Uhm, Y/N Sokolov.” You curtsied. He made you nervous, not only was he an attractive man but he also saved you from whatever could’ve happened with Kartasov. “Very well, miss Sokolov. I have to ask you to grant me the next dance.” He held out his hand which you accepted very gladly. You started dancing, and he was not pushy nor did he ask any too personal stuff as Kartasov did. While you danced with Alexander, you occasionally locked eyes with the blonde man again, something drawing you. Against your better judgment, you decided to pay it no more mind.

The night continued by you dancing and conversing with Alexander, you also danced with some other men but none felt as natural as Alexander Vronsky. You were still confused as of who the blonde man was, but you also figured you didn’t need to know if you’ve found a liking to Alexander. Your mother saw everything and was beyond pleased. As you got into the carriage she started talking. “A Vronsky boy! A Vronsky boy has found a linking to you Y/N! You know what this means right? Oh this is beyond great!” She clapped her hands together. “You know back in the day i also found a liking to his father, but he was always so focused on the countess from the beginning.. Any way, let’s hope he calls on you as fast as possible!” Your mother smiled

The ride back home was pleasant, you had a grin on you face because of how well it went today..