“You mean, call you by your first name?” she wondered, with a playful note.
“Yes, that is exactly what I mean… Phyllis,” he replied.
This was the first time he had said her name. It carried a subtle resonance that echoed through the delicate halls. She smiled upon hearing him say it. He even thought that her cheeks blushed a little, which only added to her loveliness. Yet again, he thought that it would not be all that terrible to be stuck with her as his wife. It might even be amusing… from time to time.
“All right then,” she said, interrupting his silent monologue. “Alexander…”
When she said his name, it felt like a delicate brushstroke, painting a portrait of shared memories and unspoken understandings. He could almost sense that subtle flutter inside of her, a soft resonance in her voice as she said it.
“Now, isn’t that better?” he asked playfully.
“I suppose so,” she replied, with equal mischief in her voice. “Some traditions are meant to become outdated, like this need for so much formality.”
He lifted an eyebrow as he swirled her, then waited for her to return to her place in front of him. It seemed that apart from agreeing to play their parts in this game, they couldn’t agree on anything else.
“You do not care much for formality?”
She shrugged. “Insistence on adhering to archaic customs stifles progress. The world is constantly changing, and we must adapt.”
He responded with a measured counterpoint. “While I do appreciate your desire for progress, there are values that should stand the test of time. Tradition provides stability and a sense of continuity in a world that is constantly shifting.”
The melodies around them lingered as the air became charged with the tension of their disagreement. He could tell that she believed what she was telling him, and he respected her opinion.
Phyllis was obviously unwilling to concede as they danced. “But traditions can be oppressive, stifling individuality and progress. We must question them if we hope to create a better future.”
Alexander, determined to defend the values he held dear, retorted. “Not all traditions are meant to suppress. Some provide a foundation for a society to thrive. It is a delicate balance we must strike.”
Her eyes narrowed at him. “It is easy for you to say.”
“Why so?” he couldn’t resist chuckling at this comment.
“You are a man,” she replied, not liking his reaction. He could tell from the way her body withdrew from his. It was obvious that she was waiting for the end of the dance to run away.
“What does that have to do with anything?” he wondered.
“Men get to choose their destiny, while women have to fight for theirs,” she explained a little more passionately than he expected her to.
He could see so much courage in her, so much fire, but he knew that their ideologies were bound to be conflicting sometimes, as it was the case now. Still, he didn’t think that this was a topic that could have been discussed so casually during a dance. He wanted to delve more deeply into it, to hear her side as well as share his own. Perhaps, they would be able to see eye to eye then. Strangely enough, he wanted this to happen, although she had already told him that a month of this false courtship was all she needed from him. He agreed, but… he was now of the opinion that maybe, he wanted a bit more time.
“That is not always the case,” he replied.
She lifted an eyebrow in disagreement. “Women are much more limited than you think. For instance, women have restricted legal rights, particularly in matters of property, inheritance and divorce. The legal system favors men. You cannot disagree with this.”
He frowned for a moment. She was right and he hated to admit it. But he had to.
“Yes,” he said barely audibly.
She didn’t smile, but her eyes lit up as a result of this small victory, which urged her to continue. “Then, there are rigid social expectations regarding women’s behavior and roles. Women are expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct, emphasizing modesty, obedience and decorum. Deviating from these norms could result in social ostracism. Again… can you disagree?”
“No,” he said. “That is all true, just like you said. However, a man has burdens as well, a duke especially.”
She pouted. “What would those be?”
“For instance, maintaining family reputation. We are responsible for upholding the honor and prestige of our family name. Any scandal or dishonor could reflect poorly on the entire family.”
She smirked. “That is a woman’s burden as well.”
He thought about it for a moment. He knew this would be the winning argument. “All right…” he spoke, as their dance continued through their words, only stopping for one of them to catch their breath. “We are burdened with significant financial responsibilities, including the management of large estates and the welfare of numerous dependents. These are all crucial aspects of our roles, and it is not easy at all.”
