Bravado :: (Nero + Argonite) [JB Blitz]

[L△LIA]

( N E R O G R I M M )

Accusations of my being heartless are neither uncommon nor unfounded. While a few remained doubtful that a man still in possession of his youth could be so lacking in the wild passion that usually accompanies it, the arrangement of my recent marriage to one Miss Amazonite Shore seems to shed more truth on the matter with each passing day. As much as the socialite daydreamers that attended our engagement party may have wished to reimagine the young heir of not one, but two Grimm fortunes as a brooding prince or dark knight, I have no interest in playing hero to such ridiculous fairy tales of romantic fancy. If anything, whenever evidence that I may be made of something more than steel cogs and gears threatens to come to light, I am the first to present an argument against it. Now that I'm being forced to wed the enemy, it would do no good for my fiancé's family to fully understand that I lack not only the overrated talent of forgiveness, but an ability to mend the wound of my cousin's death. Unfortunately, time does not heal or a clockwork heart such as my own would not remain so broken.

It was a Shore that murdered Xanthus and, as such, a mere wedding is incapable of redefining that name as my family. Even as I use the emotional farce of my engagement to cut to the front of the line of people waiting to pay a visit to our District's newest Tribute, my stomach still turns with revulsion at the idea of caging myself in a room with him — the blood of a girl who slaughtered perhaps the only person who ever made me feel human. "Mr. Shore," the door has barely finished closing when I turn on a meticulously shined heel to face him, as robotically polite in demeanor as my reputation, "I do hope these two minutes will be sufficient time for me to convey my particular enthusiasm in regards to the success of your Volunteering aspirations. How fortunate for us both! I daresay I'll enjoy watching your Games quite a bit more than you'll enjoy participating in them." Voice smoothly mechanical, there's something cathartic about watching his face for flickers of self-doubt or regret. "Also, you will, of course, have to forgive me for being unable to promise you sponsorship. Surely you understand how important it is for a man such as myself to support his family first and foremost, practicing responsibility in regards to his finances. I have never been much of a gambling man, although I must admit that I do love your odds." The broad smile carved onto my face is as cold and calculated as anyone would expect of me, but the underlying shadow of cruelty admits the truth: witnessing Argonite volunteer for his own death is as close to genuine happiness as I've felt in years.