Is that her grandson she spies?

raising a brow, andromeda watched her grandson very closely, noticing his shaky breath.

"what is it? are you all right?"

"teddy, i can see you."

— and drawings away, each delicate drawing was a testament to her fleeting moments of happiness, a reminder of a connection that felt more real than any engagement.

— sank.

“I’d rather not, but you’re right,” she said with a small chuckle, trying to inject some levity into the heavy atmosphere. She turned to the remnants of their afternoon - another stolen moment of just the two of them, escaping away from the world. And as she began to pack her sketch book —

— at her insides like a relentless tide. She nodded to herself, resolving to end it sooner rather than later, a bittersweet thought she knew wouldn’t come easily.

Rodolphus' voice pulled her from her thoughts and Andromeda forced a smile, the corners of her lips twitching up even as her heart —

— seemed to radiate from him, even when danger loomed nearby.

But she had a mess to sort out, one she had woven herself into with careless hands. The very thought of breaking things off with Rabastan left her feeling hollow. Yet, the realization that she couldn’t maintain two engagements gnawed —

— often diverted to other girls who flitted through his life like shadows. Rodolphus, on the other hand, was fiery and passionate, his smile infectious and his eyes alight with desire and a sense of the protectiveness she craved. Andromeda had always been drawn to that spark, the warmth that —

— of her impending decision.

In the moment, she didn’t want to think about anything else, anyone else. All she could focus on was the heavy weight of her engagement to both Rabastan and Rodolphus. Each man was as different as night and day. Rabastan had become cold and detached, his affections —

Just a gift.

Fine. She'll accept it.

She didn't say that. Last time they spoke, he made things pretty clear, she's just surprised.

Is he sure he wants to give her a gift?