Chapter 12

"One.. two... three... One... two... Three..." Hiccup mumbled under his breath as he and Astrid danced. Unfortunately, Astrid's ears picked it up and she smiled.

"Not one for dances I take?" She asked lightly as they twirled around the dancefloor.

"I'm just not used to this dance," Hiccup answered. "Where I'm from the dances are more...... rowdier."

"And where is that good sir?" Astrid asked as her eyes shone in curiosity.

"Uhm.... out at sea," Hiccup answered as he just realized he probably shouldn't have given away that he was not from this kingdom. This woman was flustering him so badly and he didn't know what it was; Just that there was attraction in the air. Toothless would have probably already slapped him with his tail if he had traveled with him. 'Rolled his eyes too probably........ Useless reptile.' Hiccup thought briefly.

"For someone who hasn't waltzed a lot you are doing remarkably well. What other mysteries are you hiding, good sir?" Astrid jokingly asked but it snapped Hiccup out of his brief musings causing him to sputter.

"Milady, I-I'm just a humble blacksmith here," he muttered.

Astrid smiled as they twirled, the waltz was coming to an end and the other couples on the floor were about to make their way off. "What about out there?" She asked, having picked up on his wording.

"Well... uhm...." Thankfully Hiccup was interrupted by the menacing twins, a.k.a. Ruffnut and Tuffnut.

"Lady Astrid!" Lady Ruffnut boisterously exclaimed, making her way towards Astrid and Hiccup after they had left the dancefloor while dragging another blond behind her. Astrid was enveloped in a hearty hug that had the people closest to them gossiping on the audacity of hugging a Marchioness in public in mere minutes, as well as what the status was of the lady daring to hug someone of such high noble rank in public.Usually public displays for affection were reserved for behind closed doors as well as limited to members of the family or fiances.

"Lady Astrid, it's good to see you again," Ruffnut said and then gave a small bow. As an afterthought, she asked "I can still call you Lady Astrid right?"

"Of course," Astrid giggled. She quite liked the bubbly, slightly crazy, blond woman. So different from the Noble ladies of this kingdom. It was like a breath of fresh air. She looked at the person Lady Ruffnut had been dragging and could immediately see the resemblance. "Are you perhaps Sir Tuffnut?" She then asked.

"Tuffnut Thorston, Ambassador of Berk, at your service," Tuffnut made an extravagant bow causing his sister to roll her eyes.

"Yes yes, she knows who you are now." Ruffnut muttered and then her eyes landed on Hiccup. "Oh hi Hiccup! I didn't know you were coming,"

"You two know each other?" Astrid quirked a brow as she asked this.

"No," Hiccup said the same time Tuffnut answered "Yes,"

"Hiccup how vhfmmm-" Tuffnut was quickly cut off when Ruffnut smacked a hand over his mouth.

"W-what I meant was, everyone knows of the envoys of Berk, right?" He asked with a slightly nervous chuckle. "Who knows. They might have visited the forge when I was busy hammering away. Gobber can definitely tell you how I get."

"Smooth Hiccup, smooth," Ruffnut whispered and then sharply drew her hand back as she glared at her brother "Did you just lick me?!" She hissed.

"Ew," Ruffnut muttered while her brother turned his attention back to Astrid.

"Lady Astrid, have you perhaps seen Chicken?" he then asked.

"You're asking if I've seen a chicken?" Astrid muttered and frowned before looking at the buffet table.

"No, no, I don't mean A chicken. I mean Chicken.," Tuffnut explained. "The poor dear got frightened and scurried off...."

"Uhm... excuse me?" Astrid asked, now visibly confused. Luckily Ruffnut was there to translate Tuffnut-speak; "What my brother means is have you seen his pet chicken named Chicken," The woman sighed. "Honestly, why you couldn't leave that foul fowl at the residence...."

"She gets lonely!" Tuffnut countered. "Do you want her to sulk?!"

"I want her to be part of my soup..." Ruffnut muttered.

Tuffnut dramatically clutched his heart as Ruffnut went on to say "My brother goes nowhere without his chicken. Honestly, I just want her for dinner,"

"The chicken is not amused Ruffnut! Not amused!" The ambassador countered back and Astrid noted that Hiccup facepalmed.

"The chicken is lost you nimrod!" Ruffnut grumbled.

While the twins were very vocal in their argument another battle of wills went on pretty much without anyone noticing. Lady Esmeralda stood on the sidelines of the dancefloor glaring at her step-daughter behind her ornate fan. Her husband was less than pleased and had dragged Rosalinda back upstairs by her arm. Such humiliation; Esmeralda was fuming silently inside.

"Congratulations are in order Baroness Anderson," A rather haughty voice greeted, causing Esmeralda to turn to the right to see Countess Nikora Stormheart approaching. Not far behind her was Countess Birta Bane, a childhood friend of Nikora's, along with a rather young girl, probably no older than eighth, in an opulent lace dress. Esmeralda frowned just briefly as Countess Stormheart fluttered her silk fan, matching her dress, in front of her. "I must say, you must be quite fortunate today. Not many of us can say we are personally associated with a Marchioness after all." She said with as much sincerity as she could muster. What Lady Stormheart didn't voice, but what was silently implied was, 'You are fortunate to be linked to such a high standing Noble, you commoner. Savor it while you can.'

Esmeralda hated Countess Stormheart with a passion. Ever since she had married Samuel the Countess took it upon herself to put Esmeralda down. Subtly mocking her for her commoner origins, though she had never said anything about Rosalinda or Edwin. The first tea party Esmeralda had attended had been a disaster and it weighed heavily on the inferiority complex she had been denying she had developed. Being called a Baroness felt more like a jibe directly at all her efforts. Honestly, she had worked her arse off to fit into Noble society. Going to social events like tea parties and Salons, attending functions and acting as the perfect Noble wife. None of this advanced her much in High society though as the Nobles clinged to their old ways. Being constantly compared to the late Marchioness Hofferson, having her Commoner origins mocked behind closed doors. She had learned etiquette and dance until her feet bled and yet she couldn't get past the shadow that was Maria Hofferson. At least with Samuel, she knew she came first as he had never loved his late wife.

Esmeralda was quickly snapped out of her self-deprecating musings when Countess Stormheart introduced the young girl. "This is Eir Stormheart, my sister. I know the age difference between us is great but my parents were blessed to have another child after complications arose after I was born. It's truly a blessing and I cherish her." Nikora stated quite happily. "In fact I had brought her here in order for her to socialize with your daughter since she turns eleven this year," Was said after and Esmeralda felt the dread pool in her stomach. "Though I might rethink my previous assessment about young Rosalinda," A mocking laugh was stifled. "Honestly, I can't blame her for tonight's faux pas. She is still young and surely listens to the fashion advice of her own mother."

Esmeralda's ears ringed with the mocking she had heard and quickly excused herself to get some air. As she was leaving though she heard Countess Stormheart suggest to her younger sister to go introduce herself to the new Marchioness, as Lady Hofferson would be a better influence on her.

Astrid had been busy greeting guests, which included but weren't limited to Earl Deranged and his companion which was none other than Dame Mala. Astrid still had no clue how the Earl managed to get a date; just what happened in that guardhouse?!

She had formally greeted Gobber who was enjoying the buffet a lot. Hiccup was trying to keep his godfather off the wine because according to him...... things happened when Gobber was drunk. Lady Ruffnut and Sir Tuffnut had located their chicken and as Astrid approached the small group of Noble ladies, she curtsied and greeted Griselda.

"Lady Arkas. Thank you for coming," She said as she kept her face neutral. Though Lady Heather had wanted her to become more acquainted with Lady Arkas at her tea party things had turned rather sour. She had no clue where she stood with this higher-ranking noble.

"The pleasure is all mine, Marchioness Hofferson. Truly congratulations. I have a feeling you will make waves in our society soon." Lady Arkas announced. "In fact, you must join myself and a select few ladies on the lake next week. Though it is you, and only you, I am inviting,"

Astrid nodded as she got the implication. Rosalinda would not be welcomed at the gathering or High-table and neither would Astrid if she decided to take her step-sister as a plus one. Honestly, she expected this outcome. Rose had yet to even utter an apology to Lady Arkas after the debacle at Lady Heather's tea party.

"Excuse me your Ladyship," A suave voice spoke behind her and Astrid turned around, only to see Lord Nelson bowing while extending his hand. "May I ask the lady for a dance?" No one noticed the worried glances Lady Heather shot Astrid's way as she had spotted Lord Nelson. This was getting rather complicated.

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AN: Hello all my wonderful readers!!!! I know I haven't been active a lot and that's because of my job. So much overtime and then I just crash on my bed and don't write..... Ugh... BUT I love all your responses and support so I will be holding an interactive event for this story.

This story will have one redemption arc, just one, but the readers will choose which character gets it. Of course the redemption arc will influence the story ending somewhat so choose wisely. (This will be run on FFN, AO3 and Wattpad simultaneously)

The characters eligible for a redemption arc are:

Esmeralda

Rosalinda

Samuel

I would love to hear your take on why you want this OC to have a redemption. Always nice to read what my readers are thinking.