Two hours into the night, and Rose wasn't sure what she had been so worried about.

Yes, the night had been exhausting. There had been unending socialising and smiles, so much so that she could feel a headache beginning to form. And once they had let the media in, the talking seemed to double. But, as she cast a quick glance across the room to check in on Sebastian, who was surrounded by a small group of people who seemed to be eating up whatever he was saying, Rose knew that the night had been a success.

"So, he's gifting you a hotel?"

Rose whipped her head around, her face breaking into one of the first genuine smiles of the night.

"A hotel chain, actually," she corrected with a grin as she walked towards the gorgeous, dark haired woman before her.

"Mmm, yes, so I heard. The Rosebud. How romantic. I'm guessing this was all your planning?"

Rose laughed, throwing her hands around the willowy frame of her old friend, not caring much about sharp noise that escaped the girl at her actions.

"Careful! I'm wearing heirloom jewellery, mom will end me if I break it hugging you," she laughed, holding Rose by the shoulders to study her. Rose did the same, eyeing her from bejeweled head to bejeweled toe.

"You look gorgeous, as always," Rose said, smiling up at Naina.

"And you look..." Naina pondered for a moment, before smiling softly. "Happy. You look happy."

Rose blinked. "You could just tell me I look terrible, you know."

"No, no," Naina laughed, linking arms with Rose as she dragged her towards some food. "Of course you look beautiful, you always do. But the last few years, you've looked so..."

"Depressed? Miserable? Seconds away from doing something unspeakable?"

"I was going to say sad, but sure. Those work. Even during your wedding, you were barely there." Naina stopped, loading a small crystal plate with dessert, before turning to face her. "But you don't look so lost today."

"The last week has been surprisingly nice," Rose muttered, eyes drifting across the crowded hall to meet Sebastian's. He flashed her a grin, which Rose found herself instinctively returning.

"Mhmm. I can see that," Naina said, sporting a grin of her own.

"Huh?"

"The new husband. Not a monster?"

Rose turned back to face her, taking a second to return to the conversation. "No. Not a monster," she smiled, picking a cherry off of Naina's plate. "He's really really sweet, actually. He took me out to an apple orchard for a picnic, you know? And he cooks for me, almost daily."

"And he's coming over right now. Quite the besotted boy he is."

"What? Oh, God, Naina. It's not like that—"

Before she could defend herself further, though, Sebastian had reached her, his hand gently coming to a rest against the small of her back.

"You must be the infamous Naina I keep hearing about?" he asked in way of greeting, seemingly unbothered by the almost devilish smile that had lit up Naina's face.

"Infamous. I like that. So, how is married life? Rosaline dearest giving you any trouble?" Naina had a smirk comfortably resting on her lips as she pinned the two down with her gaze.

"Oh, can barely remember what life was like before her," Sebastian was quick to answer, pulling Rose close, as he had done all evening every time a pair of eyes was on them.

Rose rolled her eyes, laughing. "It's just Naina, Seb. She knows. We don't need to act here."

"Oh. That's, uh, that's great," Seb took a hasty step away as he dropped his hand, and while Rose was happily oblivious, Naina's eyes were quick to catch the slight falter in his smile. She gave him a slow once over, before turning to face Rose.

"I think I'll take a walk with your new husband, Rose," Naina started, the sharp glint in her eyes rivalled only by the slant of her smile. "I have many embarrassing anecdotes to share, and I have saved you from mingling long enough. Go, socialise," she ordered, and before Rose could complain, Naina had linked elbows with Sebastian and walked off, leaving her side empty for the taking.

It didn't take long for some socialites to come circling in, filling the air around her with murmurs of finance and hotels and how wonderful she and Sebastian looked together.

-🥀-

"So, Sebastian," Naina started as she casually lead him to a more secluded area of the hall. "You seem sweet."

"Thank you?" Sebastian's brow had been furrowed in deep confusion for the last couple of minutes, the confusion growing deeper as Naina had simply spent those few minutes sampling different food items instead of talking.

"She isn't ready for this at all, you know," she started. "I don't know what it is that you want from her, but I am almost certain she cannot give it to you. At least right now." Naina's eyes were trained on him, not a hint of a smile on her face anymore.

"I don't want-"

"Yes, yes. I know. You're a sweet guy, you don't want anything from her, you're happy being in some weird, sexless marriage with her where you're just friends or something just as ridiculous."

"Excuse me?"

"Be realistic. Or at least, be honest with yourself. Do you think this is sustainable?"

Sebastian kept quiet, his gaze fixedly pointed away from her.

"Yeah. I thought so. Want my suggestion?"

Sebastian narrowed his eyes at her. "I'm guessing I'll be getting it either way?"

Naina cracked half a smile at that. "Take her away from here. At least for a while. There is... too much history here. Too many people. Somewhere far away, different, is the only way you'll have a real shot."

Sebastian was quiet for a long while, his gaze drifting across the room to find Rose. His eyes travelled with her for a while, watching her glide across the room, a splash of red among the sea of whites.

"Why? Why are you... helping me? If that is what this is?"

Naina sighed, following his gaze. "I'm not doing it for you. It's Rose I care about. And she deserves this. Something sweet and nice and normal," she turned her gaze back to him. "She deserves someone who'll cook her food everyday and picnic with her."

"You make me sound domestic."

"I make you sound boring," she corrected. "And dear God, I hope I'm right."

—🥀—

A/N: We finally meet Naina! What are your thoughts on her?

Also, big BIG shoutout to LittleCat_Kat, they did an in-depth review for my book, and it was so incredibly helpful, and not nearly as scathing as I had feared. Also, as a bonus, it was extremely funny! They made some hilarious memes, go hound them for it. And while you're at it, show their work some support!! A huge thank you, again <3

I'll see you all on Friday! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Drop a vote if you did :>

Love,
Mimia