Chapter Text
Derek knows that he got off easy with Laura and the effortless success of her season. He knew that Cora would be the real trial, yet, he still somehow underestimated just how tiresome she would be.
Laura was tiresome as she was wanted by so many-she was the diamond of the season after all-and he had to fend off one idiot after the other. Even his own good friend who ended up marrying her despite Derek’s concerns about such a match. But, despite his pessimism, the match ended up being perfect, and now Laura is happier than he’s seen her in years. A proud mother of one and probably many more in the years to come. Derek can admit when he was wrong, even if it pains him to do so, despite what his siblings say.
Cora on the other hand will be increasingly stressful in another matter entirely; her pure reluctance to take place in the season in its entirety. The moment Laura departed with Jordan, Cora tried every trick in the book to escape her fate; to escape this season. Derek wishes he could let her escape-it’s not like he enjoys parading his sisters around like cattle, regardless of their secondary gender-but you can’t run from propriety, especially when you’re a Hale.
With another sigh, Derek looks at his pocket watch, the seconds tick by informing him just close they are to being late, and he contemplates letting Cora skip it after all.
“I just think that maybe-”
“No, no, no,” Issac cuts him off, even shushing him for the full effect. “Liam, all of you, lower your voices!” Issac is almost always right, especially when it comes to all things Cora, but they’re late and Derek is not going to have his sister be late to meet the King.
“Just let her come out on her own,” his mother hisses at him yet again. Derek opens his mouth to argue why they cannot wait when he sees a radiant Laura rushing down the hall.
“Is this the plan? Just gossip around her door until she comes blazing out,” Laura scoffs.
“She has requested time, more and more time, that’s it,” Derek informs his sister who looks as annoyed as he is.
“We do not have time, get out of my way,” Laura nudges him aside to reach for the handle but Issac is quick enough to drag her hand away.
“No offense dear sister, but I believe you are the last person she would like to see,” Issac says, placing his body between Laura and Cora’s room.
This sets the youngest siblings into a quarrel about whether Cora is even in there. Liam guesses she jumped from her window while Malia tells him how Cora definitely shimmed down the side of the building and is already in another country by now. Even Issac partakes, suggesting a chimney escape.
“I can’t believe I left my child and husband for this,” Laura grumbles to an exhausted Derek.
“That’s it, I’m going in there,” a cacophony of protests emerge as Derek reaches for the handle of Cora’s room, only for it to swing open moments before he makes contact.
Three maids nearly mow Derek over in their eagerness to escape whatever awaits them. His siblings are miraculously quiet for once, all tense for whatever state Cora will be in, and eager for it all the same. A few moments of silence follow the last maid until Cora stomps into view with her feather headpiece and classic gown. If not for her makeup, Derek is sure that she’d be a vibrant red, but despite her thunderous expression, Cora looks lovely.
Derek opens his mouth to tell her so but is cut off by the woman herself, “Not a single word, from any of you,” Cora hisses at their group. Derek raises his hands in defense, stepping away from his siblings and giving Cora her space. “Let’s get this over with.” Cora yanks her train to her side and marches past Derek and the family to finally get into the carriage.
“You heard the lady,” he starts, “Go everyone, hurry, or we’ll be late.”
With that, the ladies of the family rush after Cora to get into the carriage beside her while Issac and Liam join his. Derek can only imagine the chaos that is the ladies' carriage as they race toward the king and the opening of the season. Laura has been blissfully absent for Cora’s meltdowns but he can imagine how ‘helpful’ she’s trying to be for Cora despite Cora wanting to know nothing of the sort.
“So, brother,” Derek turns his eyes to Issac, “Are you still certain you wish to partake in this year’s season?” Derek smiles at his brother’s delicate tone and questions.
“Yes, brother I am. If Parrish can survive it then surely, so can I. I mean, how difficult can it truly be?” Issac and Liam share an exasperated look at his reply, even smirking at one another at his dismissal. “I’m not going for feelings or love, you know this brother, I just need a partner who compliments my list.”
“Your list,” Issac echoes.
“Yes. I just need someone who is tolerable, dutiful, has suitable enough hips for childbirth, and at least half a brain.” Issac looks mortified by his list while Liam looks lost and confused, not following Derek’s situation fully at his young age. “Well, the last one is actually a preference, not a requirement, but I would greatly prefer at least half a brain.”
“So I guess that eliminates any male prospects then?” Derek thinks this over for a moment, wondering if he should re-evaluate his list.
“Not entirely, with Laura already having a child, a son at that, I guess I don’t need to provide heirs…” Liam giggles at his turmoil, always somehow amused by Derek and his duties.
“Well, the list remains, however, suitable hips aren’t a requirement.” He nods to himself, content with this decision, and ready once more to brave the season. Issac nods along with him, avoiding a response by giving him a pitying smile. Issac is a poet and true romantic even at his young age so he will never understand Derek or how Derek’s mind works.
- - - - - - — - - - - -
Derek quickly finds himself and his siblings a spot alongside the royal carpet awaiting their sister with bated breath. Focusing on his hearing, Derek eavesdrops on Cora and his mother, listening to her sister beg for an escape to no avail until finally, it’s time.
“The Dowager Viscountess Hale and Miss Cora Hale,” a footman calls out to the eager citizens.
Derek turns his gaze to the double doors where his mother and sister stand, waiting to approach. Cora reeks of anxiety even from where he stands, his mother visibly pales at her child’s distress. Cora sways a little, her heart slamming into her rib cage and pounding into Derek’s own head, his anxiety growing the longer she hesitates.
Cora takes one step, then two, a grimace twisting her face more and more the longer the King stares her down. Derek winces at his sister’s state and the fact that he cannot help her or ease her discomfort no matter how frantic she is for rescue. How desperately Derek wishes he can move to her other side and escort her down the aisle.
As Cora hesitates even longer between one step and the next, a servant rushes into the room bearing a pamphlet on a gold tray for the king. His Majesty, King Bobby of Finstock, guffaws at the pamphlet and lunges off of his throne dismissing everyone.
“Does this mean I can go,” Cora whispers to her mother. Talia looks as lost and confused as the rest of the king’s patrons, not able to give Cora a proper answer. Cora takes their mother’s confusion as permission to leave, turning onto her toes and sprinting away from the room.
Laura steps forward to call their sister back with a firm call of her name. Derek watches his sister flee whilst his other sighs once more and settles beside him again. The room is a flurry of gossip; the First letter of the season from Lady Whistledown has been procured.
“Well, I can definitely say that I will not miss any of this, however,” Laura turns to look him in the eyes with a giddy expression, “I wish you the best of luck brother. I have a feeling you will need it.”
Only the public eyes and his location save Derek from sticking out his tongue as his sister’s smirk.