Aquimore Courtship
Excerpt from The Noblewoman's Handbook
--the time will come when he asks for your hand. You will know when this happens. He will approach you at one of the balls held for the young men and women of upper birth, asking for a moment to speak alone. Exiting the halls, he will lead you to an arbor, or other similar covering in the gardens. Kneeling down, he will offer his hands up to you, a silver pendant in his hands. Accepting it requires you to refuse him and leave, returning to the ball. He will approach again, doing the same as before. Again you must refuse him. Only on the third attempt you may accept, and in doing so you must carefully wear the pendant. If at any point he deviates from the tradition, you are not to accept, as doing so will bring scorn and sour luck upon you.
History
Starting near the formation of the Empire, it began as a way for suitors to prove they could in fact afford the lavish lifestyles noblewomen lived, though it changed into a purely performative ritual as suitors began buying larger and gaudier pendants, while adhering to an increasingly strict set of rules. As this happened, the repercussions for elopement and ignoring said rules grew from scorn to ostracisation and estrangement. This hasn't stopped elopement.
Execution
The suitor, during a ball, takes his partner into one of the massive gardens. He will offer a pendant and be refused twice, whereupon the third time, his fiancée will accept the pendant. The two will return arm in arm to the main hall to be congratulated.
Components and tools
A silver pendant.
Observance
At lavish balls held by nobility, specifically for young people to gather and betrothe themselves.
Related Ethnicities
Comments