After Lucina chased away four suitors, something changed. She had become a bane of sorts. During social events, men only ever asked her to dance if nobody else would. They would avoid her gaze and whisper amongst each other. Many of the women did, as well.

She had become a woman to be avoided. 

Her parents feared she would never be married. Perhaps that's why they jumped at the chance when a suitor did come.

Duke Gabriel Hawthorne.

He wasn't particularly wealthy. He wasn't particularly foul or kind upon their first meeting. He seemed average in most senses of the word.

Lucina didn't get the chance to scare him away. 

The marriage was planned as quickly as possible. Lucina supposed she should have felt offended that her parents would throw her away so easily, but she understood. They truly believed that they were doing what was best for her. That this was their only option to ensure she (and themselves) lived comfortably.

So she accepted it. 

Gabriel was a fool. She could easily outsmart him in any game of wits and intelligence. If he was so sure about his decision, she'd make him regret it until the day he died.

After all, this was all just a game. And she, the reigning champion.

She never broke eye contact when they danced at their wedding. She smiled innocently as she stepped on his toes. Gabriel smiled, but Lucina could see his jaw clench. When she made them bump into other dancers, his grip tightened almost painfully. 

Lucina tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, laughing quietly. Even she could hear that there was no joy in the noise. Not over the malice, anyway.

She would not lose.