A whole hour passed and Gian had not yet back in the parlor room. Viscount Cladeu was being worried about his daughter but he cannot leave the room because of the marquis. He had suspicions that Beckie had anything to do with Shannen's sudden changed of decision, but he cannot confront her right now. It is also a good thing that Marquis Frederick did not show any reaction when he heard what the maid earlier said. The marquis and the viscount continue their chat about their topic earlier.
Viscountess Beckie is calmly sipping on her tea and not intervening with the gentlemen's conversation. She does not feel bothered about the young man visiting her step-daughter's room. Beckie knows so well that Shannen will choose to behave for the sake of her father's well-being. Shannen would not dare to make any drastic decision knowing that she holds the final decision whether Viscount's pride as a noble and businessman will be trampled or not.
Then all of a sudden, the door opens again revealing the marquis's son. But what makes them really surprised is Shannen who is walking beside Gian. Shannen's hand was placed on Gian's arm as he gently escorts the lady beside him inside the room.
Shannen had changed into a new dress and her hair was neatly styled into a simple side french braid. Viscount Nolan had noticed Shannen's eyes were slightly red and instantly feel more worried for his daughter. When Shannen feels her father stares at her, she gives the viscount a smile that secretly tells him not to worry about it.
"I apologize for the long wait. Both Lady Shannen and I got engaged with our conversation that we unintentionally forget the time." Gian explained as he looks at the three people inside the room one by one. His gaze lingers on Viscountess Beckie for a while before continuing. "But as you all can see, Lady Shannen changed her mind and accepted me to become her fiance."
Viscountess Beckie's expression is calm, but she was tightly gripping her dress. Not only Beckie did not expect Shannen to defy her orders earlier, but she even dares to show up with the marquis's son.
"Is that true, Shannen?" Viscountess Beckie asked in a soft voice, but her gaze was focused solely on Shannen. "I am worried that you are just forcing yourself to do this."
Shannen's shoulder faintly flinches, but the people inside the room did not notice it. Expect for Gian who is currently standing beside her. Gian put his hand on top of her hand and squeeze it lightly. When she looks up to the man beside her, Shannen saw Gian giving her an encouraging smile.
'It's okay. I am here for you.'
Secretly cheering herself up, Shannen looks at the viscountess with a smile on her face.
"Mother, I am not forcing myself in this engagement. In fact, I am actually happy because Gian wanted me to be his fiancee."
"But... Why did you tell the maid to refuse him earlier?" Viscount Cladeu asked.
"About that..." Shannen lowers her head as if she was embarrassed by what she did earlier. "I... I thought that maybe I am not a suitable lady for Gian. I suddenly feel afraid that I will bring shame not only for the young lord but also to his family."
"Shannen, my dear."
Maybe because Viscount Nolan just noticed how awkward it is to talk with Shannen and Gian while they are both standing on the door, so he quickly asked them to with them. Gian leads Shannen on a vacant long sofa and they both sit on it side by side. Gian did not forget the basic etiquette and put a small distance between him and Shannen. This gives the viscount a good opinion for Gian.
"Young lord..."
"Viscount, you can just simply call me by my name." Gian said with a small smile on his face. "I won't feel good if the father of my fiance-to-be will call me that just like how others call me in public."
Viscount Cladeu was stunned for a while before he faked a cough to gain back his composure. What a brazen young man. They have not yet concluded whether he will become his daughter's fiance but he was already acting like one. Viscount Cladeu does not feel offended by it, but instead secretly complimenting him in his mind. Gian's attitude just now only shows that he truly cares for his daughter.
"Alright."
"I do not want to be rude, but Gian, why do you want our daughter to be your fiancee?"
"Beckie."
Ignoring the stern voice of her husband calling her name, Viscountess Beckie continued.
"As her mother, I know that Shannen is very stubborn since she was a kid. She always ignored my words. She also sometimes skipped her etiquette lessons so she can go and play outside. Not only that, she recently had a small dispute with your brother because of her unyielding personality and a lot of people witnessed it."
Gian takes a short glimpse of the young lady sitting beside him. He already heard the incident she was talking about from Aaron.
According to Aaron, Viel accidentally bumped with Shannen while he was patrolling at that time. Shannen, who just returned from the academy, stumbled back and the white dress was wearing got dirty. Viel was about to apologize but when he recognized Shannen, Viel teased and make fun of her instead of apologizing. They were already familiar with each other since Shannen used to play with Gian in their mansion when they were still kids.
Shannen was so mad that she argued with Viel and demanded his apology in a loud voice. Since it all happened in a public place, a lot of people witnessed that scene. Some women are snickering about Shannen's lack of etiquette as a lady. But most of the onlookers are watching them with amusement on their eyes.
"What a malicious old hag." Russel suddenly commented.
Since they are a lot of people around them, Gian cannot talk with him. But it does not mean Russel cannot speak whatever he wants to say. Gods and goddesses were indeed existing in this world. If not, Russel will not be here and reincarnated as a pen. But the people living in this world are all normal and did not possess any sort of magic or powers just like in the fantasy books he had read before. Only the gods and goddesses can only create a miracle to change or destroy someone's fate.
'At least give me telepathy power so Gian and I can still communicate without him opening his mouth!'
Sighing, Russel returned his focus on the current situation. This is not the right time for this. Russel can complain with Gian anytime he wants anyway.
"As a true man, you should protect your woman's dignity and pride even if your opponent is her evil stepmother." Russel encouraged Gian in a determined voice. "Go bro! Make me so proud of you!"
Even without Russel's 'encouraging' words, Gian already plans to do it. Somehow, this Viscountess Beckie is truly unpleasant in his eyes. While Gian was talking with Shannen earlier, she revealed that Viscountess Beckie threatened that if she accepted him as her fiance, she will withdraw all her financial support from the viscount's businesses.
"Gian, I can understand that maybe Shannen can be a huge help in some important matters but—"
"Madam." Gian cut-off the viscountess's rambling in a clear voice. Beckie was quite surprised to hear what Gian had called her. Even Viscount Nolan and Shannen noticed it, but they did give their thoughts about it. Gian only allows the viscount to call him by his name, but not the viscountess.
"Thank you for your concern. But I think you got it all wrong, Madam. If you are thinking that I am only doing this engagement for political reasons, then you are greatly mistaken about it." Gian calmly explained.
Viscountess Beckie frowned when Gian calls her 'madam' again instead of 'viscountess'. She was starting to get the feeling that Gian is being hostile to her.
"You are worrying too much. Madam, maybe you did not know about this, but Lady Shannen and I were childhood friends. Even if we got separated because she is attending the Academy at the capital, we are still exchanging with each other. Naturally, I am aware of her temperament. You said that Lady Shannen is stubborn, but for me, she is a lady with her own opinion. She is also a lady who is curious about her surroundings. And about the dispute you are talking about, it was all my brother's fault. It was only natural for Lady Shannen to asked for an apology to the person who offended her. If someone did that to you, of course, you will also demand an apology knowing that you are not in the wrong. Madam, am I correct?"
"...That's right."
Viscountess Beckie is showing them a smile, but she was seething in anger on the inside. His words seem polite and gentle, but the meaning behind his words is actually mocking her. He is secretly telling her that she does not really know anything about Shannen.
"And again, I am not doing it for political reasons. Just like Viscount Cladeu, my father does not want me to be involved with any engagement due to political reasons. Madam, you can rest assured that I will take good care of her and treat Lady Shannen with respect."
Viscountess Beckie was having a hard time. The young man sitting in front of them has a hidden glib tongue. She clearly heard him calling her husband with his noble title, but he was calling her 'madam' and stressed it every time he calls him.
"Then... Do not be offended by my words, Gian. I am actually reluctant to let Shannen be engaged with you."
"I can see that, Madam. Of course, you are actually worried about Shannen." Gian said with a faint smile on his face. But for Beckie, Gian is openly mocking her. All she wanted to do is to let out her anger towards him. Gritting her teeth, Beckie continued.
"I heard that the second son of Marquis Cres Val is really sick. The reason why you rarely show yourself in society is that you have a weak and fragile body. You never leave your mansion because you were bedridden all the time. You cannot even attend the Academy. I refused to allow my daughter to a sick and dying person like you."
The moment she stops speaking, Beckie can feel the sudden change of atmosphere in the room. When she saw the cold stares of the Marquis and the glare her husband is giving her, Beckie realized what she had said. She was about to retrieve her words when all of a sudden, Gian let out a chuckle.
"Really?"