Putting everything together, I understood the situation.
("Fina is being married off for some kind of business… If I remember correctly.") [Solace]
I wasn't too sure of it, but it sounded about right. The deal was to marry her off to some terrible guy in exchange for some mines or something, though I thought it was canceled due to Fina barging out of the mansion.
("What does Fina have to say about this?") [Solace]
I looked at Fina, only to see her attempt to speak without sound.
("Did someone cast a spell on her? I can't hear her…") [Solace]
In spite of her attempts to speak, the others ignored her. Her father continued to laugh with the blonde fat guy, and her brother ate silently.
"Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, I'd like you to sign this." [Blonde Fat Guy]
The blondie fatso took out a sheet of paper and a silver pen, passing it to Fina's father across the table.
"It has all the details for the marriage. Once you sign it, the diamond mines will be yours." [Blonde Fat Man]
"Oh, Sir Medwin! To think that you would do so much for your son! I'm impressed!" [Fina's Father]
The blonde fatso chuckled, waving off the compliment with a smile.
("So that's his name… Noted.") [Solace]
"Haha! If it's only this much, I'd give a few more if not for my wife!" [Medwin]
The two laughed together, which annoyed me immensely.
("I think I'm about to shut them up right now.") [Solace]
Just as I was about to make my move, I saw Fina's brother, Relton, slam down a fork.
"Ah! Don't startle me like that!" [Fina's Father]
After realizing it was nothing but a fork, Fina's father reached for the silver pen.
"Perhaps young master Relton is a bit too excited for his sister's wedding?" [Medwin]
"True, true! I never knew my children were so close." [Fina's Father]
As the two spoke, Fina's father uncapped the silver pen and placed it on the sheet of paper.
"Father, how many mines are you going to be given?" [Relton]
"Hm?" [Fina's Father]
The pen stopped moving, which made Medwin twitch nervously.
"Originally, it was supposed to be three iron mines. However, it should be… about two diamond mines, no?" [Fina's Father]
"Two?" [Relton]
"Yes, yes. It's two whole diamond mines. Enough to supply your domain with enough money to last twenty years!" [Medwin]
Relton tapped his fingers on the table, staring at Medwin like a hawk.
"May I ask which mines?" [Relton]
Beads of sweat appeared on Medwin's face. I wasn't sure whether or not it was because he was hiding something, or because Relton was pretty damn intimidating.
"Relton! Stop whatever it is you are trying to do! You're being rude!" [Fina's Father]
It seemed that the father took notice of Relton's pressure, which must be why he's trying to step in.
"Father. How is asking the contents of a deal rude?" [Relton]
"You're obviously pressuring our guest! If you're a noble, then act like it." [Fina's Father]
"Act like a noble?" [Relton]
Placing his utensils down, Relton stood up.
"Fine." [Relton]
He snatched the paper from the table and tore it apart, causing his father and Medwin to watch in awe.
"Y-young master?!" [Medwin]
"Relton!" [Fina's Father]
Fina's father stood up as well, enraged by the actions of his son.
("What is happening?! I'm so confused!") [Solace]
"The mines written are the Camerina and Armdale diamond mines, which of course, have belonged to the Medwin family for generations." [Relton]
"That's why I'm willing to trade Fina for them!" [Fina's Father]
Relton shook his head in disappointment.
"No, that's why Sir Medwin is trying to sell them. It no longer has any diamonds." [Relton]
"...What?" [Fina's Father]
He looked to Medwin for answers, who then turned to Relton with anger in his eyes.
"That's preposterous! The mines would never run dry!" [Medwin]
"Then may I ask about why mining operations have ceased within those two mines for the past few months?" [Relton]
"Th-that's…!" [Medwin]
Medwin was losing ground, causing him to turn to Fina's Father.
"Sir Haverend! Can you not control your son?!" [Medwin]
"..." [Fina's Father]
Fina's Father went silent, unsure of what to believe.
"Sir Medwin… Is this true?" [Fina's Father]
"O-of course not! Here, how about I throw in another mine if you don't believe me!" [Medwin]
"Another mine…?!" [Fina's Father]
"Yes, yes! I'll give the Orinda diamond mine!" [Medwin]
Eyes went wide open. It appeared that the Orinda diamond mine was quite something. Too bad I didn't know anything about it.
"In that case, it wouldn't even matter if there weren't any diamonds in the other mines…" [Fina's Father]
"Don't be fooled, father." [Relton]
"Silence! I won't listen to another word you say!" [Fina's Father]
Relton sighed. Not only was it a sigh of disappointment, but it was a really long sigh. Like, Relton was just letting it go.
"Relton! Your actions today have been inexcusable! I'm going to have to punish you later!" [Fina's Father]
Medwin crossed his arms and smiled smugly. I bet he was feeling pretty confident now that Fina's dad was on his side.
"That seems to be a problem. However, I refuse." [Relton]
"...What was that?" [Fina's Father]
"I refuse. There will be no punishment, there will be no mines given, and there will be no marriage. As the next head of the Haverend household, I have made my decision." [Relton]
Everyone's faces were covered in disbelief. Especially me. What Relton did was like telling your parents "no" when they ground you.
"That… I'm sorry, Sir Medwin. It appears that I have to discipline my son right at this moment." [Fina's Father]
"No, no. I understand." [Medwin]
"|Dante|!" [Fina's Father]
A large spirit, created out of earth, appeared behind Fina's father. It had stone chains that circled around it, giving me flashbacks to the time I first visited the mansion.
"Alert: You are within the presence of a |Greater Spirit|." [Spirit Guide]
("What the- Are they fighting?!") [Solace]
"|Lacra|." [Relton]
Matching his father, a large watery spirit emerged as well. Unlike his father's spirit, Reltons took the form of a female.
"Warning: Elevated levels of mana have been detected. The presence of two |Greater Spirits| have created a |Shift|. Be sure to avoid condensed areas of mana if the two clash." [Spirit Guide]
The air seemed to get thicker by the presence of the |Greater Spirits|. I was pretty sure I would have trouble breathing if I had lungs.
("My god. I'm just going to hope Fina and I get out of this in one piece." [Solace]