"… May it be clear that even if it weren't your son the one involved, my displeasure would be the same."
"Oh, we do know."
"..… If I am further sincere... Perhaps it is because it is your son that my displeasure is less than it would usually be this time."
"..…... You don't say..."
The amiable couple looked at each other with surprise at Orland's words. Coming back to stare at the youth owning their attention, serving to their amusement along with the overprotective father.
The three watched simply in quiet, witnessing a wider smile in his son the more an innocent Marianne interacted with him, who in her impulsiveness, was still careful of the new Duke's boundaries.
"… could you imagine?" — Dolton then softly said, entranced by the peace the scene gifted. — "Their friendship was what we wished for… yet I cannot deny… were we to become family… how great would it be?"
