The silence was returned to the room as everyone was shocked at this short statement. Breakfast had just started, and not even five minutes into the meal, there was disorder. The Lord was silent; his face looked tranquil like the event had not affected him, but the large vein sticking out from his neck and the clenching of his fist followed by a slight color of red between his fist showed his genuine agitation from this dramatic scene.
'What, Deja vu. How could I ever forget this moment? The day my fiance left me shaming my grandfather and dishonoring our parent's promise.' Hisako contemplated watching the scene as if reminiscing. There was little change in her expression, unlike the other people at the table, who showed startlingly different faces. The twins next to Hisako wore similarly smug expressions with a slight hint of contempt in their young eyes. They both had emerald eyes, dark black hair like the lord once had, and their mother, Hisakos's aunt. They seemed to mock her as they stared at her, searching for a sad expression. They would continue to gawk, but her face remained unchanged, as if this situation was predictable for the lady. With a slight glance at the twins beside her, she could tell they wished the worst for her. 'They don't even bother to hide their contempt. They are both as bold as I remember them to be." Hisako thought as she continued to observe the situation. Glancing over to her aunt, who sat to the left of the Lord, she directed her attention toward the daring fiance with shock. There was a slight disgust towards the child, but Hisako was not foolish enough to think that contempt was because she loved and pitied her sweet niece. Instead, she was displeased with the rude display the child showed the lord and the disrespect this expressed towards the house.
Similarly, the figure next to Hisako's aunt demonstrated a similar expression of shock, merely hidden better in an attempt to mimic the lord. This man was the son of the lord and Hisako's uncle. The remaining two individuals were expressing apparent animosity towards the arrogant fiance. These two individuals were Hisako's older siblings, obviously disturbed by this sudden news.
"What brought about this change of heart, young Edric? Did something happen to make you unable to keep yourself from this outburst?" The lord questioned with a calm disposition. "Yes, my grace, there is a reason for my outburst." Edric paused before speaking again. "I am in love with another individual!" Eric said, raising his voice to fill the room. "Your grace, while I and my house appreciate everything about you and value our relations, I cannot bring myself to continue this engagement with lady Hisako. It is just too startling a difference between me and the lady's future. Someday I shall inherit my house and become the land's following Marquess while the lady is rumored to be disabled. While I am aware that the lady has experienced significant trauma after the passing of her parents, her lack of involvement in society has left onlookers with terrible discussions. I believe you are aware of the rumors, my lord." Edric informed as he stared at his fiance with slight contempt. "While I have not yet had a direct discussion with my parents, I am well aware that they hold a similar notion that this engagement brings many consequences for my future and would agree with my actions today." Edric continued bringing his focus back to the lord, who now had a frighteningly cold expression at his disrespectful remarks.
"How dare you disrespect my family with your words of contempt! We, the house of Morphew, are a family with strong roots and a long lineage. Protectors who have served this nation for generations. My late son saved your father, which is the only reason you are even alive today! How dare you bring these smears and accusations to my home! I see now the house of Glyn are ingrates undeserving of my son's generosity of promising his blood daughter for the relationship between our houses! While Hisako may be the black sheep of this family, she is still a member of the great family of Morphew. To find insult with her is to insult this house! How do you plan to rectify this great sin you have committed this day, Edric Glyn!?" The lord questioned, raising his voice with a powerful baritone voice that made one break in a cold sweat from the venom in his tone.
The young boys faced paled at the blatant intimidation of the lord showing his age and lack of experience. "I apologize for disrespecting your grace, but I must break this engagement. I wish to speak with you privately, along with my parents, in the near future. I promise generous compensation and will take responsibility for this decision. I request an audience, and I sincerely apologize for this disruptive event." The young man said with a slightly grim expression showing his sincerity while approaching the duke. The young man bowed towards the lord kneeling to one knee with a lowered head. Everyone's eyes were glued to the child, who was kneeling, with a shocked expression. This gesture was a sign of sincerity and submission, in some cases very rarely used unless directed towards the sovereign. The lord's expression significantly lightened at this action, effectively alleviating his anger.
"I understand, Edric Glyn. I accept your request for a meeting. I will send a letter to your father, the Marquess, and his wife and set up a time for discussion." The Lord said, allowing the young man to stand. "Breakfast seems to have turned into a fiasco, so I shall end it early. Please leave at your leisure. I shall take my leave now." The Lord said, standing and striding to the door with little regard for the people left at the table, still affected by the events that just occurred.