"I refuse," Came the deep voice of Lancelot. His objection to Seraphina's suggestion clear to everyone in the dining room. His narrowed eyes behind his silver mask darkened as he stared at his father further declaring his intentions.
Seraphina on hearing Lancelot's blatant refusal, didn't hold back the glare and the subtle brewing annoyance in her eyes she directed at him.
The dining room equally fell silent as the words left Lancelot's lips which had everyone turn to look at him and then back at Seraphina. The tension between the two was unmistakable as they shared heated gaze, Seraphina's subtle to not raise suspicions.
Lord William hummed and shook his head in disapproval, "Seems we have contradicting thoughts here, don't we?"
Lancelot kept his cutlery on his plate, took the napkin to dab on his mouth, and interjected, "Forgive my interruption, Father, but if we stop the preparation of the marriage, I believe it will affect both families. Mr. Castiel is well aware of the predicaments, isn't that right, Mr. Castiel?"
The frown on Seraphina's face deepened, her index finger tapping lightly on her lap. She knew what Lancelot was doing. Using her dad as the pawn in his game, knowing he would fall because he was the one in debt. A smart move to introduce the battle of wits. She'll sure love to play along.
Mr. Castiel as speculated by Seraphina adjusted in his seating position, an awkward smile on his face as he spoke, "Yes, you are right. Forgive my daughter for being emotional with her thoughts. She is just overwhelmed by the marriage proposal. Isn't that right, Sarah?" He directed the question at Seraphina who tried hard to control the rage she felt within her.
Returning her father's tight smile that didn't reach her eyes, Seraphina nodded and took a sip from her wine. The cold yet sweet texture of the rich wine cooled her erratic nerves. "Yes, Father." She just needed to find another way to stop the marriage!
Lord William kept quiet for a moment, processing the tension in the room. This was a delicate topic, and his son Lancelot was not making things easy by being adamant about the marriage. However, what he hadn't expected was an equally strong-willed woman who not only made her intention of halting the marriage known but also subtly hinting she was not going to accept the marriage proposal. For some reason, he thought that his son and Castiel's young daughter were compatible with each other.
Meanwhile, on the sideline, Lancelot's gaze remained fixated on Seraphina who refused to look at him. And when she did, she shot him a look that proved how stubborn she was going to be against the marriage. Both subtly challenging each other to surrender.
In the moment of the tension lingering in the air, Lord William and everyone else continued to munch on their dessert which tasted sour in the mouth of everyone except Richard who was barely observing everything going on.
At last, Lord William spoke up, having made some decisions in the silent moment that had prevailed. He said, "From how everything is going, it is my wish to allow the young bloods talk things through amongst themselves. What we are, after all, are their parents to guide them. They would be the ones that would live with each other if the marriage happened. I wouldn't want an unhappy marriage for the young ones."
Seraphina couldn't help but bless Lord William in her mind for his thoughtfulness. For one, she felt that the way this marriage was being pressured on her, wasn't only about the debt her family owed, there was this unsettling feeling about the whole thing, especially Lancelot himself. A mysterious man as he scared her, she had to admit.
Mr. Castiel though unhappy with Seraphina's behavior that didn't align in accordance with what they had discussed back in their home, had no choice but to agree to Lord William's words. "I believe it is right to let them come to terms with each other before the marriage then,"
In his words, Seraphina knew that there wasn't going to be a bargain from her when it came to her father. The marriage has already happened in his head.
The dinner ended not long after to which Mr. Castiel thanked the Lord's family for their hospitality. Lady Lydia in turn expressed her appreciation to the kitchen staff to her fellow Lady.
"It is already late, Mr. Castiel. You and your family cannot travel at this hour, it'd be good if you stayed the night here with your family." Lord William proposed as everyone rose from the chairs.
"That is very generous of you, Lord William. It would be our undoing not to accept your offer," Mr. Castiel tilted his head in a small bow.
"That is good then. The maids shall take you to your rooms," Lady Annora interjected, with a fleeting smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"May I have a word with you, Seraphina?" The voice of Lancelot broke through the silent echoes of words being exchanged.
Seraphina halted in her steps, not expecting Lancelot to speak to her. Not that she wanted to talk to him, he had annoyed her enough that evening to add to her anger again.
Lady Lydia exchanged a questioning look with Seraphina and then at the son of Lord William whose silver mask had continued to stay glued on his face.
"Come on," Mr. Castiel urged his wife forward, and so did Lord William, his wife, and Richard leave the duo in the company of each other inside the dining room.
Seraphina turned to face Lancelot, her face trying hard to mask the emotions she felt. "Is there anything that demands my attention, Mr. Lancelot?"
From the way Lancelot stared at Seraphina, she could tell he was annoyed like how she was equally feeling towards him at that moment. The feeling was mutual.
"I thought we have established that you should only call me Lancelot now, hm?" He asked, tilting his head slightly to the side. "Let's move to a more private place, shall we?"
"Private place?" Seraphina blurted, unsure of what he meant by private place.
"To a place where there wouldn't be ears to eavesdrop on our conversation," He clarified. Behind his mask, his lips stretched into a sly grin as he remarked shaking his head, "Such naughty thoughts you have."
"What?" Seraphina turned red in embarrassment at his words, "Say, the pervert calling another naughty." She retorted rolling her eyes at him.
"If I knew you would still call me a pervert after I asked how your bottom was doing after that fall, I should have at least inspected it myself to live up to the name you call me." Lancelot calmly added as if he was talking about the weather.
"....," Does this man realize it was her bottom he was causally talking about in such a manner? The mortification she had felt that day returned twice than before knowing that her parents were in the same house as her. Will he ever stop teasing her?!
"I think it's best we go to the private place you mentioned," Seraphina quickly said, afraid that someone might hear them have such a vulgar conversation.
"Now you are so eager to go to a privy place," Lancelot muttered as he led Seraphina out of the dining room chuckling.
This man! Seraphina screamed in her head. This was enough confirmation that he had some loose screws in his head and she couldn't help but notice they went haywire anything she was with him.