Whether or not to acknowledge Wood as a legitimate member of the family wasn't something Therese had the authority to decide—only Claire, the head of the Latreia family, could make that call.
The fact that the guards had directly addressed Wood as "Master Wood" made it clear that someone had already informed them of his arrival.
Since they were already at the Latreia family estate, and with Therese giving him a gentle nudge, Wood was practically half-pushed into entering the manor.
Before they went inside, Therese grew concerned. Knowing this was Wood's first time meeting her mother, Claire, she worried that his behavior might displease her. All the way there, she kept giving Wood a crash course on her mother's temperament, likes, and dislikes.
Through Therese's descriptions, Wood began to get an idea of what his grandmother, whom he had never met, might be like.
Usually, Claire Latreia would either be at the royal palace or busy handling family affairs at home during this time. However, today, she had unexpectedly chosen to enjoy some tea in the backyard.
Therese had planned to give Wood some last-minute tips on how to win her mother's favor. But when they arrived in the garden and saw Claire elegantly sipping her tea, Therese froze.
She hadn't mentally prepared herself for this sudden encounter with her mother!
Sipping tea in the backyard wasn't all that strange in itself, but this was Claire Latreia they were talking about! The woman was a known workaholic. When did she start indulging in leisurely tea time?
"Therese, if I'm not mistaken, this should still be working hours for the Temple Knights. Care to explain why you're here instead?"
Claire held her teacup in one hand, sitting with perfect posture. Even during her rare moments of leisure, her every action was precise and impeccable.
Though Therese was usually lively and energetic, her mother's commanding gaze seemed to shrink her down into submission.
Once Claire had subdued her daughter's apparent rebellion with just a look, she turned her attention to Wood.
After a long, scrutinizing stare at him, Claire shifted her gaze back to Therese, clearly expecting an explanation.
But before Therese, who was now wearing an expression of utter distress, could gather her thoughts, Wood took the initiative to introduce himself.
"Pleased to meet you, Lady Claire. My name is Wood Greyrat. My mother is Zenith Greyrat, and my father is Paul Greyrat.
I am the second son of our family, and I've come on behalf of my mother to pay my respects. I apologize for showing up unannounced; it was quite presumptuous of me.
This is a gift my mother asked me to bring for you. I hope you will accept it, Lady Claire."
As Wood finished his speech, which was laced with formality and a hint of remorse, he followed it up with an impeccably executed noble's bow.
Therese stood there, dumbfounded. She hadn't even figured out how to introduce her nephew, yet here he was, performing a flawless noble greeting, complete with a formal apology.
Both his choice of words and the precision of his actions were so impeccable that Therese couldn't find a single fault.
No—actually, she even thought Wood's performance was better than what her court etiquette teacher had taught her back in the day.
Then, when Wood presented the elegantly wrapped gift, Therese was utterly bewildered. She hadn't even known he had prepared a gift!
"Greyrat? So, that's the man she chose, huh?
If she knows she was wrong, why didn't she come herself this time? Instead, she sent you. Does she even regard me as her mother anymore?"
The moment Claire heard Wood's words, the teacup in her hand shattered with a sharp crack. The tea spilled onto her blue gown, but she didn't seem to care. She continued to fix Wood with a piercing gaze.
Seeing her mother's fury, Therese was completely panicked. This wasn't how she had imagined things playing out at all.
But despite the panic on Therese's face, Wood maintained a composed exterior, though his expression showed a touch of fear. In reality, he was utterly calm.
Thanks to his keen sense of magic, he could clearly detect the flow of mana around Claire when the teacup broke.
In other words, the cup hadn't shattered because of Claire's anger causing her mana to go haywire—she had done it intentionally.
From what Therese had told him, Wood knew that his grandmother was a headstrong, stubborn woman with a strict adherence to etiquette and appearances. She demanded perfection not only from others but from herself as well.
Wood's respectful introduction had already gained him quite a bit of favor in Claire's eyes.
Additionally, Claire's guilt over how things had turned out with Zenith meant that deep down, she had likely already forgiven her daughter. Otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed the guards to refer to Wood as "Master Wood."
As for why Claire had put on an angry front, Wood suspected it was a matter of pride. She was struggling to reconcile her emotions with her dignity and needed a way to back down gracefully.
After all, someone as stubborn and prideful as Claire couldn't just forgive her daughter without any pretense—how could she face herself if she did?
As expected, after throwing her brief tantrum, Claire excused herself to change her clothes, leaving Wood with a promise that she would speak with him about the rules of the Latreia family once she returned.
Therese was completely flabbergasted. Just moments ago, her mother had seemed on the verge of throwing Wood out. Yet now it appeared that Claire intended to let him stay.
Wood and Therese didn't have to wait long before Claire returned, now dressed in a fresh, elegant gown. Her demeanor was composed and formal, as though her earlier outburst had never happened.
"Wood Greyrat, I don't know much about your father, but it seems that while Zenith may be a disrespectful daughter, she has raised you quite well.
Zenith was once hailed as the 'Model Noblewoman' here in the capital, thanks to my teachings. However, in terms of manners and noble bearing, I believe you have surpassed even her.
I've also learned some things about you already. Beyond your impeccable noble etiquette, it seems you're an accomplished warrior as well.
Let's see if your skills are as impressive as your other qualities."