Beatrice walked into the house, nearly breathless from excitement. She heard laughter just as she stepped into the living room. Dennis and George were already there, seemingly making themselves jolly. But Beatrice's dark brown pupils only lit up when she saw her mother, a beautiful woman with a slender physique despite the fact that she was aging. Her mother seemed to have seen her from afar, and she smiled at her, her eyes not betraying the joy she felt upon seeing her child after so long. "Beatrice." She called out from where she said as she stood up from where she sat, with outstretched arms. "Come here, child." Beatrice, not hesitating at all, dove straight into her mother's embrace, and immersing herself in the warmth that radiated from it. "How have you been, my child?" Her mother inquired, as both ladies sat down next to each other. "I am good, what about you and dad? Hope you are doing well? What about Erastiel, how is he?" Beatrice asked, her lips throttling on non-stop. "I am sorry that I didn't visit you for so long." She said, getting a little melancholic. "Hope you won't hold it against me?" She asked, tearing up a little bit. "Silly child, Why would I?" Her mother said, while tapping her head a little. Beatrice found some sort of inner peace upon seeing her mother by her side. "Mrs Adriel." George began, making her mother to turn to him. "I sincerely hope that you don't hold a grudge against us as well, afterall in-laws are supposed to visit each other." George said. "Not at all, Master Lewis." Mrs Adriel said, as she tucked her silky ebony black hair to the back of her ears. "If you feel guilty, then I would also feel bad for not calling upon you till today." She said, with a slight wink. "My goodness, Even though you are approaching the peak of your life, you are still so active. I am quite sure that if they dress both you and Beatrice alike, they will barely be able to tell both ladies apart." He said, while sporting a smile. "My goodness, I am flattered." She said, and both adults began to laugh merrily once more. Momentarily, and out of reflex, Beatrice cast a side-glance at Dennis. The man was sitted, his legs elegantly crossed, while radiating the aura of a noble's son. Even though the past was at the past, she wondered what kind of reception her mother had received from him. Eventually, the main door creaked open, and a dashing young man with brown hair came in. "Aunt, I just finished talking to the coachman.." He paused for some time, when he saw Beatrice. Beatrice was just as astonished to see him too. But before Beatrice could say anything, he has already walked over to where she sat, enveloping her in a hug. "How have you been? Beatrice?" He asked, his brown eyes scanning her feautures. Soon however, a slight scowl formed on his face. "My goodness, you have gotten so thin.." He said, although quietly. "Erastiel, social distancing." Beatrice teased. The man's face darkened even more. "Hmph, I haven't seen you for so long, and yet this is how you treat me." Eras harrumphed, seating himself at the other end of her mom. "You still get irritated so easily." Beatrice remarked. "Just be quiet." Eras snapped at her. "Ahem." Beatrice's mom cleared her throat loudly, while glaring at the two adults that sat at either side. They both regained their demeanor, composing themselves. Still, Beatrice couldn't help but to chuckle In her heart at the behavior of her cousin. He was the heir of the family, and yet... he hadn't grown up. There was something that made Beatrice's heart to freeze though, and that was the fact that Erastiel was busy glaring at Dennis. The latter was well aware-he returned the glare with a cool gaze. Beatrice tensed up, if she didn't do something, this might escalate, and take a wrong turn. "I will go get Sylvester." She said, wanting to standup, but Sylvester had just walked into the room, after changing from his training clothes. "Greetings, lady Adriel." He said, with a slight bow. "It is an honor to see you again, It has been a while." He added. Mrs Adriel smiled. "The honor Is mine, I see that you have grown up to be quite the charming lad." Mrs Adriel complimented, as Sylvester sat next to his brother. "Thank you." He said.
The harmonious moment continued, with Beatrice chatting away with her mother and cousin, afterall, certain things could not be written In letters. The maids eventually came and served them tea, it was noon by then, and that alone seemed to have made the atmosphere between both families even more harmonious.
"My goodness." Mrs Adriel said, as she placed the cup back on the saucer. "This is the best tea I ever did taste- so smooth to the tongue, and it makes one feel nice and warm on the stomach, a perfect combination for a warm summer afternoon." She praised, as she dabbed at her lips delicately with a napkin. "May I ask for the name?" She said, turning to George. But, Contrary to her expectations, Sylvester replied her. "Nirone tea." He said, placing his cup down as well. "The lady of the house is the one that introduced it to this household." He said, while glancing at his father. "Amazing. I guess she really had exquisite tastes." Mrs Adriel mused. "Anyway, Master Lewis, when was the last time you heard from my daughter?" Mrs Adriel asked. "I thought gossip will go around by now? We cut ties remember, I thought you were aware?" George asked, raising his brow. "I agree that is so, but it Is still good for you to check up on her, at least." Mrs Adriel explained. "Not necessarily." Dennis who had been an observer this whole time, cut in. "Word goes around here fast- I heard that she was last seen in a shopping complex with her husband or something." He added. "Isn't that enough proof that she is living well?" He asked his mother-in-law. "But things are not always what they seem on the surface." Mrs Adriel argued. "But she is the one that decided to leave, and that child voluntarily went with her as well. Besides, I think this environment is too toxic for a child to grow up in." Dennis said. "What are you trying to imply?" Mrs Adriel asked, But Dennis shook his head and spoke no further. Mrs Adriel sighed, numerous times she had brought this issue up with them, but it was futile. This was one of the reasons that she wished the lady of the house was still alive-there was no way a mother could bear being separated from her child for so long. George outrightedly ignored her, and called for more tea. The servants did bring them, but in the process of serving the tea, some spilled on Erastiel's clothes. "You incompetent fool!" George began immediately. "Are you trying to make us lose face in front of our guest?" He demanded, angrily standing up. "It's okay." Erastiel said, standing up. "I am sorry, my lord." The maids said, her head bowed. "Just take me to the washroom." He demanded. "Just be thanking your stars that it wasn't scalding hot." Dennis said, as Erastiel walked past him.
"Phew." Erastiel said, as he finally washed all the tea off his clothes. This was one of his formal clothes, and he was grateful that they weren't ruined by the tea. He came out of the washroom, humming a tune, when he saw Dennis, who was walking past. "Hey!" Erastiel couldn't help but call out. Dennis turned around, gazing at him disdainfully. "Were you raised by a pack of trolls? Have you no manners?" Erastiel asked, as he strode towards him. "What do you mean?" Dennis asked. "Since that incident that occurred three months ago, you haven't commisoned a proper apology, talk less of showing that useless pretty face of yours!" Erastiel exclaimed. "What would apologizing to a member of a mere baron family like yours, offer me?" Dennis asked him, sneering. "You and that rotten pride of yours!" Erastiel exclaimed once more. Dennis wringed his ears. "Stop shouting, or else a crowd is going to appear." He calmly said. "Truly shameless and despicable." Erastiel observed, his anger rising. "As if Degrading our family and tarnishing it's reputation name isn't enough.." "What? Reputation? Your family doesn't even have a single noteworthy legacy to speak of." Dennis said. "Honestly, what is the difference between your family and a bunch of peasants?" He asked smugly. "But you got married into that.. " Erastiel said through gritted teeth, not even Daring to repeat the phrase Dennis used. "It was not by choice, and you are well aware of that." Dennis said. "There are even more beautiful and hotter women from prestigious families out there, yet I had to lower myself.." He began, then got closer to Erastiel, and whispered in his ears. "Besides, Beatrice is not even hot enough for me to warm my bed.." "Bastard!" Erastiel charge, giving Dennis an upper cut to the cheek. "Erastiel Theophilus Adriel!" An infuriated feminine voice called out.