Chapter 3: My Fiancée?
Lady Rosalind cast a brief glance at me before turning her attention to my mother, Lady Isolde, who sat with elegant poise and hands folded in her lap.
Lady Isolde narrowed her eyes, as if sensing the weight behind Rosalind's words before they were even spoken.
"You seem hesitant today, Lady Rosalind. Is something amiss?" she asked.
Rosalind replied with a polite but forced smile.
"No, not hesitant, Lady Isolde. Merely... pensive. There are certain matters I believe must be discussed before we proceed with this arrangement between our families," Rosalind said.
I sat at my designated place at the table with my hands by my sides, listening carefully to what was being spoken.
Fianna's gaze slid to me, her blue eyes widening slightly as if urging me to remain calm.
Lady Isolde tilted her head slightly, a sharp edge to her voice. "Speak plainly, Lady Rosalind. What exactly are you implying?"
Rosalind straightened her back after a moment of hesitation.
"Though the betrothal between our children was arranged years ago, I cannot help but worry. Felix's... current condition raises some questions regarding his suitability as a match for my daughter," Rosalind said.
Silence fell over the room. Fianna's face was pale as she opened her mouth to object, but before she could speak, Isolde's icy voice pierced the silence.
"Are you questioning my son's worth?" Isolde's voice was calm, but the tension it held was palpable.
Rosalind maintained her composure.
"It is not my intention to offend, but we must consider the realities of the situation. Felix is frail, weak, and... unfit for the responsibilities of leading a family. My daughter deserves someone who can stand as her equal, someone who can support her," she said.
Anyone else in my place would likely be hurt and fall into depression hearing these words, but since I was constantly looked down upon in my past life, I no longer cared much for the opinions of others.
Isolde's gaze hardened, and her lips curled into a cold smile.
"I see. You believe the Crossfields have fallen low enough for you to insult us to our faces," she said.
"Lady Isolde," Rosalind said in a soft but firm voice, "this is not a matter of your family name. This is about securing my daughter's future."
My mother leaned forward, her voice sharp. "And do you think breaking this engagement will serve any purpose other than tarnishing your daughter's honor as well as ours? Do you have the slightest idea what such a scandal would mean for both families? People talk, and no excuse could save your precious daughter's place in society."
Although Rosalind's calm demeanor wavered slightly, she persisted.
"I would rather endure the whispers of the present than condemn Fianna to a life of hardship. His state..." Rosalind began.
"State?" Isolde cut her off, her voice dropping dangerously low.
"Do you dare use such a word to describe my son? Whatever his flaws, he is a Crossfield, and that name carries power far beyond your comprehension," Isolde said.
As I watched this duel of words, I idly stirred the tea cup before me with a spoon.
It was as if I were not even in the room. Discussing these matters right next to me really shows how worthless my existence is considered in this world...
Fianna finally found her voice and stood up abruptly. "Mother, stop! Felix is not weak. He is..."
"Fianna," Rosalind said, silencing her daughter. Her voice was stern. "This is not about feelings. This is about facts. You may care for him, but love does not conquer all, my dear."
Isolde straightened in her seat.
"You are overstepping, Lady Rosalind. I will not permit this engagement to be broken. Doing so would bring disgrace to the Crossfields, and I will not allow our name to be sullied by your fickle whims," she said.
Rosalind sighed, her gaze softening as she turned to Fianna.
"I understand your loyalty to your family, Lady Isolde, but I must prioritize my daughter's well being. For her to be with such a..."
"That is enough," Isolde thundered, her voice splitting the room like a block of ice. She narrowed her eyes and turned to me.
"Felix, say something. Prove to them that you are not as helpless as they claim," Isolde commanded.
The weight of the gazes locked onto me was unbearable. Fianna's pleading look, Rosalind's judging stare, and Isolde's commanding glare... it was overwhelming.
I had been waiting for this question since the moment I sat at the table. After all, this was one of the pivotal moments where my engagement took damage. According to the game story, Felix gave a stupid answer here like "I will do my best," which ended up embarrassing his mother and damaging the engagement.
Actually, I would have loved to watch Isolde be humiliated, but right now my life was in the hands of the Crossfield duchy.
A smart move right now could earn me a little value in Isolde's eyes, which would be useful for me in the future.
I kept my voice in a cold and arrogant tone.
"Mother, since when have we felt the need to prove ourselves to those lesser than us?"
I pierced Rosalind with my crimson eyes, placed one hand under my chin, and leaned against the table.
"If I, as a Crossfield, feel the need to prove myself to people beneath me, then I cease to be a true Crossfield."
My voice caused a silence to be born in the room as no one expected such an answer. A smile appeared on my mother's lips, as if pleased with my response, and she shot me an approving look.
Rosalind's face flushed with anger. "How dare you! Lady Isolde, I thought your child was merely untalented, but I see he lacks manners as well!"
Just as my mother opened her mouth to speak, I beat her to it.
"If my words offended you, forgive me, Lady Rosalind, but I do not believe the words I spoke were incorrect. Was it not you who came to us with the proposal of engagement once upon a time? It would not be a lie to say your husband strove greatly to have my father accept this offer, would it? You were quite eager to unite the Crossfield name with your own house. The Crossfield duchy honored you by accepting your request, but now I see you scratching the hand extended to you like an ungrateful cat."
Rosalind wanted to open her mouth and speak but could not find the words.
Fianna was looking at me anxiously, her blue eyes trembling. There was astonishment in her gaze. I could not blame her as I had acted like someone completely different from the Felix she knew.
Rosalind shook her head and sighed. Her anger had subsided, leaving calm in its place.
"Lady Isolde, I remember very well what happened in the past, but my daughter's future is at stake. I need more than just a few fancy words. I can see you came quite prepared for this conversation, but our decision is final."
"Enough!" Isolde roared, her icy composure cracking.
"This engagement will not be discarded. Do you understand me, Rosalind? You may leave if you wish, but know this: if you terminate this agreement, the Redmond family will face consequences far beyond breaking a simple promise," she said.
Rosalind went rigid, her lips pressed into a thin line.
She cast a glance at Fianna, whose eyes were shining with unshed tears.
For a moment, a heavy silence settled over the air.
"Very well," Rosalind finally said, her voice low with submission.
"If that is your decision, Lady Isolde, I will respect it... for now," she said.
Fianna looked at her mother, an expression of relief and confusion intertwined on her face.
When Rosalind stood up to leave, she paused and cast one last look at me.
"For your own sake, young man, I hope you prove me wrong."
As she turned and walked away, her words hung in the air. Fianna waved goodbye to me in a sheepish and sad manner as she walked behind her mother.
My mother and I were left alone at the table.