Chapter 21: [Bonus chapter] Feelings to be Considered

"What am I doing?" Richard repeated Lancelot's question with an obvious smirk on his face. Now smiling at his brother, he continued, "Isn't it obvious we were about to dance before you barged in and interrupted?"

Lancelot let out a chuckle that didn't match the annoyed look on his face. "I am not blind, brother. I am asking what you are doing just to make sure there are not some loose nuts in your brain."

The taunt from Lancelot seemed to hit the nerve in Richard that caused his eyes to harden. He abruptly flipped the music box close; thus ending the soft music playing in the background.

Seraphina noticed the air turn stiff between the men, and it was as if the cool music that stopped playing was replaced to a fast beating drums that the air brought in the cool evening that wasn't going to continue being cool because of the heated gazes of the men.

Richard suddenly laughed, his black eyes twinkled with mischief that was only meant for Lancelot to see. He turned fully to face his elder brother and remarked, "You speak as if we are doing something inappropriate, brother."

"Well, weren't you about to do that just now?" Lancelot countered back and heard a quick reply from Richard,

"It was just a simple harmless dance, brother. I don't know why you make it look as if we are doing something that hasn't been done before. I am a Williams." Richard's firm voice stating how proud he was to be a William resounded in the balcony as if being part of the Lord's family makes the person someone who doesn't indulge in unruly acts.

Lancelot scoffed, "Talk about a William and talk about inappropriate."

The last statement from Lancelot caught Seraphina's attention as she stared between Richard and Lancelot at the double meaning of the words which she didn't know what it was about yet.

She wondered if the argument was still because of the dance as the unwavering gaze of Lancelot hadn't faltered from her and Richard. No. She thought. It couldn't be, seeing how they were subtly throwing jabs at each other.

Richard opened his mouth once again as he wanted to get the last jab on Lancelot. He said, "Well, you should be proud you are part of them."

Now this was no longer about the dance. Seraphina concluded. But then, why would Lancelot make a fuss about the whole thing? As Richard had said, they were not doing anything inappropriate. So why fume over something so silly? Not to add, he had suddenly barged in there. Where was his courtesy? This arrogant man.

Seraphina cleared her throat to gain their attention and let them know she was still in their midst before they went ahead to breathe smoke from their eyes with the way they glared at each other.

Richard was quick to turn around and offer Seraphina an apologetic smile. "I am sorry for the little misunderstanding, My Lady. My brother likes to tease someone for his amusement" He apologized while throwing shade at Lancelot who was not the least bothered by his words.

Seraphina on the other hand couldn't agree more to Richard's words of Lancelot always taunting someone for his weird amusement.

Richard continued to speak, "Unfortunately, our little

tour and the possible chance to dance has been cut short, Seraphina."

"Lady Seraphina," Seraphina sternly corrected to which Richard smiled with a nod of his head.

"Let me walk you back, Lady Seraphina,"

"Mm," Seraphina nodded, and whilst she walked past Lancelot, she saw him narrow his eyes on her with a small glare.

Seraphina glared back at him. One for being nosy and ruining the peaceful moment she was having with Richard a while ago. And two, for being arrogant and not apologizing to her as Richard did. She could only pray and wish he was not her supposed husband-to-be.

The walk back to the sitting room where Mr. Castiel and Lord William with their wives were still engaged in a conversation was a quiet one. While Richard and Seraphina walked in the front, Lancelot walked behind them.

Once they arrived in the sitting room, Lord William stood up and announced, "Let us all head to the dining room everyone."

Lord William walked with his son Lancelot in the front with Lady Annora and Richard behind them and then came Mr. Castiel, and little behind him was his wife and daughter.

Lady Lydia deliberately slowed her steps as she questioned Seraphina in a low voice. "How was the stroll and the view of the mansion?"

"It was beautiful, Mother," Seraphina whispered back an answer.

"What about him?" Lady Lydia continued to question while poking her finger in the direction of Richard. "Do you find him to your liking?"

Seraphina's eyes widened in belief. She exclaimed in a hushed tone, "Oh, Mother! He just showed me around the mansion. Besides, we don't know if he is the one I'm going to marry."

"It is also enough time to consider your feelings and see if you like him." Came the reply of Lady Lydia.

Seraphina frowned, "Feelings are not something that can be acquired in such a small time with him."

"I know, I know," Lady Lydia slightly hissed. "I was just looking out and considering your feelings. You don't have to be bitter about it." Like Seraphina, Lady Lydia wished it wouldn't be the silver-haired man that would marry her daughter even though the marriage was arranged to settle their money dispute. She didn't like the silver-haired man. He made her feel uncomfortable as if he could see through her soul. And his blunt way of speaking was another thing to talk about.

Seraphina did not respond to her mother's words, knowing if she said what was on her mind, it would come out rude.

Whose feeling was she considering? Seraphina internally asked herself with a scoff. Did she consider the same feeling when they ordered her to accept this marriage knowing it was not where her heart belonged and what she wanted? To hell with considering her feelings.

With her mood turned sour because of her mother's words, Seraphina hastened her steps so she wouldn't have to walk beside her.

Arriving at the dining room which was no less when it came to luxury, everyone settled down on their various seats.

How luck or trouble would find her, Seraphina found herself seated in between Lancelot who was on her right, and Richard who was on her left.

The maids helped everyone to spread the napkins on their laps while some began to serve the food.

Soon, the small clatter of spoons and knives lightly smacking the plates left a faint echo in the dining room.

The silence was broken by Lord William who resumed the talk about vampires he had been discussing with Mr. Castiel.

"You know—" Lord William began while putting food into his mouth. He went on to speak, "—The case of vampires rampaging here in the north causing destruction is overwhelming. At this point, I don't think our human children will be safe, even the adults too."

"I'm guessing the last punishment wasn't enough to tame and stop them." Mr. Castiel commented with a shake of his head. "More action needs to be implemented."

"Setting an example will do the work perfectly." Seraphina suddenly chimed.

"What kind of example would be enough to stop a vampire from killing?" This was Lady Annora who questioned Seraphina.

Seraphina chewed the food in her mouth while signaling a maid to refill her cup with water. "By defanging them of course." She stated in a matter-of-fact tone like it was the most obvious thing to do.

Everyone at the table was taken aback by the suggestion of Seraphina, not that it hadn't been suggested before, but because it was coming from her. A Lady. A Lady was always viewed as someone gentle with both actions and words, but Seraphina had suggested something that could be considered heartless in some people's view.

The maid's hand pouring the water slightly shook as she cast a side glance at Seraphina while keeping the jug of water on the table.

Lady Annora pursed her lips as she stopped eating to stare at Seraphina with furrowed eyebrows. Her chin rose in arrogance as she stared down at Seraphina, "And you think defanging them would solve the problem? Just a little reminder, it had been suggested before."

"But not implemented," Seraphina remarked and stared back at Lady Annora. "It was suggested but not implemented, Lady Annora. Once one or two vampires are defanged, it wouldn't take long before others step back in fear. What do you think, Lord William?" She turned to Lord William who like Lancelot and Richard watched her with intrigue and a little bit of fascination which came from Lancelot.