Squinting his eyes, Randy stared at his watch. He was gauging the time it took for the adults in the study to reach the topic at hand.
He had to give Carla some time.
Inside the study, the four of them sat down and sipped wine.
Carla spoke frankly, "Sir Carla, I appreciate the concern you have shown me. It is my honor to have you come all the way to Xendale to see me. It's just that…"
Carla looked toward Lucas before shifting her gaze to Daemon.
"Say what's on your mind." Daemon furrowed his eyebrows.
"I think it's too much of a rush now, why don't we wait for some time-"
"Carla, it has dragged on for a year."
Carla interrupted Carla and remarked in displeasure, "Lucas has courted you for two years, from Xendale to Aymo City and back. However, you have always been ambiguous. Now that I have officially come to ask for your hand on his behalf, I'd appreciate a direct answer."
Carla knitted her eyebrows in silence.
"Your brother supports the idea while our family is willing to accept your children. What else is there to consider?" Carla pressed on. "Don't tell me you're still thinking of Zayn?"
"No, I'm not, " Carla answered at once. "He and I have nothing to do with each other. The reason I want to delay the decision is mainly because of the children. They have just left the Giblo residence and are being thrust into an entirely different life. Given that they are still adjusting, any talk of marriage will only unsettle them further."
"It's not going to be a problem, " Carla replied at once. "Your children are extremely smart and sensible. I believe they will understand. If they are indeed unnerved by it, we can hire psychologists to counsel them."
"But…"
"I have even brought the dowry with me." Carla continued to pile on the pressure. "I have also prepared everything based on Chanean traditions. All that's left now is your agreement."
After taking a sip of coffee, he added, "Before I arrived, I had already discussed it with your brother and he isn't opposed to it. Isn't that so, Daemon?"
"Mmm-hmm." Daemon nodded slightly.
Lowering her gaze, Carla felt conflicted. Her brain was telling her to accept but her heart was resisting.
"Dad, stop forcing Carla." When Lucas saw how torn Carla was, he came to her rescue. "Let's not hurry and give her time to think about it."
"Shut up, " Carla snapped.
Lowering his head, Lucas didn't dare utter another word.
Carla had lost his patience. "Carla, I'll be frank with you. There are many who are dying to have a marriage alliance with us. Your uncle has met me many times in Pillere. When he found out I was coming
to Xendale, he called me repeatedly to vouch for his daughter. If you refuse, we'll have to consider them."
"Which uncle?" It took Carla a while to remember. Tilting her head, she asked Daemon, "Is it Donald Lierger?"
Daemon didn't respond to Carla. Instead, he snapped, "Sir Carla, I'm aware that Donald is trying to get you on his side. I'm also cognizant that once both of you seal a marriage alliance, you will become a threat to me. However, there's no need to use this to threaten Carla.
"If she does marry Lucas, it will only be because she appreciates his honesty and the fact he is good to her, definitely not over family interest or politics. I will never let my cousin sacrifice her happiness for whatever reason and definitely not tolerate her being threatened!"
Carla was moved by his words.
Daemon had said the same thing to her before but now, the meaning was on a whole different level.
She had always assumed that Daemon wanted her to marry Lucas for political reasons so that he could strengthen his position. But now, he had called out Carla in his attempt to protect her.
To her, it demonstrated that her happiness was more important to him than the family's interests.
Share
