Chapter 8: Who is that?
They met with the Marquis at the stadium who after some discussion with the Duke, decided to approach his son in law.
The Marquis hugged Carnel, whispering into his ear, "I heard you went to a brothel again." Carnel flinched, flustered by the remark, but when the embrace ended and their eyes met, all he saw was the same smile the Marquis wore at all times whether it be anger, joy, or sorrow.
At that moment, all Carnel felt was fear because it was exactly how he had to face his father at times but the difference was that his father remained unemotional while his father in law tends to kill with a smile.
"You look pathetic." The Marquis remarked. "Straighten yourself. You are, unfortunately, my son-in-law. I won’t have you looking weak and pitiful." Marquis Vapund stood beside Carnel and began waving at the audience from the pavilion. "Just smile and wave." He said, expecting the people to see a loving father-in-law and son-in-law.
Lady Cornelia watched them from her seat, smirking. "They look great together, like a good father and son." She said, hoping her son will be able to use his father-in-law to be a successful aristocrat.
Seated beside her was Lady Ranul, her daughter-in-law, cradling baby Venar who was her grandson. "How is he?" Cornelia asked, curious about her grandson.
Lady Ranul, unlike Carnel, was intelligent, graceful, and poised as she was often considered the jewel of House Merca. Treasured by her family, she remained humble and used her privileged status to expand her knowledge and refine herself.
She answered carefully, "He has the beauty of my mother-in-law’s lineage and the strength of my father-in-law’s bloodline."
Cornelia let out a short, derisive laugh which was proud and supercilious. "My daughter-in-law certainly knows how to use her tongue." She was certainly proud but her ego of being above everyone else due to how she was part of the Royal Family.