Chapter 31

"Really?"

A single question from Gian makes the hearts of people presented in this room falters. Even the butler and the maids standing at the corner and waiting for their master's orders can feel the drastic change of atmosphere inside the room. It is a well-known rumor that the second young master of the Cres Val's is sick. Having Gian presented in this room is actually a huge blow for those people who believed in rumors.

"Madam, I thought you are the type of person who would try to seek the truth first instead of listening to the rumors all day." Gian stated as he looks at the viscountess straight to her eyes. "How disappointing."

"Insolent—"

Beckie's words are cut-off because she feels another pair of eyes glaring at her with such intensity. When she turned her head, Beckie saw the Marquis looking at her with cold eyes. She pursed her lips and tries to calm herself down. It would be bad if she will provoke the anger of the marquis more.

"But since we are already touching this topic, let me clarify the rumors spreading in public." Gian said. "I hope you give me time to do it. Madam?"

As much as she wanted to thrash and shout at this young man to leave their mansion, Beckie stops herself from doing it.

"...If you please." Beckie said while controlling her tone of voice.

Gian did not reply at the viscountess. Instead, he checked on the young lady sitting beside him. Shannen remains quiet and watched the next scenes to unfold. Thinking about it, Shannen is indeed trusting him too much.

Gian knew that Shannen was aware of the rumors circulating in the society about him. And Gian asked Shannen to trust him and asked for her cooperation earlier which she happily obliged. Is she really that hopeless or just plainly naive?

If everything becomes okay, then it is all good. But what if Gian cannot manage to push their engagement after this? Shannen will surely suffer huge consequences from defying her stepmother and the only one she can rely on was her father. But Gian doubts it that the viscount can give Shannen full protection from his new wife. His pride as a businessman and a role as a father will surely be tested.

'Since Lady Shannen chose to trust me, it is natural for me to do my best to help her.'

"Gian, can you please clear these things up." Viscountess Beckie said.

It seems like the viscountess is not trying to hide her displeasure towards Gian now. Though she looks calm and collected, the sharp look of her eyes directed to the young man in front of her will never lie.

"Very well. The rumors about me being sick are not false at all. My body is a little weak which makes me prone to fever and colds. But I have not reached the point where I am bedridden all year round and just waiting for my death yet. If that is the case, then why am I sitting comfortably in front of you? Do I look like a sick patient to you, Madam?"

"Gian."

Marquis Frederick quietly calls for his son to get his attention. Gian only took a quick glance at him but he did not show any signs of stopping now. Marquis Frederick knows Gian very well. He may be showing a polite smile in front of them, but he too is getting angry with the viscountess deep inside.

What Viscountess Beckie had said really touched a nerve in Gian. He may not show it, but Marquis Frederick knew that Gian dislike being a topic of these rumors. He feels a little guilty about it, but now is not the time to discuss this with Gian. For now, he will let Gian do what he needs to do for now. Since the viscountess was the first one who started it, he did not find any reasons to stop Gian for being too rude at her.

"Of course, as Lady Shannen's mother, you will also be concerned about the reputation of the man who will become her fiance, right?" Gian said. "Then let me introduce myself again in more specific details."

When no one answered Gian, he continued.

"You must be aware of the businesses of our family in town, right?" Gian asked. "There are a total of fifteen different shops in town owned by my family. The truth is, seven of it are registered under my name."

"W-What..."

Gian did not wait for the viscountess to recover from her shock and takes the initiative to explain what she wants to ask from him.

"Two tea shops, two dress shops, two jewelry shops, and one pawnshop. All of these are registered under my name."

The businesses of the Cres Val's are no joke. Each shop they owned has the capacity to earn at least three hundred small gold coins per month. And seven of it were solely owned by this young man sitting in front of them. Now they cannot see him as a second son of the marquis only.

In actual truth, Gian had discovered it last night. He visited his father's room last night to discuss some things related to his engagement. Gian wanted to be prepared in case some problems will arise during their visit. That was when the marquis revealed these pieces of information to him.

It was obvious that Viel will inherit the title of Marquis when the time comes. Because the marquis is worried about his second son, he changed his will of testament years ago. When Gian reached the age of twelve, the marquis already made preparation to transfer some of his businesses under his name. Aside from the inheritance, Gian will get in the future, these shops are enough to provide him a luxurious and wealthy life.

Gian became speechless after hearing all about it from his father. Without him knowing, Gian became a wealthy man in this kingdom. If someone will calculate the money he had ever since he got those shops under his name, it would be enough to buy himself a title in the society if he desires to do it.

"Let us talk about my education. It is true that I am attending the academy. But it does not mean I am lacking when it comes to my education. My father invited all the teachers and professors I needed to our mansion every year and I never missed a single lesson from them. If you doubt my words, you can ask my father about it."

The Cladeu couple simultaneously looks at the marquis who is quietly watching the scenes in front of him. Seeing the marquis, Viscountess Beckie had just realized that he never joined the conversation ever since his son returned back in this room. It was all Gian who controlled the flow of conversation from the start.

Marquis Frederick takes a quick glance at his son before looking back at the viscountess.

"That is right. I am the one who is responsible for why my son did not attend the academy. As a father, I am naturally worried about his health. So I arranged a set of professionals to personally teach Gian in our mansion. You do not have to worry since I gave him a strict education."

Etiquettes, Arts and Poetry, History, Ethics, Mathematics, Holy Language...

All of these lessons were already memorized and mastered by Gian. The professionals who taught him sang their praises for Gian at that time. They also mentioned that Gian is also a genius just like his brother. But Gian at that time ignored them. What is the use of being a so-called genius if he will only stay inside their mansion all the time?

"Gian... Your son is really impressive. I really mean it, Marquis Frederick." Viscount Nolan honestly commented.

At first, Viscount Nolan was slightly displeased with Gian's attitude towards his wife. Even though his relationship with Beckie was only pure business, he was still unhappy for Gian to speak rudely towards his wife. But as he listens to their conversation, his displeasure slowly turned into an admiration for the young man. Though Gian is not as famous as his older brother, Viscount Nolan cannot turn a blind eye to his brilliance.

A good-looking man who already have a stable and wealthy life, an intelligence that can surpass most of the young gentlemen of the same age as him, and has a graceful and elegant bearing that can be compared to someone from the Royal Palace. For this young man to be a potential husband for his daughter, Viscount Nolan will be satisfied and cannot ask for more.

"But still... Shannen..."

"Beckie, that is enough." Viscount Nolan said to his wife. "You are getting out of hand."

Viscountess Beckie's face becomes red in anger. He just reprimands her in front of a stranger. She purses her lips and did not speak another word anymore. Beckie tries to calm herself down and take a small sip of tea on her cup.

"What we are discussing right now is my daughter's future." Viscount Nolan said.

"I agree. It is also important for us to hear Lady Shannen's opinion about it."

"My...opinion?" Shannen slowly asked.

"That is right. Lady Shannen, your opinion is important to me. I can promise to respect your decisions."

Shannen is surprised that she will be mention again in their conversation. She was a little dazed watching Gian talking with her stepmother without showing any weakness or nervousness. Every time she talks with her stepmother, Shannen always needs to be timid and obedient in front of Beckie all the time. Shannen has to listen to her all the time in exchange for Beckie's support for her father.

But Gian is different from her. Gian rudely speaks with her stepmother openly. He is not worried that the marquis or the viscount will have a negative opinion about him. Unlike her, Gian can make her stepmother grit her teeth in anger but she still cannot lash him out.

"Lady Shannen?" Gian calls her again. He carefully put his hand over her tightly balled fist and give it a gently squeeze.

Looking at Gian again, Shannen saw him giving her an encouraging smile. At that moment, Shannen was really grateful that she put her trust in him. Not only that, but Gian cares about her opinion too. Taking a deep breath, she looks at them and slowly opens her mouth.

"I..."