Flint Family Ⅱ

Already tired of the two witches' discussions and not partial to the food, Ethel loudly complains, "Enough, I grow weary of this tiresome chitchat, let us be frank and begin negotiations."

Stephen's eyes further narrow at the Greengrass matriarch's words, while poor Terry seems to lose all hope of his courtship's approval going well much less being approved. He should have just eloped!

Benedict already used to his grandmother's manners does not panic nor does his wife, Constance, who demurely sips at her tea. Stepping in smoothly to salvage the situation, Benedict says, "What grandmother means to say is that she is old, Flint. Grandmother Ethel means no disrespect nor ill intentions by her rash words."

"Of course," Halina murmured patiently as she accepted the Greengrass family apology on behalf of their matriarch. It was to be expected since the Matriarch of this Greengrass branch is in fact a Veela.

Ethel snorts impatiently as if guessing the thoughts of the witch, before fixing her gaze on to her grandson, Benedict. Feeling the burn of his grandmother's gaze, Benedict quickly gets the hint. Without any further ado, he says, "I, Benedict Greengrass on the behalf of my only son, Terry Greengrass request a courtship period of one year with the daughter of Stephen Flint, Silvia Flint. And only after which if the couple is found to be suited, there will be a betrothal contract to formalize the solemn event."

Terry and Silvia both exchange shy glances, before quickly turning to gaze at Silvia's father, Stephen Flint, who had yet to answer. Stephen is silent for a moment, before replying, "I thank the Greengrass Family for their gracious courtship proposal, but I have some reservations of permitting such a courtship between my only daughter and the Greengrass sole heir."

Benedict does not appear to be astonished by the immediate reply and patiently waits for Stephen Flint to finish speaking. "And I am more than aware that my daughter and your son, both share growing feelings of fondness between the two of them. However, I do not particularly care for the rashness of the Greengrass's heir."

Terry physically winces knowing full well what Mr. Flint was referring too. And yes, he was deeply ashamed of his actions now. But it would seem that his so-called prank had longer lasting repercussion than he would have ever anticipated.

Ethel loudly snorts drawing both family's attention as she fixes her hypnotic gaze on Stephen Flint. "Really, Flint?" Ethel murmured with an arched brow. "I can easily recall a certain incident in a young man's misspent youth that more than earned the wrath of his father and mother. And unlike my grandson's childish prank, it was infinitely far worse."

Stephen turns bright red as his three children all curiously turn their gazes towards him in vibrant interest. Stephen coughs loudly as if to cover his folly, before quickly saying, "But that is here nor there, Matriarch Greengrass."

Ethel merely sniffs as if in reply, before taking a bite of her scone and wincing at the dry mouthful. Why did wizards enjoy eating such dry thing? Why could they not have lovely little platters filled with meats, and other delicious sorts of things?

Trying to salvage the spiraling situation, Benedict interjects, "I can easily understand your reservations, Flint, but my son has learned his lesson. And even the affected party has accepted his apologies. I do not see, why this situation needs to affect a courtship proposal. And that is indeed the case, it is merely a formal courtship proposal and not the negotiation for a betrothal contract uniting our two families."

"Not yet," Stephen unhappily grumbled under his breath, before loudly sighing at seeing the wide gaze of his daughter, and the narrowed expression of his wife. He knew that his daughter truly had feelings for the Greengrass boy, while his wife openly approved the match. And as his did his sons for this Greengrass branch was tied to many families in marriage alliance and were a powerful force to have in their corner,

With a heavy heart, Stephen knew what he had to do. With an almost bitter expression, he finally says, "Very well, Greengrass, I will permit the courtship of your son, Terry Greengrass and that of my daughter, Silvia Flint for a period of a year. And only after which will discussions for a betrothal contract commence, and only if the courtship was successful between both parties."

Terry and Silvia's eyes meet with joy as they quickly hide their expressions of embarrassment, and delight. While the young couple shyly peek at each other, the adults converse in congratulations to each other. The only one that did not seem happy about the situation was Stephen Flint. But how could he, when he was practically already giving away his only daughter away to such a brat?!

Seeing her husband expression, Halina sighs, and elbows him sharply in the ribs to compose himself. He was a grown wizard by Merlin's beard! And surely, he should know better than that by now!

Rather reluctantly Stephen does as he is told, but before he can begin to openly converse, Matriarch Ethel sharply says, "Flint, I would like a tour of the gardens. The room grows stuffy and most unpleasant."

Another sharp, painful nudge to the ribs from his wife reminds Stephen of his manners. "It would be my honor," Stephen flatly replied, before rising to his feet and extending his hand to the elderly Veela.

The elderly Veela's hands are soft, and firm despite her advance age with not a nary sunspot or age spots in sight. Still despite his frustrations, Stephen takes care and leads her out to the gardens. The gardens are more of the traditional landscape with hedges, and perfectly planted flowers to create a majestic scheme of colors.

After some time, Matriarch Ethel motions to him that she is weary of their stroll, and they come to rest at a stone bench. Sitting down, the two of them sit in silence and watch the surrounding landscape as butterflies, bees, and other tiny magical creatures flirt about. Not one to be gently about her words, Ethel says, "Well, boy, what has you all out of sorts? Is it truly because you disapprove of my grandson or is it the realization that your only daughter will someday in the future leave you?"

Stephen almost chokes at the elderly Veela's words, before regaining his composure. "Must you be so direct?" Stephen snapped back but the elderly Veela does not react beyond staring back at him with her piercing hawk like eyes.

Glancing away, Stephen takes a moment to compose his thoughts before finally admitting out loud the truth. "She is my only daughter," Stephen quietly said out loud. "Her birth was particularly hard on my wife, and we knew after the birth of Silvia that no more children would be born to us."

Ethel does not nod her head or move, but merely listens patiently to the wizard speak. She owed the wizard that much for she knew she had been rude. And more importantly, she had known the wizard as a young lad, and had a smidgeon of fondness for the wizard. Not that she would ever admit to such a thing out loud!

Stephen furrows his brow, but with a clear gaze meets with that of the elderly Veela. "I know my daughter, and Silvia wishes to follow in my footsteps within the Ministry of Magic. And I will not have her dreams and desires pushed aside for a mere boy."

Ethel purses her brows in annoyance at the wizard's words. She was a Veela by Hawk Mother's feathers! Nose twitching in disdain, she stiffly replies, "I can assure you, boy, your daughter would not be stopped from fulfilling her dreams nor desires. And my male descendants understand that principle very well having been drilled into their minds from an incredibly young age."

Stephen is unable to counter that point of argument and instead retorts, "Are you telling me that Terry Greengrass would willingly stay home and care for their children?"

"Why ever not?" Ethel replied with an arched brow. "I know my grandson well enough, and he wishes to become a healer. He has often spoken about running a small clinic, while participating in the upbringing of his children. And he is certainly no liar nor lacks confidence in his own masculinity to feel challenged by his wife having a higher position in wizarding society.

After all, it would still your daughter that would carry and birth the children born unto them. And if our family legacy is any proof, it will typically be at least be three daughters before any male son is born. I shall instead ask if your daughter is prepared to undertake such a feat?"

Stephen loudly sputters in shock, before regaining control of his faculties. "I see," Stephen finally croaks out in reply. But it was to be expected. This particular branch of the Greengrass family were not only ruled by a Matriarch, but a Veela one at that!

There was little doubt in his mind that what the elderly Veela had declared was indeed true. And though that greatly relieved him, but at the same time it worried him. Would his daughter be able to bear so many children?!

Stephen glancing at the time finally says, "We best returning inside, or I fear that both of our families will believe that we have done each other in." Ethel lets out a predatory chuckle, while Stephen rises to his own feet and aids the old Veela back towards the manor. He hated to admit it, but he felt that much lighter now.

And in retrospect felt much better about the courtship between his daughter and that of the Greengrass boy. With the Matriarch still around, his daughter would be protected, and that was all he genuinely cared about. Still, he had one or two cards up to sleeve to use, and he would use them if need be.