In-laws

Rilla finished the touch-ups before she bowed to Florence. She had been distant since the incident with Marquis Galley a few days ago. Florence reckoned that she felt guilty about what happened, but it was not her fault.

Her maid had told her that, when she was grabbing cookies to serve with tea, she was pushed into the pantry and locked in there. She was sure it was Galley's doing and told Rilla that it was not her fault–several times–but she was still blaming herself.

Florence sighed. "Thank you, Rilla."

"Your mother said to join her in the drawing room as soon as you are ready."

"Are the Flocks there too?"

"Yes, my lady."

Florence gulped. "Alright."

She took anxious steps toward the drawing room. Florence was not sure what to expect. Lady Flock had been so sweet to her, but she was sure that the rest of her family would despise her for what she had done to their son. It was only natural. She promised herself not to be affected with whatever hostility came from the other members of the Flock family.

'I deserve it for tricking Henry.'

Florence fidgeted with her fingers before walking into the bright room. Her eyes swiped quickly over the room and saw the Flocks sharing pleasantries with her family. The atmosphere was merry, except for a scowling Henry–silently sitting in the corner.

"Ah, Florence." Lady Flock was the first to notice her. "Come, dear. Let me introduce you to the rest of the family."

Sofia pushed to her feet before the gentlemen in the room followed suit. She gently tugged on Florence's arm and guided her to her family.

"This is my husband, Marquis Finn Flock," Sofia started.

"A pleasure to meet you, Marquis." Florence curtsied.

"The pleasure is mine, dear." Lord Flock flashed her a wide smile.

"This is my oldest, Jonas, and his wife, Emma."

They exchanged greetings. Everyone's smiles looked genuine and for some reason, Florence felt comfortable enough to relax a bit.

'Do they not know?'

"I did not think I would live to see the day Henry would get married," Marquis Flock started, earning him a glare from his son.

"You exaggerate, Father," Jonas defended, with an amused smile nonetheless.

"And we are very happy to have you as our daughter-in-law, Florence," the marquis added.

Florence blushed while Henry rolled his eyes. He had stopped picking fights with everyone when he realized that no one was on his side.

'What did I expect when my own family supports this marriage?'

He was still against it, though. He just had to think of a different way to get out of it.

"It is my honor, my lord," Florence finally uttered.

'Honor.' Henry scoffed.

Sofia threw him a look but did not comment. "I think we should start planning for the wedding right away."

"I agree, Lady Flock," Lina agreed.

The men moved to the other side of the drawing room, enjoying their tea and snacks, while the ladies started their planning.

And thus began the battle.

For some reason, the dowager countess opposed every decision that Sofia and Florence seemed to agree on. It was becoming ridiculous, and Florence's migraine was splitting her head in two as a result.

'Why is she doing this? Is this her revenge?'

Emma had not said anything since the start, though. Every time Florence would glance at her, she would smile at her sweetly, but not utter a word. It was mainly her mother and the marquise who discussed the details.

"Since Luberk is closer to the capital, it would be more convenient for our guests to have the wedding there," Sofia said, her smile never faltering. "The temple where the Duke of Salicera had his nuptials is perfect."

"What about our guests who will have to travel from Geiranger?" Lina argued. "Florence should get married in the temple where the Earl and I had our ceremony."

Florence sighed.

"If they have no problem traveling all the way to the capital for the season, they can travel to Luberk to attend my wedding," Florence cut in. "And if they do not wish to travel that far, then they do not need to attend."

There was an extended silence after her words, mostly because they came as a surprise.

"Do you not want to get married where your father and I did?" Lina finally recovered.

"I do not."

Another shocked silence.

Florence's parents' marriage was quite unhappy and she suffered enough because of it. Because of her mother's greed and the way she behaved toward her father, she loathed everything about their marriage.

'Why would I want to start my marriage in the same place?'

Even though the circumstances of her marriage to Henry were bad, she intended to do her best and be a good wife to him. She hoped that they would both get past what she had done to him and that they would have a somewhat happy marriage.

"How could you–"

"Mother," Florence interrupted. "I wish to marry in the same temple where my best friend had hers."

"But–"

"Mother," Florence looked at Lina. She was not going to let it go. "At least they have a happy marriage," she said, hoping that her words would put a stop to her mother's arguing.

The dowager countess' eyes were wide. Florence knew that her words were inappropriate, especially in front of her future in-laws, but her mother was being unreasonable.

Lina pressed her lips into a thin line. "Fine."

Sofia cleared her throat, she looked uncomfortable. "Should we discuss the dowry next?"

"Sure," Lina said with a smile.

Florence knew that her mother had not given up on making the planning hell. She could see it in her eyes.

'This is going to be a long day.'