Silence.
"What did you say, boy?" Gertrude was the one to break the silence. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her gaze darted between Vivian and Alex, unable to comprehend the latter's words while maintaining her composure.
"You heard me, Lady Gertrude," said Alex. "Sir Vivian, consider it, please."
Suddenly, the veil draped over Vivian's face lifted, revealing an incredibly pale face that seemed to contain little to no life within. He literally seemed dead, without a single ounce of exaggeration or metaphor.
His hair obstructed part of his vision, and his droopy eyes were barely able to observe their surroundings.
"And why should I?" Vivian asked. His voice was booming, and shook the entire hall to its core, causing the Lords and Ladies to tremble under the pressure. Vivian wasn't being harsh… he was simply conversing normally.