-UndoubtedlyYours-

-Chapter♚♕TwentyFour-

✧PLANNING A PARTY &
PLOTTING A SWAP✧

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***

Alphard had been thankful for missing the missive last night. Otherwise he would've been wide awake and struggling the next morning to get ready—Usually when he arrived at the Lestrange manor, he had a much more upbeat attitude along with flowers and perhaps a gift.

Now, his palms were sweating for a much different reason. He hadn't recalled much of an issue last night. Did Orion's little speech upset him?

He didn't know, and he wouldn't if he remained in the foyer.

He huffed and puffed out his chest, he clearly underestimated the worry in speaking with his fiancee's father. Even if rank gave him a bit of a safety net, Radolphous was still considered a prideful man.

And having shut him down in the last few weeks in claiming he was neglectful would undoubtedly cause him to turn bitter.

That wasn't too difficult to see from where the pathetic bloke sat at his desk, hardly a glance up and a greeting. "Why does it feel like I'm being sent up to go and see the Headmaster?"

"Awhile ago to still have that fear, Alphard, though I can't recall you ever doing anything that would cause such a punishment."
"No, you wouldn't. Ravenclaws don't get caught as often as Slytherin's and Gryffindors, still don't, as I've learned." He claimed with a growing grin, at least the tension was starting to lessen significantly.

Or he thought so, until Radolphous turned his gaze upwards.

"It's come to my attention...That I'm not as comfortable with this arrangement as I first thought, regardless of that, it's too late with the announced engagement and the bet in place..." That was something Alphard surely did not want to hear.

At all. Nor did he expect it.

"Define you being uncomfortable?" The question lingered for a short moment and Alphard sighed.
"I realize that it's any father's fears, but I can promise you for Rhea's sake...That I truly don't care for having a child or not." That had surprised Radolphous outright, narrowing his brows as he caught both the sadness and possibly unsureness lacing his friend's voice.

"You don't want to have a child with my daughter—"
"I do. Of course I do, but as you and everyone has said. I'm getting older, I don't know how much more life I have in me. I can't imagine it'll be enough to nourish a child properly. But I wouldn't take that opportunity away from Rhea either." It had settled one aspect in Radolphous' mind, sure, but not enough.

"Then what are your plans for my daughter?"
"Is her intelligence not enough?... Oh, I know what this is. You coming to your senses. You've been listening to Bella." It wasn't a myth that Bella had a loose tongue, and the boasting of a new line of a Black heir was exciting in itself.

"I wouldn't force her into motherhood, I would never do anything in the sort. I simply wanted a companion for trips and some guidance—And to have her be my wife all in one? I truly adore Rhea, I value her interests and want her to succeed."
"You believe I don't want the same?"

"Not one bit, as the threat of sending her off to France for the summer for her interest in healing was meant to be what?" Radolphous held his tongue, clearly he was weary that Alphard had come with a plan.

In reality, all he swore to himself was not to anger the bloke.

"I find it rather strange that you are still so against this arrangement when I've been nothing but polite...Do you want me to be an enemy, Radolphous?"