-UndoubtedlyYours-

-Chapter♛♚FiftyFive-

✧DINNER WITH THE BLACK FAMILY✧

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Alphard Polux Black had two issues before him at the moment, one involved Evelyn—And this time, he didn't have Orion helping on the sidelines either. He hardly thought his words were all that helpful, but every receiving parcel had been with praise and that was enough for him to reserve the fact that Rhea didn't need to know...Yet.

Evelyn hadn't disclosed much, but he had the feeling it wasn't as dangerous as what Rhea had been through with Dolohov. And he cursed himself for letting it get that far with his beloved.

The last thing he would allow is for her friend to suffer the same fate, but speaking of fate—They had a family dinner that very night.

And it was his turn to host.

It made the utmost sense of course, with Sirius and Regulus now back at home and the summer bringing everyone away to travel. Alphard was just thankful that Rhea's brother and their nephews would give her someone to talk to that's around her age rather than bicker with Walburga.

And he knew straight away she did not want anything to do with Cygnus or Durella after their previous meeting. After sharing what had happened with Orion, even he was pissed beyond belief. And he had also forgotten the offer that Cygnus had given in full reigns of his wife.

But Orion declined.

"I know this isn't how I pictured our evening, love. But we can go over a few ideas for the library together to make up for it." Rhea had already woken up in a sour mood, especially when she had to stop the build-up of naughtiness this morning.

"Look it over in the bath?" Rhea instantly shook her head at the idea, at this point she had been rather run down already trying to get everything in order. "How about some chocolate frogs?"

"That sounds nice." She mumbled, biting her lip as she didn't know how to formulate her thoughts into a valid sentence.

"Alphard, they're going to ask about a bab—"

"And that is none of their concern. If anything, they should hope for no children considering that leaves less of our fortune for their generations. But Walburga can never any other point of view than her own." The mistrust of his own family had downgraded so far that she didn't want to have this dinner party at all, yet she sighed one more to get the last of her attire on.

"I'm sorry Rhea. You're meant to feel safe in my family and it's been a constant battle of watching your back."

"It's not your fault Alfie, you don't get to choose family."

"No, unfortunately not. But I did get the opportunity to choose you as my wife. And that makes up for the horrible sister that will no doubt make a fuss over everything. Please do not take it to heart." This had caused Rhea to pout.

"That's harder than you think, she was so kind to me before she knew we fancied each other. I don't understand how that could possibly change anything."

"You've taken her spot, love. She is older than our brother and his wife. But even at your age, you are higher ranked, it's all a reach for power. Though I'm still enraged for my brother to pull something of that sort." Rhea offered a smile, not wanting to get their nerves wracked up already.

On the flip side of it all, there were a few excited guests amongst the crowd that was heading off to the eldest Black manor. Sirius and Regulus, as they wanted a reason to leave their manor at the sight of first light, and Orion was right alongside with his sons in that frame.