-UndoubtedlyYours-

-Chapter♛♚SeventySeven-

✧EAT THE RICH✧

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***

It seemed to be taking longer to settle things here at the manor than she first thought, not only did she have to help the Niffler family in staying in a secure part of the manor. But she also had to write to the companies set on upgrading the rooms.

In addition to a parcel to the ministry to close down their floo system.

"Can this day ever end?" She huffed, rubbing the palms of her hands into her eyes. "We're nearly there, Rhea. Come now, or else I'll tell Alphard what I saw."

"I think that's just planting yourself further into the ditch, Orion. Or are you not used to seeing exposing artwork?" It was the damn Ravenclaw acknowledgment of being able to state facts and with such a blunt nature about her.

And Rhea only realized she was doing so when she caught the blush in Orion's cheeks starting to grow.

"God, when is the last time you've seen a woman?" The answer was on the tip of his tongue. Hogwarts. He wanted to state, but didn't want Rhea's god forsake pity to transfer from his brother to him now.

"I take it awhile...You know there are wonderful establishments that could—"

"You want me to go to an establishment?!" He bellowed, and she shrugged her shoulder.

"Some men just need a bit of a witch's touch, you cannot tell me that Walburga is all that fluffy to manage. Even if Alphard is cross with me right now, we still love one another. We have our ups and downs but we don't hate. Can you honestly tell me, as if you were under an unbreakable vow, that you love Walburga?"

Orion was left to grit his teeth as he dropped the quill into the ink block.

"Stop this...As if you know everything."

"From what I can gather you were lively in your youth and Walburga has sucked you dry, or rather lacked it. There is no ill will in wanting comfort, much less from a woman. Sometimes Alphard comes into my study without a word and puts his head in my lap while I'm reading on that there couch.

"I will not commit adultery against my wife and family." Rhea sighed again, her eyes flickering up back towards Orion as his anger didn't make sense. Not to herself, anyway.

"Yet you still asked me?" Embarrassment flashed over his face, his ears burning with the former temptation. "I thought we had an understanding."

"Oh, we do. I won't tell Alphard, cross my heart and hope to die. But that doesn't mean that it can be forgotten on my end. You certainly asked in hopes that I'd reciprocate, so why are you all flustered now at the idea of adultery?"

"It doesn't count in the eyes when it's family." Rhea's lips parted as stood corrected. "So that means—"

"That is why Cygnus asked, that is why Druella threw herself at Alphard—As she had done to me in the previous years. It does not matter if the child is sired by myself or Alphard. At least they would be a Black heir." There was clearly a lot to unpack here, and Rhea had found herself unable to breathe until she pressed a hand to her chest.

"I don't tell you these things to upset or render you unnerved, Rhea. But I see that I shouldn't have asked at all. Then for Cygnus to follow up with the same approach."

"At least you were kind about it, god. I'm such an idiot."

"Not, you're not. Because Alphard should have warned you about the possibility. For whatever reason, he thought Cygnus wouldn't try something of the sort is his own damn fault...I have much more manners than him." Rhea hummed, looking at the clock and knowing that they would still need to wait for a response and confirm things.