Lucius's face was mostly a well-practiced mask. He wore the same smile that was enough to make people believe that he was alright, that he was fine.
And that he liked other people.
The truth of the matter was that it was something that made both the Count and Countess unable to decipher what Asher wanted.
'The fact that Miss Lily was given the chance… then it means that my son might be interested?' the Countess thought. 'Maybe he is just being too shy about expressing his feelings. I certainly do not recall him interacting with women before everything during his time in the army against the battle with Gisir, and it… the same can be said now today. What if he was only having some difficulty just saying no? I… no, Asher is quite upfront about things that he wishes or does not wish to do. So the fact that this Lily person isn't given a direct yes is interesting. Hah, is my son testing this woman's resolve?'
'If he were to marry anyone else, then it has to be someone who he truly does not mind as a companion. Someone who is not only willing to stay during the good times but also during the difficult times as well.' Count Inanis thought. 'Someone who appears like the sun but disappears over the change of the weather is truly not someone who is fit to stay by the side of my son.' Count Inanis thought.
The two parents were extremely discriminating. It wasn't only because Asher was their one and only son, but they treasured him a lot and cared for him even though they were not the most outspoken… well, Count Inanis was not outspoken.
Countess Lita was another matter altogether.
She was mostly outspoken but held her tongue for this particular matter.
'I wonder what Asher truly feels about this matter. Since Lily approached us last night, I was not able to ask Kiana about it, but I truly wish to understand what particular reason might be for it.' Countess Lita thought. 'When I look at the Baron and Baroness, they do not seem to know anything… but what if they put their daughter to it?'
'Baron Hugh has always been a good friend of mine. And the Etara's Cross is actually a good location to conduct business with. If our families were to join together, it will not actually be a terrible match. It could be a good one, and so long as the Baron continues to elevate in position.' Count Inanis thought.
"You guys will be going to the city today, right, Young Lord Asher and everyone here in Baron Hugh's company?" Viscountess Blackshield said. Everybody seemed to have held their silence, but the Viscountess was more willing to disrupt it. She had a tankard of Humble Blaze in her mug and was being more outspoken.
"Yes, that is right, Viscountess Blackshield." Lucius said.
"I see…"
"It would be a delight for you to join us, Viscountess Blackshield." Lily suddenly said. She blurted it out of nowhere, but then sheepishly smiled as if she made a mistake. She lowered her head demurely. "Forgive me, Lord Asher, I shouldn't have spoken up for you."
Lucius kept his expression blank. It was a little hard to actually read Miss Lily's face, whether it was a genuine mistake or something along the lines of a coy move.
'She's actually not a far rival to Viscount Felldan's own skill with charming the crowds. If only a little different in method.' Lucius thought. 'Did she think I would be impressed by it?'
"Think nothing about it, Miss Lily. I was about to extend the same invitation to Viscountess Blackshield myself." Lucius said.
'She wanted to invite Viscountess Blackshield in order to speak with her and probably make her say yes around the same time as her own parents. And it is also to showcase that she can at least read into my intentions and decipher things I will do. She truly is trying to be my assistant and wishes to stay by my side… a possibility for usefulness, but I do not particularly enjoy women throwing themselves at my feet.' Lucius thought.
Viscountess Blackshield observed the interaction between the two. She pursed her lips and became a little curious, piqued even.
'I was planning to simply stay here because I've already seen the city before and after that incident with the Mad Blade Bordeaux, I'd rather not test my chances again… or rather, hah. I do not think Young Lord Asher has ever made much interaction with the women, and yet when I look at this young woman, she does not give me a true countenance of a pure woman. I can't help but think of Viscount Felldan and it does not please me.' Viscountess Blackshield thought.
"Would you care to join us, Viscountess?"
"Very well, I will. It has been some time since I've left the mansion, so let us go." Viscountess Blackshield agreed.
'I think I've fallen into a state of inertia, not wanting to get up from the sanctuary here in the Inanis family's mansion, but I do have to get going. I may have been of assistance to the guards of Count Inanis, but there is a limitation to it.' Viscountess Blackshield thought. 'Going out now will be a start.'
'Lord Asher always has this Miss Kiana Wizen with him, so I will be certain that I can talk with her as well by today when I'm given the chance.' Lily thought and thought back towards the older woman. 'Hah, she's truly hard to speak with from the set go, but I do think that she would agree that Lord Asher needs someone. Not… her being a baby sitter of some sort. Well, it'll be harder because I'm threatening her position by being around.'
"I'm looking forward this," Baron Hugh said.
After a short and thoughtful breakfast with everyone, Young Lord Asher Inanis brought the family of Baron Hugh and Viscountess Blackshield herself to the city.
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