Squinting his eyes, Robbie stared at his watch. He was gauging the time it took for the adults in the study to reach the topic at hand.
He had to give Charlotte some time.
Inside the study, the four of them sat down and sipped wine.
Charlotte spoke frankly, “Sir Robert, I appreciate the concern you have shown me. It is my honor to have you come all the way to Xendale to see me. It’s just that…”
Charlotte looked toward Louis before shifting her gaze to Danrique.
“Say what’s on your mind.” Danrique furrowed his eyebrows.
“I think it’s too much of a rush now, why don’t we wait for some time-”
“Charlotte, it has dragged on for a year.”
Robert interrupted Charlotte and remarked in displeasure, “Louis has courted you for two years, from Xendale to H City and back. However, you have always been ambiguous. Now that I have officially come to ask for your hand on his behalf, I’d appreciate a direct answer.”
Charlotte knitted her eyebrows in silence.
“Your brother supports the idea while our family is willing to accept your children. What else is there to consider?” Robert pressed on. “Don’t tell me you’re still thinking of Zachary?”
“No, I’m not,” Charlotte answered at once. “He and I have nothing to do with each other. The reason I want to delay the decision is mainly because of the children. They have just left the Nacht residence and are being thrust into an entirely different life. Given that they are still adjusting, any talk of marriage will only unsettle them further.”
“It’s not going to be a problem,” Robert replied at once. “Your children are extremely smart and sensible. I believe they will understand. If they are indeed unnerved by it, we can hire psychologists to counsel them.”
“But…”
“I have even brought the dowry with me.” Robert continued to pile on the pressure. “I have also prepared everything based on Chanean traditions. All that’s left now is your agreement.”
After taking a sip of coffee, he added, “Before I arrived, I had already discussed it with your brother and he isn’t opposed to it. Isn’t that so, Danrique?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Danrique nodded slightly.
Lowering her gaze, Charlotte felt conflicted. Her brain was telling her to accept but her heart was resisting.
“Dad, stop forcing Charlotte.” When Louis saw how torn Charlotte was, he came to her rescue. “Let’s not hurry and give her time to think about it.”
“Shut up,” Robert snapped.
Lowering his head, Louis didn’t dare utter another word.
Robert had lost his patience. “Charlotte, I’ll be frank with you. There are many who are dying to have a marriage alliance with us. Your uncle has met me many times in Pillere. When he found out I was coming to Xendale, he called me repeatedly to vouch for his daughter. If you refuse, we’ll have to consider them.”
“Which uncle?” It took Charlotte a while to remember. Tilting her head, she asked Danrique, “Is it Donald Lindberg?”
Danrique didn’t respond to Charlotte. Instead, he snapped, “Sir Robert, I’m aware that Donald is trying to get you on his side. I’m also cognizant that once both of you seal a marriage alliance, you will become a threat to me. However, there’s no need to use this to threaten Charlotte.
“If she does marry Louis, it will only be because she appreciates his honesty and the fact he is good to her, definitely not over family interest or politics. I will never let my cousin sacrifice her happiness for whatever reason and definitely not tolerate her being threatened!”
Charlotte was moved by his words.
Danrique had said the same thing to her before but now, the meaning was on a whole different level.
She had always assumed that Danrique wanted her to marry Louis for political reasons so that he could strengthen his position. But now, he had called out Robert in his attempt to protect her.
To her, it demonstrated that her happiness was more important to him than the family’s interests.
