Chapter 122 - – Only Twelve (2/2)
Rowan opens and closes her mouth as she realizes she'd never actually heard Bethanie speak of her own family. Like everyone else, she'd assumed Bethanie belonged to a somewhat warm family given her kind, motherly nature. But from the sound of that last statement. They'd been so very wrong.
Suddenly, the face of her own mother appears in Rowan's mind. At times, it was so easy to judge, but she still couldn't entirely dismiss Eileen's choices. Eileen Prince had been somewhat brave to run away from a potential match risking her family and being left utterly penniless. At least Eileen had made her own choice, no matter, how terrible it was in the end. And that should at least count for something.
Rather gloomy at this point, Rowan asks, ”But why inform you now? I mean if the official betrothal ceremony isn't until your 6th or 7th year, why not wait until then?”
”It's fairly obvious,” Silvia huffed. ”Since, Vespucci is in the same year as us if Tiffany is seen acting inappropriately before the official betrothal the Topsy family will be held responsible for the breach of promise and will have to pay compensation to the Vespucci's for the betrayal of the marriage contract. But the same can be said for the Vespucci's.”
Bethanie flashes Silvia a warning look as Tiffany shivers at the reply. ”It's to prevent a potential heartache so that Tiffany does not begin seeing anyone else. And for Tiffany and Vasco to have enough time to become accustomed to the idea of their marriage,” Bethanie sincerely explained.
”In the following years to come, they'll have ample opportunities to interact and slowly get to know each other. And even if they don't come to love each other as long as they grow to like and trust each other, they may very well establish a good family home in the future.”
”You think so?” Tiffany sniffed as she wiped her face.
”I know so,” Bethanie lied with a straight face.
”Well, I have him in my Ghoul class,” Rowan interjected as six eyes become glued to her every word. ”And he's in our Potions class as well. I just think we've never really paid attention to him before that's all.”
”What's he like?” Tiffany warily asked as she tried to recall his face from potions but failed to recall anything beyond a blur.
”Well, he's Italian,” Rowan said causing the girls to wryly chuckle. ”He's handsome enough, dark-eyed, but fair-skinned with light-colored hair. And though he's a bit olive like the Italian's, he's not as dark.”
”Well, that's something at least,” Silvia muttered under her breath.
Bethanie flashes Silvia another warning look, before encouragingly saying, ”See Tiffany, all is not lost. Vespucci is at least is intelligent and cute to boot! I mean think about it, you could have gotten stuck with Avery or worse Rosier!” All four girls shudder as they imagine the thug-like mind and body of Rosier.
”I suppose,” Tiffany sighed as she wiped her red nose. ”Thank you-,” Tiffany is squeezed by Silvia and Bethanie, who says, ”Anytime.”
”Now go wash up your face or you're going to be all puffy-faced tomorrow,” Bethanie cleverly instructed as Tiffany gaped and scrambled to get out of bed.
With Tiffany safely out of earshot, Silvia drily says, ”I notice you didn't mention how the head of the Vespucci family has a mistress with children might I add.”
”She's only twelve!” Bethanie snapped for causing Silvia and Rowan to gape at her as she ever so rarely lost her temper. ”There's no use in arguing about the betrothal, we all know that Tiffany doesn't have a choice. We might as well make the best of the situation and hope for the best.”
”You mean here's to hoping that lightning strikes him dead,” Rowan deadpanned causing Silvia and Bethanie to burst out in laughter.
Tiffany returned while drying her face with a towel to only find all three girls howling with laughter. Trying to speak above their howls was impossible as all the three girls could do was hold their sides. Tiffany finally gave up and settled on another bed all the while muttering about insanity being contagious.