Chapter 321 - Crowley Hall Ⅳ (2/2)
”And who is that with Vasco, Emalia?” Tiffany politely asked. ”I do not recognize her.”
Emalia glances over and chuckles as if in reply. ”That is only Carina, she is in my year and a classmate from Beauxbatons. Her parents are busy, and she wished to attend the Quidditch World Cup. She's been staying at our villa ever since the start of summer.”
”I see,” Tiffany observed, before turning to Emalia. ”Is it serious?”
Emalia chuckles and waves her hand dismissively. ”Mamma and Babbo will never permit that the marriage contract between the Topsy and Vespucci family to be so easily broken. It is merely a summer fling, Tiffany. There is absolutely nothing for you to further concern yourself about.”
”Of course,” Tiffany crisply said as she felt her heart sink further into her chest.
She had always known that the chances of her Vasco falling in love were slim to none, but still, it hurt to see the last of her hope shatter to pieces. Ever since, there outings to Hogsmeade during their third year, she had known that they were far too different to ever be anything more beyond an amicable partnership in their marriage. And with that knowledge, she had slowly been accustoming herself to the thought that Vasco would certainly follow in his father's footsteps and have mistresses on the side.
Taking a deep breath, Tiffany shoves away her emotions. She was already quite lucky in marrying someone her own age and that would treat her reasonably well. She wasn't a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff with her head stuck in the clouds dreaming of true love. She was a Slytherin, and she knew a good bargain when she saw one. After all, there were always worse fates to be had such as marrying a wizard-like Thorfinn Rowle. Woe the poor girl that had to marry the cruel, brutal bastard for only one fate awaited that girl, a painful death.
Tiffany puts on a face on a confident, but a faint smile on her face. ”I have long been under the impression and understanding that Vasco intends to follow in your father's footsteps,” Tiffany firmly said. ”However, that being said, I will not welcome any bastard child into my marriage, and I will divorce him should that occur, taking my dowry and my children with me!”
Emalia lets out a gasp as she puts her silky-smooth hand to her ample chest aghast. ”Non!” Emalia exclaimed utterly appalled. ”It is simply not done in our family! For all of our father's many trespasses, he has never allowed his seed to impregnate any wench, who is not his wife, my mother. And neither will Vasco, he has been taught better!”
”Good then we are of an understanding,” Tiffany said, before changing the subject. ”Now tell me, Emalia, has anyone caught your eye yet?”
Emalia's sensual lips turn into a breathtaking smile stealing the breath of many potential suitors in the ballroom, who had been not very subtly peaking at her. ”There are a few,” Emalia admitted. ”But Babbo is hoping that one of the sons of the sacred twenty-eight families offers for my hand in marriage.”
Tiffany slowly nods her head and says, ”Well, some are already married, but there are plenty that remain unmarried both youths and those already graduated. I could introduce a few to you, Emalia, if you are interested?”
”I would be most delighted, Tiffany,” Emalia most eagerly purred.
This was after all one of the reasons why her father had arranged for the marriage contract between her younger brother and that of Tiffany Topsy. The Topsy's had a most excellent social position in wizarding society, and their daughter, Tiffany was a second-generational member of the sacred twenty-eight families as her mother had been a Selwyn before marriage. It was the perfect marriage bid for them, which in turn would open doors for Emalia.
Without further ado, Tiffany began to introduce Emalia to potential marriage candidates. Tiffany knew that Emalia was using her, but she didn't have it in her to set her up with someone like Thorfinn Rowle, she was not that cruel. And for better or for worse, Emalia would be her sister-in-law. It would be better for her own future that Emalia marries well.