Chapter 459 - The Sky Garden (2/2)
With some dismay, Terry reluctantly trudges through the rose-covered arch and steps into a vast grassy clearing that houses a beautiful outdoor like parlor area. There is an exquisitely carved dining table, rich colored divan's, large, thick cushions on the ground to be sat on, and even a large bookshelf filled with countless books to read. It would have been the perfect scene if not for the seated figure on the chaise coldly staring at him, his great-grandmother, Ethel, the Matriarch of their Greengrass branch family.
Trying not to show his distress, Terry slowly approaches his great-grandmother. As usual, Great-grandmother Ethel's long white, golden hair rustles silently to an unseen breeze. Her skin is still moon bright despite her advanced age, while her hypnotic hawk golden like eyes are as fierce as ever. It was as though they could see through anything or anyone.
Gaining courage, Terry carefully bows his head and politely says, ”Forgive me for disturbing you, Matriarch, but mother has declared that you wished to speak to me. If it is regarding my momentary lapse of judgment during the past year, I am terribly sorry and have repented of my foolish actions. I have since then made amends to the friend, who I so imprudently placed in danger. Also, my mother and father will be punishing me as well. I only await your judgment, Matriarch.”
”Sit down, hatchling,” Ethel finally said gesturing to her descendant to have a seat beside her.
”Yes, great-grandmother,” Terry obediently replied as he sat down next to her.
Ethel sniffs and says, ”Your good friend, I am told was quite sore and vexed with your thoughtless actions from what I am told. However, she is a good friend and still forgave you. But all friendsh.i.p.s have their limits, eyas, do not test them again.”
”I know,” Terry sighed as he rubbed his forehead with his hand. ”And in all honesty, I realize that I could have easily lost a precious and valuable friendship all because of my recklessness. The repercussions would not have only been serious and long-lasting but would have even gone on to affect the rest of the family as well.”
Ethel nods her head in approval, before leaning back to rest in the chaise. ”Hatchling, I will not punish you any further as it seems that you have learned your lesson well. That being said, little eyas, I have heard from your father and mother that you wish to request a one-year courtship period with Silvia Flint, before requesting a betrothal contract.”
”Yes,” Terry flushed at his great-grandmother's words. ”I have some feelings for her, but even more importantly than that is that Silvia is a childhood friend. I do not wish to lose her friendship over that which could simply be temporary feelings.”
Ethel's sharp hawk-like eyes studies her great-grandson for a good while, before she finally says, ”Very well, I shall approve of such a courtship, but I must be frank that even after living in wizarding society all these years, I am still baffled by your ways. Wizards and witches always overcomplicating such a simple act of life. It is a straightforward question, really, to mate or not to mate? There is no need for such terribly long and drawn out complications.”
Terry flush creeps even higher and brighter up his face at his great-grandmother's words. Turning away, he murmurs, ”If I wanted to only mate with Silvia, it would be over and done with. But she is a friend, a good one at that, and I don't want to lose our many years of friendship over something like this.”
Ethel purses her lips as if in exasperation, before saying, ”That being the case, I shall have your father send word later this evening. The sooner, we meet with the Flint's, the sooner we can arrange the courtship between you and your future mate.”
”Great-grandmother!” Terry protested in embarrassment, but his great-grandmother would not be hearing anything else.
For Ethel was certain that her great-grandson would mate with the Flint's girl. She had a sense of these sorts of things, and more importantly, the Flint girl was a strong, and a fitting mate for her great-grandson. And she heartily approved of such a match.