Chapter 509 - Dinner at 12 Grimmauld Place Ⅲ (2/2)
”And now the subject of heirs,” Orion steadily said. ”We except an heir within the first ten years of their marriage be it male or female. If the firstborn is female, we will allow for two more attempts for a male heir. If there is no male heir convinced, there will be no other consequence as Regulus is our second born, and his elder brother is the family heir.”
”I do not necessarily object,” Bogdan slowly said. ”We have a certificate of fertility for our daughter from a healer proving that she can indeed bear children. However, what if it is your son is the one with difficulties be it physical or has other inclinations?”
”Thankfully, our second born is not inclined in that manner,” Orion replied without any trace of embarrassment. ”And even if he were, he would still see to it that his duty is fulfilled. Our son too has a certificate of fertility to prove that he is not sterile.”
”Agreed then,” Bogdan instantly said. ”What of a place of residence?”
”The Black Family castle will be given to Regulus upon turning of age,” Orion explained. ”My cousin, Cyrus, had only daughters. The youngest daughter is now a Malfoy, the eldest daughter is deceased, and the second-born daughter has no desire to claim the property. Neither did his widow protest as she now resides in a residence near her second-born and willingly returned the residence to the mainline.”
”Agreed,” Bogdan said in satisfaction.
”Now, what of the dowry?” Orion carefully asked.
”Bethanie is my only daughter,” Bogdan truthfully murmured.
The money for the dowry came from his mother's dowry when she had married into the family. It had been a rather large sum, and though most had been already used up, a sizeable portion remained to be used to pay for the dowry of future daughters without touching any of the Fawley personal family funds.
”200,000 galleons in a vault in addition to family jewelry equivalent to the same amount bringing her full dowry to an estimated worth of 400,000 galleons,” Bogdan proudly answered as it was not a small dowry at all.
Orion nods his head in approval of the dowry. It was a sizable amount. It was certainly not the largest that he had heard, but still a rather suitable dowry for a daughter of a pureblood family that belongs to one of the sacred twenty-eight families.
”Agreed,” Orion said. ”In that case, shall we seal the terms?”
”Yes,” Bogdan said in agreement as the two men each signed the two golden like parchment before the contracts vanished away to be recorded by the goblins at Gringotts with a copy to be kept in each of the family's vaults.
”Dinner then,” Orion said as he helped his wife to his feet and Bogdan did the same.
Without any other word, the couples returned to the dining room, where the children were already seated and waiting for them. Each parent nods at their respective children as Bethanie shyly smiles, and Regulus grins foolishly at her. Sirius on the other hand merely rolls his eyes and impatiently says, ”Let's eat, I'm starving.”
The Black couple sighs, but thankfully the food begins to be served almost immediately. The rest of the evening is rather pleasant as the a.d.u.l.t's converse except for the teasing comments of Sirius towards Bethanie and Regulus. The rather youthful couple flushed in embarrassment, while the two younger brothers of Bethanie exchanged glances.
In silent conversation, Esmond and Spurgeon vow to never be sorted into Gryffindor. And secondly, they were glad that they did not have a brother like Sirius that was loud and boisterous. It was quite the relief for the two younger boys when they finally returned home. Still, they were going to be in-laws in the future, and therefore they would be back several more times for visits during the rest of the summer to their complete and utter despair.