Chapter 720 - Mulciber Matchmaking Ⅴ (2/2)
Benedict paused and glanced at his older brother, Mordecai, who blinked owl-like at them. Benedict's lips curl into a dazzling crocodile-like smile. ”Brother, what is Rosie's dowry amount?”
”Er, 25,000 galleons,” Mordecai squeaked as he slumped further down into the settee cushions trying to blend in.
A frigid expression can be seen on Benedict's face as he temporarily contemplates the punishment for his brother, before turning to his grandmother. ”Grandmother, what do you have to say on the subject?”
”Mm, I will personally transfer some of my own jewelry and funds for Rosie's dowry, totaling 200,000 together,” Ethel murmured in reply. She would have added more, but she had many descendants, who she needed to continue to add to their dowries.
”And I am certain that a doting father can add at least 75,000 more galleons to his daughter's dowry, is that not right, my dearest and only big brother?” Benedict asked with a cheerful and yet dangerous smile.
”Yes,” Mordecai stammered feeling his heart plummet into his stomach. He had the feeling that he would end up adding more than 75,000 galleons to his youngest daughters' dowry if his brother and grandmother had anything to say on the subject.
”A total of 300,000,” Peregrine swiftly calculated. ”An acceptable amount that even my father won't be able to oppose.” It certainly was not the largest dowry ever heard of, but more than suitable enough for a squib daughter of a pureblood family that belonged to one of the sacred twenty-eight families.
”Shall we seal the terms?” Peregrine proposed.
”Grandmother,” Benedict gently said as he handed over a quill for his grandmother to accept.
Ethel stared at Peregrine with hypnotic eyes as she says, ”I am a Veela, young man, and we protect our own especially our daughters. I will render your body limb from limb should any harm come to one my own.”
”I expect nothing less, Matriarch,” Peregrine sincerely said with approval. He did not disdain the elderly matriarch's threats rather it made him feel relieved. His wife would be protected should anything occur. His thoughts caused him to flush brightly as he felt that he was getting ahead of himself, he wasn't even married yet much less betrothed!
Ethel did not miss the young wizards' actions and at last, accepted the feathered quill from her grandson. She knew that this young wizard took after his vile father in appearance, but his heart was good, she could sense it. Her beloved granddaughter would do well with this wizard, perchance, even become true mates.
Peregrine and Ethel signed the two golden-like parchment contracts 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. The contracts had only just vanished when Mulciber Sr. returns pale, and rather furious as he is led by the smirking house elf, Jarrey.
”We are returning home,” Mulciber Sr. snapped at his squib son. ”We will return another day.”
”No need, father,” Peregrine coolly replied. ”Negotiations were successful and the successful betrothal between our two houses may be announced immediately.”
Mulciber Sr. eyes rake his squib son and those still present in the room before falling onto the friendly, delicate face of Benedict. ”Your son speaks true,” Benedict cheerfully said with relish. ”The contract has been signed, and we look forward to the announcement.”
”Jarrey, please show our guests the way out,” Benedict matter-of-factly said as the house elf quite happily did so.
Mulciber Sr. thinly sneers, before stomping away as Peregrine quietly excuses himself and follows his fuming father weakly trailing after the house elf.
With their guests gone, Benedict suddenly turns his head to reveal a bone-chilling crocodile like smile. ”Now, my dear brother let us discuss your poor and rather disappointing actions this afternoon.”
Mordecai struggles not to whimper as his grandmother turns her hawk-like gaze upon him and impatiently begins to tap her fingers on the table before her. He had the inkling that despite being a fully grown man that he was about to receive a personal education at his grandmother's hand. He really should have fled after his daughter, Edna, when he had the chance!