Victor who was the friendliest in the family suddenly burst out laughing. Well, who wouldn't be? He has never seen anyone pay a visit in their house like Kylo did. He did not know what to expect. He has grown with 2 brothers ahead of him, and he himself have never made a formal call being a man of the military.
Via wanted to help him. In fact, she wanted to be the one to receive him at the lobby, but her father wouldn't let her.
Anyway, Vivien, finally took pity on the boy and stood up to receive him. "Your highness, to which do we owe the honor of your visit?"
Kylo tried to smile winningly. "Good afternoon Lady Vivien, please just call me Kylo. I am here to pay a formal call to your daughter, Lady Via. I came all the way from Windsor and have brought some trinkets for your enjoyment if you do not mind."
Vernon pretended to read through the newspaper as he gave Kylo a once over. Although he's a prince, he can afford to do this as they were not under the sovereignty of Alighieri.
Hearing Kylo's words, Victor could not help but tease, "So, did the flowers come from Windsor too? Good thing they don't seem wilted yet."
Kylo turned to face Victor and saw Via beside him. Trying to be nice, he replied calmly. "No, I bought these from the market earlier."
Via elbowed her brother before standing up from her sitting position. She gave Kylo a smile, which shows that she's just as uncomfortable with the situation as he was.
"Is that so? Then thank you Kylo for the thoughtfulness. Also, I apologize for my son's comment, as he has always been a rowdy boy growing up. Now, since you said that you're here for my daughter, I know that we should practice proper etiquette. However, if I may be frank, Militeia has a different culture from Alighieri, and here, before you can make a formal call to our daughter, you need to have the approval of her family first." Vivien explained.
Kylo gulped. "Yes, lady Vivien. I am actually here to seek your approval to become Lady Via's suitor with the intent to marry someday."
Via's brothers all swallowed their spit. What the hell? That was too fast. Was it like that in Alighieri?
Via blushed. That was not part of their script. She told him that in their kingdom, a man's formal call to a lady must gain the approval of her parents first.
Vivien did not know how to respond. That was… she turned to look at her husband.
Vernon put down the newspaper. Although he still did not like the boy, he still has to observe politeness. He turned to look at his wife and nodded his head.
"Please, come inside and take a seat." Vivien said, then she looked at her sons signaling them to leave.
As Kylo walked inside, Via's brothers were leaving the room. Via's two elder brothers gave him a warning glare, while Victor showed Kylo two thumbs up.
Anyway, Kylo walked inside trying to act confident and humble at the same time. Gods, what was he even doing? Anyway, he took the vacant seat opposite Via.
Vernon cleared his throat. "So, you are here to become a suitor of my daughter? For as I have been informed, you two have already been seeing each other for a while now." If his daughter did not tell him that earlier, perhaps he and his family would have been more polite in welcoming the prince as their guest. Now that they know that it's a different story. What if the prince were a rake that would just break his daughter's heart?
Kylo swallowed. What does he say in response to that? "I have been observing proper etiquette and has been a perfect gentleman whenever in the presence of your daughter, Via. Also, I promise to keep on doing so. You have nothing to worry as your daughter would perfectly be safe with me."
Vernon was a person who has always been straight to the point, thus, he directly said, "Via is our only daughter, and we know that the two of you see each other in school often. Now, let me be frank. You are the second prince of Alighieri and second in line to the throne, while my daughter is but a lady from Militeia. So, tell me, what are your plans in the future and how do you plan to keep seeing her?"
Via wanted to facepalm. Really, although she and Kylo were seeing each other, they were just in the stage of getting to know each other more now. Her father was too exaggerated.
If it were any other man, they would be quite offended as he has not even presented his suit yet and the father was already assuming such. However, Kylo was being sincere, and he understood why Via's father was being the way he was. As he said, he was second in line to the throne and Via would not be able to provide him any political backing in the future. His thought process was not wrong, as for most people of their stature, marriages usually were political, and love matches rare.
Aside from that, he has been a rake all his life and he knew many men would pursue a lady and would just leave them high and dry when they already get what they want. All promises undone before they even reach the altar. The lady's life would be ruined along with her potentially good matches.
"Then, lord Vernon, let me be honest myself. Although I am second in line to the throne of Alighieri, I have no plans to fight for the throne. I am happy and content with a peaceful life. My heart for your daughter is true, and although I am not proposing marriage now, my intent as her suitor comes with that purpose." Kylo explained. What else could he say? It's not like he can promise he will marry her immediately.
Vernon sighed. He knew that he was being exaggerated but this was his only daughter. She has always been the pearl in his hand, though thankfully, she grew up a little more tomboyish and he knew she could handle herself. Aside from that, this Kylo looks a little wimpy. In the future, his daughter can at least beat him up. Besides, the boy was a prince, him being there was a big show of respect to his daughter already. Not taking offense on how they received him even more so.
"Then, I would only ask for one thing before giving you my blessing to court my daughter." Vernon said.
Kylo nodded not trusting his voice that might sound too eager.
Vernon looked at Kylo in the eye and seriously said, "I want you to promise me that you shall always respect the dignity of my daughter as an unmarried lady." Well, what else can he say? It's not like he can warn the boy and say that he'll wage war against Alighieri if he hurts his daughter.
Kylo smiled sincerely, well, although he's a rake, he can well keep it in his pants until he marries Via. "Then Lord Vernon, I shall swear on that with my life."
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TBC