Flooded with gifts and guests, the weeks following the celebration were hectic to say the least. Selene had made quite the impression on the other noble families, and everyone was doing their part to gain her favor, or at least that of the Marquess.

When he sent out an invitation to the family members to join him for the first family dinner since before the party, no one dared to refuse.

The air in the room was thick as they waited for dinner to be served. Giselle, the middle daughter of the Vizio name, frequently glanced with sharp eyes towards Selene and William who were conversing quietly across the table.

Marchioness Vizio sat still as stone, staring absentmindedly at the paintings on the far wall. The only movements she made were to lift her wine glasses to her lips and motion for a refill.

As the main dining doors swung open, a little jolt went down everyone's spine.

“I apologize for my tardiness,” Marquess Vizio spoke without an ounce of regret in his voice. “My meeting went on for longer than I anticipated. Let us eat.”

As the food was served, the loudest sound in the room was that of dinnerware being placed on the table. It took quite a few moments before someone deigned to break the silence.

“I cannot stop thinking about how we have been blessed by your waking,” Marquess Vizio began, completely unaffected by the tension felt elsewhere. “Would you not agree, dear wife?”

“Completely,” Marchioness Vizio responded almost automatically. “Having her back is as brilliant as a ray of sun piercing through a sky of clouds.”

“Ha! Well said, my dear,” he boomed in delight, directing his gaze back to his daughter. “You may be older now, but you will always be my little girl.”

“Thank you, Father,” Selene smiled graciously. “I will do my best to make you proud.”

“Ah, I remember when you were younger, you used to fantasize about your husband and your wedding day,” the Marquess chuckled as he continued to cut his steak. “You would ask me about the sons of other families, hoping to catch a glimpse of your loving future husband.”

“Yes,” Selene replied more dryly than the wine on the table. “I used to be obsessed with all manner of trivial things.”

Her father's fork scrapped suddenly against his plate, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“I would not consider family trivial,” he looked up from his food, smile having returned to his face. “I would say my family is my greatest accomplishment. Would you agree, William?”

“Of course, Father,” William nodded. “Family is the most important thing in this world.”

“Indubitably. Just look at your eldest sister! She has a wonderful husband, a beautiful home, and two lovely children. She could not be happier!”

“Yes, though her marriage was chosen on the basis of mining rights and gems, she is undoubtedly happy,” Selene said calmly as William choked on a sip of water.

“Why are you being so difficult?” There was an undeniable edge to the Marquess's tone, his previous smile absent. The tension in the room was growing.

“I would only prefer for us to be honest, Father. You do not need to sugarcoat my responsibilities as you would for a child,” Selene continued to eat unperturbed by his scowl. “Love and happiness can be found anywhere, thus I am no longer concerned by those things. Securing the best position for my family and future children weighs much more heavily on my mind.”

An undeniable look of surprised delight and pride crept onto the Marquess's face as he processed her words and serious expression.

“Ha! I must have done something right to be blessed with a daughter such as you!”