"How charming!" said Lady Elvira, laying her hands on her chest. 

Lord Raphael looked at her in disbelief. 

"Our son saved... a kitten?"

Theo wanted to disappear from that room. 

"Yes! I was walking with my kitten in my arms in the park," Lynn continued the narrative with many gestures, "when suddenly a large man ran into me and almost knocked me over! Then, my kitten... jumped out of my arms and went climbing up a tree. I was desperate, asking for help from those around me who were passing me by, ignoring me. And then I saw him and our eyes met and... and I felt the sun grow brighter. Time had stopped but around him nature was blooming! It was love at first sight! I went to ask him for help and Theo was very willing to help me."

"My God, Theo! You've never been particularly fond of animals, but to help a girl and her kitten... so kind!" said Lady Elvira, ready to weep with emotion.

On the other hand, Lord Raphael didn't seem to believe it. It seemed strange for his son to do such a thing.

"And... what happened next?" asked Lady Elvira excitedly.

Lynn then gained confidence.

"Well! Theo looked at the tree, evaluated the situation like a true hero, and then... climbed it! He was so brave!"

"And then?" asked Lady Elvira again.

Lynn opened her mouth to answer, but Theo beat her to it.

"Enough," Theo said sharply, "There is no need to analyze this matter any further. Let's eat."

"Oh, but it was such a beautiful story!" protested Lady Elvira, smiling at Lynn. "It must have been a truly magical moment for you!"

"Yes...magical..." Theo said in the flattest tone in the world.

Lord Raphael coughed and leaned forward a little, his gaze fixed on Lynn.

"Enough with the kittens," he said sternly. "I'd like to know more about you, Miss Lynn."

Lynn felt panic grip her.

"About me? Oh, I am nothing special..."

"Nonsense. You're my son's future wife. We need to know more about you. Where do you come from? What did your family do for a living?"

Lynn felt the panic grip her again.

"Oh, I'm from a small village... very small! I have a stall in the market where I sell paintings to tourists," she said, laughing nervously.

Theo's mother seemed absolutely captivated by Lynn's story.

"Oh, like a charming little village! How beautiful!" she said excitedly.

Lord Raphael, however, still seemed thoughtful.

"And what does your family do? Your parents? What is their occupation? Do you have brothers and sisters?"

"My father was also a painter and sold paintings in the marketplace, like me. But he died when I was young in a carriage accident when he was working. A few months later my mother committed suicide out of grief and because we had no money. I have no siblings, unfortunately. I'm on my own."

"Oh, my poor girl!" said Lady Elvira in a voice full of emotion. "You have been through so much!"

Lynn looked at Theo and laughed awkwardly.

"And yet, despite the hardships, you managed to survive on your own, to build your life... That shows tremendous strength!" his mother continued, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

"Yeah, uh, I mean..." Lynn didn't know how to respond. 

She hadn't expected this kind of treatment.

Theo, who had remained silent until now, watched the scene with a knot in his stomach. This was all not going according to plan. His parents, instead of rejecting Lynn, seemed more willing to accept her.

But that wasn't all.

Looking at her, he couldn't help but feel a strange feeling. Lynn didn't seem to be lying. He was almost certain that what she had said was the truth.