The Black couple was getting ready for bed. While Sirius was putting on his pajamas, Hesper sat at the dark wooden vanity, removing the subtle makeup she wore daily. The woman believed that this might be the most opportune moment to comply with her niece's request to intercede with her husband regarding Marguerith and Alphard's engagement. However, the course of the discussion was not leaning in the couple's favor.
"Hesper, I won't let Marge be with just anyone!" the man almost shouted as he slipped under the duvet.
"It's not like Marge is marrying a complete stranger. Alphard is family; he's a good young man," she retorted, standing up from the vanity and walking towards the bed.
Sirius watched his wife lie down beside him before responding.
"A good young man, Hesper? He's irresponsible. How many times has Pollux complained about his son's nights out in Hogsmeade instead of studying?"
The matriarch narrowed her violet eyes at the man's hypocrisy.
"I assure you that Alphard is more aware of the consequences of his actions than our son Regulus."
The patriarch turned onto his side on the mattress, resting his head on one hand. His brow was visibly furrowed.
"It's not Regulus that Marguerith wants to marry! And our son, despite his indiscretions, respects my authority. That Alphard brat challenged me openly. I don't want my niece getting involved with that insolent boy!"
Hesper sighed, trying once more to argue from a perspective that might appeal to her husband's ego.
"He's young; rebellion is part of his age. Imagine it from another perspective. Accepting the marriage, inviting Alphard to work with us and under your protection, molding him into the husband you want for our niece."
"Absolutely not! After the conversation we had, after what he said to me, I'm sure that kid is beyond any salvation."
Hesper stared at the canopy for a few seconds before asking a question that had always bothered her over the years.
"Do you care for Marguerith?"
"Of course, I do, or I wouldn't be concerned about her future."
"But she's not like Betelgeuse…" Hesper murmured, making it clear how obvious her husband's preference was between the twins.
Sirius nodded subtly, understanding the implications between the lines of his wife's words.
"Marguerith has what it takes to be a Black, but unlike her sister, she needs to be guided to achieve the greatness our family represents. A good marriage would help her with that."
The woman shook her head, realizing that she had reached a point where Sirius' stubbornness would be impossible to break. Unfortunately, she would have to rethink her strategy regarding helping Alphard and Marguerith.
Two days had passed since the conversation between Hesper and Sirius, and the matriarch's words had hit the younger niece like a bucket of ice water. Even her aunt's promise to try again to approach the subject with her uncle wasn't enough to rekindle the young woman's hopes.
Marguerith stared at the engagement ring, deep in thought.
The patriarch hadn't spoken directly to her yet, but it was only a matter of time if she or even Hesper insisted on the matter with him.
The feeling of fear towards her uncle was beginning to be replaced by a mild anger. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She simply loved Alphard.
Marguerith was growing tired of submitting to Sirius Black's will, tired of always saying yes and never receiving a word of praise in return. Perhaps it was time for her to make her own decisions, choosing what was right for herself… without worrying about her uncle, the family, or what people would say about her.
"Marge?" Betelgeuse appeared at her sister's bedroom door. "I couldn't help but notice you didn't join us for dinner."
"I wanted to be alone," she said. The younger of the twins felt exhausted.
"You're avoiding our uncle," Bete stated, to which Marguerith simply nodded.
Marge, who had been sitting at the desk, moved to the bed, inviting her sister to join her.
"I know you think I was hasty in sleeping with Alphie, and I know you don't like him, but I also know you love me and trust my judgment."
Betelgeuse agreed. Marge had always been a role model and had never done anything that could bring shame to herself or the family.
"So," the younger twin continued, "believe me when I say that Alphard is the right person for me."
"You're going to marry him. Even without our uncle's blessings."
Marge held her sister's hands and squeezed them lightly. She was truly transparent to Bete.
"Tomorrow afternoon," she replied.
Betelgeuse nodded, unable to hide her concerns. She never imagined that Marguerith's passion would lead her to the point of facing Sirius' wrath.
"He's going to remove Alphard from the tapestry," the older sister stated emphatically.
Marguerith shrugged, thinking that perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing.
"We're not on the tapestry, and we're fine, aren't we? That didn't stop you from becoming engaged to the great Stephanio Ivory! Nor did it prevent our uncle from accepting us as genuine Blacks. Over time, Uncle Sirius will realize he was wrong about Alphie, and we'll be back in the family."
Betelgeuse squeezed her sister's hands a little more firmly, saying, "My dear, I want you to know that I would do absolutely anything to protect you and make you happy."
Sirius heard a soft knock on the office door. Hesper had already gone to bed, and he decided to have one last glass of Firewhisky before sleeping.
"Come in," he said, assuming it was one of his nieces behind the dark wood.
He wasn't surprised to see Betelgeuse's serious face appear. The young woman closed the door behind her.
"Did you come to play chess?" he asked about the habit they had shared for many years.
"Not today," she replied with her usual seriousness.
Sirius nodded before taking a generous sip of the amber, full-bodied drink.
"I'm all ears."
"Marge and Alphard are going to marry in secret, tomorrow afternoon," Bete said, to which her uncle reacted with a slight expression of surprise.
The patriarch had never imagined that Alphard's influence over Marguerith was strong enough to surpass his own.
"Why are you telling me this, Bete?"
The young woman crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow slightly. A question like that seemed unnecessary to her because the answer was obvious.
"Because I love my sister and can't let her throw her life away for nothing."
"I understand," the man said, drinking a bit more Firewhisky.
"Since we're being honest with each other, tell me, Uncle, why don't you like Alphard?"
"Not to offend you, but he reminds me of Phineas."
Betelgeuse closed her eyes for a few seconds, digesting Sirius' response. She had loved her father when she was a child and had fond memories of him, though they were somewhat hazy. However, now that she was practically an adult, she realized how destructive the path Phineas Black had walked was for himself and everyone around him. Marge almost died because of it. The very murder of her father was a consequence of his choices.
"You don't offend me. I understand," was all she thought necessary to say.
"As for your sister and that boy, I already know what to do. I'll deal with it directly with Alphard."
Betelgeuse allowed herself a discreet smile before saying, "If you need, Stephanio knows some people who can help."