The Future of House Black
By: Ryu Katanna
Beta:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
'I can't believe I missed this…' Hardwin thought, losing his composer as he gaped down at the lineage test he had been studying under the guidance of Arcturus's portrait as he learned the family history of the last few generations.
"Kreacher!" He called as he grasped the parchment and pushed himself to his feet from his desk while Arcturus paused in what he was saying and raised a brow at the interruption from his frame.
"Master Black calls for Kreacher?" The old elf asked as he popped into the room.
"Yes, Kreacher. I need you to let Andromeda know I need her to meet me in the sitting room immediately. Thank you." Hardwin replied a bit distractedly before looking up at his great-grandfather's portrait.
"I apologize, grandfather, but there is an important matter I must look into." He said before leaving the room as Kreacher popped back out to do as he was bid.
Hardwin moved quickly down the stairs and then down the long hall before turning into the sitting room and looking at the family tapestry that covered the walls displaying the names of every family member born to House Black since the Dark Ages. Hardwin hadn't bothered looking at it too closely since he had taken residence in Black Manor. Truthfully, neither he nor Andromeda spent much of their time in the room. They preferred the music room or conservatory on the third floor when they spent time together with Teddy. The sitting room was more for display when receiving important guests such as the Minister or the Lords and Ladies of other families. Most of the Manor wasn't set up with small children in mind if the very breakable and valuable vases and other decor were any indication.
Andromeda had explained that children in most of the more traditional families often spent the majority of their time in the nursery until they had grown out of the toddler years. In fact, some households didn't move their children into a bedroom of their own until either their first display of accidental magic or until they had received their school letter. Hardwin didn't agree with the idea, but he was coming to understand part of the mindset. After his trips to Malfoy Manor as well as living in Black Manor, Hardwin knew that both Manors were fairly large. The majority of rooms were also set up to display the family's wealth and status. It just wasn't safe for a small child to be left to wander unsupervised.
Andromeda had also said that many heads of their Houses depended on a nanny elf to assist with the little ones; the older generations having often left the raising of the children to the elves until they were old enough to begin learning from tutors on how to conduct themselves properly in front of guests. Hardwin had been adamant that he did not want that for Teddy or any child he had. At least, he had been at first. It had taken a few weeks of his very hectic schedule to understand that many Lords and Ladies just couldn't devote all of their time to childcare and the home as Mrs. Weasley had been able to do.
It would be impossible with the amount of work that went into maintaining their estates, providing for extended family, and making appearances in the right social circles to keep their reputation and influence. Hardwin only managed an hour or two of quality time a day with Teddy due to his regular schedule, and he hadn't started half of his responsibilities as he worked to both catch up with and complete his education as both a NEWTS student and as a Lord to such an old family. It didn't help that not only did he need to supplement and finish his education as he took over his responsibilities, but he also needed to review and repair the properties and the investments that had been left to stagnate since his Great-Grandfather Arcturus had departed into seclusion in the Villa in France before he passed. Then there would be repairing the family's image and reputation that had been so damaged during the last two wars.
Hardwin could only imagine how busy the Lords before him had been as the Blacks were much more numerous in previous generations while Hardwin had only a few extended family members to consider.
Even Andromeda didn't spend all of her time tending to Teddy as she had before; though she spent far more time with the babe than Hardwin was able. As Hardwin was yet to be married, Andromeda had started taking over many of the responsibilities of the Lady of the House as a daughter of House Black to assist him. She had started attending tea parties and other social gatherings with the Ladies and scions of other Houses while Hardwin was unable to do any public appearance with his schedule being the way it was. Narcissa had been a great help to her sister and cousin as she fulfilled her responsibilities as Lady Malfoy and assisted her sister with making and renewing connections. The social obligations Andromeda had taken on already restricted a good bit of her time with Teddy, but that time would only be further limited soon enough as his cousin had asked to take over as his proxy for the Black seats on the Wizengamot until Hardwin had completed his education or Marcus wished to do so after they married.
Hardwin was distressed that Teddy's time with them both had become limited due to his responsibilities, but he hoped to give both of them more time with the babe after he completed his education and cleared those lessons from his daily schedule. As it was now, Hardwin had a bassinet he'd had Winky set up in his study so he could spend time with Teddy while he worked after his lessons while Andromeda was out of the house.
"Is something wrong, Hardwin?" Andromeda asked as she entered the sitting room to find her cousin scanning the walls as he looked over the tapestry.
"Yes. I can't believe we missed it before, but look." He said as he turned toward her and held out the parchment.
"Your heritage test?" She asked as she realized what it was at a glance.
"Look at Bellatrix's branch." Hardwin said as he continued to look over the names before finally coming to his great-grandfather Pollux.
"Oh, Merlin…" Andromeda felt faint as she read what Hardwin had found before slowly lowering herself into a chair when her legs felt weak from the shock.
"Found it… Cadmus… Bellatrix… It's true. Delphini Riddle, born March eighth of this year to Bellatix LeStrange nee Black and Tom Riddle. There's no connection to her husband so he didn't blood-adopt the child either." Hardwin mumbled to himself as his hand brushed over the name of the baby girl who was less than a year old.
Silence permeated the room for several moments after that as both Hardwin and Andromeda lost themselves in their thoughts at this new discovery.
"Do you think Narcissa knows?" Hardwin asked quietly as he stepped back from the wall though his gaze did not leave the name of the child.
"I would believe so given the time they spent in Malfoy Manor while Riddle was occupying it. We would need to speak to her to learn more. What do you plan to do now that you know, Hardwin?" Andromeda asked and Hardwin closed his eyes as he steadied himself with the new information as he thought about it.
According to the old laws when pertaining to families this child would legally fall under his care. Bellatrix had been a LeStrange at the time of the child's conception and birth, but her husband hadn't blood-adopted the babe. Given that, the child would be considered a bastard child as she had been born out of wedlock between the parents. While the muggle world had loosened its views on children born outside of marriage, the wizarding world had not. Especially when it came to old and traditional family lines. It likely never would as bloodlines were considered so important, and that was something unlikely to change due to a lot of those family's carrier magical gifts specific to those lines.
As Delphini had been born a bastard child, responsibility for the child would fall to the families of her biological father and the birth family of the mother. Tom Riddle had ensured the deaths and incarceration of his immediate family. Morfin Gaunt wouldn't have been suitable to raise a child even had he still lived and been freed before dying in Azkaban. Tom's death now meant that the Gaunt family line had ended with the exception of his daughter and very distant cousins, Hardwin and the Potters. Legally, the Potters could also claim the child though they would be under no obligation to do so. Then there was House Black of which Hardwin was the current Lord. Legally, Hardwin had more right to take the child into his care as he was related to the child by both parents and so his relation to Delphini was also closer. His relation to the babe was closer than the Potters as Lord Potter and his children were related through the Peverell line while Hardwin was related through both the more recent Black and Gaunt lines.
Usually, this wouldn't have been an issue. The problem came not from the legalities of taking the child in, but from the stigma of her birth. The child would be hated by many purely for being born out of wedlock, and even more so if her parentage became known. Hardwin had also been a victim of Bellatrix's sadism and Tom's attempts on his life that had resulted in the deaths of people important to him; his parents only being three of them.
'Even so, none of that is the girl's fault. I can't hold her parentage against her. She didn't choose to be born to them.' Hardwin thought before he turned to look at Andromeda.
"Could you fire-call Narcissa and ask her and Draco to come over? I know he just left after our lessons, but I'm calling a family meeting. I need to speak to them immediately before I decide on anything." Hardwin said before turning to look back at the name and image of the infant girl on the wall of their ancestral home.
"Of course. She is also my niece… I would like to know." Andromeda replied quietly before standing and leaving the room.
Hardwin lost himself to his thoughts for several moments as he waited for his cousins to return. Draco may have been born a Malfoy, but his mother had been a daughter of House Black. While his children wouldn't be recorded on the wall with the rest of the Black's, Draco's name and image were there. He was a Black as well as a Malfoy, and a part of the family. This was a family matter and he needed what was left of his House gathered to discuss this matter. Especially since Hardwin suspected that Narcissa had known about the babe and said nothing to him. Ideally, Lucius would accompany his wife to this meeting, but that was currently not an option with his house arrest.
"Hardwin? What's wrong?" Draco asked as he hurried into the room to stand next to his cousin at seeing the expression on his face as he stared at the wall.
His Aunt Andromeda hadn't told them why they were needed. Only that Lord Black had called a family meeting. It was normal for Lords of House to do so when they needed the family gathered, but while Hardwin had asked them over to discuss things before, he hadn't called a meeting like this. By summoning them like this he had declared that he was acting as Lord Black. If they had declined to attend then it would be grounds for disownment if the reason wasn't a good one.
Though Draco doubted Hardwin would do such a thing without very good reasons since he hadn't even disowned Bellatrix after her death for what she'd done.
"What do either of you know of Delphini Riddle?" Hardwin asked as they heard Narcissa take in a sharp breath at the name while Draco followed Hardwin's gaze to the wall in confusion before he choked at what he saw and turned to look at his mother.
"Aunt Bella had a child?" Draco asked with confusion which relaxed Hardwin a bit with the understanding that he hadn't withheld the knowledge though Narcissa apparently had.
"Yes. We couldn't say anything. Lucius and I were sworn to secrecy. I've been hoping you would learn of her as much as I have been dreading it." Narcissa replied softly as she moved to take a seat on the sofa with her sister.
"What do you mean?" Hardwin asked as he turned away from the wall to look at the two women even as Draco stayed standing next to him.
"I had thought House Black ended with Sirius's death with no other male to carry the line. I know that my niece will be hated for the sins of her parents if her existence becomes known, but she is still my niece. I just want her safe, but with no Lord of House Black to claim her, the only thing I could do to protect her was for Lucius and I to make an oath to keep her existence secret from those who did not already know. Lucius and I wanted to tell you when I learned you had taken the mantle as Lord Black, but our oath has bound us until now." Narcissa said quietly, and the remaining tension at the perceived deception melted from his shoulders though the weight of the knowledge remained.
"Where is she?" Hardwin asked as Draco pursed his lips in concern for this newly discovered family member.
"My sister… Bellatrix had no care for the child other than the prestige and connection she obtained to the Dark Lord as the mother of his child. The Dark Lord grew uninterested upon learning he had a daughter instead of a son, an heir, though he did provide a substantial amount to Euphemia Rowle to take her in. I have not dared to visit after Bella's death. I didn't want to risk drawing attention to her existence. My niece does not deserve to suffer for the sins of her parents which she had no part in." Narcissa said and Hardwin nodded in understanding at the reasoning.
"Why House Rowle? I know several of the family were loyal to Tom, but why not entrust her to a Rosier? That was your mother's family, wasn't it?" Hardwin asked and received a nod from Narcissa even as Draco was the one to answer.
"House Rosier's line has ended unless there is a distant cousin who can qualify for the Lordship that we don't know about. Grandmother Druella was the only daughter born in the last three generations. Evan Rosier was the only heir to the family before he was killed by Mad-Eye Moody during the first war. Felix Rosier could have inherited the title but was ruled out when he was found to be infertile. Both he and his father were sentenced to Azkaban for their crimes when the war ended. I would assume that they were not entrusted with her care because they were active Death Eaters." Draco explained and Hardwin hummed in understanding before Narcissa spoke.
"It is as my son says. House Rowle is also at its end. Thorfinn Rowle, the last male of the line, was loyal to the Dark Lord and was marked. He was killed in the battle at Hogwarts. Euphemia Rowle is his sister. The only other members are two female cousins who are of age. I cannot say if they were loyal or not, but Euphemia was thought to be. Enough to be entrusted with Delphini's care." She told them and Hardwin took a steadying breath at the information.
"If you haven't seen her since the end of the war then you wouldn't know what her living conditions are like either… What do you intend to do, Hardwin? You are Lord Black so this is your decision. Will you leave her to scion Rowle, or claim her as a member of House Black and make accommodations for her?" Andromeda asked and Hardwin's eyes slid closed as he sighed before sitting down in one of the chairs across from his cousins while Draco claimed the seat next to him.
He thought for several minutes before his eyes opened.
"We need to find out what her living conditions are since the deaths of Bellatrix and Tom. I won't risk another child growing up like I did, or like her father did. I will also need to ask the goblins if either Tom or Bellatrix left wills with instructions for their daughter's care. I doubt Tom did, with as assured in his immortality as he was, but it would be best to check anyway. If they didn't then I won't need to contest them which would take time and draw attention to her parentage. If Euphemia Rowle genuinely cares for her, and she is well provided for, then I will not remove her from the caretaker chosen by her parents. There would be conditions though. First, she would need to clear an investigation into the truth of her thoughts on Tom's ideology that sent our world into war. I will not have those values taking root in his child. If she learns of everything as an adult and can think for herself, then fine, but I will not risk her being molded in the image of her parents to continue their madness. Second, House Black will have consistent contact with Delphini to ensure she is being raised well. She may have been born out of wedlock, but as the Lord of her mother's House I will take her in under the Black banner whether she is raised with our House or not." Hardwin said with a finality that echoed with a resolve they hadn't expected.
"And if she isn't, or Rowle disagrees with those stipulations?" Draco asked, having some idea what Hardwin would do given what he had learned about his cousin recently and through their time in school together.
"Then I will do what I must to have her removed from House Rowle's care, and she will be raised within House Black as my ward. I will not leave her to be mistreated or abused. I do not believe she should bear the weight of her parents' sins. Narcissa, will you take either Draco or Andromeda with you to visit? Observe the conditions she is being raised in since the deaths of her parents. I would like to see the memories in the pensive after to assess what my next steps should be." Hardwin said knowing that if this Euphemia Rowle had been loyal to Tom then he would not be able to go himself and set off alarms with the witch.
"Do you not trust me to assess if my niece is being raised well or not?" Narcissa asked stiffly and Hardwin's nails bit into his skin as he spoke.
"No, Cissa. It's not that. Of course not. There are just some things that someone raised in an abusive home would notice more easily whereas another may overlook it. I just want to ensure for myself that is not the case." He assured softly and watched as the tension from the perceived slight fled from her posture.
"Very well. I will take Draco with me. It would be less suspicious than my sister whom I have only recently reconnected with. We will let you know once we have returned from the visit. Was there anything else that you needed to discuss with us? We left Lucius in the middle of dinner." Narcissa said and Harry nodded.
"Yes. I know that she will be notified of your arrival beforehand. She may try to make the child's living conditions look better than they are. Draco, I will lend you my invisibility cloak for the visit. Make an excuse to use the loo or something and use the cloak to investigate the house, but be careful and be quick so you don't cause suspicion." Harry said before calling Kreature to bring his invisibility cloak from where he kept it and handing it to Draco as the elf popped away once more.
"Feel free to let your husband know the reason for the abrupt meeting, and that I apologize for the interruption of your evening. He would be welcome in the future once his house arrest has been lifted." Hardwin said knowing that Lucius should have been there for a family meeting by all rights as Narcissa's husband, but would be bound to the Malfoy property for some time.
Unless he managed to get out of his house arrest early.
He had pushed down a lot of the bad feelings toward the man as he tried to put their past behind them and focus on the future. Lucius was his cousin's husband and he didn't want to make Narcissa feel as if she had to take sides at any point. He knew she wouldn't go against her husband unless it was for her son, and he would never expect her to. There was only so much he could do to accommodate Lord Malfoy while he was on house arrest though; since some things needed to take place within the Black Manor. In this case, it had been the ability to prove Delphini's name had been on the wall where the births of family members were recorded. In the near future, it would be the party to announce his and Marcus's betrothal and then their marriage.
"Of course, cousin. I will arrange a visit as promptly as I am able." Narcissa replied with a small nod and upturn of her lips at the consideration for her husband.
She knew how much Hardwin had tried to move past the things Lucius had done and include him within the family since he had taken the mantle.
Narcissa had worried about the history between the two. She worried that her loyalties to the family of her birth and the family of her bonded would be split until she had no choice but to choose. Hardwin knew she would choose her husband as was her duty no matter the reasons. He and Lucius had both been working to get along. They didn't always agree. There might always be some measure of conflict between the two Lords, but Narcissa knew Hardwin and Lucius had and would continue to try for both herself and Draco.
She truly did appreciate their efforts.
"I will join you shortly, Mother. There is something else I need to discuss with Hardwin while I am here." Draco said as she stood and turned to move back to the floo room, only pausing to respond to her son.
"Don't be too late, Draco. Your father will be expecting you in his study." She said before leaving the room with Andromeda following behind, to give the two some privacy if it was needed, and to talk with her sister before she left.
"What did you need to talk to me about, Draco?" Hardwin asked as he sat back down and called for an elf to deliver tea.
"Have you heard anything about what is happening at Hogwarts?" Draco asked as he also sat back down and accepted a cup.
"Not since I spoke with the Headmistress though that wasn't about anything going on at the school. I have received a few letters from Neville and Luna, but they haven't written about anything out of the norm. Why?" Hardwin asked and knew something must have happened for Draco to bring up the subject.
"I received a letter from Blaise, Heir Zabini, when I returned home from lessons today. Granger and the two Weasleys have been causing a ruckus over your absence at the school. From what Blaise has said, at first it wasn't too bad. They were acting like they were worried, but some rumors have started since the article about your inheritance was released. Rumors about you going dark, and how you've pushed away your 'friends' who have been trying to keep you on the 'correct' path." Draco replied with a sneer at the thought of it.
"Hmm. I think I'll leave them to it, and see how far they're willing to go. I'll notify my solicitor. If the rumors can be traced back to them then we can add slander toward the Lord of a Noble and Ancient House. She's already compiling all the evidence that comes in, but Granger and the Weasleys will need to wait for the moment. I have enough on my plate, and any rumors they manage to spread can be disproved when they are taken to court. Their list of offenses is long enough as it is, and is only continuing to grow." Hardwin said knowing that the case against them would have an even greater impact if he gave them more time to continue digging the hole he would bury them in.
"What about the rest of the Weasleys? Have you managed to rule out any of the rest of the family from being involved?" Draco asked and Hardwin sighed.
"Percy and his father were suspended from their jobs in the Ministry pending an investigation. Minister Shacklbolt is coming down hard on any corruption within the Ministry. Percy cleared himself of involvement after answering their questioning voluntarily under veritaserum. His father hasn't even tried protesting the suspension with Kingsley though I hear Mrs. Weasley has been raising a fuss and giving him quite the headache. Meanwhile, Grigotts has managed to clear George and Fred from suspicion. George submitted to questioning from the Goblins when the vaults for the shop were frozen. He has written to me to apologize for his family and to assure me that both he and Fred have always cared for me for me and not what I could do for them. He has refused to speak to any of his family who haven't been cleared yet. However, Bill and his wife Fluer are still being investigated. The goblins have suspended them both from their work with the bank and frozen their vaults until they can find the truth of the matter. They must have found something there, but given I have not been informed, it doesn't appear to have anything to do with my accounts." Hardwin said as he sipped his tea and Draco hummed thoughtfully before Hardwin continued.
"Other than Granger, Mrs. Weasley, and her daughter, I can't be sure any of the others were uninvolved except George and Percy. Mr. Weasley, while it doesn't appear had anything to do with it on the surface, did sign the invalid marriage contract. I don't think Charlie had anything to do with it as he makes a good wage as a dragon handler, and didn't even return to help with the war. The one I'm most unsure of is Ron. There's nothing connecting him to the theft, but I can't rule him out either. According to Miss Deverill, his letters have become increasingly hostile." Hardwin sighed as he thought of the mess of his former friendships.
"Well, will you continue speaking to those who have been cleared? I know you were friends with them, but it can't be easy after everything." Draco asked and Hardwin nodded slowly.
"Percy and I have never been close, but he has apologized to me directly for the actions of the others when I ran into him at the Ministry after we returned from our trip abroad. I don't want to cut ties with George if he doesn't know anything about it. He's asked to meet with him to speak more in person, and I'm thinking about it. My time has been limited with everything else, and he says he understands. Did Heir Zabini mention anything else?" Hardwin asked and Draco nodded as he set down his empty teacup.
"Yes, a divide has started within Gryffindor. He said that it wasn't obvious at first, but it's getting worse as the rumors about you spread. He doesn't know what happened, but Granger and the two Weasleys are not on speaking terms with most of their house. Heir Longbottom and the weasel have been given detention for an incident in the corridors that resulted in spellfire being exchanged. I thought I would let you know in case those you still consider your true friends are keeping what is going on from you." Draco told him and Hardwin nodded thoughtfully.
"Thank you for telling me. I will write to Neville and Luna to ask them to tell me. They may not have said anything out of consideration for me, but I would rather be informed if it's something that may come back to bite me later. Was there anything else you wanted to speak to me about before our lessons tomorrow?" Hardwin asked as he set down the teacup he had been drinking from when it was empty.
"One more thing. Father is going to try getting cleared to visit the homes of extended family. He wanted me to tell you so that you knew what was happening should the Minister come asking questions. Father would like to be here for your engagement announcement and the bonding. He would also like to help you revive the Black stables, but can only do that if he is able to be here." Draco said and Hardwin remembers Lucius saying something about reviving the empty stables here at the Manor that were currently empty; Arcturus having sold off the animals when he had vacated and sealed the Manor after Hardwin was born.
"I will speak to Kingsley on Lucius's behalf. Even if only to allow him the freedom to visit Black Manor. There is a lot to be done, and I would appreciate his knowledge and assistance." He said and Draco nodded before turning to leave the room.
"I will see you for lessons tomorrow morning." He said before leaving the room when Hardwin hummed in agreement.
Hardwin held back a sigh as he relaxed back into his chair and his gaze returned to the names of the wall. He stared at the name of the little girl. The daughter of Bellatrix LeStrange nee Black and Tom Riddle, the self-styled Dark Lord Voldemort, who had reigned terror over several generations of witches and wizards. He couldn't believe they'd had a child. A child they had all but discarded after she was born. Delphini Riddle.
He already had so much going on since he had found out the truth of his birth. Since claiming his heritage as his parents had agreed he would when he was old enough. Hardwin already had a godson. A baby boy who he already felt he didn't spend enough time with. Now, it looked like there would be another he would be responsible for. The child of those who had caused him so much pain. The child of both the man who killed his mum and dad, and the woman who had killed his father. Her own cousin.
Hardwin knew, deep in his bones and in his magic, that he would need to take the little girl in. As long as there were doubts as to the Rowle witch's beliefs. A doubt that the girl would be raised in safety, treated and provided for as any child should, then Hardwin would have no choice. He would take the girl in as was his right as one of her most immediate blood relations.
Oh, he didn't doubt that Narcissa would have loved to take in her niece. To have a little girl to spoil and dress up. The problem was that House Malfoy's reputation had been so damaged due to the war that there would be no way for her to do so. Once Delphini's parentage was discovered, and it would be, there would be a public outcry.
No. Hardwin would need to be the one to take her in. He refused to let the girl be punished for the sins of her parents. He refused to let their fear make an innocent baby into a villain for sins that shouldn't be hers to bear no matter what those closed-minded simpletons would think or believe. The best way to do that was to have the wider public believe that their 'savior' was only raising the child and ensuring she wouldn't become a danger.
Utter shite.
Hardwin sighed as he felt a headache coming on. He would need to arrange a meeting with the goblins to find out if either Bellatrix or Tom had left a will dictating who they wished to look after their child. If they did then he would need to contest it. He would also need to inform Kingsley. He would need support from the Minister to control the hysterics of the public.
Hardwin would also need to speak to Marcus. His betrothed would need to know if Delphini was to be raised within their household after they were bonded. He hoped the man would be understanding of his reasons, if not supportive. He couldn't blame him if he wasn't. Hardwin was already raising Teddy with Andromeda. It wouldn't be easy for Marcus to live with and possibly have a hand in raising two young children who weren't theirs. Teddy would be one thing, but the daughter of the defeated Dark Lord?
Hardwin sighed as he pushed himself out of his chair to return to his study. He would need to write to Gringotts, Kingsley, Marcus, and Lord Flint to set up meetings. He was so tired, but he was determined to ensure that everything would be ready by the time Narcissa and Draco returned from visiting Euphemia Rowle's home. Called for Kreacher as he walked through the hall.
"Tell Winky not to bring Teddy to my study tonight, and bring me a bottle of firewhiskey and a glass, please. It's going to be a long week." Harry told the elf as he rubbed his temple and moved back to his study.
He refused to have Teddy in the room when he knew he would be drinking more than a single glass.
"Right away, Master Black." Kreacher replied before he popped away to do as he was bid once more.
'Please don't let this be the one thing Marcus can't accept.' Hardwin thought as he moved up the stairs.
There was no backing out of their betrothal, but Hardwin didn't want to force the man to accept what he planned to do. It wouldn't be any way for them to live. He didn't want to cause problems in his marriage before it had even taken place, but he couldn't abandon the girl to be raised in uncertain circumstances. He also didn't want Marcus to resent the girl's presence in what would soon be their home.
He only hoped his betrothed would be understanding of his reasoning.
123456
That's it for this chapter! I've had a few people ask me if I would include Delphini in this story. Well, here's your answer. I know it's been a while since I updated, and I meant to do so earlier. I've just had a lot going on.
After my husband passed last year I couldn't bring myself to stay at the house we had just bought a couple of years ago. So one of my brothers is buying it, and I moved in with my mom and youngest brother. We just moved again after buying another property with some acreage and enough space for all of us to have our own space. I'm currently remodeling a tiny home on the land about half an acre from the house for me to live in but still have family close. So yeah, not much time to focus on writing between moving and remodeling but everything else I've been up to.
I wanted to thank you all for your condolences, well wishes and patience in what has been the worst time of my life. I do appreciate it. I have started on the next chapter, but when it will be finished… Who can say? Hopefully things will start settling down once the remodel is finished and I'm moved in and settled with less distractions.
~Ryu