Chapter 8
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The dining room was dimly lit, the faint glow of enchanted candles reflecting off the polished mahogany table. As soon as everyone was seated, Walburga Black leaned forward, her bony fingers interlocking atop the table. Her piercing eyes flitted between Sidus and Eileen, a calculating gleam in their depths.
"Let’s not waste time with pleasantries," she began, her tone sharp and businesslike. Eileen raised a brow, intrigued yet wary. Beside her, Sidus tilted his head slightly, his expression veiled but no less curious.
Orion Black, noticing their visible confusion, took it upon himself to elaborate. "What my wife means is, we’ve come here with a proposition."
"A proposition?" Sidus echoed, his tone cautious as his brow furrowed.
"Precisely." Walburga’s lips curved into a tight smile, though it held no warmth. "A marriage proposal."
There was a beat of silence, broken only by the faint clinking of silverware as Sirius, barely a toddler, banged his fork against his plate. Sidus’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, his demeanor icy.
"Whose marriage, exactly?" he demanded, his voice low and clipped.
"Regulus and your son," Walburga stated smoothly, as though discussing the weather.
Severus, sitting quietly in his high chair, froze. The words echoed in his mind, each syllable sending a jolt of disbelief through him. Married? Him? To Regulus Black? His small fists clenched involuntarily. This had to be some kind of twisted joke.
Sidus’s face darkened, his sharp features hardening with disdain. "My child deserves the freedom to love whomever he chooses," he hissed, his voice venomous.
Orion sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. "And he shall. This isn’t set in stone. We’re merely suggesting the possibility—a union that would benefit both families politically. They’d have plenty of time to get to know each other, to fall in love naturally." His tone was almost nonchalant, as though discussing a routine business deal.
Sidus opened his mouth to retort, but Eileen cut him off with a calm yet firm tone. "Which one?" she asked, her gaze flickering between the Blacks.
"Regulus," Walburga replied without hesitation.
The realization dawned on Severus, his young mind working overtime to process the situation. So, not Sirius—thank Merlin—but Regulus? He glanced at the toddler in question, who was currently preoccupied with a piece of bread. This was ridiculous.
"Absolutely not," Sidus began, his voice rising.
Eileen placed a hand on his arm, silencing him with a look. "We’ll consider it," she said carefully, her words measured. "But nothing is guaranteed."
Walburga inclined her head, her expression one of feigned civility. "That’s all we ask."
Sidus muttered something under his breath but relented, albeit grudgingly.
"Shall we order?" Walburga said, her tone brisk. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, though the underlying tension lingered. Severus tried to ignore it, focusing instead on Sirius, who had taken to poking him with a spoon.
Severus, Amidst his daze, uttered something out of his little mouth. "W...weguluth!" He spoke, And Regulus' big eyes fell upon him, And so did Sirius'.
Sidus looked ready to risk it all and jump across the table to grab regulus by the neck, While Walburga merely smiled.
"It seems it was meant to be, After all. Your son's first words are regulus." Orion stated, And sidus' gaze turned to him, full of venom. Oh, how Severus loved his father for being so amazing. Tobias seriously had stuff to learn.
Besides, why did he say regulus again? A mystery he had forgotten all too soon.
By the end of the meal, the Blacks had paid the bill, and the two families parted ways. Sidus, grumbling under his breath, was dragged home by Eileen, who alternated between shushing him and hiding her amusement. Severus, for his part, was relieved when the evening finally ended.
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Back at home, the family settled into their nightly routine. Eileen, in a comfortable house robe, sipped her tea while flipping through Witch Weekly. Sidus sprawled on the sofa, looking thoroughly disgruntled. Meanwhile, Severus entertained himself with his ever-growing mountain of toys, stacking blocks with intense concentration.
He became aware of a presence behind him and turned, his tiny body swiveling awkwardly. Sidus crouched down, his face at Severus’s eye level.
"Say ‘Dada,’" Sidus coaxed, his tone bordering on desperation.
Severus blinked. Was this a thing now? Fine. He’d indulge his father’s request. Drawing a breath, he opened his mouth, only to let out, "Wawi?"
Sidus groaned theatrically, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No, not that. Try again. ‘Dada.’"
Severus furrowed his brow, determined. This time, he succeeded. "Dada!"
Sidus froze for a moment before erupting with joy. "Yes! He said it! He said ‘Dada!’" His triumphant shout startled Eileen, who nearly spilled her tea.
"What on earth is going on?" she demanded, her tone sharp.
"He said it!" Sidus declared, pointing at Severus with a look of pure pride. "He said ‘Dada!’"
Eileen arched a brow, setting her tea down. "Oh? And what was his first word again? Oh yes—‘Regulus,’ wasn’t it?" Her tone was teasing, but there was a trace of exasperation beneath it.
Severus, sensing potential trouble, did the only thing he could think of: babble. Strings of nonsensical sounds tumbled from his mouth, earning coos of approval from his mother and an exaggerated grin from his father.
Eventually, the excitement died down, and Severus found himself drifting off to sleep, the comforting sound of his parents’ laughter fading into the background.
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For now, all was well. But deep in the recesses of his mind, Severus couldn’t shake the strange feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more complicated.
Ah, But where was that angel, along with its demon now?
*
I read Fyodor today, His writing style has inspired me. And, I decides to try to fix grammar!
Also, Now I'm going to try and speed up. As I don't want the story getting way too long, I also have a sequel with kids planned. Too fast? I suppose.
Lol, My friend keeps giving me ideas! And you all are more than welcome to give your own ideas for the story! <3333