Chapter 903: New Year’s Eve Announcement Ⅲ
Taking a deep breath, James is surprised to hear how calm sounds even to his own ears. "Then let me ask what the terms and conditions for the martial betrothal between the Potter and Prince household are?"
Reginald nods his head in sincere approval. "Excellent, at last, a pertinent question," he said. "A martial alliance, unlike most betrothals, is infinitely more complex and difficult to break. The only way to break binding blood oaths of power is by the test of true love by one of you. It is not sufficient for the words of love to be proclaimed; the professed love for another partner must be tested to be found true. If the test fails, the two parties will still be required to wed by the age of 25 and produce at least one heir by the age of thirty to continue the Potter lineage. Furthermore, the two parties must remain together until the child enter Hogwarts afterward the marriage may be dissolved in an amicable manner."
Reginald paused as he slowly said, "Infidelity is not an option, the marriage contract will not permit it."
Rowan's face darkens at her grandfather's words. It would appear that either she needed to fall in love or James would too. If not, they would be stuck together until a child was produced and raised. And not that Rowan hated James, but she didn't think their friendship would survive under such duress. Even the best of friendship erodes away under the tides of time and especially to external pressure.
Holding back a sigh, Rowan says, "Since our betrothal is to be shortly announced are James and I required to act accordingly as betrothed while at Hogwarts?"
"It is required that you both comport yourselves with that presence in mind," Reginald earnestly explained. "As for the marriage, we shall not discuss further details, but you both have until your 25th year. Should you wish to marry earlier that can also be arranged, but the dowry and wedding preparations have already been entrusted to Gringotts including the dividing of properties and funds should the two of you divorce in the future."
"Are we expected to throw an engagement party?" Rowan crisply asked.
"The solemnity of a martial alliance cannot be taken lightly," Fleamont responded. "The announcement of the betrothal will more than ample to suffice and will be abundantly respected and seen as the joining of two great houses in preparation of war."
"Is that all?" James roughly interjected. "If not, I would like to be excused for a moment to speak in private with my betrothed."
"Naturally, you both may be excused," Reginald dismissed them with his hand. "However, dinner will be within an hour for our two families to celebrate the jubilant union."
James's jawline tightens, but he briskly nods, before rising to his feet. Rowan still remembers her manners despite her vexation and bows to her grandfather and godfather, before departing from the study. Rowan barely closes the door behind her only to see James walking briskly down the hall.
"James," Rowan firmly called out to him pulling him out of his enraged stupor. "Come," she signaled at him and led him to a side parlor.
The two of them select opposing seats and sit down under a heavy silence. The grandfather clock ticks loudly in the corner, tick, tick, tick, over and over in a maddening cycle. James loudly sighs and lets out a bitter chuckle dropping his face into his hands. He simply couldn't believe what his father had done and a part of him wanted to refuse to believe it, but denial is never a solution. The sooner he came to terms with the issue, the better off he would be.
If worst came to worst, James had already been married once. He froze at his train of thoughts. Could he actually marry, Rowan Prince? He certainly did not hate her, and they'd even become friends. However, that did mean he was attracted to her nor that he wished to marry her!
"What a complete and utter farce," Rowan muttered out loud causing James to pull his hands away from his face.
Rowan sighs and rubs the back of her neck dully staring at James. "I suppose if worst came to worst, we could always use an aphrodisiac," she grumbled causing James to flush bright pink.
"What?!" James sputtered turning a bright red.
"James," Rowan leaned back against the divan folding her arms over her chest. "We both know that you like Lily, so that means that you're out. And as for me, well, I've never liked anyone long enough beyond a few butterflies. It's merely a temporary infatuation and it's never been long-lasting. I don't necessarily believe I'm asexual since I do know that I am attracted to the male gender, but then again, I have never been truly interested in actively pursuing a romantic relationship as of yet."
Rowan pensively paused and shrugged, "Though theoretically, that could change in the years to come. We do have roughly close to ten years closer to nine years really, but still."
James opens and closes his mouth several times before he finds the right words to say. "How can you be so indifferent, Rowan?"
"I'm not, but I also understand what I can and cannot change," Rowan's lips twitched in self-deprecation. "And I'd rather put my time and effort on more noteworthy things."
James blanches and remains silent for a time period. The fire in the hearth crackles loudly before he breaks the silence. Raising his hazel eyes to meet her gaze, he says, "Are you truly fine marrying me, Rowan?"
"Well, I suppose that I'll have to live with you being such a shrimp," Rowan smirked causing James to choke. "You're not bad looking and a friend, James, and I suppose I could always do worse. And if I did have to marry, well, I'd rather marry at least a friend and someone that I can genuinely trust."
James flushes at the compliment and peeks at Rowan from underneath his eyelashes. Just like Rowan said they still had time, but she wasn't ugly to look at. And if James was honest, Rowan was rather attractive to him in her own manner. It was maybe her confidence or her strange sort of kindness or maybe it was her callous honesty, but he couldn't say that he would exactly be opposed to marrying her. He could never replace HIS Lily, but he wasn't looking to replace her. But if he did have to marry again, he would rather marry a friend and that wasn't a bad trade at all.
"James, don't get your knickers in a knot," Rowan snorted. "Sheesh, we've got nine years to think and plan for this. Hold your horses, we're not getting married tomorrow!"
James chokes back a snort, before finding himself chuckling at Rowan's words. "I can just imagine Severus's face; I think he would kill me!"
"He would kill you and make it look like an accident," Rowan deadpanned. "And absolutely certain sure that he'd have Terry's aid in planning your murder and thereby guarantees that Severus would get away with your murder."
James shivers for a moment and makes a face. "For always acting so nice, there is just something off about Terry Greengrass."
"Of course, there is," Rowan sniffed, "Terry's practically related to a dementor."
James stares at Rowan in disbelief and shakes his head in incredulity. "Considering his Veela heritage, I sincerely doubt."
"Fool, that's just what he wants you to believe," Rowan ominously muttered under her breath.
"Right," James drily says and to his amazement finds himself much more relaxed than before. He hides a faint smile, but it was his first attempt to smile since his mother's death.
The tinge of smile vanishes from his face leaving James cold and barren. Rubbing his hands for warmth, he asks, "You never did explain why Professor Prince so abruptly resigned over Winter Break, Rowan?"
"The reason will be obvious even to you during dinner, James," Rowan drily answered. "Trust me, you can't miss it."
"I do have poor eye vision, you know," James quipped back pointing at the thin, round, silver spectacles on his nose. The spectacles were new a gift from his distant aunt by marriage Dorea Potter.
"Anything from my godmother is bound to be good," Rowan said fondly recalling Dorea Black the dear friend of Aunt Georgine.
Their conversation dives into lighter topics such as their schoolwork. The passage of time passed quickly between them until it came time for dinner. James rises and gallantly offers his arm to Rowan, who accepts the offer. The two of them smirked for a moment certain that were sure about to give Severus heart palpitations during dinner.
Feeling a trifle better, they departed for dinner where Severus dropped his fork on the ground in shock. As for Aunt Georgine, she merely loudly sniffed and ignored the announcement. Oh, yes, it really was the most memorable of evenings.
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EsliEsma
EsliEsma Happy Valentine's Day! Please treat yourself or your significant other to something tasty at least! Two more chapters will be going out today!
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