Bab 62: No pressure, no diamonds.
Since yesterday's ordeal with Fabian and Lady Danbury, tensions were running high in the Vega manner, Safa and Wolfgang specifically, didn't share a word even when they had dinner together last night.
Now, it's a brand new day, And Since it's a Monday, the servants were back again.
Most of them can tell that Wolfgang wasn't in his usual serious spirit, he barely said anything about anyone or criticized or screamed yet, he even turned an eye on servants that were slacking off a little, and James watched all of this with a heavy heart.
He thought he had managed to comfort his lover a little but obviously with Safa and Wolfgang not on speaking terms, how can he be comforted that easily.
Clara on the other hand didn't seem alright either, she herself was quite distracted from everything that was going on and since Wolfgang wasn't feeling like himself, Denver gravitated towards the anxious girl following her around and barking from time to time to get her attention.
But as Clara had already paced around the entire manor few times, her brother finally began to realize his sister was acting odd too.
"Is something on your mind?" James said approaching her.
"..." At first she looked at him without anything to say so he asked, "Are you upset with me?"
"Oh! No... no, I was just unfocused, I must've lost myself in thought again." Clara replied with a nervous smile.
"Are you worried about something? is it what happened yesterday?...speaking of which, what did you and Fabian speak of, you never told me?" He asked.
"And I don't have to tell you." She replied sheepishly.
Sighing, "Fair enough, I just wish that you wouldn't be so worried about Fabian...are you interested in him?" James asked.
"You know...I didn't wish to say this especially not around you, you know...but if you and Safa are getting married, that means Fabian is probably not..."
"What are you blabbering about all of the sudden?!"
"I don't know if you're the person to ask for advice or share problems with, James."
"Insults aside, let's be serious Clara! if something is troubling you, please let me know...I am your brother, I can see you're troubled." James said.
"Are you sure I can tell you anything without you judging me or attempting to control my decisions? because I really doubt that I can keep this hidden any longer..." Clara asked.
"I promise to try and keep an open mind about this, and I won't be controlling your decision, honest!" James replied.
"Well then I think I can trust you...sort of..."
"Alright, sister, say it."
Chuckling, "I will never get used to you calling me sister." Clara said.
"Clara, don't tell me you want to let me know and then start beating around the bush." James replied crossing his arms.
"Fine fine I shall say it... You know how Safa thought that Fabian might become interested in me...I mean how she tried to have him court me?" Clara asked.
James frowned, "Oh yes! speaking of that once things calm down I will talk to her about this! I understand Safa was trying to protect herself but using you as a scapegoat, I deserve to be angry about that!"
"You don't deserve to be angry about anything, it's not your choice first and foremost, it's mine.
Besides! Safa wasn't using me as a scapegoat, she just merely thought that Fabian is a good match for me, and I'm a little inclined to believe she might've had a point." Clara replied.
Scoffing, "Ha?! What could possibly make you and that Bloody jerk a good match?!" James asked.
With a winning smile, "Well, we have somewhat similar upbringings, we are both very emotional people and we're interested in traveling, we also like animals a lot...should I go on?" Clara said.
Defeated, "Alright ugh, you made your point but that doesn't matter, you always preferred men like Joey, and Fabian seems to preferr women like Safa that torture the living hell out of him.
I can't see this as a reasonable match." James replied.
"Haven't you realized just how similar Fabian is to Joey, he's like an educated Joey with a sprinkle of tragedy." Clara said
"That...makes no sense at All?"
"You know I'm right, Brother."
"No you're not."
"James, I'm serious! I think I am starting to develop feelings for Fabian!"
"Feelings?!" James's eyes went wide, "Are you delusional? What made you think of that?!"
"Where's the Open mind?! Ugh...anyhow, From the moment I saw Fabian at the party, I believe I was captivated by him, he's strangely handsome after all..." Clara replied blushing, "Remember when you asked me what's wrong upon meeting Fabian and I tried to brush you off?
I felt disappointed because I was excited to meet him, but immediately I could see that he was becoming madly in love with Safa by the second..." She added.
"Oh that's why you were disappointed...Are you feeling heartbroken because of that?" James asked.
"I hardly know the man, and I haven't met him for that long yet I never felt so sidelined in my life... Fabian could barely even look at me but he was barely able to take his eyes off of Safa either."
"Clara..."
"I'm beginning to understand how difficult this must've been to Joey...I should've told him years ago before I left Southwark about my feelings for him at the time, before he could even meet his now fiance Mary.
Now I'm receiving my punishment as I slowly lean towards Fabian, a man who's hellbent on chasing Safa...
And I know he's serious about Her because he's willing to make her an enemy just to win her heart."
Intrigued, "What do you mean, an enemy?" James asked.
"I believe he might be planning something...bad." She replied.
"Did you discover this when you went to speak with him yesterday?" He asked.
"Sort of..."
"Did he say what he plans to do?"
"Unfortunately no, I cannot put my finger on it, I highly doubt that he's planning something sinister but I have a feeling that whatever he's planning, either will make the situation extremely worse, or it may surprisingly work in his favor...
when I spoke to Fabian, There was a sudden hint of determination in his voice, although he was heartbroken himself, he seemed sure that he could somehow win Safa, almost as if something came into his mind telling exactly him what to do." Clara explained.
"I hardly doubt that..the boy had a group of people planning on his behalf and behind his back and still failed.
he was too stupid to do anything on his own, I doubt he can come up with anything and if he did, I doubt it will work in his favor! now that I think about it, he does resemble Joey a little.
They both can't come up with good ideas." James replied.
"I'm surprised he plans to keep trying, maybe Fabian is the man for Safa after all?"
"Honestly, I sort of see it as well, only a man that dumb would come back after so many humiliations by a woman like Safa."
"I understand why you're against him if you are James, after all your marriage to Safa is not only beneficial to you but to her and all of us, we can all live together in here peacefully, if you and Safa were to marry."
"Obviously yes... I just hope Wolfgang can understand that."
"I suppose he's not against Fabian and Safa being a match?" Clara asked.
"And it would seem that even you yourself aren't completely against him, aren't you the one who came with the idea of us living together?" James asked back.
"It's only natural that Wolfgang wants Safa to be happy.
for years she denied herself any chance of happiness because she didn't believe she deserved it, not only that but she thinks because of her body she's unworthy of so many things.
You can't blame Wolfgang, the man who has been by her side for almost a decade, for wanting Safa to be happy and fall in love just like you and him did.
To Wolfgang, this must be the only time an eligible bachelor has shown real interest in Safa, and we don't know everything about Safa and Wolfgang's history, but we both know Fabian's situation could be a miracle to Wolfgang.
Fabian is as much of a miracle as you James." Clara replied.
"You think I'm a miracle?"
"You are a unique person James, You Don't See Safa's limitations, you don't care that she's a woman, you treat her as an equal.
you didn't care that Wolfgang was into men when you first found out, even though you yourself had no idea that you liked men as well.
To me you're a kind person who doesn't see people based on what they are you but who they are.
You and Wolfgang are the rarest type of men to exist and quite frankly I didn't think there would be another one of you, but there comes Fabian, I mean that man didn't care not even once that Safa was crippled if anything, he went on and made her a cane with his own hands!"
"I appreciate your kind words about me...and I'm starting to see your point clearer.
but that doesn't mean that Fabian is as open-minded as I am or Wolfgang or you and Safa..." James replied nervously.
"Are you afraid that Fabian may discover your relationship with Wolfgang and react badly?" Clara asked.
Worried, "The boy remained a virgin for 30 years, he may have been a drunken head, but he has clearly inherited his aunt's religious views, I have no safe way of knowing for sure how he'll react if he were to find out that I intend to marry Safa so that I can continue on as Wolfgang's lover." James replied.
"If that happened, then all of us will eventually share the same stance, if Fabian proved himself to be unworthy by being unkind, then Safa will make sure he's out of our lives.
She will not tolerate a man who cannot treat the people she loves with mutual respect."
"You mean to say that we should give Fabian a chance and see if he turns out to be a hateful person? we should just kick him out now while we have the chance.
It's always better to be safe than sorry, what if he starts spreading rumours?" James asked.
"Fabian doesn't strike me as a person who would spread rumors and whatnot." Clara replied.
"Of course he doesn't seem that way! because we don't know the man's nature for sure!
he could run his mouth and expose all of us, not to mention that he's friends with Colin Bridgerton! the man who is married to the one and only Lady whistledown." James said.
"I believe you're exaggerating your worries brother."
"Believe me I'm not worrying for no reason, What I know is that we're possibly against a future enemy that doesn't realize just how strong and powerful he can be yet, Fabian has the Queen and Danbury on his side!
And when he does realize that, we are all damned!
The only way to protect ourselves from this man is to not let ourselves be exposed to him any further."
"Then you better find out what he's planning to do and stop him...while I do believe he deserves a chance...I still like the idea of you marrying Safa." Clara replied.
"Thank you for understanding, I will start digging soon to see what he's planning...And I hope your feelings for Fabian fade as quickly as they came...
that man is only looking for a rich wife, I doubt he'll appreciate you or Safa well, you two are rare diamonds in my eyes." James replied before he hugged his sister tightly.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
QW_JiHi
QW_JiHi Fun fact: Love, often referred to as “chemistry,” defies a precise formula. Its intricacies vary for each individual, influenced by diverse elements such as physical attraction and comfort in another’s company.
There is no such thing as a set time frame for a couple to be considered in love. It is also practically impossible to force another person to love you.
after all, Each person is different, their experiences in life and personal tastes are unique for each individual.
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