Chapter 431 - Grandpa Valente's Response

As this family reunion was a festive occasion, Old man Valente ordered the servants to prepare a feast for lunch.

Right now, the parlor seemed crowded with a large number of people seated in it.

Grandpa Valente sat with his daughter on one side while the other was occupied by his granddaughter.

Uncle and Aunt Valente sat on one couch which left another for Howard and Rutherford while the last went to the twins.

The servants were quick and brought them hand towels and bowls of water along with a soap to wash their hands before serving tea.

Yvonne sat next to the Old man who kept stealing secret glimpses at her from time to time in the silent room.

'This is so awkward.' She declared while glancing around the room only to find everyone sipping their tea in complete silence.

Luckily, the knock on the door broke the silence and upon receiving permission, the Butler entered the room.

They watched as the old butler whispered something into the Viscount's ears who immediately turned towards Rutherford, narrowing his eyes with a nasty glare.

The butler, though a little embarrassed, lowered his head for the trouble he was causing and stood behind his Master.

Raylene was anxious when she noticed her brother's reactions and turned her eyes towards her husband wondering what might have gone wrong.

Their children too were watching from the sidelines which was the only reason why Viscount Valente softened his voice before speaking to the Earl.

"Your etcher is making trouble outside, Earl." He scoffed at the man who was staring back at him in bewilderment.

Thanks to the silent room, everyone could hear what had just been said.

Immediately, loud coughs were heard which startled everybody.

Yvonne accepted the glass of water her brother handed to her and gulped it down immediately.

Her new relatives looked at her with concern and sighed when they found her to be alright.

After this minor distraction, Marcus Valente went back to glaring at the man who had caused him to be separated from his beloved little sister for many years.

However, before he could give out another snide remark, his sons had spoken up.

"Uncle has an etcher!?" Two voices echoed in unison as they gazed at Rutherford with sparkling eyes.

They were sixteen years old but appeared like excited toddlers while staring at the tall man who was seated next to them.

'What Uncle?' Marcus glared at his sons who were becoming too intimate in calling this man.

Though the glare faded when he felt his wife's eyes falling on him.

If there was someone who could control Marcus then it was his wife, Trisha who was doing a stellar job so far.

If not, it wouldn't be long before he would pounce on the Earl, challenging him to a fight straightway.

Rutherford looked at his wife who was shooting him apologetic glances and nodded his head.

'I will not do anything to spoil this day for you.' He smiled at his beloved wife who was looking forward to meeting her family once again.

Therefore, controlling his urges to retort with a snarky remark, he turned towards the Viscount and shook his head.

"That is not my etcher." He declared then turned to the twins who were also awaiting his answer.

"My etcher is back in my estate at the Capital." He disclosed the exact location of his etcher, Fryght who must be sleeping in the Lower Hall right at this moment.

The men in the room all frowned but for different reasons.

The twins were disappointed that they would not get a chance to meet his etcher while the Viscount frowned while looking at his Butler who was worried that he might look like a liar.

The other man, Grandpa Valente was gazing at his son-in-law then turned his eyes towards the young boy seated next to him.

"Is it yours, boy?" He questioned as this was the only explanation for the Earl's words.

Howard blushed at the inquiry his Grandpa had made but his eyes first turned towards Yvonne before he could answer.

The little girl had been wondering what was wrong with Demon so when she felt her brother's gaze on her, she looked into his eyes.

There was a question in those deep blue eyes and her answer would affect how he would tackle the grandfather's query.

'Am I ready?' She wondered as her amethyst eyes looked around the room.

Her family would do anything to protect her, this she was sure of but what about the new people she had only met today?

Would they be willing to keep her safe and protect her secret as well as her own family had done all these months?

Her eyes turned towards the one person who knew about the Valente family more than her.

One look at her mother's serene face and she had received her answer.

If Raylene could trust these people even after the many years that she had remained away from them then there was no need for her to think twice.

Therefore, she turned towards her elder brother and gave him a confident nod while her parents were watching her as well.

Raylene smiled at the trust that her daughter had just displayed in her and nodded at Howard which was something that even Rutherford followed.

The Valente family were observing the St. Claire family's silent interaction and many questions arose in their minds regarding the same.

They too turned their eyes towards Howard who desired to reveal something in their presence.

"That horse outside is not my etcher as well." He answered Grandpa Valente's question before glancing at his cousins.

"That was Vonny's!" He revealed with pride evident in his tone and his eyes.

An audible gasp left Trisha Valente's lips as she turned towards the cute little girl who sat next to the old man.

Old man Valente and the Viscount were the only ones who knew which horse Howard was talking about while Trisha and the twins were still ignorant of that matter.

Therefore, these two men were staring at the little girl without blinking their eyes.

'That monster is her etcher?' Marcus was stunned as he recalled the size of the horse that the Earl was standing next to when he had arrived outside the mansion.

The Old man, however, was shocked that they were implying that a girl could have an etcher as that had never happened before.

"My granddaughter has an etcher?" He muttered to himself as the room went back to its earlier silence.

'Will he tell me that it's impossible for a girl to do so?' Yvonne faced him as she waited to see what he might say next.

If he said something misogynistic to her then not only would it hurt her but also her family who believed in her capabilities.

Therefore, she waited to see what he had to say about the information that he had just received.

Her Grandpa Leo had never once told her that she was lesser than anyone else just because of her gender, he had always encouraged her and even pushed her to surpass her limits.

Yvonne was ever grateful to the man who taught her to be an independent and accomplished woman who could do whatever she set her mind to.

Thus, she waited to see how her Grandpa Valente would answer as her future relationship with him was at stake here.

In the eerie silence that prevailed, Rutherford and Raylene were sitting on pins and needles to hear what the old Patriarch had to say.

Viscount Valente too was surprised at first but now he was nervous about what his father might say which might make or break the entire purpose of inviting the St. Claires over to their fief.

'I finally managed to bring them over here…' He panicked as this chance was a godsend to him.

The twins were alternating their eyes between the old man and the little girl who had not broken eye contact ever since they had first looked at each other.

Finally, Grandpa Valente's lips parted, indicating that he was about to disclose what his thoughts about this revelation had been.

Trisha gripped her husband's hand subconsciously as she was worried about what might happen next and the Viscount returned the gesture as he also had the same thoughts.

"I knew it!" Grandpa Valente's booming voice echoed in the silent room.

Marcus had been expecting his father's anger but hearing the voice just now, all he heard was excitement.

"Your grandmother would have been proud!" He exclaimed while patting the little girl's head gently.

Yvonne's hair was tied in two low-hung ponytails which loosened due to grandpa Valente's actions.

However, she was so stunned by his words that she had forgotten to move his hand which was destroying her hairstyle.

"You… You are not angry?" She muttered in a dumbfounded manner as this was not what she had expected from him.

Based on the way Raylene had behaved until just recently, demure and submissive at all times, she had assumed that this was due to her upbringing.

This implied that her maiden family was not as supportive to their daughters as they were to their sons.

Therefore, she had already assumed that her grandpa Valente would speak some harsh words reprimanding her and her parents.

But the reality was widely varying from what she had speculated which had left her speechless until she could find the words to express her surprise.

When Grandpa Valente heard her doubtful words and observed the incredulous look on her face, he chuckled and shook his head.

"This had always been your grandmother's dream so how could I ever be angry when at long last it had been fulfilled?" He retorted with a question which further confused everyone seated around him.