Chapter 94: Meeting My Future In-Laws

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Meeting My Future In-Laws

~Frederick’s POV~

Reynold’s eyes darted around, taking in the towering portraits and sweeping double staircase, but he stayed close to me, his shoulder brushing my arm with every step. I gave his hand an encouraging squeeze.

"Deep breaths, sweetheart," I murmured, leaning down slightly so only he could hear. "You’re doing fine."

"I’m fine," he whispered, trying to stand a little taller, though his cheeks had turned a delicate pink. "Just... don’t let go of my hand."

"Never."

At the end of the grand foyer, my grandparents sat in the sunlit morning room.

My grandfather, Alistair Corvin, sat upright in his wingback armchair, a crystal glass of scotch resting on the side table beside him. His sharp gray eyes watched our approach with the keen attention of a man who had spent his life building empires. Beside him sat my grandmother, Elizabeth, looking as elegant as ever in a tailored powder-blue suit. Her silver hair was immaculately styled, and her posture remained as regal as I remembered.

As our footsteps echoed across the marble floor, they both looked up.

"Frederick," my grandfather greeted me, his deep voice carrying through the room. He set his glass down and rose to his feet, taking in the sight of us, particularly our intertwined hands.

Reynold swallowed hard, his body stiffening beside me.

I didn’t loosen my grip. Instead, I stepped forward with him beside me and stopped in front of my grandparents.

"Grandfather. Grandmother." I bowed my head respectfully. "It’s good to see you both looking so well."

Grandmother rose from the velvet settee, her keen blue eyes shifting from my face to Reynold. She took in his fitted red top, sharp white trousers, and the unmistakable flush on his cheeks. For a moment, her expression was difficult to read, but then her lips curved into a polite smile.

"Frederick," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "You rarely visit without a business agenda. I take it this isn’t a business call?"

"No, Grandmother," I replied. "I’m here for personal reasons."

I looked down at Reynold, letting my expression soften before turning back to my grandparents.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, I’d like you to meet Reynold. He’s my partner and the man I intend to make my husband."

Silence fell over the morning room.

Reynold held his breath, his fingers tightening around mine. For several tense seconds, my grandfather simply stared at him, his heavy brows drawn together as though he were inspecting an unexpected guest.

He stepped closer, his tall frame towering over Reynold. Despite his nervousness, Reynold held his ground and bowed his head respectfully.

"Good afternoon, sir. Ma’am," Reynold greeted them. His voice was quiet but clear, and he managed to sound remarkably polite despite his nerves. "It’s an honor to meet you both."

My grandfather gave Reynold one last look before glancing at our joined hands. He let out a quiet huff, almost like a chuckle.

"So," he said, his deep voice breaking the tension. "This is the young man who managed to make my headstrong grandson sit still long enough to bring someone home."

Grandmother stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on my grandfather’s arm before turning to Reynold. She reached out and gently took hold of his elbow, her rings catching the light.

"You must be very special, child," she said softly, her sharp eyes warming as she looked at him. "Frederick hasn’t brought anyone to this house in years. Come, sit down. You look as though you’re about to faint, and I won’t have my guest passing out before tea."

Reynold finally released the breath he’d been holding since we crossed the threshold. He looked up at me, his eyes shining with relief and affection.

I smiled down at him and leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "See? I told you."

I gently released his hand, and Reynold accepted my grandmother’s offered hand. She led him toward the velvet sofa where she had been sitting earlier and invited him to sit beside her. Reynold sat down, looking much more relaxed than he had just five minutes ago.

Grandmother immediately motioned for the maids to begin setting the table for tea and refreshments. Then she turned her attention to Reynold, studying him with a sharp but affectionate gaze.

"You’re far too skinny, child," she said sternly, though her voice carried a motherly warmth. "You must eat as much as you can today. I want you to put on some weight before you leave."

"I don’t want him getting fat, Grandmother," I interjected smoothly. "I love him just the way he is. I love how tiny and soft he is."

Grandmother shot me a look that could cut glass. "Why are you even listening to our conversation?" she snapped, though there was a playful edge to her voice.

Before I could respond, she turned back to Reynold and leaned closer, lowering her voice to whisper something in his ear.

Reynold listened intently, and whatever she said had them both giggling quietly. I strained to catch her words, but I couldn’t hear a single thing.

I gave up and turned toward my grandfather, ready to say something. However, before I could even open my mouth, a loud burst of applause echoed from the hallway behind us.

"Finally! It’s happening! Someone in this house is actually getting married soon!"

The sudden noise made Reynold raise his head. His gaze swept across the group entering the room until he spotted a familiar face among them. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Alden?!" Reynold gasped, his jaw dropping.

Alden slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and approached us with a smug, ridiculously bright grin.

"Hi, Reynold. Surprised? Turns out, I’m your partner’s cousin."

Reynold’s head snapped toward me. His dark eyes widened as he stared at me, clearly struggling to process what he’d just heard.

Before I could explain how small the world really was, Alden turned his phone toward me, revealing the screen.

Lily, appeared in high definition on the live video call, grinning from ear to ear.

"Congratulations, Daddy!" Her voice rang through the speaker, brimming with excitement and triumph.

I closed my eyes for a moment and shook my head as the pieces finally fell into place.

"I knew this was going far too smoothly. How on earth are Grandfather and Grandmother downstairs, acting as if they were expecting us without showing the slightest surprise?" I opened my eyes and looked at the screen. "So, you were behind all of this."

"Guilty as charged, Daddy!" Lily said cheerfully through the phone.

"You can’t keep a secret to save your life," I muttered, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

"Never, Dad!" Lily giggled. "So, are you getting married soon? Remember to pick a date with Grandfather and Grandmother before you leave!"

"Agreed!" my sister Freya chimed in from across the room.

"Definitely agreed," Grandfather added smoothly.

I looked around at the united front they had formed against me and sighed.

"Can you all let me get a word in? Are you really that eager to get rid of me that you can’t wait to marry me off?"

"No, sir," Alden replied, putting on a respectful tone while struggling to hold back his laughter. "It’s just that once you’re married, you’ll smile more and stop frowning all the time."

Reynold sat there, looking completely confused as his gaze shifted between Alden and me, still trying to make sense of everything.

My sister shook her head and crossed the living room before settling onto the sofa on Reynold’s other side.

Reynold was now seated between two formidable Corvin women, my grandmother on his right and my sister on his left. He looked overwhelmed by all the attention, his gaze shifting between them as they fussed over him and made him feel welcome.

Grandfather chuckled as he took a slow sip of his drink.

"You’re simply getting old, Frederick. It’s time to settle down, especially now that you finally have someone you love."

I straightened my jacket and raised an eyebrow at him. "I am not old. I’m only thirty-six."

"Actually, you’ll be thirty-seven in a few months," Alden corrected smoothly, glancing at his wrist.

I shot him a glare. "You, Alden. How dare you?"

He merely grinned and walked past me to give Reynold a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Welcome to the family, Reynold."

"Welcome to the family, stepfather!" Lily cheered from the phone screen.

Reynold looked from Alden to Lily on the screen, then to Freya, who was already chatting away beside him, and finally to my grandmother, who was affectionately patting his knee.

He looked completely overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. His gaze kept moving between the people around him, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief. He seemed unable to process how quickly everyone had welcomed him into the family, especially after discovering that Alden, someone he clearly hadn’t expected to find here, was actually my cousin.

I watched him struggle to make sense of everything, his bewildered expression saying more than words ever could.