Chapter 502 New Goal

Chapter 502 New Goal

Victoria had been fully prepared for the lack of cooperation from the daughters of the Marquess. Though she'd hoped Mephist could marry into a great noble family like Holden had, the Titan family currently possessed only an empty title. Without a single member capable of earning military honors or gaining favor before the King, most aristocrats maintained only superficial civility with them.

No one knew what future awaited a family that had once offended the Duchess of Virlet.

Lady Merry had naturally attended the ball as well. Upon arriving at the Titan Manor, Victoria had thoroughly mocked her, every word dripping with implications that Lady Merry was desperately trying to curry favor.

Remembering why she'd come, Lady Merry gritted her teeth and swallowed her anger. She shot Victoria's smug face one icy glance before sweeping into the Titan Manor with her head held high.

Now, watching Victoria suffer rejection before the daughters of the Marquess, Lady Merry could barely contain her delight. But soon enough, her real target appeared.

She watched Victoria approach a Countess with a beaming smile, the noblewoman accompanied by a young, gentle-mannered lady.

Before coming, Lady Merry had learned that Victoria had set her sights on a young lady from a southern Earl's family. As the second daughter, and less refined in appearance than her elder sister, the Earl and Countess hadn't expected to marry this daughter into particularly distinguished nobility.

Of course, they'd initially looked down on the Titan family's mere Viscount status. But after Victoria's repeated entreaties, the Earl and Countess had discussed it and realized there truly wasn't anyone more suitable than Mephist at present.

For one thing, though the Titan family held only a Viscount title and had once fallen on hard times after offending the Duchess of Virlet, they now enjoyed His Majesty's protection—their lifestyle would face no difficulties. For another, as Victoria's only surviving son, with the current Viscount Titan bedridden from his injuries, Mephist's succession as the next Viscount Titan was virtually guaranteed.

As for Mephist having had a wife of many years—well, that was perhaps the least significant problem.

If they didn't choose the Titan family and instead insisted on selecting a young nobleman from another Earl's household, heirs were typically betrothed from childhood. But marrying those young masters without inheritance prospects meant uncertain future status—possibly lower than a Viscount's.

Become an appendage to an Earl's family, or become at least an outwardly respectable Viscountess? The Duke and Duchess had their thoughts on this question, as did the second young lady herself.

That's precisely why they'd come to the Titan family's ball today.

It was practically a response to Victoria's request.

Their second daughter, the daughter of the Earl named Seraphina Costia, was willing to marry Mephist and become his second wife.

The moment Victoria saw Seraphina, genuine delight lit her face. She instantly forgot about the two daughters of the Marquess.

This was an Earl's daughter!

Though Seraphina couldn't be called particularly outstanding in appearance, her delicate manner practically equaled 'easily controlled' in Victoria's mind.

She never wanted her son marrying another rebellious woman.

Whether Arnell or Trianne—both were personalities Victoria truly despised.

As for family background, the Costias were an Earl's household! That Mephist, though not as accomplished as Holden, could still marry an Earl's daughter—how could that not be an honor?

With this thought, Victoria quickly turned to scan her surroundings. But the ball's guest of honor—her foolish eldest son Mephist—had yet to appear. A shadow crossed Victoria's eyes as she immediately ordered a servant to bring Mephist here before the ball began, no matter what.

"Excuse me..."

Having given those instructions, Victoria heard a timid female voice. She turned to find her highly satisfactory future daughter-in-law looking at her with flushed cheeks.

"Lady Titan, I wanted to ask you something about... your son, Mephist Titan."

Speaking these words seemed to drain all the young woman's courage. She stumbled through them, her face turning completely red, though her beautiful brown eyes remained wide and bright.

Hearing Seraphina's words, Victoria's face brightened noticeably.

If she'd harbored any doubts before, she'd now abandoned even her last concerns.

"Of course, of course."

Victoria smiled warmly. "Whatever you want to know, I can tell you!"

"Well..."

The mother beside her gently patted Seraphina's arm with her fan. Seraphina glanced back at her mother with dewy eyes, then turned to Victoria. "I'd like to know what Lord Mephist enjoys."

"That, well..."

Victoria's smile faltered slightly. Regarding this question, she realized she'd never paid much attention. Mephist had always stayed obediently by her side, never showing particular interest in anything. If she had to describe things from her memory, it wouldn't exactly create a favorable impression with Seraphina.

But what else could she say? Admit that as his mother, she didn't actually know what her son enjoyed?

How ridiculous would that be!

Just as Victoria prepared to offer some generic interests common among young noble lords to satisfy Seraphina, a female voice suddenly spoke up beside her.

"Mephist? He enjoys mathematics, and has some interest in horticulture."

Victoria didn't need to turn around to know the speaker was Lady Merry. But she remained guarded about Lady Merry's sudden participation—after so many years of acquaintance, Victoria never believed Lady Merry would willingly help her.

Especially since, when Trianne left, Lady Merry had reportedly been the one to collect her.

Oh, that damned Trianne—had she asked Lady Merry to sabotage this?

Moreover, mathematics aside, what was this about horticulture? That was work for common servants! Mephist was a nobleman, the future Viscount Titan—how could he have such undignified interests?

With this thought, Victoria quickly looked toward Countess Costia. Sure enough, the noble Countess's previously smiling face now showed complete hesitation.

"Horticulture?" She raised her fan to cover half her face. "You don't mean like our estate's groundskeepers—digging around in the dirt planting things and flowers, pruning branches and such?"