"We are receiving very important guests today," Louise, ever the fair and lustrous Lady Miller, stated clearly while standing tall and elegant in front of the Miller Manor's floo as she gazed at her children with a critical look. "How we receive the Bezuidenhouts will determine Rebecca's marital future, as well as the future of our family's descendants. They have a very powerful lineage, so I expect all of you to be on your best behaviour."

At this, Louise pointedly stared at her youngest daughter with a frown on her burgundy red lips.

"Am I clear, Regina?"

"Yes, Mother."

The girl in question tried to not allow too much venom to bleed into her words. She'd been woken up rather rudely this morning and told to put on a presentable outfit as the manor would be welcoming the family of her older sister's intended. The house elves were running themselves ragged under the Lady of the House's command to polish up the place until there was no speck of dust in eyesight, and to prepare tea and pastries in the lavish sitting room. When Regina finally donned an elegant lace green dress and made her way downstairs for breakfast, her Father was surprisingly absent - though it was a good thing since the tension between them was still running high because of the disastrous afternoon just two days earlier.

If she was completely honest, Regina pitied the boy who had been chosen as her sister's betrothed. She had issues herself, but Rebecca was a far worse person - a 16 year old witch with a penchant for malice and manipulation to get whatever she wanted. Unlike Regina who kept to herself most of the time, Rebecca actively hurt people if they so much as walk pass her when she was in a bad mood. Heinrich Bezuidenhout, from Regina's knowledge, was Aurelia Notresvace's younger brother, and if he was anything like his sister, she hoped he'd be able to stand his ground against a fiancée who would wear him down psychologically and emotionally until she could control him.

However, at first glance when their guests appeared, he was a strangely timid boy. Regina's clever eyes immediately took note of how he seemed to be quite nervous and uncertain. As she silently greeted her Housemate Aurelia with a little nod, she already felt bad for her future brother-in-law. Rebecca was going to absolutely crush the poor fellow.

"I hope you can excuse my husband's inability to join us this afternoon," Louise apologised politely to Thealla Bezuidenhout. "I'm afraid Lord Miller has urgent business at the Ministry that he must tend to. The election season is coming soon, after all."

Regina watched as her mother placed her hands on Rebecca's shoulders and gently guided her forward until she was standing in front of Heinrich. She could barely hold back the scoff at the fake sweet smile on the older girl's face as she curtsied.

"Rupert, Harold, Regina, why don't you show lovely Ms Bezuidenhout around or have some tea? Meanwhile, Rebecca and Heinrich can spend some time getting to know each other in our marvelous gardens."

And with that, the two ladies disappeared into the sitting room to discuss the betrothal. Rebecca was quick to drag Heinrich along with her through another door, leaving the rest of the children behind.

"Your brother has no idea what your parents and ours had gotten him into," Regina murmured under her breath as she came to a stand next to Aurelia, staring at the retreating figure of the two older teens.