Precisely an hour later, the front doorbell rang and Goneril greeted her father with a hug and placed a kiss on his cheek affectionately.



“Welcome Papa!” She smiled warmly at him. “Was the walk over okay for you?” Although he only lived up the street in his huge mansion, she knew that old age was giving his knees a bit of trouble.

“I’m fine,” he grunted.

“Do you want anything, Papa? I can have the butler make some coffee for you.” She smiled at him hoping he wouldn’t notice the difference in the size of her lips.

As if reading her mind, Consort stepped back suddenly and studied her. “What is different about you, Goneril? You don’t look quite the same.” He rubbed his chin.



“Nothing, Papa! I’ve just been trying out some new makeup.” She lied nervously. “I uh, I picked up some from the store today!”

He shook his head displeased, “can’t you use your money for something more useful, daughter?” He sounded disgusted with her. “You are the mother to four children, can you not calm down just a little now?” He gave her an exasperated look.



Not wanting to rile him up, Goneril just smiled at him and asked, “Why don’t you join Albany and the children in the living room? I’m sure you and your grandchildren have a lot to catch up on.” She gestured towards the opening of the living room.

Consort’s response was a grunt. Stiffly walking away from her to join the rest of her family in the living room, Goneril silently groaned.



Why can’t I ever seem to please him? She thought silently, agitated that her father still treated her like a five year old. She was a mother to four beautiful children, how much more could she possibly calm down? She wondered. Feeling like the outcast child, she pouted and took a deep breath before joining everyone in the living room.



“Albany, why don’t you join my father and me in the study? I believe there is something my father wants to discuss with us.” Looking at Miranda, she asked, “why don’t you join us as well, my dear, you can play the piano to keep your grandpa entertained and also to show him how much you’ve improved since the last time he was here.” She gave her an encouraging smile.

Consort and she moved into the other room while Miranda tagged behind them. Dutifully she took her place at the piano and began playing a light-hearted tune, making it much easier for Goneril and Consort to begin a conversation.



“She has gotten better!” Consort exclaimed, the pride obvious in his voice.

Nodding in agreement, Goneril gave her father a brief smile before turning serious again. “So, what are we discussing today, father?”

“I need you and Regan’s help in finding me a suitable man for Juliette to be engaged to.” He replied. “Normally, I wouldn’t ask for help, but since this was your mother’s expertise, since she was a true Capp, I’m now in need of both my daughter’s help on this particular subject.”



She shrugged nonchalantly, “Why are you still doing the arranged marriages then, father? Like you said, Ma was the real Capp, you just married into their family-this is her family tradition. If you wanted, it could end with her. Let Juliette marry whom she wishes to marry, knowing her she'll pick someone quite tasteful and rich.”

He stared at her for a second, visibly shocked by what she had just uttered. Then quietly he asked, “How dare you call yourself a Capp, Goneril?”



He rubbed his chest as he tried to calm the swell of anger he was feeling. “You care nothing about traditions and customs, and that is everything that that name represents. What if she were to marry a Monty?” He shook his head in disgust as he thought of Juliette with Romeo Monty. “This is why we keep with the traditions, Goneril, you out of all people should know this.”



Both of them looked away from each other. Although the physical resemblance between father and daughter was striking, their personalities were completely opposites. Goneril knew that when she had been born, her father had been hoping she would be a son. But when it turned out that Consort Capp was a father to yet another daughter, she knew from a very young age that she would have to fight for his affections. Most of his pride and joy had gone into Cordelia, who had had the perfect life it seemed, and to Regan, who he never failed to call his most beautiful daughter. Goneril had always wondered where she would fit into her father’s life. Already he had the perfect and beautiful daughter types, what was she to him? It wasn’t until this moment that she understood that her place in her father’s life was to be his greatest disappointment and that enraged her.


Albany, who had been eavesdropping from the other room, finally decided it was time to interfere between daughter and father before things got any worse. Whenever Consort came over to their house, he knew Goneril skated on thin ice with him; this time however, he was sure the ice was at its cracking point. And unlike Goneril, Albany was not ready to lose such a rich and powerful man like Consort Capp because of a silly argument between the two.



“Goneril,” he said as he entered the room and walked over to where she was sitting with her father. “I think I hear Ariel crying, why don’t you go and check on her? “

She shot him a look of confusion, “I don’t hear any crying, Albany.” She said with a shrug.

“Well you would if you were in the other room, checking on her like I asked.” He said through gritted teeth and a forced smile. “Please, honey, go check on our daughter.”

Finally understanding that he was just trying to get rid of her, she narrowed her eyes angrily at him before getting up and walking away. Taking a seat next to his father-in-law, Albany started with an apology.



“She’s just a little tightly wound today, Consort. Pay no mind to her. Of course she will help you and Regan look for a suitable man for Juliette to marry. I’ll even join in and help!” He offered enthusiastically.

“I just cannot believe that girl has the audacity to call herself a Capp. I mean, did you hear what she said, Albany? Go against Capp traditions just because her mother is dead.” He shook his head. “I did not get to be the CEO of a company because I just didn’t care to follow the traditions. I was not able to provide both you and her with this house because I was going against the customs. No, I stuck it out and followed through with it and because of it, many doors were opened for me.” He grunted and shrugged, “Go against the traditions, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”



“I will let my wife know that she was out of line today, Consort. Believe me, things of that nature will never pass her lips again.” He placed his hand on his chest to show his respect. “That is a vow that I make to you. She will understand that she is part of a very respectful and powerful family line, and to stay that way, she’ll have to show the name and the traditions more respect.” He nodded quietly before adding, “Our very own Miranda will have an arranged marriage just as soon as Juliette and Hermia have found their matches. As will both my younger daughters, Desdemona and Ariel. They may not understand it now, but we are looking out for their futures.”



Consort got up and pulled Albany into his arms for a hug. “Thank you, Albany. I’m very proud to call you my son.” He said with his voice thick with emotion. “You are the best man we could have ever found for our daughter.” He smiled sadly, “I wish Regan would have been lucky to get a husband like you as well.” Looking at his watch he said, “I have to go now, my grandchildren should be back at home by this time.”



Megan quietly continued to play the piano. After having heard every word uttered between her father and her grandfather, she was no longer sure if they were really doing this for her future, but instead for their own. But she would never voice her opinion on such matters. That’s where her mother went wrong, she thought, never reveal to them what you really think or you’ll lose favor with them for a long period of time.



She angrily plunked her fingers down on the keys. No, it wouldn’t matter what she thought of her future husband picked out by her grandfather or father. As long as he had the wealth and status he would be just right for her, she thought bitterly.



Goneril angrily watched her father leave. He hadn’t bother to say goodbye nor did he even look her way as he left. That’s just fine, she thought. If he wanted to be a huge snob about this, she could be too. She was furious that she let him get under her skin in the first place. From now on, she thought, I’m no longer going to seek his approval for things that I do.

Albany walked up behind his wife with a smile. “You behave next time he comes over. You could’ve have really damaged your relationship with him with talk like that. None of next time, you hear?” He was amused when she turned away from him and stiffened her spine in hostility.



Deciding to bait her a little, he moved in closer to whisper, “by the way, those new lips look damn sexy on you, don’t think I didn’t notice.” He chuckled into her ear and lightly tapped her on her behind which he knew would infuriate her more.

“Shut up, Albany!” She hissed before stomping away. She ignored his burst of laughter as she wondered what it was with men who married into the Capp family. They always seemed like such arrogant pricks and her husband, she felt, was no exception.



~~*~~



Thank you for your comments: lauratje86, Dreamydre15, el_flel, sweetiesweetie85, leos_pride!

I really appreciate them! Sorry if it’s a bit slow for now, I’m trying to get character introduction out of the way for those who don’t know the characters of Veronaville!