Valentine purposely made it easy for her to try and deceive him, he had expected her to pretend she didn’t look at the painting and didn’t want to have to deal with an obvious lie as he really just didn’t care. “Well you’re not a devious person, that’s somewhat disappointing but I’ll try not to hold it against you.”<br/><br/>He was however quite surprised at her answer to his question, not that he showed that. “Your answer is less foolish than I had expected, it at least shows that you can see symbolism in art. However you are wrong. Not just in what I intended when I painted it, as I know it impossible for you to be able to understand things as I do. But you’re also wrong in thinking society suffocates women. Women are a part of society, if they were really fighting it, there would be change. Not quickly, and not easily but it would happen. No, most women find comfort in the control, and fighting would make things worse before it got better and they aren’t willing to suffer even more for the cause. And you alone, even if you truly wanted to fight, can do nothing. If you tried to fight it, you would simply end up alone and in poverty, which is why women seek out marriages. Not doing so is to label yourself an outcast and an untouchable.”<br/><br/>Valentine began to pace around Mary Ann. “ You see my dear, you are so much alone in your beliefs, the woman, for you, doesn’t represent every female, just yourself, and some others of course, since you’re not actually all that special. You rage against the society that’s trying kill you and bury you, as have I, I’m just above it now. You humans are sheep, each one following another who knows nothing. The suffering and mediocrity you live in is of your own cause, for most humans anyway. You should feel blessed my dear, I am superior to them all and maybe if you’re lucky you’ll be able to get just a sliver of my intellect and greatness rubbed off on you. Yes I am that egotistical, and yes it is warranted, if you never see it, it is because you are just too short sighted like the rest of humanity.” Valentine then stopped and looked at the painting. “Your second belief is full of idiocy. Mothers aren’t drained of anything, the mother’s give up their life energy for the future generation. A bad mother isn’t drained, because they give nothing. Life is about choices, you find something to invest in and you put everything into it, if you don’t, you’re less than filth.”<br/><br/>Valentine then covered the painting again and looked down upon Mary Ann. “You know my dear, I still don’t see you as much more than a lost cause as the rest of humanity. But, if you choose to try to prove me wrong, no matter how hopeless it is. Then you will find there is a lot to learn in this house and you would do well to keep busy.” Valentine planned on making her keep busy either way, but he gave her the chance to do so beforehand just so he could see what kind of person  she was. He was still fairly disinterested in her existence, but less so than he thought he would be, for now he wasn’t at least angered by her mere presence. Maybe it was the dress, it was his favorite after all. “Now I will await you at the altar, we should get this over with.” He said before giving anyone a chance to respond then turned and left leaving the rest of them there. After waiting a few moments, Joan shook his head and then spoke. “Lord Valentine comes off strong, but he isn’t truly that submissive of people, he’s just lost some hope in humanity. Which is why he is just best left alone. Now, once you are both ready to continue, I suggest we begin.”