Lorelai certainly understood far better than anyone what it felt like to have the weight of an entire mafia heritage on their shoulders, forced to inherit and rule something that one may have never wanted in the first place. Even if she was more sheltered than most that eventually came to rule the world they lived in today, she was more than aware of the bloodshed, the crime, and all of the efforts made just to keep the show on its wheels. That was potentially a reason why she felt herself soften a mere fraction as she quietly observed the interactions between the Castellos. She knew better than to speak up since she was, in a way, certainly not even worthy of contemplating saying something against them; perhaps in a year or two of being wed to Ransom, then it would be her place to do so with no worry or regret whatsoever. She let out a breath she had been unaware of that she had been holding, her gaze traveling from Markus to Ransom before his words struck her as if it were a stake to the heart. Lorelai understood just how risky it was to speak back, even if it were her doing the same to her own father; one word would be enough for them to revoke the inheritance- to simply ensure that their lives were even worse than a living hell. She knew Ransom`s gesture was for show, but still.. it had done something to her on an emotional level.
Despite everything, Lorelai still saw the reflection of the teenage boy she used to spend most of her days with. The boy that was her only friend and could care less that they were both from rival families at the time; it was ironic that all of the big, influential families involved in this type of society always sent their children to the same places, as if they wanted them to start tearing each other apart at the earliest age possible. She remembered how they would rest beneath the shade of a tree beside the lake, gossiping about whatever children gossiped about. Regardless, it scared her a little that she still clung to those moments even when Ransom had hurt her so thoroughly and unforgivingly a few years ago. It was still fresh, so fresh that even now she felt uneasy sharing a room with him. Her thoughts were interrupted when she observed his father and mother leave the dining room, a brief frown flashing across her face. Even with the marriage in place, it was clear that things still were tense and uncertain in both their family`s worlds; the Salvatores wanted more power while the Castellos seemed to want more influence and more light shed on their name.
A small huff of disbelief escaped her when she looked over at Ransom, looking over his expression. Anyone could tell that he was disturbed and upset in some way, but she honestly knew better than to push him; she had been so insistent on pushing him away anyways, so why was she genuinely concerned now? God, it was certainly because of the fact that he had protected her in a way.. right? She sighed as she outstretched one of her hands to rest it gently on the finger he was tapping on the table, wanting to still the anxious movement. As soon as he paused, she lifted her hand as if it had never been there and glanced around the room for a moment.
``You`re not okay.. I can tell,`` Lorelai began quietly, her voice conveying just how unsure and hesitant she was at that moment. She folded her arms across her chest as if she were cold, but it was a self-reassuring gesture if anything. Her eyes eventually landed on his face again, a little gentle but not gentle enough that one would look at them and presume they really were husband and wife. ``If you need it- really need it- I`m here.``
There was a pause as she looked away again, lowering her arms as if in defeat. Lorelai was not looking forward to the dinner at The Hummnigbird, knowing exactly what could potentially unfold there. Places that did not belong to either of their families were dangerous, so dangerous that she wouldn`t be surprised if some kind of fight broke out even before they got there. The Castellos and Salvatores were always considered the most civil and tame in public spaces compared to the other families; they were more like predators too impatient to wait before sinking their teeth into their prey. She spoke up again, her voice almost quieter, ``We`ll survive the dinner. It shouldn`t be too bad and.. I`ll do my part.``