After the awkwardly accepted confession, we travel to the dining room and eat a wonderful meal.
Savory meat and hot bread steamed its tantalizing vapor into the air; the butler had outdone himself tonight.
I eat the food in a daze as I try to understand what comes after. I still can't speak very well in front of Marinah, and I don't even know what to say, I've never gotten this far before.
After dinner is concluded, we retire to the sitting room again and Elias has the butler bring out a few bottles of wine.
The night passes as drinks are poured. My body gets looser as my mouth tongue seems to get unhindered by the mental block.
"Say.. do you really like me..?"
Marinah is just as free with her words now.
"Yeah.. you're very handsome.."
"Uh thanks… Do you not mind that I'm bad person. I've killed a lot of people.."
She presses a finger to my lips.
"You're not a bad person Kelric, not at all. Something terrible happened to you, don't forget that."
Our conversation pauses as more drinks are poured.
Marinah looks up at me to get my attention.
"It may be a little fast.. but are you free tomorrow.. I want to introduce you to mother and father.."
"Uh.. yeah I'm free.."
"Okay.."
The lull in conversation is pleasant and Marinah rests her head on my shoulder.
A warmth fills me as she does so. Her fingers trace along my skin, feeling the rough scars of my past.
I don't even mind Elias's whispered laughs directed at me.
The party continues in earnest after everyone is sufficiently drunk. A card game I don't know how to play forces me to drink even more as I lose every round.
It's an out of body experience as I hear myself laughing. Not the quick barks that have broken through my shell, but full-on belly laughter.
I'm quickly banned from playing anymore and I don't remember falling asleep.
My eye's bleary open as I notice my body is unnaturally warm. All I can see in front of me is red hair as I try to get my bearings.
Understanding hits, me all at once. I had fell asleep clutching Marinah.
She had awoken at that same time, and we embarrassingly get off the seat we had slept on.
As I look around the room, everyone is passed out in various positions.
Tobin's was particularly impressive; he had slumped over the back of a chair standing up. His head rested at a weird angle as the back dug into his waist.
Marinah and I sneak out of the room quietly and find the butler to make us breakfast.
He's already got it prepared, and we eat in silence. It's not strained or awkward as before, just happy and peaceful.
I run upstairs quickly after eating and put on a long sleeve shirt to warm myself against the chill morning air.
Marinah and I leave hand in hand before anyone else wakes up. I'm not sure where she's taking me, but I want to be near her.
"Hey, what do you do for fun?"
I have thought about this question carefully, I haven't had a whole lot of fun recently.
"Back before I was a slave, my friend Harry would drag me into all sorts of nonsense. I guess my favorite thing we did was when we played faux war."
"What's that?"
"It's a game we came up with ourselves, we'd give each other scenarios and plan how to either conquer an enemy or survive an attack. He used to give me the worst scenarios ever, but he always made a way out for me, I just had to find it."
"Then did you join Elomburg to become part of the Black Legion? Or an officer in the army?" She asked with bright eyes.
"What's the Black Legion?"
"They're the kings special forces; each member is supposedly crazy strong."
"No.. I joined for another reason; I'll tell you about it later. Why're you going to Elomburg?"
"It's actually a family tradition; my older sister and brother have already graduated from there."
"Okay then, what about you. Any hobbies other than being awful at fighting?"
My first attempt at a joke goes well as she playfully punched my arm. Her smile is sweet as she responds.
"I'm not awful! You're just too strong!" She clears her throat before continuing, "Don't laugh, okay?"
I nod and gulp a little, her shy expression gives my heart an abnormal rhythm.
"I know it's a man's game, but I play Glory War every chance I get. It's so fascinating how many different strategies there are with a finite number of cards! Especially if you win with a bad hand, it's so exhilarating!"
"Why's it a man's game? I just recently learned how to play, so if you want an easy win, just challenge me."
She seemed a little shocked by my words.
"You don't think it's odd that a woman is so interested in a combat game? Most men find me odd because of my interests.."
I can only smile at her question.
"Honestly Marinah, I think that's why I'm drawn too you. Remember when you challenged me in the weapon test even though you lost to me already? Your willingness to try and not be discouraged by defeat in the face of adversity is attractive. Plus, you're so beautiful.. ahem.. sorry. I was rambling."
The unexpected speech had made us both lower our heads as we walked through the thinly populated streets.
Her soft hand held mine a little tighter.
It was about 9 or 10 in the morning by the time she guided me to a rather large house. I think it could be classified as a mansion from my limited knowledge.
Nervousness suddenly takes ahold of me as Marinah leads me up to the front door.
"My father can be a little.. much. Don't think poorly of him if he reacts badly.."
Her words make me feel a sensation I haven't felt in years. I'm terrified. What if her family dislikes me and prevents us from seeing each other.
She opened the door and leads me inside. A maid and butler greet her, and their eyes widened a little as they see my hand clasping hers.
"Sean, can you gather my family in the sitting room. I have someone I'd like to introduce to them."
An imperceptible smile lights his face before he responds.
"Of course, young miss. Though, I believe your elder brother is out at the moment."
The butler went off to do her bidding and Marinah led me further into the house.
We enter the sitting room and wait; our hands are still holding each other's.
A younger woman's voice comes from beyond the door.
"Sister, what could be so important—" she cut off upon entering the room.
A woman who looked remarkably similar to Marinah put up a hand to her mouth as she looked at me.
"Ohohoho.. this is going to be good. What's your name handsome?"
"His name is Kelric."
Marinah glared at the woman.
"Come sister.. no need to get protective. I just said the truth, though I'm curious how a uncivilized girl like yourself found such a cutie."
The woman flashed me what was supposed to be a sweet smile.
It put me a little on edge.
"Caroline!"
The woman laughed at Marinah's angry outburst.
"Fufufu~ calm down dear sister.. I'm just teasing you a little. You don't need to clench his hand like I'll snatch him away if you're not looking."
Marinah just glared at her sister as I sit speechless at the exchange.
A couple voices came from outside the door now and an older man and woman step through.
The man has short hair that was still a striking red, it didn't seem to have dimmed in color with age. His eyes were green like Marinah's, but they were fierce and proud. He exuded a regal aura, and his face went from relaxed, to a tight grimace as he focused on me.
The woman I assumed who was Marinah's mother, had a darker auburn color to her hair and brown eyes. She seemed to be a kind and pleasant woman who smiled a lot. The lines that faintly appeared on her face told me this. She seemed to be excited as she looked at me.
The stares I was getting made me shift a little uncomfortably in my seat.
Marinah let go of my hand and stood. I didn't know what I was supposed to do, so I got up with her.
"Father, mother. Let me introduce you too Kelric, he's m-my boyfriend."
A lot of things happened at once. Her elder sister laughed, her mother clapped happily, and her father's face went dark.
"You scoundrel.. you'll pay for seducing my daughter."
He leaned forward like he was about to lunge at me when Marinah's mother smacked him on the back of the head.
"Clyde, stop being a fool."
He turned to his wife with a face that asked why he had just been wronged.
"Oh, don't give me that look. Come and sit down, I want to meet this young man properly."
She looked around the room and commanded everyone to sit as well. It seemed that she was really in charge around here.
Her eyes crinkled as she looked at me.
"Tell me about yourself Kelric.. how did you and my daughter meet?"
Marinah groaned, "Mooommm."
"Shush young lady, I'm talking with young Kelric right now."
Clearing my throat, I begin the story of how I almost killed her daughter.
"… and that's when the instructor stopped me…"
Marinah turned toward me with a strange expression on her face.
"Y-you almost killed me?"
"..ahem.."
Her sister laughed loudly and only stopped when her mother glared at her.
"That's.. an interesting way too meet.." Marinah's mother seemed to try to find anything nice to say about our first meeting.
She slapped at her husband when he started grumbling under his breath.
"So Kelric, what about my daughter appeals to you?"
"Mom! Stop-"
Marinah stopped her rant after another look from her mother.
My face is getting a little warm now as I respond.
"Well, uh.. her hair is very pretty.. and her eyes are so beautiful.. plus, her straightforward nature. Uh ma'am.. I don't know how to answer your question; I like everything about Marinah."
Her sister gasped an "Oh my.." while her mother smiled even brighter at me.
"That's a good answer young man! My daughter is perfect! Hahaha!"
Marinah's mother slapped at her father, "Stop interrupting."
She cleared her throat and continued the questioning.
"Now tell me about yourself. Who are your parents and where are you from?"
"My parents are dead; well my father is anyway. I've never seen my mother before. I'm from Saltpond, a little village that's on the border of the White Sea."
"Oh... I'm sorry for your loss. Did you have the support of your village after your family went through such a hard time?"
I shake my head and explain what happened to me 2 years ago.
Everyone blanched at my story and the air is now a little awkward.
"Sorry Kelric, this may be a little insensitive, but did any of the other villagers make it back with you? You're very brave for running away and making it back safely."
I shake my head again at her misunderstanding.
"I didn't run away; I bought my freedom. No one made it back with me, I was forced to kill them in the arena. I actually had to kill my best friend in my first match.. haha.."
I tried to make a dark joke and laugh a little to release some tension that had built up in the room. It didn't work as everyone's face filled with shocked horror.
Marinah's father surprised me when he leapt from his chair and onto me. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he clutched me.
"Oh, you poor boy! Don't worry, you're a part of the family now.. you'll be my son in no time after getting married to Marinah!"
I didn't want to do what I did to Kathlyn's father and sat still while he rubbed his face on mine.
My eyes connected with Marinah's mother to make a silent plea, and she helped me out. She grabbed her husband by the collar and drug him away back to her side.
After a weird exchange of apologies for bringing up my past, she tried to move the conversation into lighter territory.
"Since you're attending Elomburg with my daughter, I must ask how you fared on the exam! Who scored higher, you or her."
Marinah interjected for me with a proud smile on her face.
"It would've been hard for me to beat Kelric mother, he got first place!"
Three loud exclamations of "What!" followed her declaration.
"It's true, I think it's because he impressed the teachers during the alternate tests."
"You took the alternates..?" Caroline asked with a shaking voice.
"Yeah, wasn't too hard. Though, I didn't really know the answers to the Master of Deception's questions."
"But what about the evolved beast! That's the part that stops most people from even thinking about taking the alternates!"
"I thought it'd be a little stronger honestly, it only grazed my shoulder a little with it's condensed affinity attack."
This led to more and more questions.
"Mom! I just wanted to introduce him; not make you tell him his life story!"
Her mother seemed a little embarrassed as her daughter's words registered.
"She's right, Alora. I think it's time we question our daughter instead."
Her parents shared a look and then grinned at their daughter.
"Say daughter, why are you so smitten with young Kelric here?"
My face burned as Marinah spoke many praises about me. She somehow turned the story of me saving Elias into saving her.
Her family had a weird look in their eyes as they looked at me now.
"I approve." These words came from both parents after Marinah was done explaining my supposed charm.
The mood is comfortable now and time passes until I eat lunch with the family.
Marinah excitedly takes me back to the sitting room after and requests to play Glory War with her.
I'm shocked by how good she is, I've been close to beating Elias, but Marinah completely swept me every game.
Her brother returned home in the middle of one our games and strode into the sitting room haughtily.
"You may have seduced my sister and charmed my parents, but on my name as Camren Pyne, I won't acknowledge you until you beat me in a duel!"
His hair is short like Clyde's, and he had his mother's dark eyes.
"Umm okay?"
The whole family was in the sitting room still and they each face palmed as he made his declaration.
They tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't be denied.
Holding a wooden practice sword, I stand and face Camren. His stance is tight and there aren't many holes.
"Kelric, you don't have to do this if you don't want too.." Alora's worried voice came from the side.
"It's fine, I need to move about anyway. My body was getting stiff."
A few guards had come to watch the spectacle and the one who had volunteered to referee, shouted to begin the bout.
Camren wasted no time in charging at me.
He's fast.
I bring my sword upward to block his strike and smack it wide. He's obviously startled at the strength of the counter and my body moves forward with the momentum.
He's knocked backwards onto the ground when I slam into him.
It's my turn to be surprised when he springs off one hand and hits my chin with his boot in a spinning high kick.
The stars in my vision makes my rage flare up and I accidentally release a little bloodlust before pushing it down.
The guards relaxed demeanor had changed instantly at my slip.
'Shit. I need to be more careful.'
Battle energy stubbornly enters me and my strength increases. Camren's smirking face disappears into a grimace as my next strike knocks his sword out of his hand.
I forget myself a moment too long and can't pull the punch aimed at his chin.
He's body drops instantly, and I look at the fist that betrayed me.
Throwing my sword to the ground, I put my hands up and let everyone know I meant no harm. Instead of the cries of panic I was expecting, cheers and clapping echo from around the courtyard.
Camren groans a little and stumbles to his feet after a few moments. He put out a hand towards me and smiled like I just didn't knock him out.
"Good man! Please make my sister happy!"
I shake his hand and turn around to look at Marinah confusedly. She's just all smile's however and not very helpful in explaining what just happened.
My mind is still in daze as I'm shuffled back inside to finish the game of Glory War. Time passes quickly and I eat dinner with the family. I'm confused as Clyde puts a piece of paper in front of me.
"Sorry, I can't read. What is this?"
"Haha, my apologies Kelric. This is just a formal agreement that's standard among nobles. If you sign down at the bottom, then your courtship of my daughter will be official."
"Oh okay.. umm I don't know how to write my name though."
He flicks a little knife at me.
"Just press a drop of blood from your thumb into the paper at the line there."
I do as he says and the whole family claps happily.
"Who thought my sister would get betrothed before me.." Caroline said this a little sulkily.
'What does 'betrothed' mean..'
Everyone seems happy so I don't voice my question in case it brings down the mood.
Marinah gives me a hug and another peck on the cheek when I go to leave.
"Uh do you mind if I come by tomorrow.." my lame request spills out before I can stop myself.
Marinah nods happily and I can't stop myself again as I lean forward and hug her out of my own volition. Doing something Elias told me about, my hand grabs at hers.
I kiss the back of it and turn to leave before my embarrassment can show on my face.
When I get back to Elias's house, we share stories of our day and apparently, he and Kathlyn had shared a kiss. Like Marinah and I, they had spent the whole day together.
My life is pure bliss as I fall asleep that night and spend the entire next day with Marinah.
I've never been so happy, and my excitement only grows as I go to sleep. Tomorrow, the homeroom teachers will bid on the students.