After the awkwardly accepted confession, we travel to the dinning room and eat a wonderful meal.
Savory meat and hot bread steamed it's tantalizing vapor into the air, the butler had outdid 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.
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 broke 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 infront 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 layed 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, it's 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 think 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 amount 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? You're 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 scared that her family will dislike me and prevent 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 sit down together, our hands are still holding each others.
A younger woman voice comes from beyond the door.
"Sister, what could be so important-" her voice cut off as she entered 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 on edge a little.
"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 had 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. Her face 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."