Disclaimer: I really don't own any of these characters and they might have different personality than the book... but this is a fanfiction. Please remember that.

Many thank yous to my readers, even if there isnt that much reviews that I hoped for. But thats okay, I'll just work harder for them~! XD

this topic is suggested by Valient. I hope its to your liking =)

ENJOY,

Cherry-BLUE

Valient: Sandy's uncle could tell her 'hes' engaged her to some richie from Namorn!! Oh drama. xD

"SPEACH"

'THOUGHTS'

'TALK THROUGH THE MAGIC CONNECTION'


ENGAGED

At the very minute, Sandry and Briar had been walking hand in hand around the gardens of the Citadel. Enjoying each other's comfort and presence. Sneaking glances when they don't really need to. Kissing at every rosebush they came to and pausing each parts of the garden to check on each plant before parting with a small affectionate smile as one of the servants stated that the Duke of Emelan had called for her.

Neither of them knew that following news the Duke had, would most possibly break them apart.

"Sandry..." Her uncle started but paused. His forehead creased a bit. Sandry, worried, walked around the small round sitting table that Duke Vedris was sitting by, and stood by him as she placed her hand on his shoulder. Feeling him relaxed against her hand, she heard him start again but with a soft weak voice.

She shivered. It was not because she was cold but something about this conversation made her anticipate that something was wrong. Pushing the doubt away, the Duke had started to talk.

"Sandry, I am sorry to say this but you must stop courting Briar." He winced as he felt her hand stiffen but he had to continue, " as Lord Douglas fer Hurich had insisted to have you arranged with his son, Astor and you to live with them in Namorn."

The Duke paused to watch Sandry become paler when he spoke of fer Hurich and Namorn and as shetried to force a smile onto her face but it never came and her eyes went blank. Glancing at him with cold empty eyes.

"Sandry..." he reached for her hand and his mouth went grim as he felt her flinch.

Silence engulfed them as Sandry had opened her mouth. Not one sound had came out from her parted lips, so she tired again.

"H— How can you do this, Uncle? You know as clearly as I do as what had happen to me when I went to Namorn. They treated me like—" She stopped as she watched the Duke slid his hand away from hers to pinch the bridge of his nose. She felt like mentally punching herself. 'Obviously, he knows about this, he was the one who sent me there and of course he regretted it until I persuaded him that it was all behind me...'

She gave out a soft sigh as she squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry Uncle. I really did not mean it like that."

He shook his head and placed his hand on top of hers again. "Sandry, I am truly sorry about this, I will do my best and discuss further with Lord Douglas and decline his offer. But do not place your hopes up to high."

With that the conversation had ended and as Duke Vedris assured he had spoken to the Lord many times of this topic, Lord Douglas had rudely inclined that his mind was made. ((Rough time for the Duke haha but I don't really get how it works when the Duke is on a higher position haha =P))

And at that moment when everything became complicated, the Lord had forcefully shoved his son into escorting Sandry, everywhere. Escorting her to her rooms, to the dining hall, to Duke's workspace, around the whole town, to Discipline cottage and to the Gardens (luckily for her not to the privy). To let them get to know each other and hopefully fall in love.

Till the fourth day it had completely infuriated Sandry. Causing her to have a child's tantrums in her room when the Lord and his son had left for their quarters. Flinging everything around her with her magic, weaving and unweaving everything until she collapsed against the bed. She placed everything back to normal slowly and gave out a desperate sigh.

Hearing a chuckle at the door made her look up and that was when she started to blush and turn around to cover her face in her duvet.

"I never knew that I was once courting a child," He teased as he strided along the floor to sit on the bed, "but I have to admit, that was quite a performance, Lady Sandrilene" which earned him a slap on the thigh.

His gentle fingers stroked through her hair till Sandry had the courage to look up. "What are you doing here?" she asked, staring at his dark green eyes.

"Is that what you ask your lover after not seeing him for a full four days? What had happen to the 'I miss you' or 'I love you, Briar'?" he asked with a tease and mirth seeking into his voice as he strained it to make it sound like a high pitched girly voice at the last part.

"Come on, seriously." Sandry giggled at his high-pitched voice.

"I am serious. Where are my greetings, my lady?" He stood and gave Sandry an elegant but a mocking bow then kneeling next to her. "So?"

She chuckled knowing he would not answer her question till he gets what he wants. A kiss. So she did, she leaned towards him and to aim a kiss on the cheek but he moved his head and it landed on his lips. When they parted, he pulled her into an embrace, leaning her against his chest.

"I really did miss you, Briar." She told him softly, "But that Lord Douglas's son is really getting on my nerves!"

Briar chuckled, "and how is he getting on your nerves?"

"He doesn't talk!"

"So his mute?"

"Briar, you know his not mute. He talks to me when his father is there but when his alone with me (when his father walks off), he just takes out his book and reads. Leaving me to have my own conversation in my own world."

"So.. his ignoring you?" He muffled a laughter behind his hand.

Sandry nodded slowly after thinking. "Yeah, I guess so..." She leaned her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat. "Do you think that means he has someone else that he likes?"

He undid her braids and tangled his fingers in her hair. "Are you jealous now? Or falling in love?" hiding his gentle tease. He felt her link hands with his other free hand and squeezed. "No..." he heard her muttered, "I'm just curious..."

"Well why don't you just ask him?" he asked.

"I did... but I got nothing in reply." Sandry turned her head to look up at him and shifted her whole body till she was sitting in his lap. "I don't want to get married with him, Briar. I want to be yours."

Sandry blushed a bit at her boldness before she felt his fingers squeezing hers. "As do I, Sandry but you have to trust this Astor, guy. He might have a plan under his sleeve."

Unlinking hands and pushing her legs off to one side, Briar stood up and seated Sandry onto the bed. "I have to go, I'll come back every night." With a kiss on her lips and forehead, he left.

True to his words, Briar came to her room every night to midnight till second week as Briar patiently waited for Sandry to return but the third bell after Dinner and Sandry and her Uncle was kept after dinner as they had a magnificent scene in front of them. The Lord and Astor were currently arguing in front of them.

"I had enough of this father," Astor howled at him after slamming a letter onto the table, making the utensil clatter and the dinner table shook, "So has mother."

Lord Douglas paled as he stuttered, "How does Alice know about this?" he brown eyes pierced into a glare as he stared at his son, "You told her, didn't you?" he accused and having his son glaring back, his light blue eyes changing to a icey blue shade.

"How could she not know! She sent me a letter today demanding to have us return tomorrow, immediately and not to bother the Duke any further." Astor pushed himself out of his chair to shove the letter into his father's hand. His father's face turned pale once again as he stared at the curvy letters (all to familiar) on the letter that spelled out his full name. He was about to start again before a cough interrupted them both.

They turned to see both Sandry and the Duke was staring at them. The father muttered out apologizes as Astor blushed. "If I may interrupt but do you mind if you continue this in the reading room? As Isabel here is wanting to clean the table before she goes home." The Duke told them calmly as he pointed out a small plum woman standing at the servant's door with a tray.

Lord Douglas ruffled his clean-shaven beard before giving out his apologies once more and following the Duke and Sandry out of the dinner room to the reading room, roughly arguing with the boy. There, they took their seatings in the reading chairs beside the hearth. Silence took place as everyone stared as Lord Douglas started to read his letter. Amused to watched as his face showed all kinds of emotion; embarrassment. Shock. Anger and Happiness.

"Well?" Astor broke the silence as he hook his leg over his other one, "may I marry Lady Elizabeth fa Fernthorn?"

"Elizabeth fa Fernthorn?" Sandry asked him and for the first time, he smiled and replied, "Yes, Lady Elizabeth is the one that I have been courting for the past year before father here dragged me to Emelan."

Lord Douglas paused and looked at his son to the letter once more. "No I am not lettin—" He stopped as he noticed another sheet behind the other, there his lips grimed and he started a fresh with a sigh of defeat, "With your mother's and my permission... You may marry Lady Elizabeth fa Fernthorn..."

With a big woop Astor raised his fist in victory as Sandry looked at her uncle, eager to head back to her room. Making eye contact with the Duke, his eyes twinkled. Sandry jumped up, excusing herself to the men and forcing herself to walk out of the door before pulling up her dress and sprinting up the stairs.

'Briar! Briar' Sandry called out through her connection before opening to door to her chambers. There he started to stand when she fully collided into his arms, smiling with joy.

"I'm not getting married!" She started as she jumped around him with delight making Briar chuckle.

"I really starting to think that I'm courting a child." He teased as it stopped Sandry from jumping around and making her pout. Chuckling, he tugged onto her nose and gathered her into his arms. "Now then, since I have your attention. Do you mind if I ask a question?"

"what is it?" Sandry asked softly as she looked up into his eyes, they were twinkling with joy and love, which made her shiver in delight.

Placing their foreheads together, Briar whispered so only Sandry could hear, "Marry me."

He waited for a squeal but it never came, all he could see was a grin on her face and her eyes glinted with mirth.

"That wasn't a question, Briar Moss." She teased.

Briar grinned and pulled her into a kiss, "Would you marry me?" he asked, as they broke apart.

"Yes"

~x~

As Lord Douglas and Astor travelled back home. Lord Douglas had one thing on his mind.

"Son?" he gruffed out, as he ducked underneath a low branch.

"Yes Father?"

"I was wondering about Elizabeth. What do you see in her?" Curiosity slipped out of his voice

"She is beautiful, charming and smart...." Douglas looked across and watched his boy daydream about his future wife.

"Is that all?" he asked again but then there was a huge pause between them.

Astor shifted nervously in his saddle, "Do not tell mother about this but Elizabeth kind of similar to ma."

Douglas eyes grew wide and he fully stared at Astor, "Your mother?" but all he received was a nod. Silence grew in between them before it disappeared as the father chuckled out loudly, "You do know that your life is not going to be easy?"

"Yes I know."


Please review of what you thought~ and I don't mind if you place some suggestions for new topics. Thank you for reading!