Months had passed since Shiva had lived within the Crownguard residence, and had grown extremely fond of her husband, Garen Crownguard. Information was exchanged between them, their love had grown through small, but continuous acts of affection. Garen had left his desk position at the Vanguard HQ to spend more physical time with Shiva, and thus creating a more compact version at his home. The tasks were just as time consuming, but he always managed to find time to spend with his wife – loving her, providing her with affection and all the necessary tools for a more comfortable lifestyle.
Multiple outfits had been tailored for Shiva's needs when venturing out to town, attending romantic outings and even formal attires for future attendance to other noble homes. Garen had exposed some of his unexpected characteristics when strolling about with her in their outings. Jealousy, possessiveness and territorial. Anywhere they'd saunter about, he'd ensure their arms remained locked and she was always within arm's reach. It was subtle, but Shiva noticed this.
Now, Garen was also quick to notice some odd traits about Shiva through his expeditions. Shiva was quite...curious and prone to accidents. Not to mention gullible and clueless; a dangerous combo. So far their compatibility was high. Both enjoyed each others company, and learned much from each other. Garen was insightful over Valoran's history, and informed her of it. Shiva's information over her travels amazed him, and often asked for stories, but they were never truly...properly explained. Often they led to chaotic misadventures and shenanigans. He couldn't help but laugh at them, but there was one question he was never able to ask her, mainly concerning her parents. Shiva was aware Garen's parents were alive, and played an important role to the Demacian hierarchy. Marcus and Lilia are renown officials of the legislative Demacian Council and are often never home, leaving Garen to manage the household with other financial consultants.
Lux's presence in the manor also lacked as the military lifestyle also occupied most of her time, not to mention her relationship with the Prodigal Explorer, Ezreal. The Crownguards were an active bunch, which sometimes made Shiva inquire herself over her own achievements in life – currently; none. Her marriage to Garen would've counted as one, but in the situation it had presented itself, it was hardly a story to boast about. Yet, that statement may change as her feelings for Garen blossomed with each passing day.
So far, Shiva had declared her age in the early seventies, and stated that her home-world's name was Gala, a world she barely spoke of, yet she seemed to hide most of her history while she resided within it. Not to press the matter, but Garen felt the obligation to meet her parents, but upon doing so, discovered that her mother had passed the moment she was born. Shiva refused to speak why, but left her be when he recalled her often speaking to a pictured frame she hid from Garen. There was much mystery surrounding the silver-haired female, but it's been less than a year since they've lived together, and he was in no rush to get to know the beauty who would someday grant him children.
Another entity became a mystery. Talon had ceased to show his face around the manor, and Shiva's presence since their previous encounter. It pained Shiva to know that the assassin may have at last disposed of her, but found it to no surprise as Garen took her complete and utter attention. Soon enough, he'd fill in the void of loneliness she'd bound herself to for several years. Truly she was happy, and Garen felt the need to further their 'marriage' one perfect Sunday morning.
"Today is the day I kiss her" declared Garen to Nana as he paced around.
"Oh? How long have you been planning this for?" asked Nana while sipping her cup of tea gracefully.
"Since the day I laid eyes upon her" Garen sighed blissfully.
"M'hm. Its what you always tell me every single time you attempt at it. You always fail. So, how am I supposed to believe you'll succeed this one time" Nana awaited for his typical answer.
"I've set up the perfect plan. Nothing nor no one can possibly ruin this. Nana, you will send her out to run errands. Have the other servants set up a trail of rose petals – Roses! Nana, I need plenty of roses and candles! Strawberry scented ones to blend with the shea butter cream she always uses. Dress her in a white robe I will have you take care of; and before she even makes it up the stairs, ensure you or one of the other female servants dresses her with it. The floors will be cleaned as not a single speck of dust will taint her feet! Our room will be lit with said candles, and the trail of rose petals will lead to I – that's when I swoon her, tell her how wonderful of a wife she is and lean in for a kiss" he explained his 'fool-proof' plan to Nana.
Nana stared at Garen, almost distorting her face as she resisted bursting out in laughter.
"Too little?" Garen arced a brow.
"Garen, you're treating it as if its her first time kissing someone. A white robe, rose petals? Sounds a little over the top for just a kiss, don't you think?" Nana commented.
"Nana, I love her. I must show her that I do. Holding hands, the kisses on the cheek and forehead...I'm more of a friend than a husband at this point" said Garen as he plopped down beside Nana, shaking the table as his arm came down on it.
"You're stressing yourself out too much. You can't just...plan...to kiss someone. It has to happen naturally. When you least expect it, it will happen. I highly doubt it will be how you picture it, but it'll come" said Nana in hopes of comforting him.
Garen groaned as he roughly combed his hair and ruffled it.
"You have to help ensure my plan goes as I've explained. Tell her I am occupied until she returns, and that a surprise will be held upon her arrival to the manor. Yes, tell her that. Please, Nana, I beg this of you" Garen shook her.
Nana had known Garen's love for Shiva was true and pure, but at the same time she feared that Shiva had yet to reach his level of admiration and love. But, she's never Garen behave such a way with any other woman before, and he was happy – it's what she truly cared about.
"Fine, but! I better not hear of an even more absurd plan the moment you decide to...take her in the long-awaited honeymoon" huffed Nana.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Garen hugged Nana tightly, causing her to spill over her drink "...you think my plan is absurd?".
Grumbling under her breath, she smacked him away and furrowed her brows.
"You best be going if this plan is to take action. Miss Shiva is to wake soon and if she finds you here still, your plan will fai-" Nana was interrupted by Shiva's calling out.
"Garen?" Shiva's voice echoed as she sauntered down the stairs.
Nana shoved Garen forcefully into the closet pantry with a loud thud and slamming of the door as Shiva entered the kitchen.
"Oh, Nana! I'm glad you're here. Have you seen Garen? I thought I just heard him" she smiled brightly while stepping over to her.
"Master Garen? Here? Oh-hoh, I'm afraid you're mistaken. He left some time ago, something about the Vanguard requiring his presence at HQ. He has been absent from them for quite some time" she smiled nervously.
"Mm? Then who were you speaking to earlier, Nana?" asked Shiva curiously.
"No one! I was simply rehearsing some lines – oh! Would you look at that! Here I am about to spoil the...surprise~ Garen has set up for you this lovely evening" Nana was amazing at improvising, but then again it didn't take much to convince the gullible Shiva.
"Suprise? Garen never spoke to me of this surprise" cooed Shiva.
"That's why it's called a surprise, lady Shiva. Now, how may I help you this morning?" Nana offered.
"I was craving some cookies from the pantry, so I figured I'd get a small snack before breakfast of course" chuckled Shiva, reaching for the pantry doors.
"WE'RE OUT OF COOKIES!" Nana laughed and blocked the door while lightly smacking Shiva's hand away from it. "Would you be a dear and run down to the Baker's shop and fetch some more? You'd be doing me a huge favor! Besides, I'm sure your surprise will be ready once you've returned" winked Nana.
"Ah, in that case I'll be back in a jffy!" exclaimed Shiva rather excitedly. "You think Garen will be alright with me going alone? I've never really gone all by myself".
The doors seem to rattle as Garen's territorial manners were oozing. He didn't want her to go alone. Nana kicked the pantry door.
"Look at that, the pantry is old and needs repairs!" Nana raised her voice. "Too bad it won't MIND you going ALONE to the Baker's Shop just DOWN the street!".
Shiva blinked and smiled confoundedly. "You're silly Nana. But I'll be back soon! Hopefully the Baker's son is there. He always seems like he wants to have a chat with me, but he's always busy when I enter with Garen. Poor guy, Garen ordering tons of bread and putting him to work. I'll be considerate and order a small batch".
The pantry rattled even further as a growl would be heard. Nana kicked it harder.
"See! It's practically begging for me to fix it! Off you go, Miss Shiva. Leave it up to me!" she kicked the door vigorously.
Finding her behavior odd, Shiva slowly stepped out of the kitchen and soon left the residence to trail downtown.
Garen was released from his prison and shook Nana vigorously.
"YOU TOLD HER TO GO ALONE?! Yes! What a GREAT idea to let the Baker's son touch my woman! Hey, I have a better idea, why don't we let her wander about town and see how many seduce my woman!" he growled in a fit.
Nana frowned and slapped him across the cheek.
"Calm yourself! You're lucky the miss hasn't discovered your...jealousy tantrums. You'd scare her away for sure!" Nana huffed. "She'll be fine. Besides, I'm sure your precious soldiers will keep an eye on her".
Stepping out of the pantry to plop down on his previous chair, a sigh escaped her lips.
"...I should designate a guard for her at all times.." Garen pondered out-loud.
"Garen!" scolded Nana.
"...Demacia is a relatively safe place, but I figure a little protection wouldn't hurt" stated Garen.
"No guards, no protection. She's your wife, not your valued pet" frowned Nana.
"Fine. I'll just..." Garen mumbled the rest as he stepped away.
"What was that?" Nana raised a brow.
"Nothing" said Garen clearing his throat.
Both remained in silence.
Meanwhile, Shiva had ventured into the streets leading to downtown and stumbled upon the famed Baker's Shop. To no surprise, she was greeted by the Baker's son, Roland.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Crownguard" Roland didn't know her name.
"Shiva, you can call me Shiva" she corrected him.
"Ah, a pleasure to know your name at last, Ms. Shiva. What may I get for you?" he asked politely.
Roland was a good-looking fellow with bright blue eyes and dirty blond hair. He was lean and stood at almost Shiva's height. Wearing an apron with the store's logo, traditional white buttoned up blouse and pants, along with khaki boots to accommodate the fast pace of the store.
"I'd like some sweet bread and a few blueberry cupcakes if you please" she'd ask.
"Right away" Roland chirped while fetching the items she asked for "Your husband isn't with you?".
"No, he's off at work. Least from what I was told" said Shiva.
"Surprise, surprise. I've never seen you alone once. Is it odd for me to say you seem incomplete without him?" he chuckled.
"Not at all. I do feel a little...light weight without him" she chuckled in return.
"You two make a fine couple" he commented.
"Why thank you. I'm very lucky to have him" she smiled brightly.
He handed her the requested items and stuffed them into a white paper bag.
"Here you go, I hope you enjoy it. Tell you husband I said hi" he smiled.
"Will do! Thank you" she chuckled before taking her bag and stepping out to head home.
Now, the preparations were set for Shiva. The servants did their job in making the presentation for Shiva's arrival, and Garen remained in his room to await the moment he'd been fantasizing for quite some time.
Shiva reached for the door until a carriage stormed through and stopped abruptly in front of their home. Inside, Nana panicked as she knew whose carriage it belonged to. Immediately she ordered the servants to pick up any decorations leading to the master bedroom and turned into a fidgeting mess while stumbling to open the door. Shiva stopped to turn and witnessed two figures exiting the carriage. An older man with thick facial features and a decorative robe helped the older female figure step out. Both were incredibly well dressed and had a stern look over their face – somehow they seemed familiar. Just then, Nana opened the door and greeted them loudly.
"Welcome back, Lord Marcus and Lady Lilia" Nana bowed deeply to them.
"Lord Marcus, Lady Lilia?" questioned Shiva.
"...Garen's parents" whispered Nana.
At that moment, even Shiva nearly dropped the bag before turning to face the esteemed parents.
"G-good after noon, Mr. and Mrs. Crownguard..." Shiva greeted them.
They both turned to face the unfamiliar guests in their home, then turned to Nana and gestured she present her to them.
"Mi'lords, I present to you Ms. Shiva Armetige, Garen's wife" her head lowered in respect.
"Garen's wife? Is this whom we've heard about in our travels?" spoke Marcus. "I've never heard of house Armetige".
"With all due respect, sir, she is not of noble-" Nana was interrupted by Lilia.
"NOT of a noble house? What HAS Garen done..." Lilia spat out.
Shiva's first encounter with Garen's parent was already heading to a rocky start.
