Cullen was pacing on the battlements, only a few hours before Turner's judgement was to be held. He was a nervous wreck by now, still thinking of what Trev had said a few days ago in the bath. Had she really wanted him to ask her to marry him or was she simply teasing him? It was impossible to tell if she was serious sometimes. At first, he had dismissed it as playful teasing, after all she had said that she was only trying to lighten the mood. But he couldn't just let it go. He'd dreamed of her as his wife for so long, long before this whole mess. He just hadn't expected her to want it so soon after being forced to marry Turner, thinking that she would probably need a break from anything like that to avoid being reminded of this ordeal.
But he wouldn't be surprised if she didn't see it that way at all. He usually worried much more than she did. He worried even as he thought about the fact that he worried too much. She could be sweet and loving, yes, but was she really... romantic like he was? He didn't doubt that she loved him, but he didn't know how she would feel about a fluffy proposal or a grand declaration of love. He absolutely did not want her to think he was stuck up or cheesy or anything of the sort.
Maker, she makes me tremble and fret like a young boy.
He chuckled to himself but he got nervous again when he thought of how he should go about it. Should he wait a little longer before proposing to her? Should he ask her father first? No, that was silly, he already knew Lord Trevelyan approved, and he should be trying not to be so old-fashioned.
But what if it hurt her feelings if he waited? She was the one who'd brought it up in the first place.
Cullen shook his head, trying to clear it. It would have to wait until after Turner's sentence was carried out anyway. He would just support her and be there for her in the meantime, and figure out the details on the way. The idea of asking her to be his wife was terrifying - and exhilarating at the same time.
It was still morning and he thought he could use a good round of training to blow off some steam. He was still a bit sore after the night they'd 'taken care' of Turner in Trev's rooms and he thought it might do him some good to stretch his muscles a bit.
Ten minutes later, he'd joined a group of his soldiers for their sparring. They were excited that the Commander got his hands dirty with them, and it didn't take long before they challenged him to one-on-one matches in wrestling, swordfighting and the like. He really enjoyed it.
He'd just taken down one of his soldiers when he heard the crowd that had now gathered to watch them quiet down a little, murmurs replacing the shouting from seconds before.
He looked up from the muddy ground, sweat running down his bare upper body, to see Trev watching him along with her sister Rose and their father, Lord Trevelyan.
He got up as gracefully as he could manage and cleared his throat as he walked up to them. He bowed his head in a respectful greeting, and was surprised but delighted when Trev leaned in to kiss his cheek. He had barely seen her for days with her being so busy with her sister, catching up after not seeing each other for years, and welcoming her father back the day before this one as well.
"My ladies, always a pleasure. Good to see you again as well, my Lord, under better circumstances this time. I beg your pardon for my rather unrefined appearance, I'm afraid you've caught me at an exerting time." Cullen smiled at them.
"No need to be so formal, my love. You're family," Trev said and caressed his cheek. He was again surprised by this display of affection in front of her family, seeing as they weren't married yet, before he reminded himself for the hundredth time that she did as she pleased.
Her family didn't seem to mind, anyway, judging by their warm expressions.
"My sister is right, Cullen. After all you've done for us, for me and Lily, for my whole family – we are all in your debt." Rose looked completely honest as she spoke, and her father nodded his agreement.
"I knew you would figure this out after I came to visit you, my boy. I'm just sorry I couldn't help you more. I'll be forever grateful that you did what I failed to do. You protected my daughters." Lord Trevelyan placed his arms around both of his daughter's shoulders and hugged them to him.
"Father..." Trev began, but he interrupted her with a shake of his head.
"It's true, Lily. I should have protected you. I'm just glad that it's over now, and I hope you gave that little shit what he deserved before you threw him in the dungeon."
"Father! Language!" Rose exclaimed, but Trev laughed and Cullen couldn't help but to smile.
"Oh, Father, don't you doubt for a second that we did, me and Cullen both. I would have gladly killed Turner already, but this will make a better show, plus the marriage will be annulled before his death. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he hears it." Trev looked excited and her father nodded.
"I agree, you need to make a statement," he said.
"So..." Cullen began, a thought occurring to him. "Rose, Lily. Lily and Rose. A family of flowers then?" A smile tugged at his lips when he saw Trev roll her eyes at him.
"You see, Father? I've told you, it's ridiculous. What were you and Mother thinking?" she said, her tone annoyed.
Rose and Lord Trevelyan only laughed at her, and Cullen joined them. He felt at ease with these people, which gladdened him since maybe soon they would be his family too.
"Well, if you're going to gang up on me, I'll leave you here to keep mocking me in peace. I have a judgement to prepare myself for, and a sword to sharpen." She pretended to look offended but she winked at Cullen before turning around.
She took a few steps before turning around again, smiling and about to say something when Cullen heard a whooshing sound followed by a nasty thud. Trev's expression turned from cheery to horrified as she looked at him.
He felt strangely numb. He thought he saw something in the corner of his vision and looked down, surprised to see blood dripping out of his own mouth. He felt dizzy and he fell to his knees, confused. He couldn't feel anything, and his hearing dulled. He thought he heard Trev scream and he wondered why, even tried to ask her but no words came out of him, only more blood. He fell forward and then – nothing.