Lorenz took a deep breath. He could do this. He is Lorenz Hellman Gloucester for goddess sake! Steeling himself, he puts a smile on his face and opens to the door. Margrave Edmund sits at his desk, hands folded, watching the young man enter with wise eyes.
Giving a bow, Lorenz says, "Thank you for meeting with me, sir. I am Lorenz Hellman Gloucester."
The man nods and gestures to a chair which Lorenz takes, "I am aware of who you are. What I don't know is why you are here. My daughter already delivered Lord Claude's message."
"I assure you, the subject I wish to discuss is of utmost importance." Lorenz's heart pounds as he continues. "Sir, it concerns your daughter. During our time at the academy, Lady Marianne and I grew to know each other as friends and teammates. Since then my respect and admiration of her beauty and kindness has only grown. I humbly request your permission to court your daughter."
The man watched Lorenz carefully and an agonizingly long paused stretches between them. Then the Margrave leans back. "As I am sure you are aware, Marianne is not my daughter by blood. I took her in after the passing of her father. She left my house to attend the officer's academy of her own desire. She has never had friends and her life is full of tragedy. She brings misfortune to those around her-a curse you could say."
Lorenz looks aghast. He stands up, his face passionate. "With all do respect sir. As a noble, nay as a man, I cannot let such slander stand unaddressed. Marianne is kind and gives everything she has for her friends. She is a blessing and a boon to those around her and I will challenge anyone who says otherwise!"
As the words leave his lips, Lorenz feels an odd mix of hot and cold. His noble blood still boiling from the margraves' implications, but freezing with the fear he has blown his chance. Despite his tirade, the older man barely moves, his eyes staring intelligently.
Finally he says, "I am glad to hear that. However, you and I can believe whatever we wish and it means nothing if Marianne does not believe it herself. The world is changing, for the better, by the goddess's will, but the greatest change I've seen has been in my daughter. When she came through those doors with Lord Reigan's letter, she held her head high. We talked for hours, her and I. She is an intelligent young woman and I will leave it to her what she wishes for her future. I give you my blessing with one condition."
Lorenz clenched a fist over his heart, "Name it."
"Talk to her. If she shares her secrets with you, come to me, both of you. If she looks me in the eye and tells me she is no longer afraid, then I welcome you as a son."
Determination fades to concern on Lorenz's face. "Those are words I too long to hear. Her pain is my pain and I refuse to live in a world where Marianne is unhappy."
Margrave Edmund raises an eyebrow as such a lofty turn of phrase but then stands and holds out his hand. Heart in his throat, Lorenz takes it firmly.
