As they landed in the garden, Angel Dust noticed he was now holding a red rose in his hand.
- I guess it is for you. - He growled and gave it to Daria as she tried to take down the ring to no success.
- Uncle Tony… I… - She teared up a bit. She could see how mad he was at her, even if he turned his back on her.
The spider turn his head and hissed.
- Is't it Anthony, now, toots? We're about to get married. Ya don't call your husband "uncle". Unless you're into that kind of role play? Oh, and you love me so much, too! Ho 70 anni più di te, pazza ragazza cieca!
He reverted to italian for a moment in an angry manner.
She blushed and spitted out:
- It was all a prank uncle! I swear! You are so perverted sometimes, with your jokes and all. I just wanted to see if this would be too much even for you! You prank me all the time, I just wanted to prank you back...
He looked at her.
- A prank?! A prank?! - he screamed. - How is any of this funny to you!?
- I'm sure we can fix it… - She smiled hopefully.
- Yeah, cause your Victorian era daddy was so cooperative when he decided I'm a son-in-law of his dreams.
- Dad isn't that old…
- He could fool me!
- And hey, I'm the only one to blame, here! What was that whole "I love your daughter" thing about?!
He winced
- Do you really think it wasn't taken out of context?!
Then his smartphone rings.
- What is it, Val? I'm in the middle of something. - He growled.
- Do you think just because you have a bit more freedom due to your friendship with an overlord you're not my slave anymore?
The tone was cold and harsh. Anthony gulped. He couldn't forget. Valentino would always find a way to remind him.
- A delay with your new movie will cost you a punishment, darlin. - He continued. - And I'm not as nice as that stag.
Calling Alastor nice would be quite weird to anybody who ever saw him, but between the two Tony would prefer to deal with Al's anger.
He got all red as Valentino started to list all the horrid things he was about to do to him if he won't go to the end of his deal with a pimp. Daria listens to those with an open mouth as well. She never really had occasion to grasp how cruel he was to her uncle.
He did something he never did before, he hung out to prevent Daria from hearing any more of this. He also knew his boss would be even more furious, now he's done that. Oh, boy, he dreaded the next working day…
He grabbed her arm and pulled her, wanting to get back to the Alastor's mansion.
- You're right, if you don't spend the rest of your days as my wife you better tell your dad what you just said to me! - He reasoned after calming down a bit as he ended the disturbing call.. - The guy even says he will make me overlord if I marry you! He's that determined.
- Wait… what? - She pulled her arm back. Doe smiled and clapped her hooves.
- Yeah, bonkers, I know!
- No, uncle Tony… Anthony… - she corrected herself to his surprise. - Don't you see? You are bonded with this cruel monster for now but it all can change! All it takes to get rid of your contract with Valentino is my hand in marriage! If you really become an overlord he can't control you anymore!
He looked at her, he didn't think about it that way.. This deal would be profitable if they look at this in the right way but…
- But it requires us to get Married! MARRIED, you understand it, right?
- Oh, don't act like this would be the weirdest thing you've ever done for cash. - She raised her brow. - Well, more like power in this case, but my point is, we're friends, we can just divorce after a while and you stay free from Valentino! And we can deal with dad later.
- And considering how hyped he is right now about the topic, I think he would start to introduce me to a bunch of he's colleagues as a coping mechanism. He did it once already… - She cringed at the memory. - Turns out in his youth women were off to marry extremely soon.
- Kid, you got some brains… that's devious!
- Well, thank you, "husband". Do we have a deal, then, my dear?
Tony hesitated for a minute. He looked at her, this moment would change everything between them…
- Are you sure you want to do this?
- What? Are you afraid you're so old you can't cater to your young bride's needs? - She covered her mouth and laughed. - That one day you come after work and catch me with a postman?
They both looked at each other with sparks in their eyes. The idea was just ridiculous enough to work.
- You know what? Fuck it, I'm getting married, baby!
They shake hands and laugh, as they cheated the system.