It me!

Smiling, Zachary held Karigan close to him as they quietly drank their tea and watched the ocean. His brows rose as he said, "I'm surprised there isn't worse flooding." He could see that the G'ladheon family had set up a barrier made out of sandbags across the length of their back yard in front of the beach. On their side, he could see some stagnant water had settled into the dips and valleys of the yard, but it wasn't worse than that.

Karigan hummed and leaned her head on his shoulder, "It doesn't flood too much here. I've only seen it more south, closer to the tip of the peninsula." She sat up suddenly, and Zachary looked over at her questioningly. She asked him quickly, "Do you know where my father is?"

"He said that he was going to check on the condition of the warehouses. Why?" he answered her.

"Shit!" Karigan leapt up from where she sat next to him, and Zachary was sorry to find her warmth leave his side.

He stood as well and stopped her, taking one of her hands in his, "Slow down Kari."

She looked at him, "If I'm supposed to be taking over for him in the future, then I should be helping manage it. Instead, I'm here with you just watching the ocean . . ." she paused and smiled, squeezing his hand, "Which, I can't say is the worst thing to be doing."

He smiled at her, briefly blown away at how comfortable she was already with him, "I can't say I disagree with you."

She looked him up and down, "Did someone show you your room?"

He smiled, "No, Laren was but I came out here instead."

Karigan chuckled, "I'll show you, and the bathroom . . . you stink." Zachary threw his head back and laughed. In response, he pulled her in and wrapped her in his arms and held her as she fought against him. Laughing, Zachary bent to kiss her and it was then that she settled again to return it in kind. When they separated, she was smiling as she held his hand and led them back into the manse.

Perched on the couch that Zachary had previously occupied, Laren met them and looked up upon their entrance. She cocked a brow and asked, "I'm assuming that you two have come to an agreement?"

Zachary felt heat flood his face, even though he knew that he and Karigan had not done anything improper. But Laren had always had a way of making him feel like a disobedient teen, even more so when it came to Karigan.

"If you MUST know, yes, we did," Karigan replied sarcastically.

Laren turned to Karigan, her eyes instantly becoming daggers. Zachary gulped and squeezed Karigan's hand that he still held.

Laren slowly stood up; her arms still crossed across her chest. Zachary chanced it, saying, "Laren, let's wait for a moment."

Laren turned her eyes to him for a brief moment before speaking to the both of them, "Your father is away. I should have been outside with you two, but I trusted the both of you enough to not make any rash decisions. We may be out of the castle where such a meeting would be considered a scandal, but Karigan's virtue is still important in this day in age."

Karigan looked up at Zachary as he responded gently, his hands held palm out, "Nothing happened Laren, you have my word. We thank you for staying nearby and still giving us some privacy to work out our argument."

Laren visibly deflated, her arms falling to her hips, "Are you going to court her?"

"Between us, yes. But I do want to speak to Stevic tonight about it before we go any further," Zachary responded.

Laren nodded, "Good." A smile grew on Laren's lips, "I'm happy for you two, I really am. Now you can have what you have wanted for all these years."

Zachary couldn't help but smile. He looked down at Karigan to see she was as well. Laren moved to give Karigan a brief hug; Zachary released her hand to do so. When Laren stepped back again, she held her at arm's length and said, "Now, your father went to the warehouses and I'm sure he'd appreciate you going to help. Off you go."

Zachary looked on as Karigan nodded. Laren took Karigan's empty mug and Karigan quickly turned to give Zachary one more peck on the lips. "Good luck," he mumbled.

"Thanks," she replied before turning and running to the door.

After Karigan left, Laren turned to Zachary again. She took his own empty mug and asked him, "How are you feeling since earlier this morning?" Zachary followed her as she momentarily went back to the dining room to replace the mugs on the table.

"I feel a little better than before. The headache has died down, but I still have one," he answered her.

Laren nodded as they made their way up the stairs, "That's to be expected. I think you have a concussion and will feel the aftereffects for at least few days."

Zachary rubbed the back of his head and happened to feel a sore spot. "What happened? The last thing I remember was Karigan's punch," he asked her.

They reached the top of the stairs and Laren started down a long hallway, "When Karigan punched you, you fell back and the back of your head hit the wall." She looked back at him, "You riding through that storm likely weakened you more than you realized. So, when the hit was made, you just went down . . . hard." She reached a door and opened it for him, "It was being out in the rain that likely brought on the fever you had last night. Lucky for you it broke around dawn." The room whose door Laren opened was a midsize bedroom. It was plainly furnished with only the essential elements, a bed, side table, wardrobe, and a desk with a chair. Zachary saw that his bags had already been brought in and there was a folded pair of clothes that had been dried and folded and lay on the bed. Laren said, "This will be your room for the time being."

Zachary looked over at her, a brow arched in question, "For the time being?"

A smirk played at her lips, "Until you move out or marry Karigan." She shrugged and chuckled when Zachary's eyes widened, "Whichever comes first." Suddenly Laren turned and walked a few steps back the way they came. She opened another door, which ended up being the bathroom. "The bathroom, obviously. The G'ladheon's have piped water so it's not much different than back at the castle. I did have the staff prepare a bath for you for after you finished your conversation with Karigan," Laren explained.

Zachary answered, "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"I'll just be down in the living room, if you need any help," she added.

Zachary repeated, "Thank you, Laren." She smiled at him before heading back down the stairs. After she had descended out of sight, Zachary sighed, glancing over at the pair of clothing sitting on the bed. For that brief, quiet, moment, he pondered over the mountainous differences between the life that he was living already, and the life that he experienced at the castle. He supposed that it did help to have chosen to stay with friends for the time being. For it provided a much closer familial bond compared to those same friendships being overshadowed by his status. And then, of course, there was the matter of the immense amount of independence that this life so freely gave.

Sighing again, Zachary picked up the clothes and turned toward the bathroom. Such thinking brought to mind his impending conversation with Stevic later that night. He was not sure how much Stevic knew about the complicated relationship between himself and Karigan. He didn't know if Laren had told him, or if Karigan herself had revealed it. But whatever the case, Zachary wanted nothing more than to be completely honest with the man. As he had been thus far. But he supposed that it was natural to be anxious about an oncoming discussion with the father of the woman that you are courting. That was the natural way of things, yes?

Innitially, Zachary planned on making quick work of the bath. But upon entering, he soon found himself fully relaxing in the warm and pleasant heat of the water. For a moment, he thought he was going to doze off. But he shook himself and finished his bath. Cleaning his body was one task that went easily enough. It was his hair that he found more difficult to contend with. For the sore spot at the back was sore to the touch, so he had to pay extra care while massaging the shampoo through his hair.

After he finished, he joined Laren down in the living room. She looked up at his entrance and nodded, "Much better." Zachary shrugged and sat down in one of the open chairs. He saw her watching him out of the corner of his eye. Then she asked, "Do you feel any better?"

"I do. Being clean does help. I'm just . . ."

"What is it?" Laren asked, brow furrowed.

"I'm just, anxious," Zachary admitted.

"What about? I thought we got past your initial worries this morning," she replied.

Zachary took a deep breath. "Stevic asked me to have tea with him tonight, after dinner. He wants to speak with me, man to man."

Zachary searched Laren's face, looking for signs that she had told Stevic. And indeed, Laren's eyes dropped to the floor. "I see," she said.

"Laren . . ." he started, bringing her eyes back to him, "Did you tell him about Karigan and I?" She didn't say anything at first, so he added, "What did you say?"

Laren leaned forward, perching herself at the edge of the cushin. She said, "I did tell him about you and Karigan. He was worried for her when we returned and she was visibly depressed. I told him everything that I knew of. I assured him that you and Karigan had not . . . acted, on your feelings." She looked up at him and said, "Please tell me that you two didn't-"

"No, no. We didn't. We never," he paused, thinking, "I love her with all my heart, with all my being. That means I also respect her enough to not push things that far." Laren sighed and her body fell back into the couch again. "Do you think that Stevic talked to Karigan about it?"

This time, Laren shrugged. "They might have. It was a short time later that Karigan's demeanor took a more normal and positive turn," she answered. "If they did, then Stevic did not tell me."

Zachary rubbed his face and groaned, which caused Laren to chuckle. "Don't worry about it moonling. I'm sure there's nothing you need to worry about," she said.

Later that night, the G'ladheon sisters returned home and Zachary was able to meet them and begin the process of getting to know the whole family. He and Karigan kept their courtship quiet through dinner as he had still not spoken with Stevic about it. But there were a few moments where their eyes met over their dinner and a few chaste grins could not be helped.

After dinner had been cleared and the rest of the family retired to the living room, Zachary lingered in the dining room. As she left, Karigan briefly took his hand and gave it a quick squeeze and a brief smile before she too left for the living room.

Turning, Zachary sucked in a deep breath and turned back around. Stevic entered with a pot of hot water and the mugs. Zachary settled into one of the chairs across the other man. He accepted the mug from Stevic and began adding the tea leaves and some more honey for his headache. After some minutes of quiet, Stevic spoke up, "How are you feeling since arriving?"

Zachary looked up, "I am feeling better overall. It feels like . . ." he paused, glancing down at his tea, "it feels like a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Already."

Stevic nodded, "From what you have already told us, I wish more could be done for your children. I feel for them. Do you have something set up with the queen so you can see them?"

"We do. As soon as I find a home for myself, we agreed for them to come down and stay with me for a little while. We agreed that it would be good for them to experience Sacoridia," Zachary answered.

Stevic nodded. He finished taking a sip and agreed, "It would be. Did you have the opportunities to go out and about the kingdom as a child?"

Warming his hands on the mug, Zachary answered, "The kingdom, no. But the city, sure, occasionally. It wasn't very often with the additional Weapons that were required for such an outing. But it did happen that our mother or our nurses took us out among the city."

Stevic leaned back and shook his head solemnly. "That's not a-" Zachary watched the other man close his eyes, "That's not a childhood Zachary. That's . . ." there was a long and stretched out moment of silence, "It is amazing that you have turned out the way that you have. Children are not supposed to know about such adult things such as trade, taxes, war and death. They are supposed to play and learn and be with their siblings and friends. Playing the in barn, in the sand, in the water, in the dirt and grass. They're meant to experience their world."

Zachary's brows furrowed, "Stevic, I'm not looking for pity. Th-"

Stevic's eyes widened, "Oh no no! I'm not looking to pity you, Zachary. I'm simply stating a fact. That's not how a child should experience their life. By having to constantly learn court etticute, governing, advanced languages, and having to learn how to defend yourself, you take away their chance of being an innocent child. It's one of the many reasons why I personally don't like the nobility. Let children be children. That's how I was raised and that's how I raised Kari."

Zachary smiled, "I agree. I initially left the nobility because I wanted to live my own life, but I also knew that I would have a little chance of letting Zachary and Esmere be children. Even if it is for those brief times when they can come stay with me."

Stevic nodded, "Yes." The other man leaned forward and looked squarely at Zachary. With a pointed finger at Zachary, Stevic added, "But those 'brief' times, will be the greatest times that they will have with their parent. I have no doubt that the queen loves her children. But you are allowing the prince and princess to simply be children, and that will be the most impactful in their upbringing. Not the lessons or the schooling. And that, sir, is the bottom line."

Zachary smiled and glanced down at his tea, not really knowing what to say to that. There were a few minutes that the room was quiet as the two men sipped at their tea. And then Stevic spoke up again, "I wonder if you have thought of what you would like to do for a job."

Cocking his head to the side and rubbing his face, "It's a little tricky. I can run the figures, I'm a swordmaster, I excel at diplomacy, and languages. Everything needed to run a kingdom, I know how to do. But if you ask me if I can work a trade, no, not really. I know how to take care of horses, and dogs. I would love to work on the ocean, but I don't know how to captain a ship or to even fish very well." Zachary finished with a shrug, "I have thought long and hard about what I would want to do. But I don't know how to do much in this . . . phase of my life."

Stevic listened raptly as Zachary explained. And when he finished, Stevic nodded. And then he said to Zachary, "Part of the reason why I asked to speak with you tonight is to ask you to consider something for me." Zachary nodded. "Since the end of the war, trade has increased 3 times as much as we were making at this time last year. We have added more ships to our clan so we can reach more places across the kingdom and in the neighboring islands and Rhovanny as well.

"That being said, Karigan, Sevano, and I have been considering adding a new position. It'll be a naval quartermaster. The ship captains will come to the naval quartermaster, or the quartermaster will meet them on board, and they will go over what supplies that they have or need. Additionally, if they ran into rough seas and storms, they will report any damages that will need to be repaired to the quartermaster. This will take some pressure off of myself and Karigan. If you would like to take this position you will act as the middle man between our captains and us. And over time, and the more that you learn the position, you can make the supply orders and the schedule the ship repairs yourself."

Zachary nodded, "I think I would have a lot of learning to do, but it does sound like something that I would do well at."

Stevic nodded, smiling, "Good. I'll let you think about it. I will speak with Karigan and Sevano about the subject in the morning."

Zachary smiled and took a deep breath. Blown away once more at the level that the G'ladheon family is doing, opening up their home to him. If the other members of the G'ladheon clan leadership agree with Zachary taking on that position, and he agrees to take it, then that will provide an income that he could put to purchasing or building a home. Additionally, he could find and get into business with those who could help him with building a home. That could open many doors for him. "Thank you, Stevic. Truly."

"It's no trouble. I'm just happy that we have been able to help you get your feet under you." Stevic chuckled and Zachary joined him.

There was another extended period of quiet while the men drank their tea. Then Zachary asked as he refilled his mug, "You said earlier that the job was part of the reason why you wished to speak with me. What else is on your mind?"

Stevic nodded, "What are your intentions with my daughter?"

Zachary's heart seemed to stop. He took a deep breath and began, "I know that Laren spoke with you. I intend on being honest and truthful with you, no matter what the circumstances are. I love your daughter, I have since I met her. Her passion, genuineness, loyalty, kindness, determination, and yes, even her stubbornness are what made me fall for her. She is my light; she is what got me through the war.

"My intentions are that I do want to marry her. I've always wanted to marry her. But our statuses kept us apart. I must assure you, Stevic, that I have never compromised her. The few times that we have shown each other affection, we have only kissed. We have been through so much together and have grown such a bond that I never want to be without her. Not until my last dying breath. I will care for her, and I will protect her. Even if it costs me my own life," Zachary said. Memories flashed in his mind of the curse that nearly made him kill the love of his life.

"I do want to ask your permission to court her, of course. I love Karigan and I respect her enough to want to do this the right way," he finished.

Through the whole time that Zachary spoke, his eyes had never left Stevic's eyes. Stevic listened to him unwaveringly. And when Zachary finished, he watched the other man take a drink out of his mug.

"Zachary," Stevic started, "I do like you. I liked you before as a king and I like you still now that you are no longer a royal. Both Laren and Kari have nothing but good words to say of your character. Laren told me a few weeks after we all returned from the castle, about the relationship that you have with my daughter. And then I spoke with Kari myself a couple days later. She loves you, I can see that and she has told me so." Stevic paused and a smile slowly grew on his lips, "Therefore, you do have my blessing to marry her, when you are ready."

Zachary released a deep breath that he hadn't realized that he was holding in. In his relief, he pushed his mug away from him and held his head over the table, willing his heart to return to its normal rate. Stevic chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. Stevic leaned toward Zachary and asked, "Would you like to tell Kari the good news?" Zachary shot up and looked the other man straight in the eye, trying to find if he was being serious. Stevic wore a smile on his face, and he added, "I'll take care of the tea."

Wasting no more time, Zachary leapt from his chair and purposefully strode back into the living room. All of the women were seated and chatting quietly, but once Zachary entered, the room fell silent. Zachary approached Karigan and he took her hand to stand her up quickly.

"Zachary wha-"

Cradling her face in his hands, Zachary silenced her with a firm kiss to her lips. Despite the suddenness of the kiss and their audience, Zachary felt her return the kiss enthusiastically with a smile. When they eventually parted, Zachary wrapped his arms around her and picked her up and spun her around. She shrieked and laughed as he spun her.

In the chaos, Trace asked the room, "What is happening?"

I hope you all enjoyed. I am finding it a little difficult to write Laren in an environment outside the castle. It's like my brain is not computing lol. Thoughts?

As usual, review/favorite/follow!

Love you all :)