Konami owns all the Suikoden games. Maybe they'll make Suikoden IV soon?
**Camus**
(Time passes by so fast…)
Our one-year anniversary passed when Miklotov and I were still the leaders of the knights. So far we hadn't found a person with the leadership, honor, and loyalty needed for the job. A few months ago, the knights had asked Miklotov if he was willing to be the leader, but he turned it down. I asked him why, and he simply said that it wasn't his place anymore. Though I knew that he turned it down because of me. I had mentioned earlier that I wished to return to my home in the Grasslands for at least a visit. If he became the leader, he couldn't come with me, especially if I decided to stay there. He also believed that I made a better leader than he did, which I think is not true. We just have different styles.
(When life seems so perfect…)
Rockaxe had really blossomed after the war. Our city was expanding in the textiles business as well as in lumber and agriculture. That meant more paperwork, since there was no mayor of the town either. After we solved that problem by hosting an election, much of the heavy load was lifted off our shoulders. Though there was still much work to do, especially since now more men were applying to become knights.
(And you don't have much time to think…)
I could never turn anyone away, and I found that neither could Miklotov. Of course we didn't grant the title of knight to just anyone who tried, but we gave free lessons in the basics of fighting twice a week. Miklotov, who actually was eager sometimes to find an excuse to leave his desk, was always one of the instructors. Feeling that I was becoming physically out of shape, I trained an assistant to help sort the paperwork for me (as in only handing me the ones important for me to sign) so I could have more free time. Then instead of helping Miklotov teach the lessons, I paid one of the knights to take his place and whisked him off outside the walls of Rockaxe and we rode or trained out in the forest or in the fields. Any place that was somewhat secluded, of course.
(But now I have time…)
Though now I should get to the point. Today is Miklotov's 28th birthday and about 1 1/2 years since that first date. I know I was moving kind of fast, especially since we have only been together for a short time, but I am ready for the lifetime commitment. No, not just the promise ring, but an actual marriage. I was going to propose today. I hoped he would accept it, though I didn't think that he would say "no". He might have wanted me to postpone it, which would be okay, but I would be most happy with a "yes". This was going to be his present, and maybe some other stuff, which I would think about after I calm myself down.
(And I'm taking it one step further…)
I told my assistant to make Miklotov take the day off. I even joked about threatening him if he would not stop working. Then I cleaned up both of our horses and prepared them for riding. With my favorite red coat on and my face shaved and washed, I waited for Miklotov to arrive. When 15 minutes had passed and he was still not here, I decided that I would go look for him myself.
(If only I had the right moment…)
He was in the office, with some annoying man pretending to apply to take the test for knighthood, but obviously the man was trying to flirt with Miklotov. Miklotov looked uncomfortable at the man, who was slowly moving closer to him, ready to pin him to the wall. I came in just in time to find my assistant blubbering about the man being a foreigner from Toran and asking me to do something about the man. That I did, by taking the man's arms and whispering in his ear that some people aren't seduced by being afraid. This made the man attempt to wiggle his arms from my grasp, but I would not let him go.
(And I wasn't so afraid…)
Miklotov looked so relieved when he saw me after I had grabbed the man that I thought, no matter what happened later, this would be something to remember. Then when my assistant asked me if I was going to do something about the man in my grasp, I realized that I had been lost in my thoughts and then proceeded with telling the man to never come back again.
(And you weren't so perfect yourself…)
He snarled, and went out the door, but before he was out of sight, he asked me who I was. I proudly announced that I was to be the future husband to Miklotov, but then when I saw the shocked expression on Miklotov's face, I realized that I just blown my cover. I was supposed to ask him when we were off by our favorite spot in the forest, but now I couldn't take back what I said. It seemed like for a moment that everything stopped, and then his lips formed the word "yes". It was all I needed before I ran up to him and kissed him passionately over the desk.
(But I guess I did it…)
We heard the man storm out in disgust, but we didn't care. I motioned for my assistant to leave and close the door behind him, which he did, and I adjusted my position so that I was on the same side as Miklotov was. I crushed his lips to mine again and our tongues dueled until we ran out of breath. After taking some deep breaths, he then asked me what was so urgent about the day off. It caused me to laugh, for some reason, as I reminded him that it was his birthday today. Then when he looked at me with wide eyes and asked if the proposal was his present, I told him that is was, but there was going to be more since he said "yes". With a smile on my face, I pulled him out of his chair and led him to the stables.
(And it turned out all right…)
We spent a great day splashing each other in the stream, racing on our horses in the trees, playing hide and seek, etc. It was like we were just 8 years old once again. The best part was that neither of us cared. We were just ourselves, and nothing was going to stop us.
(Now we'll be together forever…)
So here I am now, writing a letter to my family back in the Grasslands and telling them the great news. In a few months we plan to finally break off from Rockaxe and take a trip to my birthplace. Then when we arrive, I hope to have the ceremony with my family there to witness it.
(I couldn't be happier…)
I guess now we wait so we can formally be united as one. After sealing the letter, I blow out the candle and join Miklotov in our bed, giving him a goodnight kiss. Of course I don't miss out of the opportunity to brush my hands over those lips. He smiles at me, and then we embrace each other as sleep overcomes us.
(I can't wait for the day to come…)
