There she started up the small heater and set a basin of water over it as she undressed. It did not take very long for the fire heater to warm the water within the basin. Once the water was a fair temperature Rose snuffed out the flame then set the basin onto the floor. She stepped into it grabbing hold of a bottle of scented oil from off the shelf as she did so. With a soft sponge she scrubbed herself down then added some of the oil to the water, which she dipped her hair into as she rubbed it into her arms and the rest of her body. The oil smelled of roses.

'How ironic,' she though with a slight smile.

When she stood she wrapped herself into a large woven towel. She picked up the basin and dumped the water out of the window onto the ground below it. She searched through her open closet for the dress she had been requested to wear. When she found the garment she pulled it out with a smile. The dress was dark blue, long sleeved and form fitting. It was beautiful, actually a dress that her mother had worn. She put on some light undergarments the pulled the dress on over her head. With the towel she dried her long black hair then pulled it up into pins giving it an elegant look.

Rose stood staring into the cracked mirror at herself. Her deep blue eyes stared back, both nervous and bored glints within them. Her pale skin brought out her eyes even more with the dark blue dress. She actually looked enchanting. She smiled at her work as she poured some of the oil into her palm and rubbed it on her neck.

'Just missing one thing,' she thought, slipping into a pair of dark sandals.

She pulled open the top drawer of her dresser and took out a small black choker. A choker she had received from her mother as well. Intertwined black material holding a sparkling blue diamond in the center. She tied it around her neck giving herself one last look then headed into the kitchen.

Her father had seated himself at the table after he finished all that was needed to be done. Now he awaited his daughter and the arrival of General Khan and his son. How much he wanted Rose to see another side of Evan. If she took the time to pay attention to his other qualities she would fall for him. Cordon knew it.

When Rose entered the room a wide smile formed on his face. She was so beautiful with her hair done up while wearing an elegant dress. It almost caught him completely off guard; it had been so long since he had seen her in a dress.

Her eyes glittered as Rose felt her fathers proud look upon her. She knew how long it had been since she had actually prepped herself for a dinner. There was nothing really special that had occurred within the years for her to dress up, except maybe for her birthday but even then she did not quite dress up.

"Rose you look wonderful," Cordon said as he stood from his chair to give her a hug.

"Thank you."

There was a loud knock at the door and he gave her a quick nod. Rose found her way into the entry actually thinking of closing the door in Evan's face but she did not. She opened the door to reveal the happily robust general and his overly polite son. Khan's fat face stretched into a smile.

"Good evening Rose."

She bowed slightly, "General."

Rose turned to Evan; she had to admit he was not bad when it came to looks. At least he did not get any similarities from his father; it was all from his mother. The smooth shiny brown hair and emerald green eyes, he had a soft complexion and very warm smile that could melt any woman's heart. Except for Rose.

"Rose you look beautiful," he said flashing his smile.

She almost waited for him to say 'as always' but he had left that out this time. Instead she smiled back.

"Thank you, please come in."

She stepped aside so they could enter. Rose could not help but notice how Khan nearly waddled into the house. It was a surprise how he had even made general. She contained her laughter and closed the door following them into the kitchen. Her father and Khan gripped hands then nodded to Evan. As they seated themselves Rose noticed the fresh jug of water on the counter. Her father most likely put it there when she was getting ready. She retrieved some water glasses and set them down in front of each man. Once they were filled she arranged the plates and food utensils.

Rose caught Evan watching her from time to time as their fathers spoke. It was kind of disturbing but she ignored him and removed the pot carefully from the stove setting it down on the counter. The salad and warm bread her father had prepared she put on the table before the chicken and vegetables. When she finished serving the food to each of them she sat down to her own plate taking a quick sip of water. Noticing how quickly each man downed his food she smiled. It must be good. Finally she took a bite. It was fantastic.

The meal went by all too quickly and it was after she had finished the dishes when she joined them in the seating room. She looked around; the only seat left was beside Evan since Khan nearly took up both sides to his cushioned bench. She took her seat by Evan and gave a slight smile.

"Good," Evan said smugly.

Rose raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"Now that we are all here, well fed and comfortable," Evan paused, "Cordon sir I would like to request something of you."

Cordon also appeared confused but nodded to him, "yes Evan?"

"I would like your permission...to marry your daughter."

Rose nearly choked on her heart. What did he just say? Marry her without her consent? Her heart thudded in anger and her stomach twisted in knots causing her to breathe heavily. But her father had mistaken it for excitement. His eyes glittered with pride.

"Yes Evan, you may marry my daughter."

Evan smiled openly and his father stood to embrace Cordon. Rose clenched her teeth as she stood to receive a hug from both her father and Khan but a kiss on the cheek from Evan. She forced a smile to her face.

"You know what gentlemen, too much excitement for one evening," Rose stated with a feminine laugh, "I shall just step outside for a short breather."

"Would you like me to join you?" Evan asked.

"No that is alright I can feel a discussion coming on. Do not worry I will only be a moment."

With that she found her way out the back entry onto the dirt path. The anger started to unravel as she followed the path. Why did her father have to agree? It was not fair; it should have been her decision. She strode toward the river, the heat of anger flowing throughout her entire body now.

Evan. Why Evan? It just had to be the one man she hated. If it were her choice she would have laughed at him...then of course said no. Rose felt like hitting herself for even letting her father make the decision. If there were complications he would blame himself.

Rose reached the river and stood by its side wishing that it would just wash everything away. The anger, the hatred and the guilt, the feelings were drowning her. She bent down and picked up a rock about the size of her palm. It was smooth and cool to the touch. She rolled it about in her hand, feeling another rush of anger. With a slight grunt she thrust the rock into the fields at her side, then took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Ow! What the hell!"

She spun around. The grasses in the field rustled for a moment and quiet curses arose in the silence of the evening. A figure stood and stared at her.

"Ok what was that for? Sorry for sleeping in your field but that is no reason to chuck a rock at me."

Rose's mouth dropped open. It was the man from the sky. He was still here. She found her way slowly toward him.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were there."

The man snickered, "obviously."

Rose squinted slightly, "Really I am sorry, where did it hit you?"

"On the head but trust me there are worse places."

"Not that can give you brain damage."

He grinned, "you never know."

Rose felt a smile creep upon her face.

"So do you come throwing rocks at homeless people often or have you just had a bad day?"

"Yes."

His eyes widened, "to both?"

Rose laughed slightly, "no, no, I would never throw rocks at homeless people on purpose."

"But by 'accident'," the man cut in.

She sighed rolling her eyes and ignored what he had said, "yes I have had a bad day."

Rose stopped.

"What?"

"Why am I telling you all of this? I don't even know you."

He gave an innocent smile, "I'm a trust worthy kinda guy."

She stared him up and down and he raised his eyebrows, "trust worthy you may be but I still do not know your name."

He crossed his arms over his chest, "from what I have heard I am a wanted man, for all I know you could use it to your advantage and turn me in."

Rose opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her.

"It's Zieg, now would you be so kind and tell me your name?"

She studied the man in his red armour the name suited him.

"Rose."

A soft look filled his eyes as he took in her name, "beautiful name."

She felt her face blush slightly.

"So," Zieg started, "what are you all prettied up for? Last time I saw you you were in...work clothes."

Rose looked off into the river for a moment taking a step toward it, her back facing him; "it was for a dinner tonight."

"Special occasion?"

She sighed, "not at first."

Silence followed what she had said as Zieg tried to understand, "what happened?"

She stared up at the darkening sky, "a man I totally despise asked for my hand in marriage a few minutes ago."

"Did you say yes?"

Rose bent her head down, "that's the problem, I didn't even get to make the decision, my father did."

Zieg sucked in the air through his teeth, "arranged marriages, I've always hated those."

"I don't think it was quite an arranged marriage."

"You didn't get to choose who it was you are to marry though, your father did."

She stared at the ground nodding, "you're right."

Zieg was silent after that and they just stood there as the minutes passed by. Rose actually felt comfortable with him there, as if she had known him all of her life. A clank of metal behind her brought her to look back at Zieg. He was unlatching the armour that covered his chest and arms.

"What are you doing?"

He looked back at her, "I'm not stripping, you try walking around for more than three days with this stuff on."

She laughed

Underneath all of the red armour Zieg wore a rust brown coloured tunic and pants, which were revealed once the armour was removed. He took in a deep breath and smiled.

"Better?"

He nodded, "yes much, but where you 'accident' rock decided to land hurts like hell."

Rose did not doubt it. She could see the bruise forming already through the strands of blonde hair that fell into his eyes.

"You know what? Come back with me and I will treat it where I can see better."

He widened his eyes slightly, "are you serious? I mean with your future husband an' all?"

Rose took in a breath at the mention of Evan, "yes I am serious now come on."

"Wait!" Zieg held up his hands then ran back into the field. He bent down out of sight and reappeared with his sword in hand. With the armour under his left arm and the sword held in his right he followed her back to the hut.

Rose could still hear the voices of her father and their guests when she entered the kitchen. She mentioned for Zieg to take a seat at the table then wet a cloth in the tub of rainwater.

"It's not the best but it will have to do," Rose whispered, seating herself beside him.

He shrugged, "better than what I would have done."

"What is that?"

"Leave it."

Rose laughed, "typical."

Zieg smiled, "yep."

She reached forward and placed the cloth onto his forehead and he took a hold of it.

"Rose is that you?"