Eder is simply amazed at the fact that Caed Nua actually had stuff for a party - Maerwald didn't really seem like much of a partier. But, according to the Steward, he threw a few parties in his time as Master of the place and the stuff was never thrown out.
So now, there's a table full of stuff to eat - the long, feast table that can sit twenty people on each side easily - and games and challenges such as target practice and a treasure hunt in the Hedge Maze.
Cera talked everyone into staying for the party, saying they could postpone their next goals long enough for a few hours at least to celebrate the fact that they saved the Dyrwood and stopped a guy who's been manipulating history for centuries if not millennia. They all agreed - and Pallegina actually seemed relieved for the excuse to put off talking to the Ducs Bels in the Republics.
He sees Aloth watching Cera and Sagani shoot targets and hit dead-center each time - at this rate, it'll be a draw between the two of them - and goes over to him as he's turning something in his fingers. "You talking with Cera mentally, or trying to ask her to marry you?"
Aloth jumps, and gives him a glare, saying "No, I'm not. And no, I'm not going to ask her to marry me at the moment."
"So, what's with the ring?" He gets a startled look, and opens his hand to reveal that there is in fact a ring there - Eder's amazed, he was just messing with him! "Where did you get that?! The Engwithan Ruins? Because that looks a lot fancier than Gilded Vale."
The Aedyran wizard frantically hisses "Would you keep your voice down?! I found it, and was going to ask Cera to read it. She's otherwise occupied however."
"So, why so nervous then? Seriously though, you could use that as a betrothal ring! And, really, you two aren't together by now?"
Aloth lets out a long breath as he pinches the bridge of his nose, and says "We are, Eder. But that does not mean I want to simply rush into anything. We beat Thaos less than a week ago, that doesn't seem a little soon for things? Things other than a party celebrating the fact?"
"You've gotta be kidding, Aloth. You are a little too occupied with details like that."
"You learn spellcasting - or have to deal with an Awakened soul named Iselmyr for fifty years - and you learn to be a little more patient and focus on the details. How do you think I went through the Arcane Knights Academy without getting exposed as having an Awakened Soul? Or got through it at all?"
"Alright, fair enough. I'll get Cera over here for you."
Truth be told, Aloth's nervous about asking Cera about the ring because it could well be a betrothal ring. And he doesn't want to rush things - now that Thaos is gone and she's not going crazy from ancient memories that are tormenting her, they actually can take their time. Thanks to Iselmyr, and his father, he's never gotten close to anyone before - so he has no intentions of screwing it up now.
"Hey, we called it a draw. Something wrong? Eder said you had something to ask me."
"Nothing important. How about we head inside to get something to drink, and I'll ask you there?"
She doesn't seem convinced by that, but says "Lead the way, Aloth."
Five minutes later, they're standing next to the table with a glass in each hand and Cera's expectant gaze on him. "So? What's your question?"
He pulls the ring out and says "I was curious about this, Cera. And I was wondering if you could read it for me, but you were occupied before, so Eder-"
She smiles at him and takes the ring from his palm before he can nervously talk any further. She turns it in her fingers a few times, then says "It belonged to a woman named Gwyn. She lived in Forked Vale, and was betrothed to a farmer. But she felt like a weight was pressing down on her worse and worse as the wedding drew near. Woke up with nightmares of suffocating each night. The morning of the wedding, she went for a walk to calm herself - and then, on Pearlwood Bluffs, she realized she had no intention of going back, as the further away she got, the better she felt. She went to Defiance Bay, went to the docks, and traded the ring for passage to Aedyr." She looks at the ring for a moment, then gets an idea and asks "Aloth, are you…asking to marry me?"
"Well, I…you see, Cera…"
"As if the answer wouldn't be yes?"
"The thing is…wait, what?"
"Aloth, all those stories I have of past suitors I drove off, high-born nobles in Aedyr…I never loved any of them! They only cared about getting an heir out of me, not who I am. They'd likely have left me in the middle of nowhere once they learned of my powers! Why, on Eora, would you think you'd even have to ask?"
Iselmyr's voice is what jolts him out of his stunned silence, saying Lad, yer Watcher lass jus' said she'd marry ye. Say somethin, ye nitwit!
Instead of saying anything, he kisses her.
Tha' works to.
When they pull apart, Cera whispers "How furious do you think my parents would get if we informed them of the wedding by sending them a letter? After the fact?"
He grins, and says "About as furious as my father would. I'd like to tell my mother in person though. Preferably before we get married. No offense."
Cera chuckles, and says "None taken. How long do you think it would take for us to go visit your mother and be back? A month?"
"Possibly. We could probably get a ship to Aedyr from Defiance Bay. Are you sure you want to go back though? You're the Master of Caed Nua, after all. And you were set against returning with your parents."
Cera gives him a smile - and he makes himself stop thinking about how dazzling that smile is this close, a near-impossible feat - and says "They'd have never let me come back, Aloth. We wouldn't be gone for too long, and we'd just go to visit your mother. I'm going to assume she doesn't visit your father much since you left, so we'd likely just have to go to her Thayn's place, right?"
Now you seem set on going back to the continent you left. "Cera, you don't have to-"
"No, I want to. Aloth, you followed me all over the Dyrwood on a wild-goose-chase for a guy who was literally the most secretive and mysterious person in all of Eora. A trip to Aedyr doesn't seem all that hard, you know."
Before he can protest that he chose to follow her, she doesn't need to make it up to him, she's just being stubborn about this like certain other things, she smiles and says "Besides, I've yet to meet either of your parents and you've had the oh-so-unique experience of meeting both of mine."
Translation: I'm meeting your mother, no matter what you say to try and keep it from happening.
AN: Hey, everyone! I know, light and fluffy - but, hey, Thaos is dead, we're past the ending of the game, and I figured Aloth might actually want to tell his mother that he's in love with someone. His father, not a chance - his mother, who he actually did visit by the time PoE2 rolls around, absolutely. And yeah, I've been saving that ring from the White March for exactly this. Enjoy! One more chapter left!
PS...I hate lab reports. With a passion.