Hey! So a lot has happened this week. But let's not think about it anymore.

Enjoy!

Lukas furrowed his eyebrows, "How can he just choose him? He hasn't even seen the others!" Lukas said quickly. Of course, he didn't want his own cousin to end up with a monster!. He wouldn't allow it. "At least let him look!"

"It seems he has already made up his mind," Mathias hummed.

Taisto growled, this was the second person wanting to marry his son. First the Lord's son, and now this Duke. But what was he to say? He had just saved their lives, and a deal was a deal. Perhaps if he lied… "He can't choose my son," Taisto said quickly.

"And why would that be?" Mathias asked.

"Because Lord Bisok's son has already asked for his hand in marriage." It wasn't a complete lie, more like Bisok's son demanded for Tino's hand in marriage, but he knew it was the best he could do.

Tino looked at him, bewildered. Since when did that happen? He glanced back at his father unsure on how to take the news, but he didn't like it.

"Is that so?" Mathias asked looking back at Berwald who glanced at him then at Tino.

"I see," Berwald muttered, "Has he accepted?"

Tino felt a chill go up his spine after hearing the older blonde speak. His voice was low and husky, and he seemed to have an accent but he couldn't place from where.."O-of course not!" Tino said looking at his father and pulling away from Mathias. "I would never agree to marry such a man!"

"Such a man" the three words rang in Berwald's head. What kind of a man was Bisok's son? Surely he couldn't be any worse than he is. He glanced down at himself for a few moments. Well, it didn't matter. He knew the reason why he was marrying Tino, and that's all that mattered.

"Then all is fair in love and war," Mathias chimed and glanced at Tino. "If you haven't agreed to marry that man then it means you can agree to marry my Master."

Tino turned to him and then glanced at Berwald, "We have nothing to offer, if you're looking for money…" but he was cut off.

"I'm not looking for money," Berwald replied. "I have plenty of it."

Tino chewed the inside of his lip, the taller male was intimidating with his broad shoulders and the permanent glare on his face. "A deal's a deal then," he whispered.

"Good, we should go and tell the mayor then!" Mathias piped up.

The town was still gathered in the town hall when the six of them entered it. The towns people were in awe that not only one, but two people had survived the collapse. Mathias glanced around the large hall to even spot Bisok, a woman, and a younger man sitting next to him all in the front row. "Berwald," he murmured just as Berwald followed behind him, "There is Lord Bisok," he muttered.

It only took a few seconds for Berwald to locate where they were and he nodded as they walked to the front of the room.

"ELO! ELO!" Helina yelled as she got up with Emil in her arms. Her pale round face with a shall over her shoulders. She looked like she could barely stand but she raced to embrace her husband who smelled of dirt, sweat, blood, and coal. She sobbed into his shoulder as he hugged her, Emil even began shrieking calling out for his father. Lukas smiled as he was pulled into the embrace as well.

Low claps were heard as people gathered around both Elo and Taisto, "We're glad you're okay," the mayor smiled and shook both their hands. He turned toward Mathias and Berwald who were off to the side watching the small celebration, "Thank you, for helping with what you could. I assume you now expect your reward?"

Berwald nodded and Mathias cleared his throat, "He has already chosen whom he wishes to marry."

"Is that so?" the three of them turned to see the Lord Bisok standing beside him. "And just who have you wished to marry?" he asked.

"Him," Mathias pointed toward Tino who was too wrapped up in the celebrating to notice they were talking about him.

The mayor opened his mouth to speak, but Bisok cut him off. "That won't do," he said and turned toward a young man who walked up beside them. "My son has already asked for his hand in marriage."

"But what we were told is that it wasn't official," Mathias replied. "Therefore, he still has the right to choose who he wishes to marry and he has agreed to marry to my Master."

"TAISTO!" Bisok shouted and the room fell silent. Taisto glanced over at Bisok and the crowd opened up to let him pass. Tino followed closely behind him and looked at the Lord who seemed to be furious with his father. "Just what is the meaning of this?!" he shouted. "My son has already asked for Tino's hand in marriage!"

"With all do respect sir," Taisto began, "Your son has not asked me anything. He has demanded my sons hand in marriage, and I have denied him that."

"Is it not the same thing?" Bisok growled and turned to Tino. "My son has already asked for your hand in marriage and you have the duty to accept it!"

Tino's eyebrow twitched and stepped forward, he disliked Bisok very much. Often overworking the miners, including his father, and not giving them decent pay. It was absurd, this man was insane. He didn't have a cent of respect for him, He would love to give the snooty Lord a piece of his mind but he felt an arm tugging him back. He glanced back to see his father, his eyes were warning him to behave. Tino cleared his throat trying to refrain the sass from seeping through, "Your son has not asked me a single thing, I had no idea he asked for my hand in marriage until a few moments ago."

"Nonetheless you should oblige by his wish!" Bisok was turning red in fury and Tino was beginning to fear. He didn't know what quite what to expect, would he use his magic?

Bisok's son, Oleo, chuckled. "If I may say, my father could have your father fired right now."

"And what would that do?" Mathias chimed in. The crowd looked over at him, "There is no mine to work, there is no job to be done, and certainly no money to be made. With that," he turned focusing on Tino now, "My Master would be more than willing to support your father and you if that becomes the case."

Oleo glared at him, his short dirty blond hair was falling over his face."Your Master has no business here. There are plenty of others he could choose from!"

"The same could be said for you," Mathias replied in a mocking tone. But his eyelids lowered looking dangerously at the young boy. "There was an agreement made and now the town must go through with it."

"Of course!" the mayor said quickly with a forced chuckle. "But, perhaps we should let Tino decide? Afterall, this is about him."

"He has no right in this conversation!" Bisok growled. "In fact I wish my son marry someone else except for this peasant."

"Of course," Oleo smiled, "But the heart wants what the heart wants," he walked up toward Tino and took his hand.

Tino pulled it away almost immediately, "A deal is a deal, sir. He saved my father, and my uncle. And if the way I can repay him back is through marriage...then so be it."

Oleo glared at him, "What gives you the right to defy me…"

"That would be my Master," Mathias once again interrupted. "Now, if we are making this Tino's choice, then it seems to me he has already decided."

Oleo stepped away from Tino and now looked at Berwald, "Then Duke Berwald, why don't you tell me your motives for marrying Tino?"

Berwald stood there for a few moments, well he could say it was just for the rose bush. But, has he seen Tino? Has he taken a proper look at him? He couldn't get over the way he looked, and his aura was such a beautiful mixture of soft colors. If anything, Tino had the kindest soul he had ever seen.

He was not only beautiful on the outside, but he was absolutely gorgeous on the inside.

"Have you seen him?" Berwald muttered.

"Excuse me?" Oleo asked

"Have you seen him? Take a proper look," he muttered. But by just glancing at Oleo he could tell he hadn't developed his magic enough to actually be able to distinguish a bad soul from a good one.

Tino furrowed his eyebrows, what did that mean? Was it based on looks? Because if that was the case there were plenty other females who more beautiful than he was.

"I can see him perfectly fine," Oleo said crossing his arms.

"What I think my Master is trying to say…"

"Hush," Oleo told him and turned back to Berwald. "I think your master can do without your assistance."

"You don't have to treat him like that," Tino turned to see Lukas now glaring at Oleo. "He was just trying to clarify what he was saying since you obviously your small brain couldn't comprehend it!"

"I would watch your tongue before you get it chopped off," Bisok warned. "You still have to remember your place no matter where you are."

"Oh please," Lukas said.

"Lukas," his mother whispered gripping his arm to try and stop him.

"No, he was going to leave my dad down there to die! I'm not going to respect a man like that!" he snapped glaring at Bisok.

Bisok took a step toward him and Lukas kept his place glaring at the large robust man. "Is that a challenge?" he growled.

"No-no!" Helina said quickly pulling her eldest son towards her. She knew if the Lord felt like it, he could kill Lukas without a second glance.

"Or what?" Lukas whispered. He could feel the cold sweat grow along his palms and the back of his neck, he knew just like his mother the consequences that could come out of this. But his mind was fogged with anger and grief. For the men who didn't make it out alive, and the only two who did.

Bisok chuckled, "I guess we'll just have to shut that irksome mouth of yours." He gripped Lukas' neck with a wide grin. "Now just try saying something to me," he laughed.

"Stop! P-please stop!" Helina screamed. "PLEASE DON'T HURT MY BABY!"

Tino's eyes went wide as he watched Lukas struggle against his grip, his hands desperately trying to get the other man's hand off his throat. He stepped forward toward the two now seeing Bisok lift Lukas off the ground with little to no effort. But he felt a hand on his arm, he turned back to see the tall blond. "Lord Bisok," Berwald muttered.

The man glanced over, his grin fading somewhat. "What? Can't you see I'm trying to keep order amongst the town?"

"That's enough," Berwald muttered as he pulled Tino behind him stepping forward. Berwald looking down at the man who glared up at him. "You're hurting him."

"Of course I am!" Bisok snapped. Helina kept screaming as Lukas' feet were slowly starting to stop struggling.

"You're going to kill him," Berwald muttered.

"As he deserves to be. Dead."

"Master," Mathias whispered. Tino glanced over at him, he was tense his eyes were slightly wide as he watched Lukas.

"Put him down," Berwald said.

Bisok glanced at him, before he chuckled, "Fine." He dropped Lukas to the ground and he landed with a distinct thump. Everyone was silenced for a moment except for the loud screams of Helina and the loud loud baby cries of Emil. Lukas was unmoving. "I put him down, like the dog he is." He wiped his hands on Berwald's shirt before turning around and walking back toward his wife who was giggling at the sight.

Immediately Elo fell to his knees beside Lukas. He pushed him onto his back and placed his hands over his chest trying to give him CPR.

Tino wanted to move closer to him, tears were fogging up his vision. His chest was tight, it was like something was pushing down on it, and that's when he felt someone take his hand. He glanced over to see Oleo who gave him a small sadistic smile. "Do you see what happens when you disobey your superiors? I wouldn't want you to end up like him," he muttered. Oleo reaching out with his other hand and placing it on Tino's face, his thumb gently going over his cheek. "I would hate for you to have the same fate."

"Get your hands off of me," Tino whispered feeling the tears threatening to spill over. He had never felt such a dark emotion inside of him. He had never wanted to hurt someone so badly. He pulled himself away from the other boy as the tears were already streaming down his face.

Oleo lowered his eyelids, his stare becoming sharp."I don't think you understand the situation at hand, Tino."

"I understand enough," Tino barely was able to talk. The lump in his throat and chest made him feel like he couldn't even breathe. He took a step back when Oleo tried to reach out for him again only to be met with someone's chest. He glanced up to see Berwald who glanced down at him.

"You should go with your family," Berwald muttered and stepped aside to let him pass. Tino stared at him for a few moments before nodding. Berwald then turned his gaze toward Oleo, Bisok behind him and not looking to pleased.

"You sir are asking for major trouble," Bisok spoke lowly.

Berwald didn't respond as he turned back watching the others. But his eyes lingered on Tino for a few moments, he could see something shift in his aura. It was now a dark violet color, something he hadn't seen before. But under the circumstances, it was quite understandable why he would feel such a way.

Sorry about the drama bomb at the end. Or the angst as some would say. But anyway, hope you liked. Leave a review? Please and thanks!