Author's Notes:

Again, this chapter was finished ages ago, but I just didn't get to edit it! :/ My head is still filled with real life issues and even my break from England didn't really put me in the mood to sit down and write. Yeah, I know, I know, don't blame everything on England! *lol*

Thanks goes out to ShadowOfTruth for beta-reading! :3

And many, many apologies to all for taking so long!

P.S. I've had more problems with formatting than necessary – I know that this site eats my formatting, but it's never been this bad! So breaks between paragraphs are now indicated by the not so nice little "ooo"s. (Bah, how messy, maybe next time I try something else)

Disclaimer: D. Gray-Man belongs to Katsura Hoshino

Kapitel 59: A Proposal during Tea

By early April the weather had cleared up considerably and glistening columns of light tore through the thick blanket of black clouds. As the hills and valleys around the new headquarters were illuminated by patchy light and the wind howled through the trees with the first few green leaves, Bermont Castle saw another week come and go.

The corridors of the castle were never silent these days – there was still a heap of organisation to be done until everything could fall into a more quiet daily routine. And while the castle constantly continued transforming into the new home of the Black Order, Ellen strove to preserve some kind of the sacred charm it had held for her as a child.

Her private quarters were mostly untouched by the commotion and only rarely did anybody besides her, Kanda or Link find their way up to her corridor. This fact both comforted and unsettled Ellen. After the revelation of her being a host to a Noah she had not been able to stand being close to other people. Something inside of her was too ashamed and scared of what would happen and she had the paranoid feeling that every hushed conversation was about her even though only a handful of people actually knew. Kanda insisted that she should not take it to heart that much and Ellen tried her best to be cheerful and optimistic, but it was hard not to become estranged with her own home, as painful as that was.

It was thus a really big surprise for Ellen to wake up to Linali gently shaking her shoulder. She shot up in alarm, but Linali put her finger to her lips, motioning for her to remain quiet. Ellen slowly relaxed and looked at the girl who was partly illuminated by the early morning light coming through the windows. Linali was dressed in her uniform Ellen noticed while the girl sat down on the edge of the bed. Linali cast a glance over Ellen's shoulder where Kanda continued to sleep. Ellen wanted to say something, but before the words could leave her mouth Linali started whispering:

"I am sorry for just sneaking into your room like this!"

"Ah... It is fine, Linali, I do not mind." Ellen assured her, though the 'sneaking' bit made her raise her eyebrows in confusion.

"I haven't seen you for almost a week and never got the chance to speak to you. Thanks to Komui," Linali said with regret in her voice, then she reached out to take Ellen's hands into hers. "I am sorry." Ellen took a moment to try to figure out why Linali might feel the need to apologize. "Also on my brother's behalf, even though he must be too ashamed to even look you in the eyes at the moment... And he should be – there is absolutely no reason to be wary around you!" Ellen managed a small smile, giving Linali's warm hand a gentle squeeze.

"I know he must mean well... You are the most import person in his life after all..." she insisted, but Linali shook her head.

"Still..."

"How did you get into this room anyway?" the white haired girl wondered, trying to change the topic. This question did manage to put a smile on the other girl's face.

"Kanda locks the door, right?" she asked and received a nod and a sigh from Ellen. "Well, first of all I had to get out of my own room, because Komui sometimes asks finders to keep an eye on my door. Thankfully I found a door to a servant's corridor that led close to your quarters... And then I just asked Link if he had a spare key. Which he did." Ellen had to laugh at that. Well, that rendered Kanda's efforts to keep him out of the room pretty meaningless.

"But Ellen," Linali started again, but Ellen cut her off by lifting the blankets slowly.

"Why don't you climb in? The room is a bit chilly, do you not agree?" she offered. Linali looked at her with surprise, but then she nodded eagerly, slipped off her shoes and climbed into bed next to Ellen.

"But just for a second," Linali told her, enjoying the warmth of the bed, "because I need to be off soon."

"You are dressed in your uniform... Is there a mission?" Ellen inquired and Linali nodded, sighing silently.

"It's been a long time since the last proper mission... We are organized well enough to start going on missions again, at least that's what Komui told me yesterday... Rabi and I will leave for a mission in about an hour..."

"Oh... I see," Ellen muttered, frowning slightly. Linali noticed it and studied her friend intently until Ellen looked at her quizzically. "What is it?"

"I will never believe that you could ever harm us..." Ellen widened her eyes slightly. "I know that Komui was not joking that day... That it's true that you are the host of a Noah..."

"Yes... It is true... But I do not really know what will happen... Nobody seems to know, that is why the order to be on guard around me has been given out to all exorcists..."

"But that's nonsense!" Linali said with a pained voice, sitting up in bed again to look down at Ellen. "You are still you! You are such a good person, Ellen! You could never, never harm any of us! If you are a Noah, then it cannot be true that Noah must be our enemies!" Ellen smiled upon hearing that, closing her eyes briefly.

"Hearing you say that means a lot to me, Linali... I am moved by the trust you put in me," she confessed. The Chinese girl also mustered a smile, bending down to embrace Ellen, kissing her cheek.

"Of course I trust you... No matter what happens, I will be there to support you!" Linali promised and Ellen nodded gratefully, a warm and comfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach.

ooo

They continued lying next to each other, just enjoying the other's company in silence, until the clock on Ellen's drawer showed that it was six in the morning. With a sigh Linali got up and slipped out of bed.

"Take care," Ellen told the girl, accompanying her to the door, arms wrapped around her body to keep some of the bed's warmth.

"I will! And I will also talk to Rabi – he's been awfully elusive these past few days," Linali replied, wearing a disapproving frown. Ellen smiled gently.

"I am sure he has his reasons... Maybe he needs time," she said even though she was also slightly hurt by his absence and earned herself a sigh from Linali.

"You are too nice, Ellen!" But then Linali's face lit up and she embraced Ellen again. "You take care as well! Good bye!" She let go of her friend and waved before hurrying down the corridor. Ellen closed the door after a while and walked back into the bed room only to find Kanda sitting up against the head-board, drawing his fingers through his hair.

"So you were awake," Ellen said and slipped back into bed, inching a bit closer to Kanda's warmth.

Her toes brushed his ankle and he pinched her cheek.

"Your toes are freezing," he chided and Ellen tried smiling apologetically, but his hold of her cheek made it kind of hard to form a convincing smile. He let go of her cheek and bent down to kiss her.

"If Komui is giving Linali a mission, then maybe I will have one as well soon," Ellen concluded after Kanda stopped kissing her. "What do you think?"

"Are you in any hurry to go out battling again?" Kanda wondered, sitting up again when his kisses received nothing but musings about missions. Ellen hummed thoughtfully and shrugged.

"I would like to get a change of scenery, that is true, but it is actually my eye..." Kanda raised an eyebrow, looking down at the girl until she sat up as well, gently putting her fingers to her left eye. "If I do not go out to destroy Akuma it will hurt me again... And I would like to avoid that..." Kanda looked at her with confusion in her eyes – he had almost forgotten that this mark on her face was actually a curse. And one that seemed to still plague her at times it seemed.

"Why does it do that?" Kanda wanted to know, but Ellen just shook her head and sighed.

"Oh, I do not know... But it will not let me rest, that is for sure...," she said with half a smile on her face, only slightly trying to downplay the issue. Kanda snorted in disapproval, but as there was nothing he could do about it, but ascertain that Ellen was able to destroy Akuma without taking any harm, he let the subject drop.

"The best I can do," Ellen continued after a while, "is to just go out and do my duty as an exorcist..." Kanda nodded reluctantly, but he admired her strength and willpower to go on in this kind of situation. She was a tough girl and she would certainly go on, no matter what.

"No matter what...," Kanda thought and then he snorted to himself, which went unnoticed by Ellen.

ooo

Not long after the two got up they were standing in front of a nervous Komui, who didn't really know where to look – it was either Ellen or Kanda's reproachful glare.

"So," he said, trying to clear his throat, "what brings you here?"

"It has been a while," Ellen said and Komui lowered his head slightly, as if he'd expect some kind of verbal attack coming from her, "and I wanted to inquire about a mission." Komui raised his eyebrows and looked at her.

"A mission?"

"Why else should we be here?" Kanda asked in annoyance while Komui kept on being puzzled.

"Ellen requires to go on frequent missions because of her curse," Link helpfully added, "even if it's only a minor mission she should receive one soon." Komui nodded slowly, trying to figure out what exactly Link was talking about.

"Uhm... Well, if you insist then I will have something ready for you... There actually are a few reports, but we haven't heard back if it's worth sending exorcists there..." he trailed off as Kanda turned around to leave, satisfied enough by Komui's answer. Ellen bowed, then she turned around as well, but Komui, after a moment's hesitation, reached out and got a hold of her arm.

"Ellen... Wait a second, please..." She turned back to Komui, looking up at him with confusion. Komui averted his eyes, but kept his hold on Ellen's arm.

"I am sorry, Ellen... You must think that I am a terrible person for allowing such things to happen to you and not to do anything against it!" he said in a strained voice. Ellen had half expected him to muster up his courage to address the topic so she wasn't all too surprised.

"This matter is out of your hands..." she told him gently, "I know that you just want the best for everybody. You mean to protect us." Komui looked at her gratefully, but Ellen couldn't help huffing slightly. "But I do think that you are a coward." Komui widened his eyes in surprise, staring at the girl. Ellen crossed her arms over her chest after Komui had let go of her arm, and studied the man in front of her. "You did not manage to give these crucial orders and neither did my uncle. So you left it to me, who already has enough troubles, to tell everybody that they need to kill me should I ever step out of line. I do think that this behaviour was not very gentlemanly of you."

"Ellen, of course... I am..."

"And there is no need to be afraid... Do not lock Linali into her room to try to prevent her from seeing me. I am sure that you do not intend to hurt me, but your fear that I could harm your sister does sting..." Komui saw the serious but also hurt expression Ellen wore and lowered his eyes once again.

"I am sorry..." he said silently, bowing in apology. "I know you... I know that you will not harm us... But I did not know how to react. I am a fool and a coward. You were right." Ellen sighed loudly, putting her hand on Komui's shoulder.

"Do not be all too hard on yourself. I think nobody really knows how to deal with the situation, me included... So please allow me to go out on a mission, also to clear my head." Komui straightened his back, looking down at Ellen with admiration and gratitude.

"Of course."

ooo

It was arranged for Ellen (followed by Kanda and Link) to go on a mission to the coast. Nothing too far away, nothing all too exciting. A sighting of Akuma, the alleged existence of some mystery that would probably turn out to be Innocence and not just superstition. Beginner's missions, Kanda had complained, but Ellen was thankful to just get out of Bermont castle before she started withdrawing even more. She was getting more cheerful thanks to the prospect of travelling again, but then a letter arrived, destroying the rather good mood almost instantly.

"A letter from mother?" Ellen asked suspiciously when Link handed her the envelope with a little thicker envelope attached to it. Kanda was off training for the next day's mission and Ellen had been sitting in a little pavilion in the garden, wrapped into her jacket, sipping tea when Link came with the post.

"It must have arrived earlier today...," Link, who had went to the office to get some documents from Leverrier, informed her. "Just open it." He immersed himself into the documents while Ellen took off the little envelope, putting it away for later.

'Dear Ellen

You are probably very busy going about your work, but I hope that you will spare a few moments on this very important matter.

Despite your rude letter I have been very pleased to hear that the minister I mentioned earlier has some very good news for you.

As it seems, his brother is still very keen on meeting you, apparently he took a liking to your display of 'character' as he called it.

Lord Mikk wants to meet you on May 5th at tea time in your favourite tea house.

Ellen, this is a one in a life-time chance. I know that you want to be loyal to Mr. Kanda, but please be sensible. Even if you do not wish to marry him, at least come to the meeting to make up for your past behaviour. I do not want to lose face in front of the minister once again.

I will be present and the minister will be there as well, so you need not worry about decency.

Please dress nicely. There is a little present for you attached, it would be nice for you to wear it.

Do not be late.

With love,

Your mother.'

Ellen felt as if she had swallowed an entire bucket of ice cubes by the time she finished reading the letter. Was her mother serious? Meeting Tyki again and under these circumstances?

"Is something the matter?" Link asked flatly, not looking up from his papers. Ellen replied by ripping open the small envelope. She turned it up side down and into her palm fell a small glittering object. It was a medallion. Little flowers were etched into the smooth golden surface and there were three little diamonds glittering on the top of the medallion. Ellen widened her eyes and then she quickly opened it. There was a little piece of folded paper inside and Ellen took it out.

"To my little Lady," it read, "I am looking forwards to meeting you again. My heart beats in anticipation thinking about your graceful figure when we were last dancing. Signed, Lord Tyki Mikk." Ellen's cheeks were a furious red when she crunched the paper in her hands. Link looked up to see the cross look on her face and saw her stuff the medallion and the letter into the coat of her jacket. She rushed off towards the castle before Link could make a comment. He sighed silently at her childishness, but decided to first finish the document and then run after her.

ooo

It was two o' clock by the time Ellen slammed the door to her room shut, aiming straight for her wardrobe. Tossing her clothes on the bed, she swiftly and angrily stripped out of her uniform. She proceeded to hastily put on silk stockings, a not all too frilly black dress she found in the back of her wardrobe and a pair of patent leather shoes and then she quickly composed a short note for whoever might be looking for her. "Mother called me. I will be back for dinner," were the not all too helpful words she put on the sheet, then she rushed out of the room again and down the corridors. She was luckily neither spotted by Link nor by Kanda, but she almost ran over Miranda, who happened to turn around the corner in the entrance hall.

"Oh, I am so sorry! I am deeply sorry!" Miranda called even though it had been Ellen who hadn't paid attention to her surrounding. "Ellen? Where are you going?"

"Uh... to London...," Ellen replied uneasily while Miranda looked at her with confusion. "It is..."

"It's fine. I won't tell anybody you're out. There's actually a coach with finders just going to London. If you hurry up you can still catch it." Ellen's face lit up instantly and she grasped Miranda's hand shortly, before she rushed off.

"Thank you! I will see you at dinner!" Miranda waved after her, pleased to have been able to bring a small smile to Ellen's face.

ooo

The coach with the finders dropped her off close to her house so Ellen didn't have to worry about trying to get a coach because in all the hurry she had forgotten to pocket any money. Without her uniform it would be really hard trying to convince people to let her ride for free. But she could manage a five minute walk and quickly hurried along the rows of houses. Her heart hammered against her ribcage when she spotted her house, the home she hadn't seen for several months. But Ellen didn't really get the chance to be nervous because with barely one foot on the first step of the stairs the door opened to reveal her mother.

"There you are! I almost thought you would not come!"

"Well, actually-," Ellen started, but her mother pulled her into the house and up a flight of stairs. Ellen just had enough time to notice that nothing had changed but the pictures on the wall – she could spot her face many times and she saw pictures she couldn't even remember.

"Sit down, your hair is a mess. We have to leave in ten minutes, we do not want to be late!" Charlene tugged at Ellen's hair, brushing them and plaiting them with expert fingers in almost no time. Ellen took a look in the mirror and screwed up her face when she saw how she looked like a young girl with the black ribbons in her white hair. There was almost no speck of colour in the mirror. With the view of the background obstructed by the floating form of the 14th it was like looking at a black and white picture where only her scar and her pale eyes were coloured.

"Mother... I only came because I do want to make myself understood that I am not interested," Ellen said and saw her mother pull her mouth in a thin line.

"First talk to him," Charlene insisted, "he is most charming." Ellen rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Where is your medallion? You must have received it."

"I am not going to wear that," Ellen said but pulled out the necklace anyway.

"You mean to tell me that you will not wear this beautiful gift, but you wear some glass beads instead?" Charlene asked doubtfully, seeing the bracelet on Ellen's left wrist peeking out from underneath her sleeve. Ellen pulled back her hand before Charlene could take the bracelet off.

"This was a gift from my husband. Of course I will insist on wearing it," Ellen told her calmly. Her mother looked at her with a stern expression, but nodded after a while.

"Fine... Let us go, we are running late," Charlene said after Ellen had put the medallion back into a pocket of her dress. The young girl was ushered outside and soon found herself in a carriage going through the very familiar streets of London. Nothing, Ellen thought, had changed. She had married, she was pregnant, but all those posh white houses had not crumbled.

ooo

The carriage came to a stop and Ellen could see the facade of her favourite teahouse when she pulled aside the curtain of her carriage's window. During the last ten minutes the anger over Tyki's note had subsided and now she felt nervousness welling up in her. Finally she realized how stupid it had been of her to just come here without telling anybody the details. She was out to meet a Noah after all! The danger of this situation was very apparent to Ellen, since she had already nearly lost her life once in one of these encounters. The girl had to be pulled out of the carriage by her mother.

"Do not be so stubborn! Come now, Ellen," Charlene told her, tugging at her dress to make sure it looked as nice as possible. Ellen didn't say anything as she followed her mother into the building. She did notice though that her mother touched her hair various times, making sure that every lock was perfect. Ellen found it funny to some extend because her mother seemed excited like a young lady ready to meet her lover. They were led to a private room in the back of the tea house. Ellen didn't like how that separated them from the rest of the people.

"Aaah, Lady Bermont, it is so nice of you to come!" a voice called excitedly even before Ellen had entered the room.

"Thank you, Minister, for your time," her mother replied and was gently pulled into the room by her mother. "This is my daughter Ellen." Ellen looked at the minister with a mix of interest and distrust.

"Oh! How gorgeous she is! Good evening, Miss Bermont! I have heard a lot about you!" The minister was a tall man with a thin face and long black hair that he had pulled out of his face. He was nicely dressed and his excited smile seemed honest. Ellen, not sure whether she was facing a Noah or not, just did a curtsey. "Dear brother, why don't you come meet her?" Ellen looked past him where there was another man standing at the window, back facing towards them. The long and black curly hair neatly pulled into a pony tail and dressed in an elegant tuxedo, Tyki Mikk turned around, greeting Ellen with his most charming smile.

"Good evening, little Lady," he said smoothly. Ellen froze instantly, overwhelmed both with terror and disgust. Her mother apparently took Ellen's hesitation and the red cheeks on her otherwise pale face for sudden shy modesty in the face of such a beautiful person.

"Ellen, will you not reply?" Clenching her fists, Ellen did another curtsey.

"A good evening to you too, Lord Tyki Mikk."

"How charming!" the minister exclaimed, clapping his hands, "how about having tea now? The sandwiches have already been served! Please, take a seat!" Ellen did most reluctantly take her seat next to Tyki. She hid her fists under the table to conceal how they trembled with rage and fear, her face though was perfectly calm. Maybe a bit too calm, because Charlene cast her a nervous glance once she managed to take her eyes off Tyki's face.

"Ellen is not feeling all too well, she must be tired after the journey," Charlene said.

"I am sorry to hear that! Hopefully, you haven't been inconvenienced by us all too much!" the minister said, turning around to look at Ellen with an apologetic expression.

"Ah, no... I am not tired," Ellen assured him and he smiled kindly.

"My, she is so charming, I am lost for words!" the minister said, twirling a strand of hair around his finger. "Oh, I haven't even introduced myself, have I? My name is Cyril Camelot!" Ellen looked at him with wide eyes. Camelot. The same name as Rhode? Was that a coincidence? No. It could not be. Ellen found it hard to manage a polite smile that was even half as enthusiastic as Cyril's.

"Now, for the reason we are here," Cyril started, taking matters into his hand and Ellen's mother straightened up attentively. "Engagement."

"Yes," Ellen started, but her voice got stuck in her throat when she felt Tyki's gloved hand strongly close over hers under the table.

"You certainly must have had your reasons to refuse at first. We know that you are very young and it must have scared you to marry someone you do not know," Cyril said kindly, leaning a bit closer to Ellen's mother, while still keeping his eyes fixed on Ellen's white face. "My, she really is young... Not much older than my daughter! You must be very protective of such a beautiful and delicate child." Ellen tried to pull her hands free from Tyki's grasp, but she couldn't without being all too obvious. Endure! Endure! Ellen told herself grimly. She would find the right moment to restate her decision to not marry him. And when she next met him on the battle field, she would get her revenge for the humiliation.

"Of course. But I want to know that she is safe and secure."

"And she will be," Tyki finally spoke up again, "I will be a most caring husband."

"Oh, I will make sure of that!" Cyril added with laughter. Charlene managed to smile nervously, nodding gratefully.

"So, Ellen. What do you say?" Tyki whispered, cheekily using her name so intimately in this kind of situation. Ellen turned to look at him after having caught Charlene's eye for just a second. Her mother looked very tense. She knew that Ellen would refuse, she just wanted her to say the right words. And maybe, maybe she hoped for a change of heart. Ellen just knew what her mother was thinking. How can you refuse someone like him? How can you, in your situation, refuse a charming, otherworldly handsome Lord?

"I feel very honoured," Ellen said, looking Tyki directly in the eyes, "but I have to refuse." Tyki's smile just widened.

"Are you sure, my little Lady?" Ellen drew her mouth into a thin line, disgusted. That slick, patronizing tone! He spoke to her now like he would speak to her on the battlefield; sure of his superiority. It made her sick. "Are you sure?"

"Why do you refuse? You do not need to marry right now. Take the time to get to know my brother a bit better," Cyril helpfully offered but Ellen shook her head once again.

"I am sorry, I cannot consent. I already gave my heart and my hand to another man," Ellen said and Tyki raised an eyebrow, but his surprised expression soon turned into a smug smile.

"Oh? Did you?" He sounded quite interested, probably trying to figure out whether he and her husband might have met during the last battle.

"Ah, Lord Mikk, it is not a legitimate marriage," Charlene tried but Ellen shot her an ugly look. Charlene sighed, shaking her head, but she could not say more without risking an outburst from her daughter.

"Oh dear. Charlene," Cyril said intimately, putting his hand over Charlene's „how did this happen?"

"My daughter found herself in a rather precarious situation. She acted rashly... I am very sorry. I am sorry to have wasted your time and embarrass you with my daughter's conduct," Charlene apologized. Ellen wondered why her mother, who believed that lying to preserve a family's honour was the right thing to do, was now so honest in such a potentially scandalous matter.

"No, do not feel bad!" Cyril called, squeezing her hand, probably knowing what this was about. Tyki though was still rather clueless and wondered about whether Ellen was telling the truth about a marriage or not.

"What is the matter?" Tyki asked with a grin when he saw Cyril's thoughtful face.

"Brother, use that pretty head of yours to think a bit. Your fiancée is in different circumstances if I understood correctly. My, that is most interesting... Most interesting indeed...," he mumbled and Ellen had a feeling that he found this really amusing even though his face was grave.

"What? What are you ta- Oh...," Tyki's eyes widened and when he looked at Ellen he seemed rather surprised.

"Did I surprise you, again, Lord Mikk?" Ellen whispered only for his ears to hear. There was some silence after that and Ellen hated to know that Tyki now was aware of both her marriage and her pregnancy. The enemy didn't need to know about either of these things.

"Well, I still want to marry her!" Tyki exclaimed after a while and Charlene stared at him, almost not believing her ears. "I have made my choice! This lady is to be mine. Her child will be my child," he said and Cyril had to laugh.

"My, Tyki, you are such a romantic fool!"

"But... Consider the consequences," Charlene wanted to argue, still not daring to hope that Tyki was serious.

"They do not matter, my admiration is stronger," Tyki said charmingly and Ellen wrinkled her nose in disapproval.

"But I do not want to. I refuse," Ellen said with determination. "I am already married to the father of the child. There is no need to break up this relationship to remarry," Ellen pulled her hand away and got up on her feet. "Thank you very much for your sentiments and passions, Lord Mikk. And thank you for your compassion and consideration, Minister Camelot. But I must go now. I have said everything I wanted to say." With this she gracefully walked out of the room, leaving Charlene to cover her face with her gloved hands.

"I am deeply sorry. My daughter is moody because of the state she is in," she apologized, "your offer couldn't have been more kind. I deeply regret that my daughter is too immature to realize the luck she had and now lost."

"No, Lady Bermont," Tyki said, leaning back in his chair, quite relaxed and confident. "I am persistent. I promise that she will be made Lady Mikk in due time." Charlene bowed deeply, then she left the room to run after her daughter.

ooo

Ellen was sitting inside the carriage with a cross look on her face. That confidence of Tyki's enraged her.

"I hope you did not sign any engagement documents," Ellen spat angrily when Charlene had caught up with her. Her mother huffed in disapproval.

"His lordship just offered to take you and your baby in! And you can't even say a proper thank you! I don't remember raising you to be so rude!"

"No, you have raised me to be an ignorant fool that can do nothing but nod and obey!"

"Ellen!" Charlene chid with horror, shaking her head in disbelief. "What in God's name are you saying!"

"I cannot marry that man!" Charlene crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking at Ellen.

"Well, he is not Mister Kanda, I know! But he is offering you a certain future!" Ellen almost spat back that there is only one possible outcome for this dangerous mixture of a Noah and Exorcist joined together in marriage.

"Mother, you do not understand!" Ellen wailed, stomping her foot on the floor as if that could help.

"Well, then explain it to me so that I do understand!"

"He is a Noah!" Ellen said and Charlene just gave her a blank stare.

"A what?" Ellen put her hands to her face, rubbing her forehead.

"Listen mother... He is just not the right man for me. I am deeply sorry that I am jeopardizing your and my reputation by being so stubborn. But I have to be stubborn and it is not just because I already am married." Charlene remained quiet and the carriage gave a start, slowly moving over the cobblestone road. Ellen could see Tyki and Cyril coming out of the tea house. Tyki waved at her confidentially. "It is a matter of survival."

ooo

To be continued

ooo

Notes:

I was looking forwards to writing this scene, but it kind of turned out different than what I had planned many months ago! X3

Ellen storming off on her own is kind of thoughtless but it matches the rebellious mood she is in for the rest of the chapter.

I'd be nice to hear what you think! :D