When Gunther awoke, he found that he had fallen asleep slumped by the banister of the castle's second story. Once he got over the initial confusion, reality hit him in the form of a massive headache. The sun was high in the sky and the world was far too bright to look at. He remained hunched over and cradled his head for god-knows how long before coming to terms with the fact he'd have to get up at some point. There was a nagging voice in the back of his mind that he had forgotten something but he wasn't sure what. Was it somewhere he needed to be or something he needed to do? The answer was probably "yes" to both of those rhetorical questions. After a few minutes of mentally hyping himself up, he grabbed a hold of the banister and slowly pulled himself into a standing position. He braved looking into the blinding light of the day in order to look down at the garden. There were some stranglers around, most likely in the same situation as he, considering some were laying in brushes. Rake would not be happy about that. He laughed a little at the thought but immediately regretted it due to the sharp pain in his skull that came with it. He groaned and allowed the feeling to pass before he entered the castle hallway in order to make his way home. Gunther felt he would die from thirst on the way if he didn't drink something. He was lucky enough to find some left over water in a pitcher downstairs and he downed the rest eagerly. The longer he stayed the more anxious he became. The dread of having forgotten something was eating away at him. He feared it may be related to a task his father wanted done, which meant he needed to get home as soon as possible.
When he did arrive home, his father put him straight to work but, luckily, didn't seem more upset than usual. Gunther worked primarily as free labor for his father, hauling items from recent shipments. He preferred the days when his father actually taught him things related to the business. However, his father didn't seem to trust even him to know everything and thus kept his own son at arm's length. It was unfortunate that they had to get right back to work after a night of partying, but ships were at the mercy of the sea and thus they arrived when it was most convenient for them. As the day was drawing to a close and the last shipment in port was being unloaded, Magnus did something he had only done a handful of times before; he left Gunther in charge of the rest of the loadout while his father left to tend to something else. A messenger had arrived a little earlier and spoken with him briefly but Gunther was too far away to hear what they were talking about. Not many things were more important then the merchant's merchandise, so although Gunther did enjoy ordering around the other men at the harbor, curiosity picked away at him. He did the work to the best of his ability considering his condition and hoped his father wouldn't noticed the sloppier job he did. All things considered, he felt he did the task well and hoped his father would allow him to take charge more often in these matters.
The sun was setting by the time his father returned. Admittedly, he was enjoying the small amount of free time his absence created. Unfortunately, he must have spent most of it napping because the last thing he remembered was laying on his bed writing. Next thing he knew, the sun was set and his father was yelling for him from downstairs. He bolted out of bed without a second thought, nearing slamming into the wall in the hallway and stumbling down the stairs to the first floor. Arriving in the main threshold, he apprehensively approached his father, who looked annoyed to have been kept "waiting." However, as Gunther got closer, Magnus' demeaner changed and he slapped his son on the back in a gestor that made Gunther flinch. "Good job, boy. I must say, I am rather impressed," his father's praise excited him and confused him at the same time. He had never been congratulated like this any other time he'd handled the shipments. "T-thank you, father. I'm glad you found everything to your liking," he responded awkwardly. His father withdrew his hand and continued, more seriously, "Well, I cannot say I like that red-headed thorn, but she is of nobility and thus could bring our way a great many of things." It was at this moment Gunther realized he and his father were talking about two completely different things. He was able to gather they were talking about Jane because there was only one red-headed "thorn-in-his-side" he could think of. Although Milton gave his father strife as well. Mustering his courage, Gunther asked, "Sorry, sir, but what are we referring to?" This question, for reasons unknown to him, seemed to make Magnus giddy, "Lady Adeline and I discussed it briefly earlier today but she wants to have a more formal meeting tomorrow. I say, boy, I thought we'd have to settle for a peasant girl with a rich father, but what you did has made me very proud." Magnus turned away from Gunther to head deeper into the house, "I want you on your best behavior tomorrow." With that, he was gone and Gunther was left to ponder what on earth he meant.
As he laid in bed once again, his mind buzzed with activity. He usually didn't have trouble falling asleep even if he had a nap earlier in the day. However, the conversation with his father uneased him and brought back that feeling of having forgotten something important. He knew at this point it had to do with Jane, her mother, and most likely something he did at the ball. He racked his brain for memories but they were, unfortunately, fuzzy. He remembered seeing Jane early on in the evening. He had been looking for an opportunity to tease her about wearing a gown, but she was far too busy with suiters for him to make a casual entrance. Other than that, he remembered attending his father in talking with some political figures. He also remembered quite a few toasts to some new deals. From there-on-out his memory was a blur and all involved a glass in his hand. He remembered flirting and dancing with some girls but he also had kept a close eye on Jane throughout the evening. He wasn't sure why it was important t him at the time to not let her out of his sight. He rolled around in bed, attempting to find a spot comfortable enough that would cause him to fall asleep and not have to think about this any longer. He laid there in a focused silence until he begun to feel his consciousness slip away. Just before he was about to fall asleep, his memories came to him in a wave so violent it caused him to jump into a sitting position. He remembered... dancing with Jane? Yes, but not just dancing... they had... kissed. This earth shattering revelation made his head spin and he braced himself by balling his fists into the blanket. Why had they kissed? He couldn't remember who initiated it, all he remembered was that it happened. Did he talk to Adeline after that? He had a memory of her but for some reason Jane wasn't there. The puzzle pieces on what the meeting tomorrow could potentially be about were beginning to fall into place. He feared he could never fall asleep after this discovery but he knew for his own sake he had to try. He had to be in his best mind for the following day so nothing else happened outside of his knowledge. He worried things would still be out of his control, though. It was a feeling very familiar to him although he hated it more than anything.
Morning came too soon as Gunther felt he had to wake the moment he was able to get his eyes closed. He got dressed in the formal attire his father insisted on and then they set off toward the castle. On the way, his father drawled on about various things but Gunther wasn't able to focus and simply nodded his head in agreement anytime he could feel his father's eyes on him. Gunther was desperately trying to think of a way out of this situation but he couldn't think of any that wouldn't upset his father. He was also worried about the other parties involved, because upsetting Jane was also a dangerous activity. He teased her, yes, but breaking her heart could wind him up dead. It was like that day a year ago all over again, when everyone mistook them for courting. What had changed in a year? He felt like they were closer as friends, if you could call them that. He was invited to sit at the table with her inner circle sometimes, but overall, he couldn't think of much. He must have been the most romantic person in the world at the ball to woo someone like Jane, who he saw turn down many a man more princely then he. Gunther sighed as they made it to the castle, he knew he couldn't become self deprecating now. This was an amazing opportunity and her reputation could single-handily save his family's name. He just had to pretend he loved her, and he was pretty good at pretending.
Adeline and Milton had prepared a magnificent spread of the typical bread, cheese and liquor, but there was also meat and fruit. Adeline excitedly rushed them in to take their seats, but Milton didn't look as pleased. Magnus and Adeline started with idle chit-chat, while Gunther and Milton remained mainly silent. As they settled in, it became apparent to Gunther that Jane was not present at this meeting. No one mentioned or acknowledged it, making Gunther feel like it would be taboo to do so. However, after what had happened last time they were together, he needed to know. He cleared his throat, "Um, excuse me," they all looked at him. This caused only a moments hesitation but he was too committed now, "Is Jane not joining us?" Her mother let out a sigh, "I'm sure you know how Jane is. She refused to leave her tower this morning," her mood shifted to one more cheery, "but the show must go on, as they say." Magnus chuckled, "Indeed, she is of strong-will, but my son is used to that, ain't that right, boy?" His father turned to him, prompting Gunther to give an automated response. "Yes, Jane can be difficult but she comes around eventually." Adeline seemed pleased with this response, "I was most impressed by that last night. The conversation we had after Jane's little temper-tantrum helped reassure me you could handle her better than most men." As the adults slowly drifted into unrelated conversations, he was able to take a moment to process what had just been said. Jane was... upset? She didn't want to attend this breakfast, but why? It also sounded like she was upset last night too, which doubled the confusion on why this meeting was even happening in the first place. It did seem he had spoken with Adeline yesterday, but the context of that conversation was too hazy to remember. What in the world was happening?
It wasn't long until the subject of dowery was brought up, confirming Gunther's suspicions on what this meeting was really about. It was of course his father who brought it up and Adeline seemed more than happy to discuss it without worry of ulterior motivations. Gunther felt sick to his stomach and didn't want to eat any more. The money being offered was... a lot. A dowery was meant to be saved by the husband for the bride, in case of his sudden, and probably soon-to-be, demise. There would be a contract to ensure this would be the case, but he knew his father well enough. He'd find a way to spend it on what he wanted and leave everyone non-the-wiser. Gunther knew he couldn't say anything. He couldn't object, couldn't ask questions, couldn't reject. Unless he wanted the beating of his life. This was too important, too life-changing, too valuable. He could feel himself turning pale, "Oh god, please don't vomit," he pleaded with himself. Before Magnus and Adeline came to a consensus, Gunther's savor came in the form of Milton, who had finally grown the spine to speak up. "Now let's not be hasty! What do you have to offer to the table? My daughter is of nobility and we are sacrificing much with this union. You have a reputation Magnus Breech, and although I don't know your son well, I would hate for anything to befall my Jane!" There was a brief moment of stunned silence with both Magnus and Adeline giving Milton dangerous looks. Gunther's father recovered quickly, though, and he cleared his throat with his trademark fake smile, "I completely understand your concern Milton. Rest assured, Jane will be properly cared for. As you know, I have much wealth and powerful connections. She will never have to need for anything as long as she lives." Milton still seemed skeptical. Although what his father said was technically true, Gunther was still unsure what caring for Jane would actually entail. Magnus barely spared the coin for Gunther's knight training. With Gunther still working under his father, was he going to start offering him a genuine salary if he was married with a wife? He felt like these were important things to have discussed before sitting access from her parents but it was too late now. After mulling over Magnus' words, Milton spoke again, "Her needs may be cared for but what of my daughters happiness? She has not spoken to me often of Gunther but what I have heard, she seems to dislike him." Gunther hated when people spoke as if he weren't there but unfortunately he was used to it. This time, Adeline came to his defense, "Dear, I told you, Jane does like him. She has spoken to me about him before and she cares a great deal of his opinion." This news was shocking to Gunther. He didn't know Jane cared about his opinion. She didn't seem to care for anyone's opinion but especially not his. Adeline turned to him, a pleading look in her eyes, "Come now Gunther, tell Milton what you told me last night." Gunther snapped to attention, he had to bullshit this. What could he have said to Lady Adeline that would convince her that Jane would be happy with him? His mind was drawing a blank which was beginning to cause an uncomfortable silence. His father kicked him in the shin from under the table and that was enough to put his brain into high-gear, "Jane is a talented knight and I know how much it means to her. I envy her determination and passion but I feel I am able to challenge her nevertheless. I would love nothing more than to see her dreams fulfilled, with I by her side." Gunther had no idea where that came from, but he was relieved to see Adeline's smile widen as she looked to Milton for approval. The chamberlain didn't look entirely convinced but he seemed unable to stand up to his wife. The rest of the meal past by with less tension and an agreement was made that Gunther knew world change his world forever.