After a short breakfast, we stood outside and waited for Mother and Carlos to separate.
Zephyr was listening to Ilianna (Anna) and her latest requests. "...Alright then... a blue-haired one? I'm not sure if they have any princess dolls like that, but Aunt Nifa can always color it for you."
"Uhhh... that's right... can she color weapons?" she asked, brightening up.
I joined in before he allowed her to run away with it. "You're getting ahead of yourself, sweetheart, but most likely, yes," I answered.
"I bet she could color... anything, really," said Zephyr, looking toward our own house.
I would have loved her power. Nothing combat-related, but infinitely useful and lucrative.
We all said our short goodbyes since he should be back in a week or so.
"Lylly... could we..." He pointed toward a tree a little ways away.
I followed him, pondering what this was about. He checked on the others first before beginning.
"I want to leave this here with you," he said, showing a small, red box.
"Is that...?"
He nodded and opened the box.
It was an exceptionally made ring with a large, yellow, pear-shaped diamond. About a dozen smaller, beautiful diamonds surrounded it. I had seen some of Rachel's rings since the village was doing much better now, but nothing like this. Whoever made this must have had a blessing to help. No human hands were capable of such artistry.
"I plan to ask for her hand. I need your help, not just guarding this, but also trying to ask covertly what she would like. I want it to be a grand celebration."
I took the ring and put it away, giving him a thumbs up. "Leave it to me. By the time you return, I'll have a full plan," I said.
He sighed in relief. "That's a load off my mind. Let us go back before she gets suspicious." He said, checking the family we'd left behind.
"She is a Wold, Carlos. She's already suspicious."
"Okay, spill! What was Carlos talking about in secret? Something about me, right?" Mother asked once we were alone. Her paranoia reared its ugly head as soon as Zephyr disappeared with Carlos attached to his back.
"He wanted to discuss your birthday in the spring," I lied with ease.
She lost her suspicions hearing my immediate response. She turned chirpy and optimistic all of a sudden. "Ohh... great. I'm going to leave it to you two. By the way, Anna told me you decided on nineteen for your husband?" she asked.
"Indeed. It's done. He is eighteen now," I nodded, a little prouder of myself than I had any right to be.
"Mnn..."
"What?" Nobody makes those noises unless they have something against what you just said. She turned around and avoided eye contact.
"...Nothing, it's great. Just thought you would go younger," she said without looking back.
"Younger?" I ran after her. If anything, I thought she wanted me to go older. I walked behind her toward our house, as the others had already left.
"It was a unique opportunity, sweetheart. Not every woman gets to choose. I just thought you might go a year or two younger," she said.
"Making him sixteen?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Why not? When you're older, it would have been great to have such a young husband. Besides, it's just a number. Sixteen or twenty-one, he is a leader."
Unbelievable. She actually thought the same thing I did, just decided against it because... you know, me turning twenty-one before he turned seventeen. I might have made a mistake. But who cares... well, yeah, no... who cares!?
Ciren was now an official resident, declaring it to her brother this morning after giving him a list of things she expected to see once he returned. She already had her own room, being the third permanent resident along with the Jartok and Borea Martell families.
I liked it like that. We had our space but stayed close to our family. Even now...
Soon inside, I walked straight toward Nifa. "I want some more family portraits soon, some with everyone, and a giant one we hang inside the tavern. It isn't going to be a challenge, right?"
Her weakness was doubting her ability. "Of course not! I can draw and color anything under the sky," her eyes filled with fire, hearing the undertaking of a lot of work. "...But I need supplies. Frames can be made, but the paper is missing, and this time of year, it's hard to find."
"Honey, Zephyr will find it. Even if he needs to buy a shop," her wife said with full confidence. It was still hard to believe we had that much money hidden in Carlos's vault.
"As long as I'm provided with quality materials, I'll paint them to perfection, of course."
With that out of the way, I continued, "Thank you, dear one. Now it's time, ladies... future champion... my little sister."
The ladies in question were lost in conversation with their mother.
"Stop calling me that. Brother said it's all nonsense since we are the masters of our own destiny, and I agree," said Demelza. Well, she was easily influenced and quick to wave it off.
I stopped paying attention and turned to an angel. "Cintia?"
"I told you, I'll take care of Anna and won't let her move. Go. You're only in the backyard, anyway," she answered with a small smile.
"Still... thanks. Granny and Mother will help if needed, right?"
Both nodded enthusiastically, and we left for the training ground out back.
The Revel brothers were probably in their own homes doing whatever they were doing until the afternoon, and the others were hopefully doing the same thing as us.
"I wonder about that family," said Eli suddenly.
With Demelza shooting with confidence now, Eli and I were training with resistance bands.
"The Monroe's?" I asked.
"Yes. Do you think they'll leave?"
Well, from the looks of it, they didn't plan to. Their wagons now only held their set pieces and other equipment—fake crowns, dresses, props, etc., things they used in their acts.
"Zephyr will talk to them when he returns. I'm willing to bet Ceron wants to either extend or make their stay permanent."
"I would love that," Demelza multitasked as she worked on emptying her quiver. "Those people would add much-needed color for our soon-to-be Emet town."
"Well, we'll see. Zephyr wants them to want to stay here. They are performers. They might not enjoy our lifestyle," I repeated what he said.
"Hmm, Zephyr is sure smart." Eleanor shared some happy smiles with Demelza.
"I just said it. What made you think it wasn't my thoughts?" I asked them.
""" ^_^ """
"Fine... but it could easily have come from me."
""" ^_^ """
"Hmph."
With my pride trampled and intellect questioned, we finished the training just in time for my husband to return.