Lee listened from atop the staircase, covering her mouth as her smiled widened. Lauss trailed after his master lazily, trying to remember if anyone had mentioned the name of that beast he had examined, as she dashed to her room in a sort of skip, falling onto her bed and smiling with glee. He wasn't serious, was he? She might really marry him? She had completely forgotten about Elle, too enthralled by Faolan's words. A didikai always holds one to promises. She pulled her knees to her chest and smiled, giddily replaying the evening over, happier than ever.

Mrs. Katan sat in the nook, hands trembling with anger. That man... that horrible pikey. "You're wine, Milady." The woman snatched the drink from the servant, sipping generous portions at a time. There was no way he would get his hands on Lee. Her daughter wouldn't be marrying into poverty. She wouldn't let her ruin the family name.