Lady Steinhouse saw him leaving and rushed forward to grab his arm making him pause, but only for a moment, before leaving. She sent a provoking look at Lana, before leaving with Walter.
They arrived at the study, but Lady Steinhouse still held on. The two lords stared at her action but she ignored their looks. Her uncle had already talked to them about Walter; she had no reason to hide.
"The king wants to meet you," Lord Morge said.
"Why?" Walter asked and the two lords glanced at Lady Steinhouse before continuing.
"It will be important," Lord of Merve answered and Lady Steinhouse lowered her head shyly. Walter knew very well, this may not be good. He had not been ordered to meet the king and he knew this Lady beside him was a hot pot waiting to explode.
Were they actually expecting him to go? He had great faith in Lady Wickshire and after meeting the king once, he knew that his faith was in the right place. There was nothing the king could do to him. Still, there are many ways for people to suffer without dying. Did they expect him to go? His next words surprised them.
"Did he think I'll come just because he called?" he said and they paused.
"Let's talk alone," Lady Steinhouse said and the two Lords glanced at each other before leaving.
Walter took a seat and stared at the woman before him.
"Why has the king asked to see me?" he asked her.
"I told him about us... he said... he said, he will not oppose us," she said shyly. Walter almost gave out a mocking laugh.
"Will not oppose and accepting, is not the same," he said.
"Walter..." she started to say.
"Have you thought it through, Helen? Do you really want to marry again; and me at that?" he asked her, the mockery in his eyes never leaving.
"You don't wish to marry me?" her eyes filled with tears. His eyes shaded in astonishment. How did she arrive at that ending from what he said?
"Then why are you so angry? We have this chance..."
"Why didn't you wait till I asked you? It is not done for a lady to take such matters into her own hands. I don't really know you. How can I marry you?" he asked and her tears started to fall.
"You really don't want to? If I left it to you, you would never even touch me, talk more of the thought of marriage," she said and he almost nodded in agreement but refrained at the look on her face.
"Everybody says I have a lover. I've become a thing of mockery. Don't you feel angry on my behalf?" she cried loudly. Walter felt a headache coming.
"Calm down, I never said I won't marry you," he tried to calm her.
"But you said..." she continued to cry. Walter felt lost.
"I will meet him, okay? Stop crying... Is it not just a meeting?" he seemed more tired.
"How is meeting him marrying me?" she continued her never-ending tears. Confused, Walter stood up and approached her.
"Stop crying... I don't like crying girls," he said and she cried louder. One could almost see black lines stretch across his forehead.
"Didn't you want to marry me? Why are you still crying?" he said and she stopped so fast, that the imaginary black lines thickened on his face.
"I will. I'll marry you," she smiled sweetly. Walter was sure he never asked, but had no intention of pointing it out. At least the tears had stopped.
When Walter emerged from the study with Lady Steinhouse, he noticed Lord Morge looking quite amused and Lord of Merve trying to hold back laughter. He, on the other hand, looked as though he had returned from war. Lady Steinhouse had cleaned her tears and calmed herself; she had a sweet smile on her face as she went down the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Walter asked.
"I'm going to tell mother-in-law," she skipped away.
When she was out of sight, Lord of Merve burst out in laughter.
"My, Walter, you've aged ten years," Lord Morge said seriously, but the amusement in his eyes betrayed him.
"Should she be so quick to announce it?" Walter asked.
"It should be that girl from before that's making her so strange. She went to gloat," Lord of Merve said.
"You'll come with us then? The king wishes to meet at the Holy Tower," Lord Morge said and Walter sighed.
True enough as could be, Lady Steinhouse had descended the stairs and rushed back to Mrs Krain's side. Mrs Krain had already adjusted her thoughts about the lady when she discovered who she really was. Looking at the lady smiling happily at her, she felt lost.
"Did something good happen?" she asked Lady Steinhouse.
"Mn. Walter and I are getting married," Lady Steinhouse announced and the room quieted. Some seemed to frown at her words. How can a lady straight-out announce such a thing before her family had said a word?
"Does His Majesty know of this?" Mrs Krain asked cautiously.
"Yes. He's the one who arranged my marriage, Walter. The news will be out soon," Lady Steinhouse said and Mrs Krain smiled dotingly. She wanted to get and do a dance but remembered where she was.
"You two are well matched. Such a daughter-in-law, I'm very satisfied," Mrs Krain said with a bright smile. of course, she was satisfied. she had heard of the king's niece. Whoever married her would inherit the title of Duke of Steinhouse. she could already see it. Her son, a Duke.
"You have to come over and discuss the wedding," Mrs Krain said.
"Mn. But, uncle says that it should be really soon. He does not want his wedding to drown mine. I don't care really; I only want friends and family there," Lady Steinhouse said happily. The entire room seemed to have returned from their shock and started sending out congratulatory words. It seems the Krains will soon be related to royalty. Lady Steinhouse basked in their words as she accepted them with smiles. No one talked about her being a widow, as it was common knowledge she was widowed on her wedding day. They congratulated her as though she was a girl about having her first marriage.
"Helen," she heard Walter call. The room turned to the soon-to-be groom.
"Let's go," he said and turned to leave.
"I will be back again, Mother," she addressed Mrs Krain intimately and ran after Walter. Mrs Krain nodded in a very satisfied manner. She needed not worry anymore about things like marrying out her children. She was sure with this, everything would be all right.