After that they started dating, in secret. They met up at their trainings spot for half a year, after that their parents noticed, or cared to let them know that they knew.
***
At the Shen Earldom.
Melissa was requested to meet her mother at her study.
"Even though I was requested it's more like ordered, second her study is more like a throne room than a study, we are only an earldom so why do we need a throne room? I guess my mother just loves to imitate visitors."
As she mumbled that on her way, she arrived and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"You asked for me mother."
"Yes, I think I tolerated your romance with that boy long enough."
"Oh, so you think you tolerated my whim long enough."
"Exactly, I think you should look for someone in our league."
"That would be, someone who thinks woman are worth more and is at least an earl or an heir to one?"
"Why are you even seeing him if you know this?"
"You know what, I am your third daughter and have at best another 13 years to live so I don't care what you think, for all I care you can disown me." With that she turned around and left the room.
An older woman comes through a side door. "She has your temper."
"Mother, yes and that makes handling her a lot harder."
"Not only that but her illness denies her a mage's live, that's also why you pampered her, so why try to separate her from that man?"
"I just want to make sure it is what she wants, she only has around 13 more years, she shouldn't waste them with someone that isn't the right one, besides I really don't like that he is from a strict patriarchal family. I just hope that he will treat her well."
"If he didn't, she wouldn't stay with him, you should know her well enough."
"She is probably the only of my daughters who would manage to say no to a man she loves because he doesn't treat her the way she sees fit."
"Hahaha, yes she has her standards, but she is fair and patient if he tries."
"It is really sad that I cannot officially accept her choice, tough."
The older woman nodded.
***
At the Agami Baronies
"How dare you met up with that kind of woman!!!"
Alexander's father had already a red had.
"If you don't clam down you will die."
"Don't try to change the subject!!!"
"Alright, you only have one son that is me, besides you will not have any of my cousins be the heir so I can literally do whatever I want and will inherit everything." With that he turned and left the study.
"Don't you dare to just walk off, we are not finis-."
"Sight, my father is so stubborn. At least he is old and won't do it for much longer, he isn't really a loving father and only cares for tradition. But I should make up my mind and either ask her to marry me or break up with her. It's not worth all that trouble if we don't stay together. Not that I'd still have a choice." He smiled and walked off.
****
A few days later at the meeting spot.
"So, I had a few complications with my father."
"Yeah, me too, just with my mother."
"So, do you want to stay together or break up?"
"F*ck it, I'm just the third daughter so I won't get anything anyway. So why should I do what my mother says?"
He looked shocked for a moment but stared to smile. "It's rather like you to curse in such a situation."
"Something wrong with that?"
"No, I like your hotheadedness." He smoothly got on one knee and pulled out a ring. "Will you marry me."
"Wha, seriously you did that motion like it's nothing special.
Before I can answer I have to tell you something. I have an illness that can't be treated, and I will have at best another 13 years to live. If you don't mind that I'll gladly marry you."
"That's a yes than." He didn't even flinch when she told him that.
"Yes." She held her hand out and he put the ring on her finger. Afterwards he stood up and hugged and whispered into her ear: "I'll make those 12 years the best of your live."
***
In the next year Alexander's father had to abdicate. With that nothing stopped their marriage. After Alexander settled in as the new master, he announced his wedding. They held it small, as small as possible as nobility.
In the end they had to invite the neighboring nobility and merchants the Agami Baronies traded regularly. Because the Shen Earldom didn't accept the marriage, they didn't attend the wedding.
But they managed to get hold of a video of it, through unconventional means.
Through her illness Melissa couldn't practice any martial arts or weapon wilding anymore, even tough she was known as a dagger-goddess in her childhood.
After two years into their marriage Melissa got pregnant.
***
On the balcony of the master bedroom.
"You should have seen me, when I was a child, I was unmatched with my daggers."
"I would have loved to spare with you."
"I'm sure you would have lost."
"Don't just go crown the winner without a match."
"I wonder how long I will still be able to use magic."
"Stop assuming the worst, we are about to become a family." He touches her belly. "You will see your baby grow up I'm sure of that."
"Sometimes I wish I could have your optimism." She looked into the distance with a sad smile, glassy eyes and a certainty that she wouldn't see her child as an adult.
***
The childbirth was complicated, and Melissa nearly died. But through the upgrade she got because of her first child her health improved afterwards.
They noticed soon that Anthony had talent with weapons, and he had already a teacher with less than two years of age.
***
The parents watched their child on the side of the trainings ground.
"I guess he inherited the talent for weapons form both of us."
"If he had just inherited some of your magical talent too. Sight"
"I don't think that he has no talent for it, it's more like he isn't interested in it."
"That doesn't solve the problem, he'll have a hard time as the next master without proper magical abilities."
"Chuckle, you seem to do well."
"Wha, seriously only because they fear your abilities."
"Then you only need to get him a capable wife."
"I'd have preferred to have a second child in such a case but that won't work."
"Yeah."
***
Anthony's second birthday. It wasn't a special day, because he preferred to train instead of a party. The only thing special was that for breakfast cake was served.
After his morning practice his mother waited for him on the sidelines with a percent.
"Honey, today you should feel special."
"Why, it's just another day."
"No, it is your special day, without it you wouldn't be here." She ruffled trough his hair.
"But everyone has a birthday, I didn't do anything special so why is it that I need to feel special?"
"Because the people that love you are happy that you were born and that should make you feel special."
"Does that mean that you're happy today."
"Yes, I'm really happy that my beloved son has his second birthday."
"Does Father feel the same?"
"For sure."
"Maybe I could give this birthday a chance."
"Anthony, on your birthday you also get presents from people that love you." She gave him a box.
He looked at here then at the box and at here again.
"Open it, I hope you like it."
He opened the box and in it were two light-blue daggers with black engravements. Het took them out and immediately made some test swings.
"They're great, not too heavy for me now but I'll be able to use them when I grow up too, thanks mother."
"You're welcome. If you decide when you grow older that you want to use a different weapon, then try to find a new owner. Okay."
"I will."
He attached them to his lower back and after that his mother hugged him.
"Remember to pick your fights wisely and only fight to protect. You also have to run if you can't win, your live is the most important."
Afterwards she pulled away Anthony nodded.
***
Soon after Anthony's second birthday Melissa could only use basic magic. For the improve after his birth her health deteriorated even faster.
They did their best to hide this fact, but it was only a matter of time when others started to notice.
She was able to have a normal life till Anthony was four, the next year she couldn't stand or walk for more than one hour. Thereafter Melissa became bedridden and shortly after Anthony turned six it was an unspoken truth that his mother wouldn't survive another year.
Alexander didn't want to belief that his beloved wife will soon pass away, but he nonetheless spends every spare moment with her.
***
In the master's study
"Master, the 'bandits' invaded another village and wreaked havoc."
Alexander slammed the report in his hands onto his desk. "That damn Rotavel, just because he has a higher noble title than me, he thinks he can take whatever he wants."
"With all due respect sir, but if we had a capable mage…" His advisor couldn't finish his sentence because Alexander stared daggers at him.
"If this goes on than he will soon be at our mansion." Alexander sunk back in his chair. "Sight, arrange a diplomatic meeting with him."
"Alright sir." With that the man left.
"Hopefully his demands aren't to outrageous."
***
Evening at Melissa's bedroom
"How are you feeling?"
"Good. How was your day?"
"Sight, this kingdom his garbage, it allows, no more like encourages nobles to fight between them instead of rewarding them for magical advancements."
"Even though your bloodline has a long history your noble title didn't go up."
"Damn cleansing, why didn't anyone in my family manage to upgrade it?"
"Darling, clam down. I know you'll find a solution."
"If I could have your optimism."