"..."
Leon was speechless by the man's bluntness. He understood what the man was implying. Glancing at his daughter and her pale face. He knew he messed up big time.
"I wouldn't suggest that, as you can see I have a child for a daughter like you said" he said glumly.
There was silence. Sia raised her head to meet the face of a young man who had a thinking expression on his face.
Now that she had a close up look at him, she realized that he was simply stunning, she wouldn't mind being with someone like him, provided she had more freedom at least.
The man turned to her, a surprised expression on his face as if he heard her thought, then he glanced at the amulet laying on her neck then turned to Leon and spoke.
"What about this glowy thingy"
Leon's expression darkened even further.
"No" he said with utmost seriousness.
"Ah, then I guess we are back to square one"
"What are you doing here anyway?" He asked.
"Me," he chuckled "this is my lair." He said, manipulating the dark waters to different forms.
"You are a water demon?" Leon asked, things were starting to make sense now, but he knew water demons were not able to manipulate the waters of the dark sea so he was doubtful as well as surprised that this stranger could.
"No, something like that, I'm no demon. Actually I'm just a young man who wants to get married and have pretty children, and you just happened to coincide with my urge." Kai said as he mustered his cutest smile, making Leon's ears go red.
'This man, does he have two personalities? One moment he's life threatening the next he feels so insignificant. Argh!! This is so confusing! Choose one damnit.' Leon thought as he looked at the man. He was even more confused now.
He spoke, "No one can survive this waters, how is it your lair. Besides I'm pretty sure there are lots of pretty girls out there for you to marry and have children with." He approached his daughter once more.
This time Kai didn't stop him he just looked at the two as if he had been wronged and said, "Give me a token, you should treat me to dinner at least, I will come for my wife then."
Leon looked at him suspiciously wondering what he was up to. He couldn't possibly be serious right? Well probably he just wanted a token afterall, having dinner with their family was well sought for among demons. Yeah, that was probably it... Sia was just an excuse.
Kai looked at Sia and continued. "In case, you know, I don't find pretty girls to marry out there and have children with..." He looked at Leon intensely again and continued "or you could just give me the amulet and we'll call it even"
Now he was just being unreasonable.
'If you know who was the real owner of this amulet you wouldn't be so bold' Leon thought.
He was in a real pickle. The amulet was not something that he could just give a total stranger because of his daughter. If his father found out he would shred him to pieces.
His father treasured that amulet more than his mother. And he gave each of his three sons one, leaving the remaining two for himself and his wife. Leon gave his daughter his when he realized the ability it had, he had been in danger once and the amulet started glowing making him go past his limits in escaping it.
It also sent warning signals to all the others close to the person with the amulet. Then, he realized why it was a priceless treasure.
He glanced at Kai and nodded. Sia was older than she looked, he wouldn't mind giving her to someone who was strong, and his looks were also heaven defying. It was about time she got married anyway. The real dread was how he was going to explain this to his dad.
Kai was surprised when he saw him agree. He knew that the amulet was something but didn't think it would be that special.
Sia just looked at her dad confused, but she had gotten herself into this mess, the amulet was more valuable anyway.
Her dad brought a seal out of nowhere and asked. "Your name?"
"Kai"
Her dad looked up.
"Just Kai. Don't worry, you would get used to it."
Leon nodded wondering if he had really given his daughter to such a man. He handed the seal to Kai and swam upwards.
Sia just looked down following behind her father with a dull pain in her heart.
'What are you thinking Sia, it could have been much worse with you losing your life, just look at the bright side, at least you don't have to stay at that dull castle after marriage. You could finally get the freedom you always wanted.'
But deep down in her heart she knew she was just comforting herself. Her father... She glanced up at him and sighed. What was done was done, no time for regrets.
-
Back at the castle, Sasha stared at her son for a while and just nodded, it was already a lost cause the time he mentioned the amulets. Even she couldn't convince her husband to lose such a valuable treasure for a single descendant.
She sighed and said " I understand. Meanwhile let's make this a very fruitful marriage. Because Kai didn't kneel to propose doesn't make it less of a marriage. We should do our best to make sure it's a happy day for both Sia and this family"
Sarah nodded and went to her husband side to show her support. He glanced up and said
"Yeah. That Kai guy isn't that bad anyway. I trust that Sia will be safe..." He paused and looked at his mum suddenly. "Did you just say family?"
Sasha nodded wondering what was wrong.
"So you mean both my brothers will come and other relatives I barely know?" He asked.
His mum nodded again.
"Ah... It's over. Mum can't we just make it a small wedding just within the people it actually involves?." He grumbled.
Sasha just shook her head and stood up to go and meet her husband. She knew that conversation would not lead anywhere. Leaving the couple alone with stupefied expressions.
Arriving at the balcony, she saw a man who seemed to mix perfectly well with the shadows watching the dark clouds. It was already an hour since their guest left and the rain showed no signs of stopping.
"Lucifer..." She called.
He turned to her and said " That man isn't normal, I haven't felt like this in a long time. It's like he's non existent but he's there. I couldn't sense his emotions. In fact the only thing that proved he was living was his beating heart, steady. He... He isn't someone we should offend." He turned back to watch the rain.
Now it was Sasha's turn to be stupefied.