"By the way, I will pull some strings to get you into the Royal mages as my assistant as soon as possible. I know it's your biggest dream and I want to support you.
You will need to help me out. I just learned about magic this morning, so I am still a beginner in using my lightning magic. You are probably stronger than me right now," I chuckled.
Rebecca's face lit up. "You really mean it? I will be a Royal mage soon?"
"Yes, as long as you really are an intermediate water mage, I see no reason why you can't join."
"Yes!! I really did it!" Rebecca was pumping her fists and grinning from ear to ear.
While Rebecca was distracted celebrating, I walked over to where she was sitting on the sofa and sat next to her. For achieving her lifetime goal, I wanted to congratulate her.
I faced her, put my hand on her shoulder, and said, "I want you to know that I think you are amazing. You fought so hard against this messed up world. You didn't let them stop you and became a self taught intermediate mage. You fought valiantly all by yourself, but now Nicolas is gone and I, Nick, am here. I want to help and support you. I want to be a shoulder you can cry on if you ever need it. Let's be partners."
Rebecca was starting to sniffle while I was talking, but the moment I finished, she burst into tears. I reached my hand out and gently put her head on my chest.
She started wailing through the sobs…
"Nick! You are really Nick? Not him?
You understand me? You also think the world we live in is screwed up?"
"Yes" I said as a stroked her hair.
"Everyone told me I had no right to complain because I was the daughter of a count. That at least I had wealth and power.
Everyone envied me because I would be the next duchess, but I hated it so much.
To have to be with that man. The one who crushed and laughed at my dreams. The one who had never given me an ounce of respect!
Will you respect me, Nick?" She looked up at me with wet eyes.
"Of course. You deserve it."
"I know, I tried so hard. I just wanted people to respect me. To see me as my own person. Someone who had their own inherent value instead of only seeing me as an accessory for a man.
I don't want to be known as the wife of Duke Nicolas Harrison.
I want to be known as Duchess and Duke Rebecca and Nicolas Harrison. As a team. As equal individuals that both have worth outside of their relationship to each other."
"I want that too. If anyone thinks otherwise, let's put them in their place together."
She put her arms around my torso and squeezed me tight like she was afraid I would disappear.
"I have no idea who you really are, but I know you are not Nicolas. He was too arrogant to ever say the things you told me, even if he was trying to trick me.
Every man I have ever met has had the same problem. Their pride was so big that they would never lower themselves to the level of someone they thought was beneath them even if it could have brought them a huge benefit.
I don't know if you are an angel come down to answer my prayers or a devil that is using sweet words to trick me into helping them.
However, if you keep your word for everything you said today, I would probably be willing to sell my soul to the devil for that kind of future. Please keep proving to me everyday that you meant what you said today. Then, one day I can believe you completely.
Nick, the same way you trusted me enough to tell your secret, I will trust you to keep your word and treat me like an equal. Let's be partners."
I hugged her back. She felt so soft and fragile in my arms. 'How could this soft and fragile person stand tall her whole life against the world telling her she was crazy to value herself? Crazy for wanting to be treated fairly.'
At least now, we could carry that burden together.
"Becca, our lives from now on are going to be full of struggles, but I promise I will try my best to make it fun.
I haven't given up on the courtship yet. In my world, there are no arranged marriages and people get to choose freely who they want to be with. From now on, I am going to take you on a ton of fun dates and flirt with you all the time. I'll buy you lots of presents and always be considerate of you. In 6 months, if we both are happy with our relationship, let's go on vacation for a honeymoon and have another wedding ceremony. At that time, there is no way I will not seal it with a kiss." I gave her a playful wink.
Becca buried her head deeper into my chest.
"Dummy, I don't care about romance. I would be happy with just being partners. I have never dared to dream about having romance in my life. I only need you to treat me well."
"Yes I know, the romance part is my own selfishness. I want you to have more expectations for this relationship then just the bare minimum that I treat you well. I want you to be able to get your hopes up when you think of our future together. Every person should treat their spouse well, but I want us to have a deeper bond then just any couple.
A life where we both love each other will be much more enjoyable than a life where we both just respect each other with no other emotions attached.
And I want to give you the most enjoyable life possible. You suffered for 12 years, so I will pay it back with interest."
Becca had to retort, "you are not the one that did those things to me for 12 years, so you don't have to work so hard to pay me back for someone else's actions."
I patted her head. "Don't worry too much. I am not losing out at all and I am not doing this because of someone else's actions. I am doing this because I find you so cute and earnest that I want to shower you with affection. Seeing you wholeheartedly smile would be worth all my efforts. If we both fall in love, I will also gain the same amount of happiness that you will, so it's a fair deal. Let's find that happiness together."
I laughed, "Becca I am starting to say too much, I think it's time for bed. Can you let go now?"
"No, don't leave me. Just for day, don't leave me."
I was surprised at how clingy she was being, but I wanted to ease her insecurity and let her know I would be here for her from now on.
"Ok, I am taking us to bed just for today. Don't get scared."
"Instant transmission"
I teleported us so we were now sitting at the edge of the big king sized bed that was in our room. I lifted Becca up and crawled to the center of the bed.
I was laying on my back and Becca was laying on my chest. I could feel her softness all over my body. I had to avoid focusing on it too much or I would get too stimulated.
"Becca, I am doing it today because it is a special circumstance, but just remember that I am a man too. It is hard for me to keep my head straight in this position."
Becca's face became beat red. "Ok, just for today. I need to know that you mean it when you say you will be there for me."
I patted her back softly. "Of course I mean it. Now rest up."