Becca's Mother had her hands covering her mouth in surprise. "Oh my goodness! We had no idea what you were doing in there all this time! We thought you didn't want to spend time with us…"
Becca shook her head. "That's not true, Mother. I just had to work extra hard because I couldn't train with a teacher like most nobles who wanted to be Royal mages. Luckily, even as a self taught mage, I was able to reach the level of a intermediate mage. Nick even said that with my level of talent, I have a good chance to become an advanced mage someday in the future!"
Becca's Father had unfocused eyes as if he was thinking back to the days when a kid Becca would pretend to be a Royal mage in the yard.
"Rebecca, we are both really proud of you. Not in my wildest dreams did I dare to imagine you could someday become an advanced mage. Even just becoming an intermediate mage is already a testament to your hard work.
The whole family was really sad when we thought you had to give up on your dream. Nick, are you really going to let her join the Royal mages? You won't go back on your word? You won't use her title as your assistant to give her an especially hard time?"
"Of course. I realized men and women should have the same amount of freedom. I shouldn't have the power to tell Becca what jobs she can and can't do. I'm not trying to play any tricks on her, I just want to make up for the mistakes I made in the past."
Becca's Mother was still not convinced. "I appreciate the act of repentance Nick, but was this really enough to make you have feelings for him, Rebecca? You are now okay with being the first wife of many? Before you were adamantly against it…"
Becca smiled softly at her mother. "You know me really well, Mother. Of course this single act was not enough to make me want to be in a romantic relationship with Nick. At best, it brought us back to square one and I hoped at the time that we could at least have a amicable relationship."
Becca's Mother sighed, "of course, it takes a lot of effort to win over my daughter. So what did he do later that could have made you lower your walls?"
At this question, Becca start to giggle like a teenage girl. "Oh Mother, there are so many things to tell you. Where should I start? Well, the first thing he did the morning after promising to let me be a Royal mage was personally make pancakes for my breakfast. They were especially soft and fluffy!"
Looking at Becca's big eyes full of love, Becca's Mother was obviously shocked. "Nick personally cooked it for you? I have never heard of a noble man cooking a meal…"
Becca smiled at her surprise. "He told me that he wanted to learn humility. He threw away his arrogance as a noble and choose to do whatever he needed to dote on me regardless if it was against the noble etiquette. I respect him a lot for that.
He will give me a neck massage if I hurt it while sleeping. He will casually offer to comb my messy bedhead like it's a matter of course. He will set up dates for us to go out and have fun. He will surprise me with a bracelet that shows our connection. He will even sing songs and dance for me. He will train magic with me seriously and not treat me as a weak beginner woman. He will talk with excitement about the combination attack we are going to perfect once we are a true team on the Royal mages. He will always ask me questions to try to get to know me more everyday.
Most importantly, I can be myself around him. He understands the kind of person I am and he says he likes me exactly how I am. He supports me and even wants me to be more true to myself with others. He respects me and treats me as a true equal. He listens to my opinions with an open mind. He never restricts me or tells me what I can't do. He treats me so incredibly well, there is no way I wouldn't start having feelings for him…"
During Becca's speech, a warm feeling spread throughout my body. I soon realized that my eyes were also starting to water. I'm really glad Becca appreciates all the things I do for her. I felt so touched that I slowly reached my hand over and place it on top of hers. When she felt my touch, she turned her head and noticed my watery eyes. She smiled at me sweetly and placed her other hand on top of mine.
Sadly, Becca's Mother ended up interrupting our sweet moment. "He really did all those things for you? It's so different to how he treated you before…What about the multiple women he has? You can accept it as long as he stays this kind?"
Becca responded, "there is one last thing he promised that sealed the deal. He actually promised he would not take another wife or concubine for the rest of his life. I would be the only woman he would be with for the rest of his life. The only thing I had to accept was that he had a promiscuous past."
Becca's Mothers mouth was wide open. "Is this true Nick? This seems very unlike you?!"
I tried my best to reassure her. "Yes, Mother-in-law. I decided to keep my full focus on doting on my precious wife. I don't want to be with anyone besides your daughter."
Becca's Father finally chimed in, "what about political marriages? It was rumored the Duchy had a couple lined up for the future."
I waved my hand. "Does the Duchy late resources? I don't need to have any political marriages. Plus, I can still connect with good families in different ways. Political marriages are a little antiquated."