"What?!"
Noah stopped pacing, hurrying to stand before Shikera.
"Ethan married you? I mean, Ethan DeLoach," he asked, hoping his sister didn't notice the tone of familiarity with which he first called Ethan's name.
"Why?! I know he wouldn't agree to a contract marriage even if a gun is put to his head," he added, staring earnestly at his sister.
"I don't know why, and he told me not to ask either. It's a contract marriage that will only last for a year," Shikera shrugged, frowning at how her brother seemed overly concerned about the matter concerning Ethan. Though she agreed that the whole news must be shocking, she did not understand why he seemed to be stressing over why Ethan married her.
Thinking of that, she added, "Why, do you think I am not worthy of him too? Because I'm a burden."
Noah sighed, placing his hands on Shikera's shoulder.
