We reached the Siegfried mansion and went to the top floor. To the study of lord Siegfried. I looked to my side and saw an anxious Nora staring at the door. I squeezed her hand slightly. To reassure her. She looked to my eyes and smiled faintly.
*Knock! Knock!*
"Come in." Nora's father coldly uttered. I steeled my resolve and walked in with Nora.
Nora's father, Alan Siegfried was busy reading and writing documents. He just spared us a glance, raising his brow for a moment, then went back to his work.
"Lord Siegfried. I came here to officially propose for your daughter's hand in marriage." I declared with a look of Determination. Alan stopped what he was doing. Looked at for a brief moment then stood up.
He walked towards us at a leisure pace. Looking at me up and down like I was some specimen. I frowned slightly. I felt his senses probing me. I was angered at first, but I guess you have to size up the one who is proposing to your daughter, right?
" Middle Martial Spirit Realm? Impressive indeed. You also cultivated your Body to Diamond Body Realm! Mistress Marigold was right in picking you up I guess." Alan uttered after ogling at me and circling around me for a minute. I kept my cool and smiled.
" Of course! Anyone the mistress picks is bound to be extraordinary! " I said with pride.
" Yes, yes.. Sigh… I just wish my daughter was half as talented as you. At least now she can be of some use to someone I guess…" Alan nonchalantly said.
My lips twitched. I looked at Nora to see her looking at ground. Not daring to say anything.
"What do you mean?" I asked. Something isn't right here…
"It means I accept your proposal! You can take her with you and leave." Alan's hands were behind his back. Looking at us haughtily.
"Dear. Can I come in?" A lady sounded from outside the door. Asking permission to enter.
"Come in." Alan voice softened a little.
A pretty lady entered. With a bulging belly. She seems pregnant. A little Boy who seemed to be 3 years old followed.
'Interesting. No one told me you remarried , Alan. I can see now Why you couldn't give a damn about your eldest daughter anymore.' The woman was in the Martial Spirit Realm. High to be exact.
"Wife. Please take a seat. Didn't I tell you not to move too much? Its not good for the baby." Alan gestured for his wife to sit.
"Our child was pestering me to come see you dear. I see that you're having a meeting so ill excuse myself. By the way, how are you Nora? And who is this handsome young man?" The woman asked us with an amiable smile. She doesn't seem to be a bad woman.
"I'm Fine step-mother. This is my man, Jason. He came here to take me. So that father will be at ease." Nora said with a faint smile. The woman's eyes widened in disbelief. Then she smiled amicably.
"Well. If you have anything else to say then speak. Otherwise, you're free to go, Nora. And Jason. Treat her well? Even if she is mediocre at best in talent, having her as a maid wont cost you much." Alan sat back at his chair. And began his work again. I wordlessly took the shivering hand of Nora and exited the mansion. When we were on the gate. Alan's new wife called for us.
" Nora! Wait!" The woman ran hurriedly. We stopped to hear what she has to say.
"Nora… I wont excuse your father's behavior. It was unacceptable. And you, Jason. Can I trust you with her?" The lady spoke.
"I love Nora. She's my childhood friend. Ill make her happy, Don't worry." I smiled at the woman and she sighed in relief.
"Nora. Take care. And Jason. May your endeavors be fruitful and find riches aplenty." She seems to have been a priestess of some sort. She bowed slightly and we nodded. Then got on Bella's back and went home.
What a fucking prick! That piece of shit will get what's coming to him! Nora has been holding back tears ever since we got out of the village. I need to do something…
"Bella. Go to the lake." Bella barked. Then headed for the lake.
We got down. Nora had a sulking expression. I sighed and held her hand and walked next to the lake. The sun shone on the lake. Reflecting off its clear water.
"Wow. You're father is a huge asshole., huh." I said. Nora smiled slightly.
"He's not wrong though… My spirit root is middle earth grade… And only recently did I form a wind seed. Which is to say that I have weak comprehension. So in essence… I'm useless… I can never amount to anything… But… I want to be… Happy… To at least stay with you… Jason… I love you Jason… I know that I'm pretty much a burden to you. But ill try to serve you to the best of my ability! Being your maid is a good start. That way, I can be of use… So please… Don't abandon me Jason… I have no one but you… "Nora almost went on her knees, begging me to take her in. Silly girl.
"Remember when we used to come here. Bathe in the sun. Throwing rocks against the water. Watching it skip and jump. How we used to swim with the other girls. Yuki, Sarah and Nisha… Christina was too uptight for her own good… Do you think that I cared about your innate talent back then? Did I ever say that if you didn't reach a certain level in cultivation that we wont be friends anymore? No I did not. I never will. I love being with you, Nora. And if you ever feel insecure about your talent. Then I'm here. I will help you along the way. Cultivation journey is a perilous and difficult road to tread on. But without people you care about and give yourself to. It becomes unbearable. And you start to resent the world and yourself. " I took Nora in my embrace. Letting her bask in my warmth. My words soothed her troubled mind. Riddled with inferiority complex. A problem that I will make sure to solve. For her sake…
I touched her forehead with mine. Giving her the secrets of Soul cultivation. With it. Her mind will expand and become clearer. Making it so she can comprehend faster and more efficiently. I looked at her, Nora was speechless.
"This is… What is this? Soul Cultivation? Is this even possible?" Nora was astonished to say the least. This path of cultivation is new to her. Understandably so.
"As a man. I provide. This is only the beginning. Trust me when I say this, Nora. You will want for nothing. The father that abandoned you will bite his nails in frustration and jealousy over the heights we will achieve. Mark my word." Nora's eyes were filled with tears of happiness. Not because she will be showered with gifts and benefits. But because he accepted her flaws. Her imperfections. And included her in his dream…
" Nora… I want true happiness in this life… Without you… It would be incomplete… So please…Be mine." Nora cupped my cheeks and gave me her most passionate kiss yet..