***

Walter sat with his family for dinner. The usual noise and talk were absent, his mother, who was the core of chatter, was silent. She kept glancing at Walter from time to time. Soon she could not take the silence anymore and turned to Walter.

"So, what do you think of Lana, Walter?" she asked.

"What happened today must never happen again," Walter said.

"You don't like her?" she asked.

"You are so quick to adapt to this life mother and I don't oppose it. But, you must never forget, that only I know why and how we are here. Do not do something that will make this entire new life disappear," he warned.

"Are you not allowed to seek marriage?" his mother frowned.

"Mother, he is still young," Amie frowned.

"So what? There are many younger than him, who have married," his mother answered.

"There are many things in play that you will not understand. I don't have the time. If you think me concentrating on marriage than my job is the best thing, do it again and see how this ends," Walter threatened.

His mother's frown deepened.

"Why?" she asked.

"You have always been smart, mother. I thought you would be able to understand why," he said.

"I understand that your work is important, but it's just marriage," his mother did not relent.

"Those that gave this to him, can take it away if his plans do not go well with theirs. It's the life he has chosen for himself. I just hope this does not stop your sister from marrying too," his father said.

"Does it affect who your sister marries?" she asked.

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"It affects who any one of you decides to bring into this family. You forget; Amie can no more marry some farm boy from a village, she has to marry well. If she marries someone who is basically an enemy or opposition to my work or my employer, you are sending Amie there to be maltreated. Have you forgotten so soon, mother? after all, you were raised nobility. You must only marry those who serve your interest. This is how the higher society works. Our entire lives now circle around my work. We must only do things that aid it," Walter said and his mother lowered her head.

He was right. Had she forgotten so soon? Walter must be the one to find a husband for his sister. One that will solidify their position. One that will be of help to them in the long run.

"I understand," she said.

"True, Walter. You must not make that decision alone," A familiar voice said making them all turn.

Walter and his family turned to see Lord of Merve and Lord Morge walk in. It could be seen that they had heard some of their conversations. Walter's mother turned red in embarrassment and was a bit scared that she had gotten Walter into trouble.

"You must be in a hurry, that could not wait to be announced," Walter said blankly.

"I'm serious, Walter. When it comes to marriage, you must not marry just anyone. If Mrs Krain is still worried about this, I can guarantee, none of your children will marry out of nobility," Lord Morge assured Walter's mother, whose eyes shined at those words. Doesn't that mean things were going to work out well?

Walter frowned at these words. The serious look on Lord Morge's face made him wonder if he knew something. Lord of Merve sighed. If it was anyone, it would have been okay; but Lady Wickshire had plans to marry Walter to Lady Steinhouse. Why she wanted this, they could not understand. But they knew one thing; the lady was serious about it.

Walter left without finishing his food, to his study with the two lords in tow.

"Did something happen?" Walter asked.

"We have instructions. We must leave tonight," Lord of Merve answered.

"We don't really have much time to plan. The way I see it, if we don't move tonight, we are going to miss the opportunity," Lord Morge said with a frown.

"What?" Walter asked. He looked around the room to make sure all the servants had cleared out.

"The lady wants us to take Lady Teel from the custody of the King Khor of Northern Lan. The queen-to-be is her daughter and the lady wants us to take her before the queen can. We would have taken more time to plan this out, but the lady said we must move tonight. Why she changed her mind about the time so fast, I can't imagine what could have happened," Lord Morge explained.

"Let me get my coat," Walter said before leaving.

"What if we fail? We have only just found out where the king of Northern Lan is staying; going without much of a plan... this may not go well," Lord of Merve frowned.

"If the lady is personally interested in this, then we must move," Lord Morge said. Walter returned fast and they left with haste.