I would like to say we were tough enough to spend the night in the crypt, but I would be lying. We got the hell out of there as soon as our needs were met. It was a little awkward, to say the least, but I can't say I didn't enjoy the experience. As we sat in our camp I decided to go over the notifications I hastily forgot the night before. Fiona seemed happy but also lost in thought, so I left her to sort out her feelings.

Congratulations you are the first party to clear this dungeon. For this epic feat, you have been awarded 1 free skill slot for each member

For being the first group to clear this dungeon you have been awarded 1200 credits

You have earned the title Light in the Dark 15% additional damage when fighting Undead

Nice, another free skill slot and two titles all from one dungeon, hopefully, the next one will be as rewarding. As for the loot, it was pretty shit. Mostly the bones we collected, the robes and mace. Heck, the end boss only dropped a necklace. A gaudy thing with a gold chain and a large ruby set to look like an eye. Turns out that's how the bastard was able to see through the concealing fog.

Necklace of true sight - When worn allows the user to see through most illusions.

Although a nice item, I let Fiona have it. It looked a lot better on her than it did on the Crypt Lord. The eye symbolism also reminded me of the Eye of Ra, one of the runes that I had been studying in my free time. I hadn't been able to make a working rune from it yet but I would keep trying.

I also took this welcomed downtime to check my stats. While I didn't level, I was a hairsbreadth away from 11. Probably one monster of my level would put me over. I cleared my throat so I could ask Fiona what she thought we should do next. Before I could even ask she blurted something out.

"I'm sorry, last night...I shouldn't have done that... I wasn't completely honest with you," she paused before completing her thought, "about the Life Bond."

"What, you mean the fact that it means we're essentially married?"

"Wait, you knew?" she said in surprise.

"Well, not at first, but you were giving off enough clues that even my clueless self figured it out eventually. I know I was being a bit distant with you, part of that was from my mistrust of you," I said but quickly added, seeing her tense up, "don't worry, I think you earned my forgiveness by now, you did save my life. I just wish you would have told me sooner about the bond. We are both adults though so I can't blame you for my actions last night. Anyway, I have a hard time opening up to people, especially women. My previous wife... sort of tore my heart out when she cheated on me with my best friend."

Fiona was quiet for a bit before responding.

"Yes..., well, last night we kind of sealed the deal, so to speak."

I just looked at her blankly.

"Perhaps I should explain. Life Bonds are mainly used by nobility, to keep their spouses from any thoughts of turning on them. Since they marry for political reasons and not love. To make the deal equitable the union has to be completed through consummation."

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"At the time I thought it would be the best protection. You wouldn't need to fear me betraying you... again. Honestly, I thought you would try to have your way with me with the slave collar in place. Then the deal would be sealed and I would be safe from any more of your predations. I didn't expect to start to care for you. Despite your crass attitude at times, you do have a good heart."

It was sadly true. Not that I didn't want people to like me. I was just rather blunt with people, most mistook that for rudeness. I believed in helping people, just not for free. If you did stuff for free, parasites would come out of the woodwork expecting you to do it all the time. Best to just weed out the chaff right away.

"Wait, aren't you betrothed? How is that going to affect this Bond?"

"I am still betrothed, the Life Bond doesn't prevent me from marrying another. It is more like a commitment to each other, rather than an actual marriage. Again, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have burdened you with this. I should have stopped you last night. Sex out of marriage in my culture is frowned upon. What we did last night shouldn't have happened, it only complicates everything."

"I thought you didn't wish to be married off by your parents?"

"I don't, but what I want and what I can get away with are two very different things. Now, even if they do marry me off. If my future husband finds out I am deflowered, I will be cast out of both families, and thrown to the wayside like simple gutter trash."

"Fuck em, I say live your own life."

"Ah yes such a simple-minded approach at life, why not just have everyone rut around like stray dogs."

"See now you're getting it," I said cheekily. I wasn't going to hold her words against her, it was just the way she was raised.

"Look, Fiona, you have one life to live and you should live it for yourself and not for someone else. I have feelings for you as well. While it may not be love. Who knows what the future might bring, and that's not something I say lightly. We may have gotten off to a rocky start. Well, mostly me as I tumbled down that cliff. Despite that, you have proven yourself to be a reliable companion. You saved my life, not once but twice. I honestly can't see someone else by my side for the tough times ahead. I always know you will have my back... Oh, no please don't start crying."

'Well shit, now ya did it ya big ape,' I thought, kicking myself for my insensitivity.

"I'm sorry, I'm just happy. I never thought I would hear words like those out of anyone's mouth. The most I could have hoped for in an arranged marriage was mutual respect."

I felt a bit sorry for the woman, she was so starved for affection in her previous life that she chose me. I sighed internally, I wasn't good with this sappy stuff. I moved over to sit next to Fiona and just held her as she sobbed tears of joy. After a few minutes, she managed to collect herself.

"So where to next?" I asked, trying to change the subject before another bout of feelings overwhelmed the poor woman.

"Well you still need to level, we could run this dungeon again or head towards the next dungeon. How close to 11 are you?"

"Honestly, one monster should put me over, and this dungeon sucked."

"Good, then let us roam around and hope to run into something for you to kill, and level, then we can try and find the next dungeon."

When I went to get up she gave me a tight hug, almost like she was afraid to let me go. I was still coming to terms with my feelings, so I froze up for a second at the unexpected closeness. Eventually, I returned the hug. Feeling a weight I didn't even know I had, lifted from my shoulders.

I had a lot of feelings to sort through. Did I want to marry this woman, or keep our relationship where it was? I was happy where it was. Sure the sex was nice but it wasn't like I was some hormone riddled teenager. Plus I had been alone for nearly a decade, having abandoned dating early on after my wife's betrayal. I also didn't want to get closer to the woman if she was just going to leave in a few days. Maybe she would return but she had obligations with the Royal Guard and with her family. Sure I could go but that would just make it more difficult for her to choose. I wanted to explore this new world. I would happily do it by her side, even if just a companion. I decided to table these thoughts until later. Right now we had monsters to fight.