Our dinner was more of a party than a dinner.

The newcomers even the archer pair became more relaxed and approachable over time and with drinks.

Cintia entertained the kids with her illusions..some of the adult enjoyed it more that them.

Unfortunately it drained her. It consumed a lot if her stamina.

" She should train.." - Zephyr told his opinion. " I mean these powers are like any muscle. But, if your physical is not there it doesn't matter how powerful the ability is. "

" I told you Astoria, it's more of a mental thing..How do I train my brain? "

Ciren quickly took over recommends her services for a soon to be eleven year old she sure mature.

Cintia needed convincing and Zephyr as her first student quickly defended his master.

Meanwhile, I was lost how or when to tell him that I agreed to something stupid like that...

We agreed to at least try and make decisions together especially those that effectively killed our sex life for 168 hours almost..umm God..thousands of minutes!

" You know that you can't avoid it forever right? "

" Thanks mother but, I will try my best. "

I endured their pity laughs.

I looked towards granny lost in Metill eyes and cursed her for bringing this up. If she only forgot one more day..

" Mom..why is that even a tradition? " - Eli asked but, I could tell she was only concerned for her future self.

Lucian might get on one knee at the festival ceremony and than her wait begins that moment. Which is only 8 days away.

The day of our wedding.

Mother smiled probably noticing her underlying thoughts. " It was to..maximize the chances of conception on wedding nights. "

I was listening to the rest with everyone else.

" My own grandmother used talk me that along with Emet, the feudal lords, bad seasons, floods and sicknesses. It was more of a wish than anything else but it gave hope...a relic remaining from a more desperate time. "

I guess, it had meaning behind it. Which didn't make it better.

But it was something.

( OYYYY!!)

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We overheard some celebratory laughter and screaming from the other side of the table.

Carlos, Lucian and Alexander were hugging each other while Nifa's group clapping along hugging Zephyr.

Norman who was closest told us. " Zephyr choose them all as his best man. They will protect the couple and hold the bride price etc.. "

See? He said he will decide it a week before months ago and stuck to it. Hmm..

" How much the bride price will be anyway? " - Norman asked absent mindedly as he raised his own cup of ale to the three clearly drunk man still celebrating..

I looked at mother and she nudged granny.

Traditionally, it's negotiated between the bride and groom's family.

This time the groom had no blood relatives maybe not even out there in the world and the bride family could basically thank their current better lifestyle to the man.

Asking for a price even as tradition..

Granny quickly solved it.

" Zephyr!! Come here son. . "

He looked surprised but, hopped up and knelt next to her.

" Yes..what is it? "

She turned his face towards me now looked completely lost. " How much the bride price should be for this young lady? "

He looked right at me but, meant it for granny.

" How about 100 gold coins? "

Even granny was astonished and let his head go.

Waiting for anyone to speak was going to be a while and once he understood. " Best man's!! "

Three people arrived with almost perfect choreography.

He handed them a large pouch.

" Look after the bride price until the day after the wedding. Understood? "

""" YES!!! """

They took the pouch and argued who gets to keep looking after it.

" He gave it to me ..

" Young Lucian, that means less than nothing..

" Let play a spirited competition..it's only fair..

He turned back to us ." Are we good? Is there anything else? "

" N-no..it's a fine a bridge..bride price son. W-well done."

He nodded amused at her change in attitude and after a quick kiss to his astonished bride, he went back to his seat.

" How does he have..Oh..I guess the tavern really pays well. " - granny quickly rationalized it.

I was counting in my head 1 gold = 10 silver / 100 gold = 1000 silver.

1000 silver coins!!

I mean gold is gold..but..1000 silver coins sounded soo much better. But...

" It can't be the tavern, I count every coin and we need to keep open for the next three years to earn that much. " - mother as book keeper knew how much the place bought in, just as much as I did.

We all looked but, he was lost in conversation with the twins who were good and loaded and retelling their story how they meet Zephyr to a very interested Norman, Moritz and Manata.

" We challenged him immediately..

" Bad idea..

" I'm still spinning..maybe it's the ale.

" Either way..we looked and.. couldn't understand.

" Lady Nifa is LEGENDARY. For her to come here.

" I just wish looks were indicators about power not just marriage tactics an..

" Then wouldn't you two already be brides??Pfft..Hahaha! " - Cintia cut them off as if waiting for the right time. Making the table shake from laughter at their expanse.

It was quickly getting late and with all our rooms full we might as well open an Inn here.

It was time to tell him..I should've done it before but, the more time passed the more nervous, I got.

" What? Love you staring all creepy..you want sex?" - he was taking off his shirt.

Yes..but, in a minute.

I stopped my pacing and took his hand. " Sit down babe..I kind of..

" God no.." - he already looked beaten.

" What? I haven't said anything.."

" What did you do Lylly? "

I stood his stare for about five seconds before I caved.

" Fine.. I agreed to an important tradition in my family and in Emet as whole.. It's to spend the last week apart before the...

" I-I get it darling..." - he layed down and I actually heard him praying.

I waited patiently for his actual reaction.

He sat back up and grabbed my waist making us bounce on the bed.

" It's fine. "

That's it?

" That's it!? "

I mean, his face was neutral, his eyes confident. Then..

" Yeah..I mean you must have some kind of a plan..so, it's fine.. until you tell me what it is. "

He took my hands gently. " And my love? I hope it's a damn good plan.."