“Who are you!” Lillia’s mother growled, her grip tightening around Abel’s throat which prevented him from breathing properly.
Abel glanced at Lillia who was frozen in shock at her mother’s sudden intrusion and said, “Help... me.” His words barely getting out of his near empty lungs.
Lillia snapped out her deer in the headlights moment and rushed over to her mother, who began tightening her grip harder, draining the color of Abel’s face in the process. “Please, let him go!” she pleaded.
Although Abel could easily break out of the hold, he decided it would be smarter to not resist. The last thing he wanted was to leave a bad impression, and anger Lillia.
After enough of Lillia’s begging, she begrudgingly dropped Abel.
Lillia immediately went to Abel, who was rubbing his neck while gasping for air. She instantly noticed a purple bruise starting to form on his neck and got mad. “Why would you do that!” Lillia yelled, completely shocking her mother.
Lillia’s mom crossed her buff arms in an attempt to hide her shock, and in an angry tone she barked, “Who is this boy, and why is there a picture of you two kissing on today’s newspaper?”
“He’s my boyfriend.” Lillia responded.
A short man around five foot wearing thick wooden glasses and a shirt made from bear pelt, entered the room through the open doorway. “Your boyfriend? How come you never told us?”
Even though Abel was still catching his breath, all he could think about was how odd her father was speaking in correlation to how he was dressed. Her father’s voice was snarky and high pitched, while his clothes screamed barbaric and tough.
Abel was never one to judge, but he was shocked at the dynamic, although Lillia’s mom was a giant, she was regally dressed and even had her nails done, while her husband dressed like a barbarian.
Lillia cut off Abel’s train of thought. “I was going to. I was just waiting to go back home first!”
Not wanting to be rude, Abel got up off the floor and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Abel.”
Lillia’s mother stared at his hand before shaking his hand with iron clad pressure. This time Abel was ready and responded in kind. “That’s some grip.” she said, her tone clearly expressing her surprise and frustration.
Lillia’s dad walked over and sized up Abel (Even though Abel’s taller). “So, my daughter chose you? A human.”
Abel was trying his hardest not to laugh at the irony. “It just kind of happened. One minute I save her from a group of bad people, and the next minute we are on a date.”
Lillia’s dad unexpectedly shook Abel’s hand and bumped his fist. “That’s what I like to hear.”
Abel looked over at Lillia with an amused expression, and seeing the embarrassment on her face he was the one to talk, “Why don’t we sit down and talk over some tea?” Abel said, while pointing to the table.
Once everyone sat down Abel summoned a light green smoke that let off the smell of vanilla. When the smoke subsided a large tea pot with four ornamental cups with engravings of a dragon appeared.
Lillia’s mom took a sip of the tea and began talking, “So, Abel, what is your goal with my daughter?”
Lillia stood up from her chair and yelled, “Mom!”
Lillia’s mom shot her a disapproving look, but Abel put an arm on Lillia which calmed her down. “I have no ill intentions if that’s what you’re asking. But if you’re asking for specifics, it’s the same goal as every couple. Eventually getting married and having kids.”
Abel’s tone surprised Lillia, she had never heard him talk so seriously. Even though she knew her relationship would eventually lead to that, she didn’t expect him to say it to her parents.
Lillia’s mom let out a smirk and in a cocky tone she said, “You think you’re worthy of my daughters hand?”
Lillia looked at Abel, wondering what his response would be. “No, but I want to become a man that is.” Lillia’s heart began beating fast. She always thought that Abel was someone who feared nothing, but hearing him say that made her happy.
Lillia’s mom gave Abel a burning gaze. “I see why Lillia likes you, a man who knows himself instead of an ego, and on top of that you’re strong enough to protect her, but that isn’t enough.”
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Abel gave out a genuine smile and replied, “I see you’re doubtful of me, but I’m serious about her. There is no facade or obstacle too large when it comes to her. I hope one day you can see that...” Abel tried to remember her name, but realized he never learned it.
“My name is Esther.” she said with a smile
Lillia felt a small weight lift off her shoulders, she felt relieved that Abel was easily navigating through her mothers questions. Lillia’s father, however, wasn’t fully convinced with the answers. “So what are your plans? What is your plan to provide for my daughter after you guys retire from the army?”
Abel replied without skipping a beat, “I was planning on moving back to my kingdom after Lillia retired. Lillia probably didn’t mention it yet, but I’m the king of a distant country, so money isn’t an issue.”
Lillia’s dad looked amused. “You’re a king? Well, that’s good and all, but once Lillia retires, you will be dead. Did you forget about your lifespan?”
Abel let out a laugh. “I wouldn’t worry about that. I’m certain I’ll still be around.”
Lillia’s dad started to feel uneasy with the way Abel answered the question, as if he was hiding something important from them. “How old are you?”
Lillia’s heart skip a beat. Her dad just asked the very question she always wanted to ask, but never knew how to. She turned to Abel with a nervous look and was surprised to see his calm demeanor.
Abel took a sip of his tea, and responded, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, what I can tell you is that I’m older than the war with the king of Hell.”
Lillia’s mom began to sweat, as her heart rate began to rise. She had a right to be wary of such a statement. Most of the warriors from that era were all dead, and the ones that were still around are all on death’s door.
Esther was in the middle of thinking when her husband cut off her train of thought. “What are you? No human could ever live that long.” His tone was accusatory, which Lillia didn’t like.
Lillia gave her dad a sharp look. “Dad, It’s not important what he is. What matters is our feelings for each other.”
“It doesn’t matter? What business does a man that old have with a girl as young as you? Hes older than your mother and I combined.” Abel didn’t show a reaction, but on the inside he began to feel a little anxious, he never thought about their relationship in that way.
Her father turned to Abel. “I know, that you know about the difference in mental maturity. Your experience is far more than anyone can comprehend, so much so that I think you are mentally controlling her.”
Abel didn’t expect this at all, Lillia’s father was smarter than he gave him credit for. Although he acted aloof, he was analyzing everything form the moment he stepped into the room, similarly to him and Alastor.
“You have nothing to worry about. I do truly love your daughter.” Abel turned to Lillia. “Tell them about the time we spent together.”
Lillia’s eyes widened, not expecting to be put on the spot, but miraculously she answered, “Yeah, we spent a bunch of time in the necropolis. He treated me so kindly, and took me to so many beautiful sights.”
“The necropolis!? You went to the land of the dead! Do you know how idiotic that is?” said Esther, her voice filled with rage. Esther had a valid reason to be mad, every person that searched for the necropolis never returned, and a manhunt searching for the adventurers only turned up dead bodies.
Lillia went quiet after realizing her mistake and Abel instantly picked up the ball she dropped. “Yes, it does sound idiotic, but I assure you there is nothing to worry about. I have the ability to traverse the realms, and provide safety to Lillia against the natural elements of the world.”
Although Lillia’s dad was also seething with rage, he decided to take the analytical route. “So what you’re saying is, you can go between here and the necropolis at will? How does someone like you possess that kind of power? No human could ever dream of it.”
“It’s a personal story I’m not really comfortable with sharing, but I do truly care about your daughter. She means the world to me. She has made all the years of suffering and endless fighting I’ve lived through worth it.” Abel’s soft and gentle voice, resided with her parents. They realized in that moment, that even though he was older and more powerful than they were, he was just like them, a person who truly feel’s emotions, and pain.
Esther let out a sigh. “I can sense the truth in your words, but that doesn’t dismiss the facts. You are powerful enough to protect her, yes, but at the same time your strength will also bring harm upon her. Your level of power tends to draw bad people near you.”
Lillia’s dad chimed in, “She’s right. You are clearly powerful, but that might not be enough to protect her. If you loose yourself to your own power, then who would protect her? Or What if you accidentally harm her mentally or emotionally, you were born in a time where relationships were different, I assume?”
Abel thought about their words over and over in his mind. He smiled when the realization hit him. “You don’t have to worry about that, I have two people that can stop me if it ever got to the point of me losing myself, and no, relationships have always been the same. Love has always been a constant throughout history and those who mistreated their significant other, never truly loved them.”
Abel could see the gears turning in their heads, and decided instead of trying to convince them further it would be better to let them sort out the facts on their own.
He looked around for an excuse when he noticed the time on the clock and suddenly suddenly got up. “I didn’t notice the time. If you’ll excuse me, I don’t want to be late to class on my first day.”
Abel bowed then walked out of the room before the other’s could object. Lillia followed closely behind and told her parents, “Bye guys. Ill see you next week.”
Lillia caught up to Abel, who was waiting for her around the street corner. “Why did you decided to leave unexpectedly?” she said, out of breathe.
The two began walking to class. “It would be better for them to work out what they know, rather than than telling new information without letting them digest it first. It would just confuse them further, it’s the same reason I haven’t told you everything all at once.”
Lillia turned around and began walking backwards as she talked, “You haven’t told me everything? Well, just know I’m ready for the next story.”
Abel smiled and began holding Lillia’s hand. “Maybe I’ll tell you one tonight.”