Chapter 83 - (4)

"Why did the tiger turn docile so quickly? I never thought I'd see the day when you would be so quiet." Lord of Merve laughed at her appearance and she glared at him.

"Well, we brought you to see him, we might as well be on our way." Lord Morge stood and made an attempt to leave.

"Where do you think you are going? A respectable lady staying behind to see a man all on her own, do you both have any conscience left?" she scolded them.

"Oh, so you know you are a respectable lady and you made two grown men take you to meet a man without bringing a chaperone?" Lord Morge returned.

"My uncle entrusted you both to bring me. You must not go without me." she said.

"If not, why would we....." Lord of Merve started to say. Walter no more waited to hear the end of this argument and made to leave.

"We brought a message." Lord Morge said to Walter, making him pause.

"In the study." he said before leaving. He was not in the mood at all. He had just finished helping his father out; and only now did he truly understand what his father faced, taking care of the estate. He finally understood why this place was even called an estate. It had within, a few dozen families who worked on the farms and others who took up other jobs. It was really a small community and with it came a lot of issues. He returned when a maid said some lords had come visiting, only to walk into Lady Steinhouse declaring her identity with such arrogance. Hearing them say the king knew she was here, gave him chills.

Lady Steinhouse saw him leaving and rushed forward to grab his arm making him pause, but only for a moment, before leaving. She sent a provoking look at Lana, before leaving with Walter.

They arrived at the study, but Lady Steinhouse still held on. The two lords stared at her action but she ignored their looks. Her uncle had already talked to them about Walter; she had no reason to hide.

"The king wants to meet you." Lord Morge said.

"Why?" Walter asked and the two lords glanced at Lady Steinhouse before continuing.

"It will be important." Lord of Merve answered and Lady Steinhouse lowered her head shyly. Walter knew very well, this may not be good. He had not been ordered to meet the king and he knew this Lady beside him was a hot pot waiting to explode. Were they actually expecting him to go? He had great faith in Lady Wickshire and meeting the king once, he knew that his faith was in the right place. There was nothing the king could do to him. Still, there are many ways for people to suffer without dying. Did they actually expect him to go? His next words surprised them.

"Did he actually think I'll come just because he called?" he said and they paused.

"Let's talk alone." Lady Steinhouse said and the two Lords glanced at each other before leaving.

Walter took a seat and stared at the woman before him.

"Why has the king asked to see me?" he asked her.

"I told him about us.... he said... he said, he will not oppose us." she said shyly. Walter almost gave out a mocking laugh.

"Will not oppose and accepting, is not the same." he said.

"Walter..." she started to say.

"Have you thought it through, Helen? Do you really want to marry again; and me at that?" he asked her, the mockery in his eyes never leaving.

"You don't wish to marry me?" her eyes filled with tears. His eyes shaded in astonishment. How did she arrive at that ending from what he said?

"Then why are you so angry? We have this chance...."

"Why didn't you wait till I asked you? It is not done for a lady to take such matters into her own hands. I don't really know you. How can I marry you?" he asked and her tears started to fall.

"You really don't want to? If I left it to you, you would never even touch me, talk more of the thought of marriage." she said and he almost nodded in agreement but refrained at the look on her face.

"Everybody says I have a lover. I've become a thing of mockery. Don't you feel angry on my behalf?" she cried loudly. Walter felt a head ache coming.

"Calm down, I never said I won't marry you." he tried to calm her.

"But you said...." she continued to cry. Walter felt lost.