As Logan stood about to meet the man who might soon become his father-in-law, his heart pounded with nerves. The prospect unnerved him, not least because Jean had expressed views on marriage strikingly similar to his own; this was his old father-in-law's standard too.
Meeting him for the first time, Logan couldn't shake his apprehension. Jean's words earlier did little to calm his spirits.
"My father's eager to meet you," she had said with an enticing grin.
"And if he approves, you could bring me home as your wife," she added, her smile sweet yet teasing.
Logan balked, "This is moving too quickly. We've only known each other for what, five days?" His past life's sensibilities still echoed within him, making the swift talk of marriage unsettling.
"What's the rush? You like me, and I certainly like you," Jean countered, her gaze piercing into his.
He sensed an underlying affection in her insistence, even if she appeared somewhat exasperated with his hesitations. When she pressed him for an answer, Logan turned away awkwardly, his eyes fixed on the bubbling pot beside him.
"If you're not into this, I just won't bother coming by tomorrow!" Jean declared, her tone sharp as she strode towards the kitchen door.
"No, I... I do love you. But meeting your father so soon?" Logan stammered, his voice a mix of affection and anxiety. He was unsure if Jean was jesting or dead serious.
Her straightforward nature meant she might genuinely walk away, a thought he couldn't bear, especially now that his emotions were fully engaged.
"What was that?" Jean spun around, closing the distance in a heartbeat. She playfully tugged at Logan's ear, demanding, "Say it again."
"I've fallen for you!" he admitted, his resistance crumbling under her gaze.
He realized then how much she influenced him, how completely she swayed his feelings.
Her expression softened like blossoms in spring; she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, leaving him flustered.
"Enough, you're getting saliva all over me!" Logan protested half-heartedly, wiping his face but secretly pleased.
Jean giggled, the sound light and joyful.
The bystanders, three subordinates of Logan, exchanged knowing looks. Clearly, Jean had secured her place beside their future leader.
"Honestly, it's still too soon to meet your father," Logan reiterated firmly, hoping to convey his seriousness amidst their playful exchange.
Logan found himself at a crossroads. On one side, his duties as a tribal chief consumed his time, especially now as he explored the market for maltose, preparing to stockpile sugar should he find a buyer. On the other, he had his hands full with the winemaking process, which required his attention for distillation starting the day after tomorrow. The fermentation alone took a full week.
Moreover, within ten days, he needed to return to his tribe with gold coins to stave off any potential food shortages.
"I just met you once, and I'm harmless," Jean teased, breaking into his thoughts with a light-hearted grin. "What are you so afraid of?"
"If not, I must ask you to clear the front of our store," he added, his tone firm yet courteous.
"Actually, I'm looking for someone. Do you know Jean?" Logan asked, hopeful this was indeed the right place.
The mention of Jean's name seemed to spark recognition in the beastman eyes. "Are you looking for Miss Jean?" he asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his voice.
"Yes, that's right!"
"Why are you here on your own? I was told Miss Jean was coming to fetch you," the werewolf said, just as a figure burst out of the store.
Logan turned to see Jean approaching, her face lit up with a radiant smile. Her energetic appearance brought a sense of relief and warmth to the encounter, bridging the gap between the unfamiliar surroundings and his mission.
"Why did you come so early, I was about to go pick you up"
"Aren't you meeting your father? It would be more sincere to come earlier," Logan remarked with a smile, hoping to ease any tension before their important meeting.
"Uncle Ke, this is my husband. Please help me take his warg to the stable and feed it," Jean quickly interjected, addressing the old beastman before tugging Logan eagerly into the grain store.
The grain store itself was vast, a bustling hub of commerce filled with the scent of fresh grain and the sound of busy trade. But beyond this, a door led them into a contrasting serenity, a grand hall that hinted at a sprawling residence beyond.
"You sit down for a while; I'll go find my father!" Jean said hurriedly before disappearing to fetch her father.
Logan surveyed the hall, noting its opulence and the size of the adjoining buildings, a testament to the wealth and status of Jean's family. As he took in his surroundings, his gaze wandering over the rich tapestries and elegant furnishings, a deep, commanding voice suddenly addressed him.
"Are you Logan?" The voice boomed, turning Logan around to face a robust middle-aged beastman whose presence was as imposing as his voice.
The beastman 's intense gaze and the sheer aura of authority he exuded made Logan momentarily uneasy. He was looking at Lelar Greymane, Jean's father, who stood with the stature and confidence of a seasoned warrior.
Name: Lelar Greymane
Age: 51
Race: Wolf Beastman
Strength: Level 10 warrior (quasi-legendary)
...
Logan stiffened, resisting the overwhelming pressure emanating from Lelar, while simultaneously accessing his system interface to confirm his suspicions.
Damn it! Logan thought to himself. A tenth-level warrior, nearly legendary. The calibre of strength was astonishing, was everyone in Jean's family this strong?
The mixture of awe and concern played across his face as he prepared himself to make a good impression, not just as a visitor, but as a man worthy of being part of this powerful family.