do you have a wife?

"You are enough to drive a saint to madness or a king to his knees."

****************************************************

One month passed by and now Malcolm was perfectly fit and fine, his wounds had healed completely and now he was living with Emerald and her father. he worked all day in the field with her father and returned " home" with him when it was getting dark.

Emerald's father did not bring up the topic of sending Malcolm away, after Malcolm saved him from some bandits who were trying to steal his money. Malcolm was now like part of their small family.

Malcolm, can I ask you something? Emerald asked slowly and hesitatingly, she was cooking and Malcolm was cutting the woods for fire. Now it has became a habit for the two of them to work together and chit chat.

" yeah" he did not pay much attention to her question. Emerald hesitated before giving up.

what is it? Malcolm asked when he did not got any response.

ummm... nothing important, she replied and proceeded with her work.

what is it, Emerald.. you can tell me. he urged her.

ummm... I was... I was thinking if you had any family or perhaps a wife. her voice became smaller and smaller until she reached the last word.

Family, no he didn't have any family except his father, who was no more and wife... well he did had a fiance, princess Elsa.

No, I don't have anyone. he replied courtly.

suddenly he felt a pair of small and soft arm around his neck. she was hugging him, in order to make him feel good.

it's okay, now you have us, we are you family. she spoke those words slowly and sweetly.

she was happy he did not have a wife.

yeah, thank you . he hugged her back.

they stayed at that position until she heard her father's footsteps. she quickly left his embrace and stood up to greet him.

Malcolm followed after her.