Integrity

"This counts as being engaged, right?" I just had to ask.

The last time I was allegedly "engaged," the elders just told me about it. It was finals week, and my Dad was crying alongside me, but for a different reason.

I was crying over the lack of sleep while my Dad was crying about his little baby being taken away. He was furious, as the elders decided on the matter without him.

They were also prepared, insisting that since we're young, marriage would still be far off the line.

Where was I in all this? Doing a fucking Cost-Benefit Analysis. Stupid, I know.

I got too caught up in the idea that it wouldn't do the Orwells any good to mess with us Thornhills.

But I overlooked one thing. Alexa was also a Thornhill.

Unfortunately.

So, I felt the need to confirm with Lucian. I didn't bother to ask the last time, so maybe that's on me.

Something flashes in his eyes, and instead of receiving something sarcastic, he actually responds properly.

"Yes." Weird. Maybe he's really sick somewhere? 

"We just need to get the elders onto the same page." He's saying that as if it's easy.

"How?"

The engagement wasn't the problem. The problem was the deadline.

If it were up to my dad, I'd never get married. And after Jasper's fuck up? I'm surprised I'm even able to leave the house.

"I'm going to ask for permission. How else?"

"That was your grand plan?!" Seriously?

"I could also use a magazine publication like Jasper if that's how you'd prefer it."

At the mention of that very awkward public announcement that Jasper thought was sweet, I could feel the acid rising to my throat.

I don't know how much brain power Jasper used when he decided to inform everyone, including my family and me, about our "marriage plans" that were even new to my ears.

Had he not done that, no one would've cared about him ending up on Alexa's bed since no one would've known about that bland engagement. 

So much for shooting himself in the foot.

Lucian probably noticed how I turned green at the memory.

"I could take you away even now. But you deserve a legitimate marriage."

I stare at him with wide eyes, trying to see if he's trying on some pick-up line. But no, he looked like he was closing a formal deal.

"When are you planning on asking them?"

"Now."

"No way!"

"Yes, way."

Son of a bitch! 

He actually stood up, and by the time I realized what had happened, he was already out the door, earnestly searching for my parents.

My mind kept on racing. How can he even go there now when we haven't even ironed out the details of how we ended up together!?

I'm so horrified that my legs have turned mushy, and I'm supposed to have really good balance.

I managed to catch up with Lucian, who had reached the table where my parents and his parents were playing cards.

I'm panting hard, and at this point, I can see why the Chairman was worried about Lucian's personality. 

The adultier adults finally took notice of the serious Lucian. They look happy and relaxed, unlike me and my sweating pits. 

I'm certain I can see their mouths moving, but as if I've suddenly had a bout of Tinnitus, I couldn't hear them.

Chester managed to get me out of it. Probably noticing my state, he kept pawing at me until I sat down properly like everyone else. That was also when I heard Lucian opening the can of worms.

Very composed and serene, Lucian said, "I was hoping to talk to all of you, ask for permission, and answer questions that you probably have."

I'm betting that's how he looks in a Board Meeting, like a strong bamboo.

"What did you want to ask about?" My Mom asked politely.

Like a person without an ounce of self-doubt, Lucian just went for it.

"Ma'am, Sir, I'd like to ask for your permission to marry Eliana."

Four pairs of eyes flew sharply towards Lucian. I'm certain that nothing has exploded but if Dad had a built-in SFX machine, that'd be the prevailing sound.

"Honey, could you repeat that?" Aunt Serena asked her own son. Looking at him like he had grown mushrooms all over.

"I'm here to ask for permission to marry Eliana."

Even Chester's ears were perked up. Looking around trying to determine why no one was moving or saying anything.

I presume they've been shocked into silence. Then someone realized that I had been there the whole time, so they all looked at me.

Well, don't look at me! Hell, if I understand what's happening! And I'm the one he's supposed to be marrying!

"Lucian." My mom called out. Unsurprisingly, she was the first one to recover, if you could even call it that.

"We've all known you since you were born. Do you understand the weight of what you're asking for?"

Go, mom! Ask him! I'd also love to know what the fuck he's thinking! I cheered for her in my little heart.

"Yes, ma'am. That's why I would also like to apologize for coming here second."

With furrowed eyebrows and a straighter back, she asked, "What do you mean?"

"I had only come here to ask after asking Eli first. Traditionally, I would have to ask for the elders' opinions first. But I'm not going to marry the elders. So I found it only proper to ask her first."

Dad's twitching, and Uncle Lyle seems to be seeing Lucian for the first time.

"You've always put Eliana above all else. And if I were to honor your devotion to her, it would only be right for her opinion to matter the most."

Lucian: 1, Elders: 0

How does one even respond to that?! 

Now that he puts it that way 

Finally unfrozen, Dad leans forward and asks loudly, "How long have you two even been together?!"

Not even a day, Dad. Not a day.

This is what I was scared of, so I'm hanging onto Lucian's words to see how he's planning to deal with this.

"We had officially started today." I almost fell off my seat while the parents leaned back in surprise.

Is he planning on laying it all out just like that?

"Just today?! Then how…how could you ask for her hand TODAY?!" Dad's standing now. Luckily, we've always leaned towards having low blood pressure because I've never seen Dad so heated.

"Because I date to marry. I've known her for twenty-four years, and I'd rather not waste another three years of her life." He took a shot at Jasper's three-year delaying tactic.

My Dad hissed at this because he was right. Where do we find another guy who's known me for all twenty-four years of my life?

"But isn't it a bit too soon to ask? I figured you understand that as an outstanding bachelor, there's a good chance you'll end up married anyway. Why are you rushing?" Mom looked at Lucian expectantly, asking questions that would really poke at the truth.

"Because it's the optimal solution that we've managed to come up with. We need each other. And the support we need from each other isn't something that an ordinary friend or lover can provide."

Lucian momentarily looked at me, and my heart thudded at his explanation.

"We could have bided time, but even that would have been a lie for our purpose that has been established from the start. And I don't want to lie. Because Eli hates it."

I'm blinking hard at this supposedly apathetic Lucian. He's talking like a machine. The delivery sounds insensitive, but the content? Piercing.

"Making up stories about how we met and ended up together wouldn't be hard. Acting like lovebirds won't be impossible. We could make you believe in a fairytale, but I don't think Eli would appreciate that."

My toes are curling from hearing Lucian talk about my weird moral stance. I've always believed in doing right by things, not because others would know, but because I would know.

It sounds awfully heroic and pompous, but it's actually very selfish.

Just like now. 

Lucian is tanking it all because he knows I'd think about lying to our parents.

I really want to ask if he's sick. Because if he's not sick, then maybe it's me who's ill. I feel very hot all over, and it's even over a few unbridled words from someone like Lucian.

"I would prefer to get our marriage certificate even as early as this afternoon because the sooner she gets it, the sooner I can be of use."

"What is this use that you're talking about." I'm sure Dad's raking his brain trying to figure out what he hasn't been able to provide me.

"Security. It would be very easy for me to benefit as her boyfriend. Just being associated with her is enough. But that does nothing for her."

He's talking about Jasper, who publicized our connections and kept the engagement going for as long as possible to benefit financially. He didn't even have to marry me.

And what did I get from that? Additional homework, that's what. And if I had been a little more gullible, maybe an STD.

"Even husbands could be stolen." Mom quipped, and both Dad and Uncle Lyle visibly shuddered at that.

"Of course, Auntie. But aside from being able to end me for her peace of mind, she'd actually be able to get something tangible out of it."

"You sound confident that you won't end up cheating, but do you love her enough for this barely-a-day relationship to survive?" Arms crossed and rightfully skeptical, Dad waited for Lucian's response.

"I don't. Because I'm pretty sure I don't know what love is. But I have something more reliable."

"Respect."

"It is because I respect her that she's perfect for my situation. At the same time, because I respect her time and her role, I want her to be equipped with the rightful title as soon as possible."

Anyone would be stumped at being told that they're not loved. But we're not even sure that he loves his parents, so who the fuck am I?

I'm pretty sure that the elders were still at 0, while Lucian has been getting points back-to-back.

There was a momentary silence. No one really knows how to proceed because who gets training for something like this?

It was then that Mom's eyes softened. She looked at me to ask, "Will you be happy with this?"

I'm not sure. I don't have special powers to know. So I responded, "I'll protest loudly if I'm not." I laughed unexpectedly.

The knot in my chest loosened. I've been so high-strung since earlier, but coming clean like this really helped. 

My parents looked at each other before nodding slowly at Lucian.

"Thank you for the Blessing. I won't disappoint you."

Damn, his plan actually worked.

Just as the efficient Lucian decided to step out to make an appointment with the Civil Affairs Bureau, I overheard the parents talking. 

"He'd make a good lawyer, that's for sure." My Dad tsked at Uncle Lyle.

"You sure were splitting blood earlier," Laughed my mom.

"Who wouldn't?! That's my Elibellie! Lyle, we may be sworn brothers, but I'm telling you in advance. I will shoot him if he tries anything funny." It would've been more threatening if he didn't have large pools forming around his eyes.

"You'll have to line up. I'm pretty sure Serena would have the first go." Uncle Lyle looked at his very fired-up wife.

"Who would've thought that brunch would end like this?" Sighed my mom.