Journey to counsel

The news of being the one Eliana has chosen fills my heart with joy, but I can't let it affect my responsibilities; I must continue to serve. However, after we finish our tea, we have to head back to the manor for what I can only imagine is some kind of meeting. That's the only thing I can think we would have in place of our daily work. By the time we reach the house again, the morning has set in nicely. I see the lord and lady of the house waiting with a set of bags packed. I look over at Eliana, confused but interested in the idea we might be traveling.

"Mother, father, are all things in order?" She asks in a dignified manner.

"Yes, they are; in certain you informed him of your choice?" She asks while looking at the two of us.

I feel my stomach churn as I hear the fact that they knew of her decision. It doesn't bother me that secrets are kept from me, considering all things, but they were expecting me to agree. I fear to know what else they know about me. While thinking this, I feel a light tap on my arm. I look over to see Eliana gesturing for me to speak.

"Yes, she informed me, and I agreed to fight for her. It would be my honor to represent this house." I shake a little saying this as I have no idea what I'm walking into.

After I tell this to the masters of the house, they walk over and hand me a passage right. I look down at the folded piece of paper in disbelief.

"Is this a real seal?" I ask with great caution.

I ask because if it is, it marks the start of a new royal family. This seems incredibly unlikely because it hasn’t happened in three thousand years. While reading over this, I hear the lady of the house speak up to clear the air.

“It is precisely what it seems; however, you must first win this tournament. Only then will we add our seal. You will be a free man and noble.” Informing me in an elegant voice.

I accept the letter and bow.

“Thank you.”

She then claps, and a carriage comes around the corner big enough for the two of us. I look over at Eliana, and she starts walking over to it. I can tell she see this as a way to mess with me. I can’t leave her side, but she’s just heading off without speaking. It always keeps me on my toes. We get into the carriage, and she begins to explain to me where we are going.

“We have a day and a half journey to the arena; there, you will enter into the contest. With each passing victory, you will receive more excellent prizes, but each fight is to the death, so don’t lose.” She informs me staunchly.

Her mood and demeanor have always been intense; hearing someone speak to me with such command is alluring. I do have to say that it does make it hard to learn anything about her. Everything I do know about her has come through watching her grow. We take off, leaving the comfort of the home behind. Understanding how far we have to go, I feel compelled to ask.

“So, we have two days, and I can see that we have two carriages behind us, so what's the plan,” I ask calmly.

“For today, most of it will be us traveling; then we will stop at a rest area my family owns. Everything else will be in this folder,” she says, handing me a folder.

I read over it, seeing all the times for eating and rest, but notice that we have about six hours in this carriage both times. I know it’s for travel, but it’s nice to spend time with her when I'm not working. I get a warm feeling about today and close the folder. I look across at her, staring out the window, and I think how amazing it is that fate has finally given me a break. I feared that I would be cursed to walk this world forever without finding another love. As soon as we were out of sight of the manor, she suddenly shuts the curtains. She then takes the pins out of her hair and slumps them over, smiling.

“What are you smiling about?” I ask, interested in what she’s doing.

She raises, holding a bottle she got out of her bag.

“I was waiting to get out of there. I can’t explain how aggravating it is for this to be the first time I’ve left that place.” She tells me happily

This discovery floors me, but I guess that just proves how little I know about her. The only thing that surprises me more is when she hands me a glass. I look down at it, noticing it’s clear alcohol.

“Are you sure? You have to remember I’m thousands of years old, and this is probably your first drink.”

She looks at me, annoyed.

“Fine, I order you to drink with me.” She tells me with that command back in her voice.

I shrug because she is in charge of me, but mostly because it’s nice to see this side of her. I downed the drink; it went down smooth; it must have been an excellent year.

“Ok, your turn,” I tell her, smug.