Looking away, Wilbur coughed once, “Lord Theron. He was a good man, whose name my father dragged through the muck. I know from my childhood tutors what he was really like. He refused to play politics at court, instead working to keep the forts and keeps at the frontier in good order. When I came of age to choose a vocation, I chose to become a guard because of those stories. I wished to be seen as he was by those who’d known him, as a good man who cared for the people and his men. It was shortly after I entered service that my family and I came to a falling out. I have never wavered from my stance, even though my brother has pushed my father time and time again to have me removed from the House. When I found out how my father had disgraced your House, it widened the rift between us. My father and I have not spoken since that day. My brother has had to be the one between us, and he speaks only as he wishes.”
“My husband?” Lady Theron looked as if she had not expected that reply. “Why have you not left your house then, Sir Gilden? You can step down from the line, you know this of course.”
“I have considered it before, and rejected it. Recently, due to other circumstances, I have considered the idea again. I feel like it would be a failure in my goals, though. I want to show the common man that even they can be the equal of a noble. I want to show that nobles are not superior to others, but are just men like them. When I met Erin, I hoped I could also show them that nobles can fall in love just as they do. Her lineage and heritage don’t matter to me, I only care that she is with me.”
“Ya do nay need ya House,” Erin interjected. “We do nay need them, I have told ya tha’, Wilbur. Toss them off and we can be happy, ya can show people instead that being common is better than bein’ noble. All the damn peacocks do is strut around and crow and nay help anyone.”
“There is a third option,” Lady Theron said as she sat forward slightly. “One where you both can have what you want, if not exactly the way you had thought. What would you give to not be asked to put aside your dreams, Wilbur? To have the freedom to be with Erin Crowley with no one gainsaying you? What would you give to be with him and to have his family no longer looming over you both, Erin?”
“Iffin it means me and Wilbur can be happy together, then I would give a great deal,” Erin said quickly, meeting Wilbur’s eyes as he turned to her. “Bein’ with him and havin’ the chance to be happy is what I be wantin’ most.”
“I do not see how we can have it all, Lady Theron,” Wilbur replied as he kept his eyes on Erin’s. “Though I would give everything, save disgracing my family.”
“I can work with that,” Lady Theron said and handed a scroll to Jarvis. “Read over this, and if you find the terms acceptable, accept the quest it offers.” Jarvis handed the scroll to Wilbur with a bow and returned to his place behind Lady Theron.
Wilbur took it and began to read, his eyes widening as the meaning of the document began to sink in. When he finished reading, the scroll hung loosely in his hand as he stared at Lady Theron in speechless astonishment. Erin took the scroll and began to read it, her reaction mirroring Wilbur’s.
“Well?” Lady Theron asked as she put her empty cup down on the table next to her. “Is it acceptable?”
“I was right, she do be mad,” Erin said when she’d finished reading the scroll.
Chuckling, Lady Theron gave a small bow of her head, “I’ve been called worse, dear.”
“Why?” Wilbur finally managed to ask.
“To carry on my husband’s work,” she replied simply. “He said the job would never be done, and he’s right. We never managed an heir and we didn’t find a successor before he died. I have been left looking to fill his boots since then. I have failed many times, having been disgraced by others of rank and watching my husband’s name be sullied. I wished to see this changed, and I think Alburet is right. You can do this, you want it as badly as I do. As an unexpected bonus, it will pain your father to have you come into this House. Justice for what he did to my husband’s name.”
Wilbur looked at Erin and bit his lip, “I… do… but…”
Erin grabbed him and pulled him into a tight embrace, kissing him soundly. After a moment, she pushed him back in the seat again, “Ya say aye, ya fool. It be what ya heart yearns for and it will let us do as we wish without ya family interferin’.”
Nodding once, Wilbur tapped at something in the air before him, “I accept, Lady Theron. When will the paperwork be drawn up and the ceremony held?”
“Tomorrow for the paperwork,” Lady Theron said as she sat back, looking as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “The ceremony can take place in three days. I shall call in the few favors I’m still owed to keep the event secret until then. I urge you to do the same. I wish to be there to see the reactions.”
“As you wish, Lady Theron,” Wilbur said, going to one knee in front of her. “I accept your words as if they come from my own mother, may Justice watch over her soul.”
“Until we are back with those we love,” Lady Theron said softly and dabbed at her eyes. “That will be all for tonight. I will have the paperwork delivered to your sergeant in the morning. Sign it before you go on shift. The Captain is one that still owes me a favor. It is time to collect.”
Alburet and Stacia stood. “Lady Theron, thank you again. I look forward to the ceremony. Until then, we bid you a good evening.”
Quest Update: Heir to the House of Theron
The ceremony to name the new heir of House Theron will take place in three days.
Once the ceremony is completed, your quest is finished.
Reward: A favor from House Theron.
“Be thinking of what you’d like as a reward, Alburet,” Lady Theron told him from her seat.
“As you command, Lady Theron,” he bowed as Stacia curtsied. Wilbur and Erin made their farewells as well before they all followed Jarvis out of the room.
Once they were out of the gate and moving Alburet chuckled, “Win.”
Wilbur smiled, “I had no idea she was still looking for an heir. It was widely believed that she had given up on that quest. And now, because of you, I will be able to follow my dream without Skippy and my father stopping me.”
“Ya even get to stay with me sister,” Stacia added.
“The day after the ceremony,” Wilbur spoke softly, “I would be delighted if I could ask Erin what it is I truly want to ask of her.”
Erin stiffened at his words, “Are ya sayin’ what I be thinkin’ ya are?”
“Ask her now,” Alburet cut in. “The only ones who will know are the four of us.”
Wilbur chewed his lip before nodding, “Erin Crowley, would you give me the honor of taking your hand in marriage before the altar of Justice?”
Frozen for a moment Erin sat utterly still, then she began to cry, “Aye.” She lunged at him, pinning him to the seat as she showered him with kisses.
Alburet grinned as he watched them, “So that’s what it looked like when you tackled me to the floor.” He glanced at Stacia, who was beaming at the happy couple, catching her nod.
“Me family would like ya to consider sealing the marriage before the Dark Lord’s altar as well,” Stacia told them.
Once Erin let Wilbur catch his breath he coughed once. “I will consider it. As far as I know none of the nobles have ever married before his altar. It isn’t taboo, but as about close to it as you can get, I think.”
“Best to shatter as many silly restrictions as you can,” Alburet told him. “Quite a few of them are already going to be upset that House Theron has found an heir that will follow in Lord Theron’s footsteps. Add in the fact you’re taking a commoner for a wife to add fuel to their idiocy. What’s one more log on that fire? Especially one that will make your wife happy?”