Layla and Fredrick had stuck a deal, a marriage wasn't necessary to begin. But after telling Layla what Talia had said, she agreed with Talia, that a marriage proposal would be a proper thing, and that Layla had actually assumed that was what was happening as well. Giving Kurt another confusing moment, apparently everyone knew but him and Sara.

But Layla assured Kurt that it would be him that would be expected to do the actual proposing, and if he didn't, then he didn't, and she wouldn't do anything like order him to do it. And that it was normal multiple extended visits would halpen before an announcement, as well as the secretive nature of their operation in the current moment does allow that delay, it not something he needed to declare or decide very soon. But it was discussed apparently with Fredrick, of how that could accelerate things. So really nothing changed, but everything changed and he started to understand Talia's perspective a little better, it wasn't improper, and for most nobles it would seem a natural pairing, and what they had been doing would have looked exactly like that.

Kurt wasn't sure what to think, he did like Talia, who really wouldn't, she was a beautiful thing, fit, and those green aura eyes. All the right curves, and knew how to make a dress fit. And they did seem to have some little real connection to Kurt. But it had made Kurt rethink all of their moments together, like maybe he was being played. Kurt had never really thought of the concept of a political marriage or that he would ever be in a position of being in one, or the one that decided it. Kurt was uncomfortable even being called Lord Kurt Green really.

It was definitely too fast for Kurt. He was experiencing a bit of whiplash or wasn't it like one or two dates? He had had a few girlfriends in the past, but nothing had really lasted for long. He wasn't a virgin, and knew enough not to ask Talia. She most likely was in Kurt's mind after some of those lessons in High Society.

Marriage wasn't completely off the table in Kurt's head, he just wasn't ready to make some kind of commitment like that. And had to reevaluate what Lady Talia was doing, it felt natural at the time but it seemed tainted after the revelation, like was she only doing it for the politics of it? She obviously was acting at least a little more interested in him than perhaps she really was. He somehow was second in command of a whole army of now multiple creatures, goblins, elves, various mounts, himself and Sara. It wasn't too big, but with the magic they had it was fairly powerful already. But it definitely felt like they would continue to grow.

What was good is that they were about ready to leave the city, and Talia wasn't going to come with them. But there was another element of the alliance, the connection between the wells, that would allow Talia, Kurt and Sara to move to Talia well, which wasn't implemented until some terms were fully ironed out about the arrangement, it had worried the Valentine Clan, as it would allow an entry point from Layla's force potentially, as they could bring an extra person with them. Some of the trade would happen at this point as well.

The connection could be cut by either side, but still required a bit more trust than the two sides really had from each other. Justin could resist Layla's pull, the first time was more of a surprise, now he could act and cut the path before being pulled, but moving Talia would take a bit more agreement from him and Layla, especially freely. So the alliance wasn't fully agreed to, nor not agreed to, starting with a simple trading pact with agreement to enhance the relationship after more time. Beyond that, there was an agreement made with Hamlet, that a proper taxing of goods sold would affect the kingdom, and a promise that they would not attack the Kingdom. It seemed the kingdom was not really worried at all, and just expected to have their take of business within their area. Carl was negotiating most of that as exclusive seller, and they had entered a pact of non-aggression, as long as Layla stayed on her side of the gate basically everything was fine, and since the goblins and other fae can't leave that was no problem. They were given an official seal, as the secretive nature of the portal was supposed to stay in effect if some other lord would find out, they could present the seal of the King.

It was decided that Countess Talia would come back through the well when they arrived at Lake Longbow, for another now official courtship visit. Which meant she was leaving to go back to her clan, which was on a different continent. Kurt didn't even know what to think about that, it was an official date? Really? How had he walked right into something like that? And apparently now a part of the whole negotiations.

So the last days he spent with Talia, and they really did have fun, there was a lot less stress as Layla and Fredrick had finished negotiations, and the steps of the deal would gradually come through. So the whole hiding thing was loosened a bit.

But Kurt and Layla still had the trip to take and they would have to take a ship back, as the Valentine's clan was in another continent.

One morning Talia was enjoying the sweating body of Kurt taking his practice strikes. The new sword was working well, the added effect it could give to swipes of the crescent wave seemed minimal for the moment, but the tear drop divot near the top made the cut almost like a paint brush.

"That really is amazing Kurt, you are just giving a barrage of power, and I know you're not going full strength, and the view from here", she said, giving Kurt some eyes up and down, "is to die for," Kurt had somehow been convinced to take this session shirtless. He did have the working of a strong body now, the exercise was making his muscle more pronounced. Talia was laying down on a blanket with her head in her hands, legs waving playfully in the air behind her.

"I'm glad one of us is enjoying their time."

"Ohh very much my lord," Talia said, running her fingers on her lips, "you are, very tasty indeed."

"Ohh, is that right."

"Could really just eat you right up, if it wouldn't be treason to do so."

"And if I like a bad girl?"

"Ohh am I to be restrained," pouting, "for my crimes?" she got up on her knees, putting out her hands palms up with her wrists together.

"Don't temp the lord."

"I wouldn't dare," said Talia, smiled devilishly, and went back to a relaxed lying down position, kicking her legs apart, "but I am leaving soon, and I know we are going to see each other but…."

"Yeah," Kurt said, taking another swing.

"Are you interested?"

"In what?"

"You know, marriage?"

"Is the clan making you ask that?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes," Talia rolled her eyes.

"Just them?"

"No."

"Yeah, why wouldn't I want my sexy little minx around."

"Ohh, your sexy little minx am I?" Talia said, twirling her hair.

"Yep", taking a slash, and giving a bit more power to it. Then starting the last round of two hundred thrusts.

"Ohh, I like that form, you gorgeous sweaty man."

"Sweaty?"

"Can't a girl like a hard working man, when it shows," said Talia, biting her lip. Talia actually did seem to enjoy this, Kurt really could have had his shirt on.

"So enjoy it while you can."

"I am. About a hundred and eighty more times right? Feel free to start over, if I got that wrong, I haven't been counting or anything." And she definitely didn't need to say that.

The time went well, and the move was mostly as expected. Talia and Fredrick would take a trip back to their continent, they had a lot with. But the negotiations would continue once they reached the clan. The connection between Justin and Layla, the bride to move, was really the last part. It gave the clan a way to cut them off, and Layla to do the same. But it also meant that his guardian Talia would have to reach Layla's well again to establish. It was explained to Kurt that it is very loose and only Talia for now could come, and reinforcing would allow the second person.

Fredrick had decided to take the trip also to ensure he had time to think and talk to Talia, she was going to have to talk a lot about her relationship with Kurt. She explained it to Kurt but he felt icky about it. That also their thing was subject to national review.

The first transfer of someone would be Talia for her official visit to Kurt. And that would be the next step if the deal. One step at a time. That somehow made Kurt and Talia's relationship important to the whole thing. Kurt wondered how he keeps walking into this type of mess up noble stuff. Can a young rich lord just have a sexy little girlfriend, was that so much to ask?

Layla and Kurt were in the carriage together.

"So is Countess Talia," said Laya with a fake smile tilting her head, "staying?"

"You too?"

"Well of course me too Kurt," said Layla, "you put yourself into this not me."

"I guess that's true."

"I like her though, she seems like a worthy mate."

"Worthy mate?"

"Wife?" said Layla with a big smile.

"Ohh my gods, I wasn't expecting to meet someone and the next day be like marriage this and marriage that."

Layla looks at him with a perplexing stare, "well we don't have to worry about it for now, we have some time before Lake Longbow, a couple of stops."

"It was all her idea."

"I'm sure Kurt you had no ideas of your own," said Layla, grinning, shaking her head, "not a single one."

"Really? Give me a break," said Kurt.

"I'm fine with this Kurt, it's actually a really good move for us. Go for it! I'm rooting for you."

"Politically speaking."

"Yes," said Layla, nodding, "normally I am not very concerned about your love life Kurt."

"How would I know that?"

"Is that my fault? That this is the first girl you bring home? Sorry I asked, guess I won't be expected to host a wedding anytime soon. Too bad, I've never seen a human wedding before."

"Yeah don't plan that anytime soon."

"Is she not a desirable women? I'm not a human, but from what I can tell she seems like someone most men of your species would desire outright, even dream over. Seems perfect to me."

"So you are on her side?"

"I'm on your side Kurt," Layla said seriously.

"I get it."

"Just let me know if things change," said Layla, "it might be important to me."

"She really got me in mess didn't she."

"Ohh I wouldn't say that, I see the way you look at her sometimes. I think this mess is all yours. Don't go chasing pretty girls you don't want to catch."

"Now you tell me," Kurt smiled at Layla, who smiled back, and they broke into a round of laughter after one of them broke.

"Were you really so unaware of the implications Kurt? I mean she is a clan member you had to realize that it couldn't be just some fling."

"I see that now, it all happened so fast."

"You're such a fool," said Layla.

"Did you see what she was wearing at that dinner? I was blind sided. Normally a guy like me and a girl like that, you don't ask many questions in those situations, and just thank whatever god chose to bless you…"

"Then what is the problem exactly? She seems more than willing."

"I know but it all seems too fast, and almost forced."

"No one will force you Kurt, I promise you that. Just give it time, maybe you might end up a little happier, Susan and Jerry seem very happy. And it wouldn't be impossible for you to eventually take a concubine if you really wanted, you'd have to talk about that with Lady Talia, of course. So I honestly don't see the issue, but I don't really understand the whole human — courtship, you have so many names for it."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you are, you know, the top Lord in my domain, and I can't really fulfill the duties of a wife myself as I understand them, so I can't exactly marry a human. So it's just you — and Sara, for now."

"Really it's like that?"

"I didn't make the rules here, or I do, I was not exactly expecting for it to be a part of negotiations Kurt, Lord Fredrick had to explain some of it to me as well, whatever you want Kurt, I honestly don't care about your little mating rituals and stuff. You have complete authority over this mess. It will just make the progress slower in the end, and possibly not as close. So if you wanna marry some commoner in the end for love or whatever, I won't object. I think it's all a little silly. I'm just enjoying the show, you seem to be…squirming a little, which is fun to watch. And I'm not opposed to it being used as a negotiation tactic, how could I even argue that? If you're willing, that is, I wouldn't force this upon any of you, but a timely decision would help here."

"It is all a little silly. And squirming? Who taught you that word?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" laughed Layla.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.