20. Moonlight elegance

Jason walked through the dark streets as rain poured over him. He didn't care about getting soaked or the icy wind that whipped his hair into his face. He could just teleport himself back to his manor, but he enjoyed the walk. It helped him clear his thoughts that were complete chaos.

Kira.

beam of light.

He laugh cynically to himself. It felt like he was being mocked. Saved from a dark abyss by a beam of light to live in another abyss.

Before knowing he had already reached his manor. With a thought he took himself, it was pitch black but he didn't bother to switch the lights on. He could see clearly in the darkness. Walking to his room, he threw himself in bed without changing clothes. Lying in it felt just like lying inside that coffin. What is the difference? He was alone there and he was alone here.

Closing his eyes, he saw her face.

Kira. The little native girl was nothing like his wife. Yet there was something about her that intrigued him. And he hated to admit it because he wanted to give her no place in his heart.

The only woman who would ever have his heart was his wife. He still remember her clearly the first time he had saw her. She was buying cloth in the market, negotiating with the seller about the price. They seem to have a disagreement, and the seller was being rude. Unable to stand by, Jason interrupted their argument.

"Is there a problem?" He asked, his gaze never leaving hers.

She was wearing a green veil that covered most of her black hair, and her green eyes were adorned with kohl.

"My lord, this man want to sell this cloth for three gold coins." She spoke, avoiding his gaze.

"My lord, this is the latest fabric worn by royalty. I am trying to explain it to her, but she doesn't believe me." The seller defended himself.

He touched the cloth an it was indeed an expensive one. Pour high quality silk.

"He is telling the truth. This kind of cloth is expensive." He explained.

"Oh," the woman looked down, embarrassed.

"What did you need it for?" He asked.

"My sister is getting married and I wanted to gift it to her." She explained.

Jason reached inside his jacket and took out a leather pouch filled with gold coins. When she realized what he was doing, she held her hands out.

"No, my lord. You don't have to do that."

"It's your sister's wedding, I'm sure she's looking forward for a gift." He said, taking out six gold coins and handed them to the seller. "I'll take two," He said.

The woman was about to protested when he spoke.

"You need to dress well for your sister's wedding as well."

The seller packed two cloths before handing them over.

"Thank you, my lord. My sister is going to be very pleased. How can I repay you?" She asked.

"There is no need." He smiled at her.

She looked up at him for the first time and their eyes locked. There was a spark in there and he was sure she had felt it too. Because she looked away quickly as a blush crept her cheeks.

"Can I have your name?" He asked.

"Marian, my lord." She replied.

Her name suited her, she was a gorgeous woman and delicate like a rose petal.

"I would like to repay you." She insisted.

"Do you see clothes?" He asked, even knowing the answer.

"Yes."

"I am looking for a tailor. I live right behind the market in the big white manor."

Her eyes widened. "You lived there?"

He nodded. "You are free to come by." He said as he tried not to seem desperate.

"I will." She said with a smile

The following day she came by with her sister. He didn't expect any less of her. He knew she couldn't come alone to a stranger's house. Jason asked Jennifer to show her around and give her cloths she needed to sew to clothes.

Everyday, he watched her from a distance, knowing very well she wasn't the type of woman who speak casually with men. She was a good woman with a good reputation, and he didn't want to taint that reputation of hers.

She didn't speak much, but her words had a great impact. There was maturity and confidence in her voice that intrigue him. For every time he had spoke to her, he learned something new about her that made him fall for her even more.

If she felt the same way about him he didn't know, but he knew he had an affect on her from the way her voice quivered. Sometimes when they locked eyes, her cheeks would flushed but she always kept a save distance from him. She never tried to get close to him or flirt with him like other woman usually did.

One day she knocked on his room door. "My lord, I need to have your exact measurements." She said.

He was surprised, he never thought she would be willing to come near him this much. But while measuring him, she tried her best to not touch him and he did his best to stand still.

"I have got what I need, thank you." She said and hurried away.

He was having tea with Jennifer when she spoke. "I saw the way you looked at her with love and admiration."

"She's the one." He said.

"The witches won't like it." She said.

"I can handle the witches." He told her.

The next day she came to him to tell him that she quit her job.

"Why?" He asked.

"People are taking. They said I come here everyday and..."

Jason cursed. He did ruin her reputation.

"Now, no one wants to marry me." She said as tears rolled down her cheeks as she quickly wiped them away.

He walked up to her closing the distance between them. "Then marry me." He said, using his thumb to wiped away a fallen tear.

She blinked a few times in surprised. "My family is middle class, we don't have much to offer you."

"You are enough for me."