166. Grand Plans.

After a short breakfast, we stood outside and waited for Mother and Carlos to separate.

Zephyr was listening to Ilianna and her requests.

"..Alright then..a blue haired one? I'm not sure if they have any princess.. but Aunt Nifa can always colour it for you. "

" Uhhh..that's right..can she colour weapons? " - she asked, brightening up.

I joined in before he allowed her to run away with it.

" You're getting ahead of yourself, sweetheart, but most likely, yes.." I answered.

" I bet she could colour... anything really. " said Zephyr, looking towards our own house.

I would've loved her power.. nothing combat related but infinitely useful and lucrative.

We all said our short goodbyes since he should be back in a week or so.

" Lylly..could we.." he pointed towards a tree a little bit away.

Followed him and pondered what's this about.

He checked on the others first before beginning.

" I want to leave this here with you. " he showed a little red box suspiciously small.

" Is that? "

He nodded and opened the box.

It was an exceptionally made ring. Wit a large yellow diamond shaped like a pear. About a dozen smaller but beautiful ones surrounded it.

I saw some of Rachel rings since the village did a lot better now, but nothing like this.

Whoever made this must have a blessing to help. No human hands are capable of such artistry.

" I plan to ask for her hand .. I need your help not just guarding this but also to try and ask covertly what she would like. I want it to be a grand celebration. "

I took the ring and put it away, giving him a thumbs up.

" Leave it to me. By the time you return, I'll have a full plan. " I said.

He sighed in relief.

" That's a load off my mind.. let us go back before she gets suspicious. " he said cheking the family we left behind me.

" She is a Wold, Carlos ..she's already suspicious. "

——

" Okay spill..what was Carlos talking about in secret? Something about me, right? " Mother asked once we were alone.

Her paranoia reared its ugly head soon as Zephyr disappeared with Carlos attached to its back.

" He wanted to discuss your birthday in the spring." I lied with ease.

She lost her suspicions hearing my immediate response. She turned chirpy and optimistic all of sudden.

" Ohh.. great. I'm going to leave it to you two. By the way, Anna told me you decided on 19 for your husband? " she asked.

" Indeed..it's done. He is 18 now. " I nodded a little more prouder of myself than I had any right to be.

" Mnn.."

" What? "

Nobody makes those noises unless they have something against what you just said.

She turned around and avoided eye contact.

" ..Nothing, it's great. Just thought you would go younger. " she said without looking back

" Younger? "

If anything, I thought she wanted me to go older. I walked behind her towards our house, and the others had already left.

" It was a unique opportunity, sweetheart..not every woman gets to choose. I just thought you might go a year or two younger. " she said.

" Making him 16? "

She shrugged her shoulders.

" Why not? When you're older, it would have been great to have such a younger husband. Besides, it's just a number...16 or 21, he is a leader. "

Unbelievable...she actually thought the same thing I did..just decided against it because.. you know me turning 21 before he turned 17.

I might have made a mistake. But who cares.. well.. yeah no..who cares!?

Ciren was now an official resident declaring to her brother this morning after giving him a list of her things she expected to see once returned.

She already had her own room being the third permanent resident along with the Jartok and Borea Martell families.

I liked it like that.. we had our space but stayed close to our family. Even now..

Soon inside, I walked straight towards Nifa.

" I want some more family portraits soon, some with every one and a giant one we hang inside the tavern....it isn't going be challenge right? "

Her weakness was doubting her ability.

" Of course not, I can draw and colour anything under the sky.." her eyes filled with a fire hearing the undertaking of a lot of work. " .. but need supplies. Frames can be made, but the paper is missing, and this time of year, it's hard to find. "

" Honey..he will find it...even if needs to buy a shop. " her wife said with full confidence.

Cintia, with little Arnold in her lap, put her mind at ease.

It was still hard to believe we had that much money hidden in Carlos vault.

" As long as I'm provided with quality materials, I'll paint them to perfection, of course. "

With that out of the way. " Thank you, dear one. Now it's time ladies..future champion..little sister. "

The ladies in question were lost in conversation with their mother.

" Stop calling me that.. Brother said, it's all nonsense since we are the masters of our own destiny...and I agree. " said Demelza.

Well, she was sure easily influenced and was quick to wave it off.

I stopped paying attention and turned to an angel.

" Cintia...? "

" I told you...I'll take care of Anna and won't let her move. Go.. you're only in the backyard anyway... " she answered with a small smile.

" Still... thanks, granny and mother will help.. right? "

Both nodded enthusiastically, and we left ..for the training ground, out back.

The Revel brothers are probably in their own homes doing whatever they are doing until the afternoon and the others hopefully doing the same thing as us.

" I wonder about that family .." said Eli suddenly.

With Demelza shooting with confidence now, Eli and I were training with resistance bands.

" Monroe's? " I asked.

" Yes.. you think they leave? "

Well, from the looks they didn't plan to. Their wagons now only hold their set pieces and other equipment, fake crowns, dresses, props, etc...used in their acts.

" Zephyr will talk to them when he returns. I'm willing to bet he wants to either extend or make their stay permanent. "

" Would love that. " Dem multitasked as she worked on emptying her quiver. " Those people would add much needed colour for our soon to be Emet town. "

" Well.. we will see. Zephyr wants them to want too to stay here. They are performers... might not enjoy our lifestyles. " I repeated what he said.

" Hmm..Zephyr is sure smart. "

Eleanor shared some happy smiles with Demelza.

" I just said it .. what made you think it wasn't my thoughts? " I asked them.

"" ^_^ ""

" Fine.. but it could easily could've came from me. "

"" ^_^ ""

" Hmph.."

With my pride trampled and intellect questioned, we finished the training just in time for my husband to return.