It was time. It was the morning of the wedding between your household and Lord Isembarts. Upon waking up, you left your room, which was completely quiet in the house. You stepped out of the bedroom but heard crinkling underneath your feet. Under your feet was a piece of paper lying on the ground that you had stepped on and wrinkled. You reached down and picked up the paper, smoothing out the creases and reading the writing.

Sweetheart,

   As you will find, I am not home, and you will not see me for the rest of the day. I believe in tradition, and I plan not to see you until the wedding to bring good fortune to our married life. Your mother will come by later in the morning to help you prepare for the wedding. I left your wedding dress downstairs on the table by the fireplace. 

With love,
Benny

Holding the note, you walked downstairs and spotted the box on the table. Before opening the box, you set the paper on the burnt logs for it to catch fire later. Then, you sat on the couch and opened the box, looking at the wedding dress.

   ' The seamstress did an excellent job with the changes. It looks so much better now and more my style. '

You were happy that there was at least one thing you could control about your wedding. By the time you put this on, your mother wouldn't be able to do anything about it. She would be furious, but, in your mind, it was well worth it. The house was tranquil, and you assumed no one was home, not even Arlutrix, but you jumped slightly, seeing a teacup beside the box on the table. Looking up, you saw Arlutrix with a sad smile on his face.

   " Good morning, my lady. "

   " Morning, ARlutrix. I thought no one was home. "

   " I was pouring tea in the kitchen. I thought it best to serve you tea before the wedding today to provide some ease. "

   " Thank you. "

You set the dress back in the box, lifted the teacup and saucer to your lips, and drank the warm tea. The tea was delicious, filling your body with warmth in the cold weather. Arlutrix sat down beside you and looked at the dress in the box.

   " The dress is beautiful. You will be the apple of everyone's eye at the ceremony. "

   " Isn't that how it's supposed to be? "

   " It is; you are right, but that was my best attempt at a compliment. How are you feeling this morning? "

   " The same as yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that. "

   " So pouty? "

   " As my mother would say. "

   " You seem more fractious to me. "

His tone was light as he talked with you. It sounded like he finally let go of the lord and lady title. A small smile went to your face, feeling a slight tingle of happiness at the comfort.

   " So I'm challenging to control? "

   " I would think of it more as unruly. "

   " Oh? I guess I'm just having trouble playing the obedient wife. I must practice more. "

   " But with that free spirit, how could you play a part that wasn't made for you? "

Feeling comfortable, you giggled at his words and shoved his shoulder with yours. Soon, that comfort was gone when your mother entered the house and looked at you in the living room. She glanced between you and Arlutrix with a funny look before grabbing the box off the table and your wrist. Then, she dragged you to your room, where you were starting to get ready.

Arlutrix stood from the couch and watched your mother pull you off. He certainly wouldn't forget your mother's glare when she turned the corner. The mage sighed and picked up the teacup, placing the fine china in the kitchen. Next, Arlutrix went upstairs, and he could hear your mother's excitement about the wedding. He rolled his eyes at your mother and continued his journey to his Lord's room. 

Arlutrix entered Lord Isembart's room, checking if the man was inside. Luckily, he wasn't home. Softly, Arlutrix entered the room, closing the door behind him. He looked around the room for one specific object, and when his eyes found it, he felt joy. Arlutrix grabbed Lord Isembart's comb and saw a few hairs sticking to the brown comb. He took the hair and left the room as if he wasn't even there. 

   ' I need to hurry, or I'm going to run out of town. '

Arlutrix left the house, running to the market to look for objects to start the plan. On the way, he spotted Eve solemnly walking through the streets. The warlock had an idea and walked casually toward Eve.

   " Good morning Lady Eve. How are you? " Arlutrix asked, pretending to be polite.

Eve looked toward him and looked like she would burst into tears any second. She stopped walking and faced him folding her arms together.

   " Truth be told, I'm not doing well. "

   " How come? The last time we met, you were pleased. "

   " . . .It's because Benny is getting married today that I am upset. I don't want him to marry that woman. I want to marry him. But he threw me out of his house, and said to never approach him again. "

   " I'm sorry to hear that dear. "

Arlutrix opened his arms wide, and Eve hesitantly accepted the comfort of embracing Arlutrix and crying into his robes. Arlutrix ran his hand over the woman's hair, comforting her before he spoke.

   " Why don't you show up at the wedding? "

   " W-What? "

   " Come to the wedding, and sing your praises of love to Lord Isembart. My Lord is a pensive man, but if your claim you love him, tell him, before he marries. "

   " Do you think that'll work? "

   " It will. Either way, the wedding will be put to a hault, and give the man time to think. "

Eve nodded and pulled away from Arlutrix, thinking about the wedding. Arlutrix extended an invitation toward her, and she took it, staring at the letters of Lord Isembart's name. Arlutrix left the woman to think as he journeyed through the market, gathering materials to perform his spell. 

Once his bag was filled with supplies, Arlutrix 'borrowed' a horse and rode out of town toward the forest. He traveled far until he reached the hidden lake he had once taken you to. Arlutrix jumped off the horse and tied the reigns to a branch, ensuring the horse wouldn't run off. Then, he gathered the logs out of the bag he had brought and set them up as he did that cold wintery night in the woods with you.

   " Le feu vient à moi! "

The orange flame and aura formed on his hand, and he kneeled by the logs, slowly setting them on fire. The snow around his feet started melting from the heat of the flames, creating a wet base underneath his feet. 

Once the fire on his hand had been diminished, Arlutrix started with the spell, placing a blue flower into the flames. Blue whisps circled the rose as he tossed the fire to create the magic effect and make the spell work. The orange flames turned blue once the flower wilted and burned inside the fire. Next, Arlutrix threw in a yellow lemon, and the peel slowly burned, and the acidity made the flames jump upward. Finally, the flames turned green, with green whisps circling the fire. Then Alrutrix took the hair from Lord Isembart's brush and threw it into the fire. Finally, Arlutrix placed his thumb on his teeth, cutting the skin, and showing blood.

Arlutrix reached toward the fire with both hands, and when his hands were close to touching the flames, the green whisps started circling his hands, moving upward. Next, the whisps moved around his arms until they settled on his neck, where they revealed the chain on his neck. A sweat formed on Arlutrix's face, feeling the green flames lick his hands, covering them. The blood on his thumb dripped into the fire, and he could hear the hiss as the fire spoke.

   " Je brise le lien entre Arlutrix Cavalier et Bobby Isembart. Avec ces mots, je ne serai plus enchaîné! "

The flame erupted into the sky, with the whisps traveling with it. The tightening around his neck became even tighter, making Arlutrix close his eyes in pain. But as quick as the pain came, it was gone. Arlutrix opened his eyes, and the whisps started moving away from his neck and back to the fire. Once all of the whisps were back in the fire, Arlutrix pulled his hands out with no burn wounds and the small rip in his finger gone. 

Arlutrix stood up, walked to the hidden pond, and grabbed some of the beautiful, clear water in his hands. There was a small puddle in his hands as he walked toward the fire, careful not to drop any. Once he was in front of the green fire again, he threw the water on the fire. The fire didn't die, and he continued to throw water on the fire until the flames were gone, and there was nothing left but a black spot in the mud. With one more toss of water on the flames, Arlutrix returned to his horse, ready to depart from the lake.

   ' The flames are gone. The spell is complete. '

Arlutrix untied the horse from the branch and jumped on the stud. The horse didn't protest and turned in the direction Arlutrix pulled the reigns, walking toward the city.