"For Getting You"

XtineVelax

"I want to marry Lady Maia Eastenborough."

The crowd watching the awarding ceremony with the King and Queen erupted into whispers. Requests and prizes for victorious battles often range from a rank promotion to more land, money, and influence.

Never had anyone ever requested a royal appointed engagement to be their reward. Though, it was not entirely against the law to begin with.

And so, it was said that Edmon Marcus of Fremont made history in the empire to openly request a woman's hand by royal decree, forcing the court to set some limitations thereafter.

A week later, Edmon was nervously sitting in the Eastenborough parlor with Maia across the table. Her eyes were set on him, almost as if criticizing every inch of his existence.

"Excuse my bluntness, my lord," she suddenly said, placing her tea cup down. "Why me? You could've asked for any unmarried, childless, and more suitable lady to be your future spouse. Anyone would be thrilled to be betrothed to you."

"But they're not you, my lady," he honestly answered, giving a quick glance at her before averting them again.

He couldn't really tell why but his heart was beating so fast. It never became like this even when he was in the middle of the battlefield. He would slash and slice his opponents and feel nothing. But just having the lady with him in the same room made him fidgety. Anxious, even.

It was something he only felt with her. And he couldn't decipher it.

"T-that... that doesn't really answer my question though." Maia commented, taken aback. "I know our engagement is a royal decree. So, I really couldn't refuse. But could you still listen to my two conditions before I officially accept it, my lord?"

"Yes. Please tell me, my lady, what do you want?" His tone became eager. He felt hope creeping back in him. And he's more determined to please the lady.

"First, since the estate is still in a period of grieving, I would like to ask you to not visit me in respect of Lord Caden's memory and to return only after we finish our mourning. And I also need sufficient time to transfer all my duties to the head butler."

Edmon only nodded in agreement. He understood her concerns clearly. Especially that the Baron had only passed a month prior after their party was defeated in the frontlines. A brave noble man, he assumed.

"And the second one?" he probed, curious.

"I will solely decide on what is best for my son, Alexis. While I am alive, well, and still in my right mind, I would like a security that no one will ever question my way of raising him. Not even you, my lord." She eyed him from her settee, expecting a protest.

But Edmon only continued to nod, smiling dreamily towards her.

"My... lord?" Maia was unsure if the Duke's son had gone crazy or fell asleep with a grin.

"Oh, I am listening, Lady Maia," Edmon responded with a small chuckle. "It's just that you sounded so strong and confident with your last request that I feel proud that I chose you to be my wife."

"Soon-to-be wife." Maia corrected firmly.

"Ah, but at the end of it all, you will still be... my wife." He giggled at the last two words, obviously excited at the notion of the woman being by his side.

None of the people with him could believe that the same man that ruthlessly killed the invading enemy was currently surrounded by an aura akin to a young lady in love. They could almost see flowers in his background.

Maia awkwardly returned the gesture, wondering what was the reason behind the most sought after and eligible bachelor such as Edmon saw in her. When they, as far as she recall, never met before his request to be engaged.

"So... those were my conditions, my lord." Maia tried to get back on the topic.

"Then, I shall respect them both." Edmon rose and straightened his clothes before stepping towards Maia, bowing slightly. "I will return one hundred days from today, my lady. And by that time, I also wish to meet and get acquainted with the young master."

Maia erupted into a gentle smile upon the mention of her child. "Of course, my lord. Thank you for accepting my conditions."

She curtsied.

He then reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles. "See you soon, my lady."

And even though he promised not to come to the Eastenborough mansion, his letters came in almost everyday. Mostly were just random things encompassing his day and the thoughts he had. A few include some anecdotes of his men while training.

Maia replied to all of them, trying to match the man's interest and enthusiasm as best as she could. With this, one hundred days came and went in a blink of an eye.

"A pleasant day, my lord," Maia welcomed Edmon the moment he arrived at the estate.

"It is indeed," he replied, admiring the beautiful woman. "However, you are more lovely than anything else, my lady."

Maia shyly smiled at the comment. "Thank you, my lord. Let me guide you to the garden. We prepared some refreshments as well."

With the beautiful weather, both of them sat opposite each other around the table in the gazebo.

"I'm afraid Alexis will be a little late since he is still finishing his lessons for today," Maia started.

"I understand," Edmon grinned, watching the woman with his longing gaze. "This gives me the opportunity to be alone with you a little longer."

Again, Maia could not believe how forward the male was since their last meeting. Even in his letters, Edmon had clearly expressed how she seemed to occupy both his waking and dreaming hours. And it was very new to her.

Not to compare but her late husband had never been as romantic as Edmon was at the moment. Lord Caden was kind and caring, yes, but never as emotionally showy as the Duke's son. Hence, such attacks in her heart were making it beat a little faster than she wanted to.

Edmon, on the other hand, continued to admire how Maia's cheeks would blush and she'd suppress her smile back. He missed that.

Her true smile.

"You should allow yourself to be happy again, my lady. I am not rushing you so take your time. But I would love to see your wide smile and crescent eyes again when you beam in utter joy." Edmon said, reaching over to brush a finger on her cheek.

This made Maia even redder.

Before she could speak though, a boy walked beside them, eyeing the hand that touched his beloved mother.

"I apologize for my tardiness." His tone was sharp and unforgiving.

Auburn locks, big dark eyes, a dash of freckles, and with a straight posture, anyone who will see the boy would not question who his father was. He was a splitting image of Lord Caden Eastenborough. Though it seemed that Edmon made a not-so-pleasing first impression on him.

"Lord Edmon, this is my son," Maia said, already recovering from her embarrassment. "Alexis, introduce yourself."

The boy then curtsied perfectly, saying, "My name is Alexis June Eastenborough. It's an honor to finally meet you, Lord Edmon of Fremont."

"The pleasure is mine, Alexis. Come, join us."

"Don't mind if I do." The boy sat between them on the round table but still in the clear view of the man. "I heard you requested for my mother's hand as your reward in battle. Why, my lord?"

"Alexis!" Maia gasped.

Edmon was surprised too but then laughed which somehow assured Maia that he was not offended. He understood the way the seven year old was protective of his motherㅡand possibly the memory of his father too.

"Oh my... I apologize for laughing," Edmon said, trying to compose himself. "I just realized how similar you and your mother are. Did you know she asked me the exact same thing?"

"She did?" Alexis pouted, turning to his mother, then looking back at Edmon. "I wasn't aware. What's your reply?"

"That, she is her." Again, the man answered honestly.

"I don't understand," the boy tilted his head. "What does that mean?"

Edmon paused to think briefly. "Well, it's like choosing a cake. Let me ask you, which one would you pick, this plain pound cake that has no custard or nuts in it or this fluffy sponge cake filled with cream and strawberries?"

Alexis looked at the two slices of cake in front of him and pointed at the latter one.

"Ah, exactly," Edmon said. "This is how Lady Maia looked to me compared to the other ladies. So, I chose her because she's her."

The boy silently nodded as if understanding what the man was explaining.

With them, Maia was speechless at the amount of disrespect her child was doing while Edmon did not seem to care. The conversation was like between friends of the same status and it was bewildering for her.

"Alright," Alexis finally said. "Then promise me one thing before I accept you."

Edmon chuckled again before acknowledging the boy's request. "Let me hear it and I shall tell you if I can."

"Fair enough." Alexis then held out his pinky. "Promise me that you will take care of her and love her for the rest of your life and that you will not leave her alone."

Maia's eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. Edmon just erupted into a big smile and then locked his pinky on the child's.

"I promise in the honor of my name."

"You can marry my mother now, Lord Edmon." Alexis beamed at him after they let go. "I believe my work here is done. I'll excuse myself and leave you two to talk."

The boy then walked away as if nothing happened. Edmon watched him until he entered the mansion before turning back to Maia.

"You two are very similar, my lady," he stated, reminiscing of the past. "Talking so passionately about your loved ones."

"Now that you mention it, I think so too. But that's a good thing, isn't it, my lord?" she commented.

"It is. In fact, it just made me want you both even more." Edmon slipped his hand over hers. "Lady Maia, I just received the blessing of the most important person in your life. So I will take advantage of it and ask for you to choose our wedding date."

"My lord? The wedding date?" Maia was confused.

"Yes, the sooner, the better." He smiled at her. "I am a man of honor, my lady. I want to keep all my promises to you and Alexis."

With his white attire adorned with silvers and golds, Edmon held a bundle of blue flowers, waiting for Maia to emerge from her room.

"Are you nervous, my lord?" Alexis asked, sitting beside him in the waiting area.

"Yes. Are you not?" Edmon replied.

"It's not my wedding."

This made the man chuckle audibly. "You look like your father but you sound like your mother."

"I hear that a lot." Alexis candidly added, "I am their child, what can I do?"

The man patted his head and said, "I will be helping your mother in raising you. So, would you let me call you my son too?"

The boy looked up to him, eyes shining brightly. "You will do that even though I am not your son?"

"Of course! If your mother is the sponge cake, then you're the cream and strawberries on it." He winked at the boy.

"Am I disturbing something?" came Maia's voice.

Both males stood up and admired her glowing radiance in white lace dress. But Edmon approached her first, showing the blue bouquet to her.

She accepted it before she realized what kind of flowers they were.

"These are..."

Her eyes stared straight into Edmon's, searching for confirmation.

"Forget-me-not," he nodded. "I told you I want to keep all my promises, right?"

"Oh myㅡ!" Maia gasped before quickly embracing Edmon, tears quickly filling her eyes. "I didn't realize it was you, Mondie. Everyone said you already died."

"Well, as you could tell, I did not." He let go and dabbed a handkerchief on her cheeks. "I waited a long time and endured many years to finish my duties. So, now, I came to take you with me."

"You should've told me sooner," she mockingly hit him in the chest. "I thought I lost you sixteen years ago."

"That ruins the surprise, my lady." He took her gloved hand and kissed it. "I wanted to see this reaction of yours."

"I really hate how you enjoy making fun of me, my lord."

"Ah, but I am most happy for getting you back, Maia."

Beside them, Alexis was rolling his eyes at the scene before walking away towards the waiting crowd in the church.

--

fin.