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This was not how I thought I would be telling my father that I’d accepted a marriage of convenience.

He took it well.

“No.” Count Valin spoke calmly. Too calmly. The air got even colder, and frost crept out from beneath father’s feet.

“Let’s move this inside,” I urged, my breath puffing visibly as I squeezed my father’s arm.

“No.” Count Valin’s eyes, still red from crying earlier, narrowed at Bastian. “We will talk right here.”

Bastian unsummoned his shield when it looked like the count wasn’t going to launch into a follow up attack. With a bit of shuffling, he got hold of Mr Sniffles under the forelegs and unceremoniously passed the capybara to Lish, who had to nudge her horse forward to grab the creature.

Mr Sniffles chuffed. He did not approve of the unexpected handling, and Lish had to fight to settle the capybara.

Meanwhile, Bastian dismounted and walked forward, leading his mount by the reins until he was a reasonable distance away to speak.

“Count Valin Fern,” Bastian bowed politely and straightened to finish the address. “My name is Bastian of Peldeep, and I have asked the Countess Peregrine Fern for her hand in marriage. She has agreed, and so we have come to you, her family, to ask for your blessing–”

“You don’t have it.” My father stated. “Now leave, and never come back. Come inside Peregrine–”

“Wait,” I let go of my father’s arm and took a step towards Bastian. “We can’t just refuse. I already signed the contract - the crown prince was witness.”

My father didn’t care. “We can refuse. And we do. I will handle everything. Now go inside, Peregrine.”

“I won’t.” I took another step closer to Bastian, and noticed that his hand started to reach out towards mine, but shifted at the last moment to clutch both hands on the reins instead.

I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy discussion, but I didn’t think I’d be standing outside in ankle-deep snow, outright defying my fathers orders and trying to convince him to let me enter into a political marriage with someone I’d just met.

But here we were.

“Bastian has only acted in the best interest of his country and our partnership, travelling here in good faith.” I stated, trying to use whatever argument I thought would convince my father. “And the only reason I’m standing here is because he insisted that I not just get carted off to Peldeep without a by-your-leave. It is only polite to invite him in.”

Granted, with the way things were going, I wish we could have the conversation outside. Poor Oak Lilly. The protective enchantments in my home were meant for minor elemental outbursts, not this. Unfortunately, it wasn’t safe or secure out in the open like this either. The homes of Fern were set into the roots of Oak Lilly and built into the trees circling the open meadow. Just because we couldn’t see any lights in the windows, didn’t mean we weren’t being watched.

Count Valin stood still for a long time, his eyes flickering between us. His answer was accompanied by more snowfall. “Fine.”

With that, my father shortened the distance between us and scooped up my arm, all but dragging me up the stairs and inside.

Bastian didn’t follow us right away, but trekked over to Lish. I could hear his boot prints crunch the snow, and his soothing, “There you go Mr. Snifflesworth. I’m here. Let’s get you inside where it’s… well, where we can sit down. Thank you, Lishinia.”

The drakin was probably going to say something like ‘where it’s warm’ but thought better of it and decided not to lie to the capybara. I approved. Malory instructed Lish to tend to the horses and then meet us inside, the butler following Bastian.

At this point I was torn between quietly being escorted to wherever my father was bringing me, or bursting out and peppering my father with a hundred questions. Primarily what had he heard, what did the crown say, where was mother, and what did she think of this entire situation?

I was impressed with myself that I made it to the first floor sitting room, and happy that was our chosen destination - I wouldn’t have made it to my father’s office. Bastian was a ways behind us.

“Father–” I started, but he cut me off with a hand on my shoulder.

“Malory is distracting the Knight Commander,” Father said, “Now quickly, tell me if you are in any danger.”

“I’m fine!” I stressed. Which was probably more true than it had any right to be. I was taking all of this very well.

“You’re sure?” Father ran a hand through his perfectly kemp hair, inspiring a stray lock to slip forward along his forehead. At least his eyes had cleared, and he was back to his stone faced self.

“I’m sure.” I assured him. “What did the crown tell you?”

Father grimaced, “That they’d done us the service of marrying you off to Peldeep in a trade deal, and there was nothing we could do about it.”

“What did Mother say?” What I wouldn’t give to be a bird on the bark listening in to that conversation.

Silence met my question.

“Father?” I pressed, sensing that something was wrong.

“The countess is still in the palace.” He said, delicately. “We haven’t had a chance to speak since you left.”

“No– is she imprisoned?” Worry rose in my chest until it pressed against my throat, threatening panic.

“The queen says that she needs her wardrobe mistress handy for the Golden Goose Festival.” Father replied, reaching out with a hand but stopping just short of placing it on my shoulder. It radiated chill. “The royals have been holding meetings, hunting, feasting, and celebrating in advance, and the queen has all hands harvesting right now… but I believe that is just an excuse to prevent us from getting any ideas about defying them and going after you.”

“As long as you’re both safe,” I said, though it was just as much a question as it was a statement.

My worries lessened when Father nodded. “I’ve seen her every day at court… we just haven’t had a chance to speak in private.”

At that, Malory could be heard speaking to Bastian about Oak Lilly’s architectural designs and the enchantments supporting the manor. The butler could prove a worthy distraction, if a boring one. I couldn’t imagine Bastian found a tree house that exciting.

“And this is the family parlour,” Malory said, right outside. “Where the count is waiting for you.”

Bastian wasn’t in a hurry, and casually walked into the room while still holding Mr Sniffles. “Thank you, Malory, for the tour. It was very informative.”

“Any time, Knight Commander.” The butler said, “I’ll fetch some refreshments.”

And then Malory closed the door, leaving Bastian and I and Mr Sniffles alone with my father.