That awkward moment when you are being evaluated by the family of the girl you love. We are currently sitting in the living room of Helen's house, and all the gazes are on me. From my right, Helen, Marcy, Bertramus and his pregnant wife Bredda, an angry Azelinus, Hildegard holding Zahariel on her lap at my left.

"How did you meet again?" Azelinus' inquisitive gaze pierces me.

"In the guild, father. Beowulf was looking for a party, and we invited him." Helen looks at Marcy for support, Marcy nods.

Bertramus makes an 'I had an idea' pose. "Hey, there is a rumor about a hero that saved Mirfield from the orcs, this hero had the same name..."

"Yes, it is true. I did it." I say with the most humble tone I can muster.

Hildegard is delighted. "A hero! I can't believe my daughter is engaged to a hero! This is awesome, isn't it Zarr?" Zahariel makes an innocent smile. "How could you make your mother treat a hero like some town porter, Helen! Oh, what a shame. Please forgive me, sir Beowulf."

"No offense taken, ma'am. I am not knighted either, so just 'Beowulf' is fine!"

Bredda chips in "But please tell us of your exploits."

I then spend the next half hour telling the abridged story of my hero exploits. Minus most of the gory details and all the larceny, of course.

"I can't believe! You not only saved the town, but you delivered justice to the Baron, cleared our daughter's name and even exempted the people from the tax!"

See! I knew it would pay off to throw that curveball instead of just rampaging around as a monster! Even if it cost me over 100,000 pemadra points that I could spend on very nice skill sets.

"To tell the truth, I once saw your daughter in one of my travels and fell in love with her at once. I rushed to Mirfield once I heard of the town's misfortune with the intent to seek her out." Can't read my / can't read my / no he can't read my poker face! The song is playing on my head. "It was not a total coincidence that we went on an adventure together." I look at Helen. She is as embarrassed as I am. The wonders of teenage love. We are supposed to be adults here though. I hold her hand tighter.

Bredda yawns. It is really late. Azelinus looks resigned. "Tomorrow is a holiday for our family! We need to celebrate this fortuitous event!" He finally declares. I stand up and extend him an open hand. He takes it and clenches it tight. Too tight. His eyes look fierce. I then return the pressure twofold. "Whoa! Wait, wait, wait, you are going to break my hand lad!"

"Cheater!" Marcy hisses between her teeth.

I open a wide smile. "You are quite strong, Mr. Azelinus."

He rubs his hand, it is very red. "This is the real grip of a hero! I see you are a spear user, lad. Nice piece you have there! But you can call me father!" He gives a boastful laugh. I know your hand is hurt. I lean on Helen's ear and tell her to heal her dad's hand in private later.

"It is getting late, I should go and find an inn for myself. Sorry to hold all of you this late." I make a motion of leaving but Helen squeezes my arm.

Hildegard looks at us and waves. "Good night then, but I expect both of you for breakfast tomorrow morning." Oh, I made a blunder. It might be a landmine either. I am not too keen on the customs of this world.

Helen stands up, makes a curtsy to her parents and picks her bag. "See all of you tomorrow then. Come, Beowulf, let's go find an inn room for us." I take my spear and my bag. Zahariel waves goodbye to us and Marcy looks constipated. She is actually making a bad job of holding her laughter.

"Bertramus, take the adventurer's luggage to the storeroom, please." Azelinus comes to see us through the door.

We were lucky and found a nice inn a couple blocks down from their home. After entering and locking the door, Helen looks at me and then dishes out.

"I know you don't have a clue about our customs, but could you ask for a cue or let me lead? The man is supposed to sleep in the woman's family home the first night! Now they think we already did it!" Is it that 'first-night' type of first night? The sleepless one?

"Is it too bad?"

There is something in this atmosphere that entices me and washes away any concern. Helen approaches me with a feline gait. Like a tigress prowling after her prey.

"No. It is not bad. It actually might be a good development. But right now I refuse to let you go. My fi·an·cé!"

Who cares about duels, kings, monsters, dungeons, or loot chests? Not me. Not today. Not tonight. Tonight I'll make my dream come true.