"Now, now Adelai, let your father worry about that" the old count says.

"Father stingy, cheater!" She says. Wait is she thinking of people like things.

"Adelai!" Her father sounds much more firm in contrast to the mild tone he used earlier to which the girl quieted down immediately.

"Geras, escort the two out of the room" He says, and the waiter quickly guides the young boy and girl outside, though the young girl looks discontent, the boy has been pretty much expressionless the whole way through.

"Now, let the talks begin." The old count says calmly. "I believe my own needs are clear. The support of a young, strong, promising hunter is clearly enticing to the Haiden house. Does this one make himself clear?" I find myself nodding. Fuck, I have clearly put myself in a disadvantageous position. I should have at least tried to lie once more.

"This one even promises to keep the conversation that happened in this room hidden, if you desire." I saw him as an upstanding looking guy till recently, but now he is giving off the vibe of a sleazy businessman. "But this one does not only desire the young hunter's support but also devotion. Tell me young hunter, what is it you want from life."

Well, I am kinda fucked here, aren't I, so can't I just try to get the most out of it?

"I have -"

"Speak properly please, the young hunter's story is over". Shit, I really have to speak in this annoying fashion once again?

"This one has a dream, one where people compete against each other in a peaceful manner, measuring peoples speed, strength and stamina in contests. I wish to make that happen."

The old sleazebag holds his head with his right hand and scratches it a little with one hand.

"This one doesn't understand. Can't the young hunter just invite acquaintances to these bouts of ability?"

I shake my head. "What this one wants is different. This one wants to determine who the fastest and strongest are in the whole world. Where people polish their speed and strength specifically for these competitions, in order to do so."

"And how does the young hunter propose this comes to pass?"

"Money, my lord. Money offered to fastest, less to the second fastest and so on. Enough that people will flock to a location and try thei- uhm... try the utmost to win." I have though this through before. "And to let people know that money is given, news spread to every corner of the land" I feel myself fired a little up.

"That proposal sounds... Expensive" the count says. "Very well. How often would the young hunter propose these events take place?"

I have even given this some thought. In lieu of not being able to support constant competitions, I will use a model from my old world. "Every 4 years, this one hopes will be an adequate time interval"

"Very well, every four years this one will bestow an amount worthy of the young hunter's devotion. The amount will naturally increase if this one have needs of your services or the young hunter’s achievements or reputation grows. The young hunter will marry Adelaide when she comes of age. And lastly, a party will be sent to the clan house one week for now, at which point of time, the young hunter will be shown to premises more suited to his new station."

"I- this one will have to leave the clan?"

"That much is natural. This one, nor any other noble for that matter, would not allow competing loyalties amongst their supporters."

Shit, I really like the guys at the house. I hope Atna won't get too mad, but I kind of fell for this, hook, line and sinker.

After a few formality talks I don't really pay attention to, seeing as I start to worry more about what excuses I can provide to the clan for my mistakes. Do I just tell them the truth too? But that would probably lead to an increased risk in it getting exposed. Shit.

I am escorted all the way out of the quarter, to the guard station within the city. I half-run home, even if my outfit really isn't suited for it, I really want to get out of this clown suit as soon as possible.

When I enter the clan house, Bosir and Atna are sitting in the main hall, maybe even waiting for my return.

"How did it go?" Atna asks in a cold tone of voice.

"Ah, I completely failed. The count wants me to marry his daughter, and... he even got some dirt on me. But he did promise to help me realize my dream!" I say, trying to get forgiven for realizing just a little of my goals, even if Atna said it wasn't the best path to it.

A sigh is heard from both Atna and Bosir. "I told you so" Bosir says. "What else did I expect from this idiot?" Atna adds. "Hey! That's not very nice" I add to it. I feel like I am getting insulted for my intelligence at an ever increasing rate as of late.

"Sit, Yos" Atna commands.

"Ah, can I go change first? This suit is rea-"

"SIT!" Oof, she is mad. I better just obey for now.

I sit down at the table and Atna is looking at me quite intensely. When I stare back, she suddenly evades my eyes and turns her heads. She takes a deep breath and turns back to confront me.

"Yos, what is our relationship?" That's easy.

"Rivals furthering each other, comrades in arms and good friends!"

"Am I important to you" She asks. Weird, but.

"You are either the most or second-most important person to me" She spars with me often, we talk much together as fellow "Juniors" in the clan, and both Jorgen and Hannah are out. The only competitor is my little sister. Huh. I wonder if I am really immortal, would I get to see Hannah again?

As I were in my own thoughts I didn't notice before now that Atna has turned her face completely away from me. What is this strange behavior?

"Listen Yos, I will make you an offer." she starts, still completely averting her face.

"Are you sure?" Bosir interjects. "It will possibly be dangerous."

She looks at him and nods and turns to me.

"If you accept, I will make your dream come true in a better manner than that count could ever hope to." She pauses and takes a deep breath again.

"Yos, would you marry me?"