When the kitchen started to calm down I had planned to ask Tasha about herself but Alex came back too soon. He didn't explain anything and instead led me through the halls until we came to a door with two guards stationed outside.

"Young Master, his lordship and her ladyship will see you soon, please wait here."

He nodded without a single glance in their direction. While in the company of servants he adopted the same mannerisms I'd seen from other nobles. He slipped into the new personality easily, his back straight, his face stern and his gaze never once acknowledged the people around him. As soon as the doors closed and it was just us in the cosy little room he went back to normal. The change was so quick that I didn't know which was the real Alex, he seemed at peace in both personalities.

The room was tiny. There were two long and cushioned chairs on either side of a very low table. He took a seat on the far side of the room and patted the space next to him. I took his gesture as an invitation and sat down. Alex tried to start up some friendly conversation about where I grew up and how I was feeling, though it soon became apparent that I wasn't interested. I had entered the belly of the beast and I was going to let myself be devoured. Between my apprehension and the storm of negative emotions that ravaged my mind, I wasn't in the mood for idle chatter. It felt like a long wait but I couldn't tell if it was. I heard muffled conversation just outside the doors and then they violently swung open, almost being torn off their hinges.

"Alexander!"

A mighty and deep voice bellowed, an ogre of a man had burst into the room. He was more like a wall of muscle than a human, as wide as he was tall, he had to force his body through the doorway that was built for average folk. He wore a thick hide breastplate over his bare chest and looked more ready for battle than talk. His beard was giant and black and his dark brown eyes had a bloodshot stare. This man looked nothing like Alex. The only similarity they shared was their similarly handsome and youthful face structure.

"If you don't have a good–"

The man-beast stopped himself short as he saw me. Then he let loose a belly laugh so deep that I could feel it rumble my insides. This man had a physical presence that was almost as intimidating as a powerful blade's song.

"That's my boy! Finally listening to me, eh? Decided to stop dragging your feet and took her by force? Fantastic!"

I didn't like the man and I didn't need to pretend otherwise, it was the only upside of knowing my life was over. I glared at him but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, it looked like he was amused.

"No, I–"

Alex tried speaking but he was overpowered by his father's volume,

"Grand! She looks slim but sturdy, bet she was a fighter! Get in here! Our boy has caught his first prize!"

Behind the wall of meat, five women entered the room. The first was the woman that visited me. She was exactly like an older, female version of Alex, she wore a robe back then so I had no clue how sculpted her body was. She was about as muscled as my mother and had a similar fashion sense. Silky looking loose-fitting clothes that left her stomach and arms exposed were worn with extremely baggy pants.

The other women were all of various shades, shapes and heights and garbed in similarly silky clothes of different styles. Though it was clear that his father had a type, all of them except one were physically powerful. I thought it strange compared to the more soft and supple body type that people seemed to prefer back home. Then the new knowledge finally sunk in and started to connect with my memories. I remembered how Alex buzzed with seemingly innocent glee when I performed a feat of strength for him. I thought he was just curious about what he lacked so I didn't mind showing off. With the new context, the words his father spoke made much more sense.

I shot Alex an accusing glare but either he didn't know why I was concerned or he was good at keeping a straight face. The different women all congratulated their son on winning his first wife and the doubts that I had multiplied. I wasn't comfortable around him anymore. Intimacy always felt gross to imagine, I couldn't relate to Alessia feeling crushes on boys when we were growing up. When I found out about my mother's 'night job' a deep disgust wormed its way through me and ruined many of the books that I loved. The thought that there were hidden motives behind Alex's visits made me viscerally uncomfortable, it felt like I had been betrayed. Another emotion was added to my bubbling mass of feelings. I shuffled to the side to put a little distance between us, I thought it was discreet but Alex noticed immediately.

"No!"

Alex found his voice and cut above the excited chatter. He was distressed, the way his eyes welled with tears and the quivering of his lip made it obvious.

"This lady claims to be guilty of the recent murders. I saw her as a friend and I wanted to ask you to show her mercy. That is all!"

Only Alex's birth mother and father seemed to not be shocked, the other women were split between asking for more details and shouting about how stupid it was to be so close to a criminal. Before the situation got out of hand his father smiled and said,

"What a kind-hearted girl she is! Not many would be willing to face such harsh charges to protect a stranger."

I couldn't stay quiet after hearing his comment,

"What are you talking about? I did it! You've got the wrong person!"

Alex looked terrified when I stood up. The father just smiled and shook his head, like he was amused by some childish nonsense,

"Leave us, I wish to speak to my boy and this misguided girl."

At his command the women left, they all looked worried to some degree but none tried to argue. Once the last one exited and the doors were forced back into a closed position he stared directly into me with a smile as if he was mulling over an amusing thought.

"You have quite the unique eyes. If you weren't orphaned I would like to have met your parents."

He chuckled a little before waving his hand dismissively,

"That aside, silvery grey eyes did make it into the initial report. I believe we have a young seamstress with brown eyes in the dungeon."

"Then you know–"

"SILENCE!"

I was rattled by the roar the man emitted. When it was clear that I lost the will to speak he continued as if nothing had happened,

"You've caused me no end of hassle girl. The reports, the child, and even the guard that witnessed the event all mysteriously 'disappeared'. We have the correct woman locked up, It's your word against mine and my word is law."

He wasn't just a beast in looks but personality too. Alex's father gave off none of the noble airs that I had grown accustomed to. He used the raw power and authority of his voice to demand respect. It wasn't just that he looked and sounded powerful, he had a battle-hardened body that was covered in scars. He was raw might, forced into a man's skin. He didn't have his blade manifested even though everyone else did at all times. Either that meant that he thought no one would dare challenge him, or perhaps more frighteningly, that he didn't need it.

"I have nothing further to say to a stranger but I have been known for my generosity among friends and family. For a daughter-in-law, I might be willing to lend an ear."