Rowan asking Louis for permission
Rowan stood in front of the kitchen door, a white towel on his arm, streaks of sweat streaming down the side of his face. He had never been afraid, even in the face of death, yet here he was, afraid of asking a father for permission to take his daughter as a wife. He never knew this could be so hard. He had rehearsed his words every morning, but each time he saw Louis, he got cold feet.
What if the man didn’t like him for his daughter? The possibilities were high. Louis had seen him kill. The man didn’t even like blood, and Louis might have heard from the gossiping maids about his past lifestyle. There were so many reasons not to like him, and seeing that Louis was so protective of his daughter, would he give her away to someone like him, a man born in the slums, with no family and no understanding of how to properly dote on a woman?
"I can’t do this today," Rowan sighed, just like every other day. He gave up and walked away from the kitchen door.
At the same time, Louis stepped outside. When he saw the young man’s back, he smiled. He had seen Rowan lurking around the kitchen, sometimes trying to help him out. He knew it was because of Freya, but he didn’t understand why Rowan was so scared. Shaking his head slightly, Louis smiled and walked back into the kitchen.
Rowan walked out of the palace with a defeated face. He couldn’t steal the man’s daughter away, and most of all, he needed Louis’s approval. The possibility of Louis approving of a man who had touched his daughter more than once before marriage was slim to none. No father would accept that kind of impatient son-in-law. It was as if his attempt to seduce Freya, which had worked perfectly, was now backfiring on him.
"If it isn’t the sad son-in-law," Adric teased, standing by the corner with his hands in his pockets.
Rowan halted in his steps. He didn’t need to look up to know that Adric was going to tease him, just like they had been doing ever since he told them about his intentions.
Malcolm, who was also standing there, chuckled, "I’d never believe I’d see a warlord looking so defeated. If Avon gets attacked at this point... we are all doomed."
Adric sighed, "I’ve known him since he was a boy. He doesn’t care about what people say. Did you know? Rowan wasn’t even afraid of the Queen and the Crown Prince. He’s not afraid of anyone. Now he wants to get married and is afraid of his father-in-law. I’m worried."
"What do you think?" Malcolm added. "Will he get accepted or rejected?" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Adric threw his head back in laughter, holding his stomach tightly. Rowan clenched his teeth, now glaring at the two men who only ever mocked him and never brought forth a solution.
"What do you think?" Adric continued after his laughter died down. "Listen, Malcolm. This young man you’re seeing here, in his glory days, could kill hundreds of men with just his bare hands and still stay awake to protect me. Now let’s not talk about the women... oh no, no... Malcolm, as a father to my loving daughter, Rowan is rejected!" Adric pushed his thumb down.
Rowan rolled his tongue over his mouth, trying to suppress his annoyance. "What are you two doing right now?" he asked in a low voice.
"What do you think? Trying to help you. Give up," Adric waved his hand dismissively.
Malcolm nodded in agreement, "I heard from Rosalie you even made the girl cry. What kind of man are you? Give up." He and Adric exchanged a handshake and started laughing.
"I see. I made a girl cry?" Rowan chuckled. "I believe our dearest Queen must have forgotten how you broke her heart. Does she remember? Does she? I should go visit my little niece and bring back memories," he nodded, turning to Malcolm. "And you? Madame Rosalie seems like she’s been looking for you all day. Should I bring her here, right?" He started walking away, but Adric and Malcolm were quick to drag him back.
Adric pointed at Rowan’s face. "You are too petty. Not good husband behavior." He threw his face to the side.
"Don’t let Rosalie know I’m here, please," Malcolm pleaded, rubbing his palms together. He was also scared of telling the woman to marry him. A strong woman like Rosalie, wealth wasn’t her problem. Malcolm was scared he wasn’t enough.
Rowan shrugged. "Now I would like to know how to capture my father-in-law’s heart," he said, narrowing his eyes, waiting for them to make another mocking comment.
"Father-in-law? Hmm," Adric hummed thoughtfully. He only remembered sending Curtis out of Avon after insulting him, and if he were given the opportunity, he’d have done worse. "I’m not the right person to ask about that. Curtis was an idiot. Glad he’s not my Queen’s real father."
Rowan nodded. Adric wasn’t going to be helpful in something like this. He turned to look at Malcolm, who was now holding his hand to his head.
"I haven’t asked Rosalie if she has a family. She won’t even accept me if I bring up the marriage talk. What if her father doesn’t like me? Does that mean I’m going to be like Rowan soon?" Malcolm brought down his hands from his head, now looking at Rowan.
Rowan exhaled forcefully, "What good are both of you, then?" he asked, rubbing his temples tiredly.
"Take my advice. I’ve been a father for so many days. I know what I want for my daughter," Adric said in a low voice, trying to sound wise, but Rowan rolled his eyes, now looking frustrated.
"If my father-in-law doesn’t accept me, I’m going to run away with Freya!!"
Adric and Malcolm exchanged a glance before turning and walking away in different directions.
"Where are you two going? At least help me plan how to abduct her," Rowan called after them, not understanding why they suddenly left without a word.
"Abduct who?"
When Rowan heard Louis’s voice behind him, he knew it was all over. How could he have openly declared to steal someone’s only child away? He was a fool for talking to Malcolm and Adric. They were the reason he was about to remain single for eternity. Rowan turned slowly, rubbing his hands together, smiling nervously when he saw Louis’s angry face.
"I didn’t mean it that way, we were just—" his words got stuck in his throat when Louis turned and started walking away. Rowan gritted his teeth. It was over.
Louis turned and said, "What are you doing? Follow me."
Rowan was surprised to hear the man. Without saying anything, he trotted behind him, his head bowed slightly. When they finally stopped walking, Louis brought out a stool and sat down in front of a large bowl.
"Sit," he pointed at the smaller stool, gesturing for Rowan to sit.
Rowan tilted his head to the side. The stool was too small and low, but he gave the man a respectful bow and sat down, not on the stool but on his heels. He didn’t want to break it and scare the man into thinking he would break his daughter the same way.
Louis started mixing the sauce in the bowl after washing his hands. "Wash your hands and join me," he said in a low voice. When Rowan joined him, the man smiled. "Do you like Freya that much that you were going to abduct her?"
Rowan coughed, "No... I was only teasing them. I’d never do anything like that to Freya."
Louis nodded. "You know I’m a very simple man. I’ve always liked you as my own son. When I found out about you and Freya, I was happy, but then it seemed as though you both weren’t meant for each other. It broke my heart to see Freya cry and to watch you get left behind. What happened then?"
Rowan quickly got on his knees. "I was an idiot then, for making Freya cry. I promise to treat her even better."
Louis was shocked to see Rowan on his knees. He washed off his hands and quickly helped the young man up. "I believe you will treat her better. Now stand up."
Rowan stood up, waiting for the man’s final decision. His heart raced faster than when he first took Freya to where he came from.
"What are you waiting for? You have a wedding to plan," Louis said, turning the sauce with his hands.
Rowan opened his mouth and closed it, speechless. "You mean... I should... Freya and I?"
"Obviously. Will it be me and you?" Louis smiled, seeing the excitement on the young man’s face. This was the first time he had seen Rowan behave normally and freely. He was truly in love.
"Yes! Yes!!" Rowan shouted, ready to dash out of the place when Louis called him back.
Louis pointed at the sauce he was making. "Here, have a taste."
Without thinking, Rowan scooped a large quantity and poured it into his mouth. It was only then he realized how hot it was, and his face turned red.
"Why? You can’t handle your pepper?" Louis asked with a smile.
Rowan shook his head and took another scoop. "Father, I can handle it!" he said with a bow.
Louis nodded. "Good, because I will get this into your eyes if you ever make my daughter cry. And also... she should not be pregnant for any reason before the wedding."
"Yes, Father!" Rowan shouted like a diligent son-in-law.
Louis waved him away. "Go and plan your wedding, son."
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