Mother dearest

Was that a proposal? Wait, knowing him it's his way of saying I love you. Right? No. That had to be a proposal(ish). Calm down! This is most likely his way of telling me he is ready for the next step without forcing me to take that step.

I want to take that next step though.

I move Rogue beside Dot. Rox's ears are so red! Gah! I want to be cute and give him a side hug but the gap between the wolves is too big for me. Unless I jumped.... With my gracefulness it would turn into a completely missed tackle with me ending up on the forest floor. I have to rely on my words. Dang it.

"Rox are you proposing to me?" I ask. "Your ears are saying yes."

"Welllll." His cheeks are getting red. Oh this is good. This is payback for the tickles.

"Sounds like we have a long night of discussions ahead of us." I say and hold onto Rogue a little tighter.

Rogue takes off and I'm happy the cool breeze is cooling my own blushing cheeks. I'm not sure how I pulled that conversation off without stuttering myself. We release the wolves outside of town and walk to my place. Once home, reality sets in that I agreed to Rox's proposal. Along with the only food in the house is what he is carrying. My heart about gives out.

We haven't spoke a word since I took off on Rogue. Rox is in my house putting the leftovers into the ice box. 

"I'm going to wash up since I'm a little sweaty." I stiffly say.

"A-alright you go do that." He smiles at me.

I wash up but my mind was running so fast I couldn't even think of what to do next. I braid my hair over my left shoulder. 

I want to be with him. 

Standing at my dresser my next big dilemma hits me. What do I wear? If I wear my night gown would that be suggestive? If I wear my formal or out and about clothes (that I was taught was appropriate to be in at all times when seen by others) then does that say strictly business?

I chew on my thumb for a second trying to think of what to do. Playing with my braid in the other hand I remember Rox's proposal. I do have my long nightgown that's more like a plain dress than anything. I hear rummaging out where my kitchen would be. I have spent too much time in here. I throw on the long nightgown and walk out to the living area.

Rox looks lost in thought sitting at the table and tapping his finger on it. His expression changes as soon as he sees me. He opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out.

"You alright?" I ask tilting my head.

"Y-*cough* yup. I'm good." He says shyly. "So explain this engagement thing to me?"

"I more said it to get out of the situation with your family." I say sitting beside him, taking his hand in mine. "But the more I think on it. The more I would want to be with you. I can't picture life without you."

He taps his forehead to mine. "I can't picture it without you either. So the agreements you spoke of earlier. Are they things for the wedding?"

"Yes and no." I say straightening up. "Traditionally you would have to meet my family, get my father's blessing, talk over a dowry and then after that a wedding is held a few days to a few weeks later. Luckily I ran away so we don't have to deal with that."

Rox has a confused look on his face.

"What word got you this time?" I ask.

"Dowry." He says.

"That is how much a father will pay the groom to take his daughter off his hands." I say matter-o-factly.

"That's awful." He whispers.

"What?"

"That's awful to pay someone to more or less get rid of your child."

"Part of the reason I ran away." I comment.

"If we ever have to meet with your parents, especially your father. I need you to know I will fight by your side and support you to keep you free." Rox says pulling me from my chair onto his lap. He wraps me in his arms.

"Thank you." I whisper.

After a bit I head off to my bedroom and Rox makes himself at home on my couch. No one needs to know about the kisses that were exchanged.

.......

I wake to pounding on my front door. I bolt out of bed and see the sun half way to the mid-day mark. The pounding comes again. Who could it be?

"I'm coming!" I yell while slipping my nightgown off and fumbling trying to get a stylish commoners dress on.

I run down the hall smoothing my hair as i go and open the door.

"I'm s-" I start to say but my blood runs cold at the sight of my mother standing in the doorway. He straight pastel blue hair reaches down to her lower back. Her dark blue eyes looking me over. The dark almost black, blue dress she has on costs more than my house. She's here. How? Why? I look to the empty couch with Rox's blanket folded neatly on it. He's gone.

"No greeting? I understand that you wouldn't have a butler or maid from how disheveled this house looks. Surely the least you could offer a proper greeting for your own mother." Her tone is strict as always. 

She walks past me as I cower then she looks around the kitchen, living room and dining area. Her most trusted male escort Jack stands outside the door to keep watch over everything. A quiet man with dark hair and eyes. I slowly close the door.

"I didn't tell you I was stopping by in this letter I sent you." She picks up an unopened envelope. "You didn't even bother to open it. Your father let you live here for a year but it's time for you to come home. It's obvious you can't care for yourself. Just look at that dress."

I look at my pink and brown dress that I find adorable. Rox's and my conversation plays slowly in the back of my mind. I will fight by your side and support you to keep you free.

"You're living in rags! Your father would be furious if he knew. You need to come back now. You're not getting any younger. How do you expect to be cared for when we pass to heaven? Your father has someone lined up for a suitable marriage. He already deci-"

"I'm engaged." I blurt out. Ah crap. Yea I couldn't take her running her mouth much more or the talk of being engaged to someone I know nothing about. But why did I lead with I'm engaged?!

"Engaged?" She looks down at me.

"Yes, to someone of high standing." I say.

"Really? Does he make you happy?" I nod as she looks me up and down. "Your father is the one that has to approve anyways so bring him home. Is this your best dress?" 

"No but the other is not up to father's standards." I say.

"Have your fiancee buy you one."

I look at her in shock. I have never asked Rox for anything. I can't start now.

"Is he poor?" Mother questions me.

"I. I'm not sure. We just got engaged last night. His grandfather is the leader of a village in the mountains and he has yet to ascend to the title." I tell her. Why am I saying this?!

"Then it can't be helped. I will have to leave you with coin to buy one. You still have dresses at home but if you don't show up in one...." She eyes me before setting a coin bag on the table. "It will for sure not end well."

She opens the door and steps outside. Turning around she looks at me with a smile.

"I will prepare a welcome party. Be sure he can come next week." With those words she turns and gets into the carriage. 

Her escort bows to me. "Good day to you lady Sophia. I pray you stay in good health." Then gets on the carriage and commands the horses to move.

What do I do? Running away with Rox to the mountains is sounding pretty good right now though.

I close the door lost in thought.

"Hey." Says Rox making me jump. He sets the food he had purchased on the counter. "I came in through the back and I heard everything."