As we left the room, Sarah began to walk on my right side. She began to whisper to me.

  " After dinner, I'd like to have a word with you in private."

  " Are you mad at me too?"

  " I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about your choices. But how could I be angry at you for doing your all to save me? If anything, it all just reinforce my idea that you are the Love Of My Life."

  Sarah smiled as she whispered to me. Behind us, Asha began to speak to Sarah.

  " Sarah, you spoil him too much."

  " I can't help myself. How would you feel if the Love Of Your Life, risked life and limb to save you successfully?"

  " Regardless, back away from him. It's not proper for an unmarried man and woman to be that close together."

  " But we're Fiancés, by Royal Decree no less."

  " Sarah!"

  Why is Asha getting so irritated? Before I could ask about anything, Sarah began to speak.

  " Do you have anything to say, Sharon?"

  Sarah asked Sharon that while turning her head and leaning her body into me so that I could guide her without falling. While I made sure she didn't fall, I could hear Sharon speaking up after a few seconds.

  " I.. I think you should separate."

  Sarah sharpened her gaze as Sharon spoke. Why is that? I decided to ask her if she was okay. She responded to me.

  " Oh, I'm fine, My Love. Just confirming something."

  * Poke. Poke. Poke.*

  She poked my cheek as she answered me. Asha spoke again at that.

  " Sarah, do we have to go through this again?"

  " No, I suppose not, Asha. The look on your face tells me how discontent you are with my Fiancé and I bonding."

  Sarah smiled again. But her eyes sharpened like she was thinking of something. Before I had the chance to ask what she was thinking, we had made it to the Dining Hall. Warrick and Aqua were sitting at one end of the table and sitting 2 seats down from them are 2 couples. Our group, consisting of Myself, Sarah, Asha, Sharon and Cynthia move to the table, Warrick and Aqua set their eyes on me and in unison yell at the same time.

  " You reckless idiot!"

  " Really you guys too?"

  Again, in unison they speak.

  " Huh?"

  " Nothing! Anyways, why am I a reckless idiot?

  Warrick is the one to speak as Aqua puffs her cheeks and glares at me.

  " Cynthia told us about what you did!"

  " Look, I get it, the Barrier trick was risky, but it was the best chance to end the fight quickly and get to Sarah as fast as possible. I had a few back up plans. And honestly, even if Vendal did land a strike, I could just use Holy Heal to fix myself. I get it was risky, I would have preferred another way, but I felt pressed for time. Add on to that I had to protect Cyn... Princess Cynthia as well."

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  " Even with that, Matthew, do you have any idea what would have happened if your plans had failed?"

  Aqua began to speak instead of Warrick. She glanced at the 4 sitting next to her while saying my fake name. I began to speak.

  " Hang on, before we continue, Are they Lady Asha and Lady Sharon's parents?"

  * Tug.*

  Before I got an answer, I felt a tug on my sleeve, I looked to see Sharon looking at me with a displeased look. She began to speak.

  " Sharon... Just call me Sharon. We're going to work together from now on, so there's no need to be distant when addressing us. Isn't that right, Asha?"

  Sharon looked at Asha, who nodded at Sharon and then spoke to me.

  " She's right, call us by name when we are in private. Otherwise, we will feel left out. And yes, they are Our Parents."

  " Okay. Aqua, since they're Asha and Sharon's parents, we can use my real name. I mean they're good friends with you guys, right? I think it will be ok."

  Everyone nodded. Then Aqua continued to speak.

  " I'd hate to ruin the mood that has been created, but I believe this is a high priority. John, if that sword struck through your Barrier and didn't lose speed what do you think would have happened?"

  " I would have tried to dodge. But I know I most likely would've been cut in half."

  " Do you think this Vendal would have given you time to heal?"

  " No, Aqua. He would've killed me and then captured Cynthia and took her and Sarah away. Like I said previously, I thought about it and that was the best option. I understood the consequences perfectly. But I had to do something. I'm still far too weak so I had to make a bet with my life. Was it smart? No. But that was the best option at the time. I am happy that you are all angry at me because you're concerned for my life. But I refuse to apologize for doing everything I can to save Sarah."

  I look at Aqua and Warrick as I speak. They both look angry. I feel like I might ruin the dinner with my presence. So, I decided to leave, I began to speak.

  " Look. This may not be the best place to discuss this, I'll head back to my room and eat my dinner there and we can discuss this later."

  I turn to go back, and both of my hands are grabbed. It's Sarah and Cynthia who grabbed me, on top of that, Anna, Asha and Sharon have a concerned look on their faces. Sarah began to speak.

  " Now, now, My Love, there's no need for that. Dinner hasn't even come yet. Please look at My Parents again instead of looking down."

  I did as I was asked. Warrick and Aqua looked very worried. I was confused. Thinking back, I think I sounded really annoyed. I start to speak to rectify this.

  " Wait, time out, guys I'm not angry at anyone. I mean, I'm a little annoyed as I've been getting the same lecture 4 times in a row since I woke up. You guys are the 5th. I know you guys haven't met your friends in a while, so I don't want to have an argument ruin the mood."

  Warrick and Aqua's spirits lifted. Warrick speaks.

  " We're just really worried, John.."

  " I know, I know. I'm sorry that I scared you. I don't want to die, Warrick. I just did everything I could... Because at the end of the day, I don't want to lose another person I care about ever again.

  * Sniff. Warm. Wet.*

  I started to cry? Well, I guess it makes sense. I kept replaying that night in the car while Sarah was kidnapped... Huh?

  * Wrap! Tight!*

  I'm being hugged all around. It's Sarah, Anna and... Cynthia? Sarah started to speak.

  " It's ok John, I won't ever go away for long, I'll always find my way back to you. I swear it here and now, the Gods as my witness."

  * Tight!*

  Sarah tightened her grip and then Anna began to speak.

  " Master, I feel the same as Princess Sarah, I'll always be by your side. I will always be your Exclusive Maid."

  * Tight!*

  Now Anna's grip tightened. Cynthia began to speak now.

  "Just because I'm upset with you now, doesn't mean I want you gone from my presence. If you were to leave, we'd all feel as if something was missing. So please don't go. If not for yourself, then for my sake. Like you've done the entire time we were saving Big Sis."

  * Tight!*

  Cynthia tightened her grip as well. They were waiting for my response I could feel it. But instead...

  * TIGHT!*

  " Girls... I can't breathe.. Too.... Tight!"

  After remembering how thankful I need to be for having strong lungs. I began to admit defeat to the girls.

  " Okay you win, Warrick, Aqua, is this enough to prove I'm sorry?"

  Warrick spoke first.

  " Yes it will have to do. I am sorry if you felt we were ganging up on you, John. But like I said before, if you were to die, I honestly don't know what I'd do."

  Aqua reaches for Warrick's hand and holds it tenderly. She then looks at me then speaks.

  " We understand that you care for us a great deal, John. But on the opposite end, We care for you just as much. I mean without you, Sarah would be...."

  Aqua began to tear up. Warrick held the hand on top of his with his free hand. Aqua continues.

  " Add onto that, the idea that you could've lost your life trying to save her again. Or because you were too focused on Cynthia's safety. I just wouldn't be able to bear it, John. You're already Family to us. So please, I know that there will be battles you must fight. But always make it back to us. Please, John."

  " I promise, Aqua. I won't let myself get killed that easily. I promise."

  Aqua began to look relieved. Sarah held my hand as she smiled at me. Yeah, I said it earlier to Anna and it still rings true. This is my Home now. And this is My Family.