Chapter Nine: The Deal
It was not a long walk up the hill to Jealile's house but it seemed like forever to me because of the butterflies in my stomach. I was about to meet Jealile's Father for the first time and ask him for her hand. I knew that in this land it was not required but in this instance it was. For I was not only asking for the hand of his daughter, but a sizable dowry as well so the courtesy of a visit seemed in order. I was doubly nervous because I needed his help to get to Kincaid more than his blessing to marry Jealile. She was already intent on marrying me and would do so even if her Father refused to give his blessing. That much I knew and at least I took that small but steadfast comfort with me into this awkward situation.
As we rounded the last turn and headed up the street that her house resided on I could tell that this was the better part of town. Even on a strange island, some things are the same; the rich don't want to associate with the common folk. These houses were massive in comparison to the ones I had seen in other parts of the city. On average, houses in this area of Teroncia were about twice the size of houses that the common folk inhabited. I could tell by size and scope of the houses that if she lived here, her family had money and perhaps some power.
From a few blocks away she pointed out her house and I could see that it was as impressive as the rest of the houses in the area. The structure stood about three stories tall and again was gargantuan in size compared to the average man's house. Solid, strong, tall and intricately decorated her house was and any man would be proud to call it home. It was nestled in between two other massive houses and apparently faced both the front and back streets.
As we opened the door to walk inside, the warmth and light flooded the dark street where we stood. It took until a moment after we were inside with the door closed that my eyes adjusted to the bright interior. We stood in a small reception area and a hallway could be seen going straight off into the depths of the house. Lanterns hung along the hallway every few feet or so as to keep the walkway brightly lit. Rooms went off this way and that from the hall that ran to the back of the house.
The small entry hall or reception area where we stood looked grand but not excessively so. The room was tall and clearly was tall enough to encompass the first and second floor. Two staircases on either side of the room ran up and ended at a small second floor balcony. A door could be seen on either side of the balcony next to the top of the stairs. An elaborate ring of lanterns hung by a chain over the whole reception room, basking the area in light. Just then, one of the upstairs doors could be seen opening up and someone emerged from behind it.
"Hello dear, you're home finally." A tall, older woman whom I guessed was in her early forties said as she walked down the stairs towards us.
She was quite pretty and had maintained her girlish figure though her curves were a bit softer and rounder then they could have been. Her breasts had drooped a little, her face wore a few wrinkles that time gives to everyone, and a few gray streaks snuck their way into her proud red flowing mane. At a glance one might notice these attributes and dismiss her as a woman who was past her prime and strictly speaking, it may be so. However, I could see that in her youth she must have been stunningly beautiful and she still retained a great deal of that beauty. I suppose my view of her was a bit skewed because she looked like the older version of Jealile. I was relieved to know that Jealile would remain as beautiful as she was long into the future.
"Hello Mother, I'm sorry if I worried you. We all got to talking and you know how it is, time gets away from you." Jealile said as she rushed to hug and kiss her Mother hello.
"I wasn't worried, I knew you were out on the town with Yeoline and Brian. I trust you enjoyed your day together?" Jealile's mother asked while she still embraced her daughter as they walked slowly down towards me.
"It was absolutely wonderful! Brian got Kincaid as we had hoped and we had the most wonderful time exploring the city and shopping before meeting the gals for dinner and a few pints." Jealile said with a bright smile as the pair arrived in front of me. "Mother, I'd like to introduce you to Brian, Brian this is my Mother, Merandia." Jealile introduced us with a bright smile and I stuck my hand out to shake hers.
"That's not good enough, you're almost family son." Merandia said as she tossed her arms around me and hugged me tight in an excited embrace. "Jealile hardly talks about anything else these days, I feel as though I already know you." She said as she held my head in her hands just before she kissed me square on the lips with a friendly peck on the lips.
"Then you have me at a disadvantage Merandia." I replied with a smile, now a little more at ease because of Merandia's warm and friendly nature but not quite relaxed.
"Don't worry, I doubt I'll find the need to press the advantage . . . yet." She said with a playful smirk on her face.
"Mother!" Jealile warned with a disapproving smirk as her Mother loosened her embrace on me.
"I'm only playing with him, give me a chance to have some fun. Your Father has no sense of humor and keeps me on such a short leash these days." Merandia sighed with an attempt at a playful remark but I could see under the surface there dwelt some truth in her comment, and some pain too.
"If you're anything like your Daughter, I find it hard to believe that anyone keeps you on any sort of leash." I replied with a smirk of my own to which Merandia laughed.
"Now you're clearly trying to win the favor of an old woman!" Merandia laughed with a hearty laugh and smile that I could tell had not been on her face in some time. "Be careful of your charms dear Brian or I may snap you up for myself." She said with a playful smile and air about her as she gave me another peck on the lips and held me by the collar tight.
"Mother!" Jealile warned again with another uncomfortable look about her.
"Don't worry dear Daughter, your prize is safe from me." Merandia said with a warm smile as she loosened her embrace on me and kept one hand around my back and put her other hand around Jealile's waist. "I am only delighted to see you happy and that this man of yours does in fact exist." Merandia finished as she started to lead us down the hall, away from the reception area.
"Mother." Jealile groaned in a futile and weak hearted attempt at a scolding.
"Come my dears, Perriolich wishes to see both of you." Merandia chuckled as she squeezed her Daughter tighter, "Honestly, I don't remember raising such a prudish spoilsport." Merandia chuckled as she squeezed Jealile.
"You're antics aren't at all funny Mother!" Jealile said with a drawn expression.
"Yes they are." I chided in, in the light-hearted spirit of the moment and Merandia laughed with me.
"Don't you start, keep this up and you'll be walking to Kincaid alone funnyman!" Jealile snapped, now a little perturbed.
"It's all in good fun sweetheart." Merandia said while kissing her daughter on the cheek just as we approached an entryway that glowed with warm light up and on the left.
"Honestly Father, I don't understand why I need to be here." I heard a younger man in the room up ahead say as we neared the entryway.
"Veronoule you must learn that when you are as wealthy as us, all kinds of people will come at you in all kinds of ways. People will do just about anything to get some of your money, watch and learn how you deal with them Son." An older man also in the room up ahead said just before we passed through the entryway.
It was a good-sized sitting room but not overly large and had a comfortable feel to it. A fireplace was on one end with roaring fire in it, warming the room and casting its glow on everything. Fine chairs along with some small tables were scattered throughout the room, arranged in conversation areas. Some books were in a modest bookcase on one wall and fine paintings and decorative rugs adorned the walls. Seated in the grandest chair by the fireplace was an older, shrewd looking man. Slouching in a chair next to him was a man about my age who looked quite disinterested by everything.
The older man looked to be in his late forties and had dark brown hair with a touch of gray streaks that gave him a distinguished look. He did not look overly tall and was considerably plump, as one expects of a rich man. Otherwise his facial features were quite fine and well defined, appearing almost delicate, but his plump disposition could be seen in his face. His gaze constantly examined everything about you and told you that nothing you did would get past him unnoticed.
The younger man had blonde hair and blue eyes and appeared to be quite handsome, tall and slender. I guessed that he would be popular with the ladies with his natural good looks and all. However, he had an air of dissatisfaction and disdain for everything and everyone around him. It almost seemed that he hated his life and the direction it was heading in. I felt no pity for the 'poor little rich boy' and I surmised that few others would counter my opinion.
"Look who finally found her way home dear?" Merandia announced with a proud smile as soon as we entered the room.
"Good to see you dear. I trust you enjoyed your day on the town?" Perriolich said to Jealile with a smile, not even passing a glance at me.
"Yes Father, I had the most wonderful time with Brian and Yeoline." Jealile said as she leaned in and gave her Father a hug and quick kiss on the cheek.
"Oh Father, what do you get when you dress up a Beggar in fine clothes?" Veronoule asked Perriolich while not taking his disapproving eyes off of me.
"That's simple Son, a well dressed Beggar, nothing more." Perriolich replied calmly, with disdain in his eyes that never left mine. My blood boiled but I kept my cool for Jealile's sake and ignored the comment completely.
"Now dear, mind your manners Brian is a guest in our home and Jealile's betrothed." Merandia scolded her husband with a light-hearted cover to her obvious aggravation and objection to his attitude. She sat in another decorated chair on the other side of the fireplace from her husband.
