Chapter Text
“Ah Javier! What brings you to my office?”
Javier fidgeted which was unlike him. Arcos Frontera was a man who held his utmost respect and had been a father figure to him for years. He was the man that Javier had pledged his loyalty to as a knight. Now, that was about to change. Soon he would no longer be a knight of the Frontera County.
Count Frontera folded his hands expectantly, a soft smile on his face.
Javier sucked in a deep breath.
“Count Frontera, I request your permission to pledge myself to another.”
Arcos’ brow raised in surprise, mouth parting slightly, “Javier? What brought this on?”
Javier bowed his head, “I swore my fealty to you, and now I'm rescinding that. For that I deserve any punishment you see fit. But I… I wish to serve another. With my heart and soul. For as long as he allows me. Which brings me to my second request, if I may be so selfish.”
Confused but curious, Arcos urged him to continue.
Javier took a deep breath and knelt before Count Frontera, “Count Frontera, I, Sir Javier Asrahan, formally ask for your eldest son's hand in marriage. I know I have no land or status to offer… not compared to the other many suitors that have asked for Lloyd's hand in marriage, but I swear to protect him and serve him and his best interest for the rest of my life. I humbly ask this, Count Frontera.”
Arcos heaved a long sigh and leaned back in his seat. He smiled, “Javier you had me worried for a second. Rise please, Javier.”
Javier rose from his kneeling position.
“Javier, I grant you permission to swear yourself to another. Your life has always been yours to pledge. As for the matter of my son, I must ask you but one question.” Count Frontera leaned forward, a serious expression gracing his usually calm face.
Javier steeled himself. He had already gotten much farther than he had initially planned. He had prepared himself to go through any task should Count Frontera actually choose to consider him. He could think of countless tasks. Defeating powerful beasts, going on quests for rare ingredients, or even requesting that he obtain land and a title. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult. He was a grandmaster now, no creature could overpower him. Surely he'd be able to find any rare item with enough time and power, he was short neither. Maybe her majesty Alicia would be willing to grant him land and title for his deeds. He'd no doubt done enough for the Magento region to be worthy of such gifts. Surely he-
“Javier.” Arcos intoned.
He snapped back into focus.
Count Frontera gave him a small smile, “Javier, do you love him?”
“I- what?” Javier froze, confused.
Arcos chuckled, “If you wish to marry Lloyd I must know if you love him. Marbella and I's relationship did not come about because of one sided devotion. We love each other, and if I give you permission for Lloyd's hand I need to know that you love him.”
Javier stumbled, “I- I do. He's… it's hard to put it into words. I've never… had to before.”
“Try?” Count Frontera offered.
The knight sucked in a breath, “With all due respect, I hated Lloyd. When you put me in charge of his well-being I was upset. He was brash, crude, mean, a drunk, and overall just a terrible man. He spent years tormenting me. He… he broke the sword you had made for me.”
Arcos’ eyes softened in understanding. He was no stranger to the man Lloyd had been.
Javier continued, “He was frustrating to work with, constantly creating more messes for me to clean up and more problems for you and the Countess to fix. Then he changed. He became- or rather, is a different man now. This man is self sacrificing to a fault. He hides his well wishes for others behind a faux curtain of greed. He worked so hard to pull the then barony out of debt, and has become so accomplished that even Her Highness herself wishes to have him under her. He cares deeply about this estate. About both the Countess and you. And… he swore he'd protect me. From losing the people I care about.”
“He's not the man that I hated. Lloyd is the man I have grown to love. I wish for his happiness as much as he wishes for ours. I want to stay by his side and pull him out of the danger he often finds. I wish to be the one protecting his heart. So I humbly ask for his hand in marriage.” Javier finished earnestly.
Arcos Frontera smiled warmly, eyes full of a fondness Javier couldn't place but was that of a proud father.
“You have my permission, Javier.” Count Frontera told him.
Javier smiled, happiness filling him. With a formal bow to the man who had saved him from the harsh winter and raised him up into the honorable knight he had become, Javier left Count Frontera's office. A pep in his step as he returned to his own quarters.
In his room, he dug in his meager belongings and found an old box. It was small and worn, the corners rounded from years of tumbling around. Gently, Javier lifted the lid of the small box off and revealed it's contents. In the box was a metal band. It was truly nothing special, a commoner's ring. Gems and shiny things were reserved for the upper class that could afford such luxuries. Still, the simple golden band was his father's ring. From before he'd lost his life. It was a precious possession and the only thing he truly had left of his parents, a symbol of their marriage; their love.
He carefully replaced the lid and tucked the box into his pocket. Content to carry it around till he found the opportunity to propose to Lloyd.
Of course, just because he had the Count's permission didn't mean that Lloyd would accept. That wouldn't deter him though. Javier was confident. He was good looking and skilled. What was not to like?