After waking up, I had a simple breakfast of 3 eggs and fried ham with toast. Anna was very happy when I complimented her cooking. After breakfast, I Meditated until it was time to head to the dining room. Just like last time, I feel closer to the eyes, but not enough to shine the light on them and properly meet them. It almost seems like they're watching me with great interest. I'll have to ask them more about this when I can find them. After Meditating for 2 hours, Anna fetched me. We went and met up with Sarah in the hallway leading to the dining room. I asked if there was anything I had to be aware of. Anna responded to my question with a calm tone to her voice.

  " Seeing as how Master now has the Court Rank of Marquess, you are the of the Higher Social Rank. However, seeing as Princess Sarah is here, you may follow her lead so as to be seen as polite in front of other Nobles. Or in this case, her Friends"

  " Thank you, Anna."

  " You are welcome, Master!"

  Sarah, seeing Anna and I discuss the topic, also added on to the conversation.

  "Asha is a proper Noblewoman, as long as you keep a polite tone, you should be able to form a good first impression for her. As for Sharon, she most likely will act warm with me and be more awkward around you, seeing as it is your first meeting. Also, in her letter to me, she asked to spar you. We can do this at a later date, seeing as how fighting when first meeting can cause problems."

  " Understood!"

  After having my questions about the meeting answered, another question popped up in my mind for Sarah.

  " Also, Sarah, about Anna. Did you say she was allowed to hold my hand?"

  " Yes, I did."

  " Why?"

  Genuinely puzzled, I couldn't help but ask for an explanation. Anna at this point went bright red. Sarah answered my question with confidence.

  " I have my reasons, as does Anna. However, if you dislike either of us touching you. You have the right to reject us, John."

  " I won't reject either of you, it's just strange to me that you would allow another woman, especially one as pretty as Anna, to touch your Fiancé."

  " One of my reasons is that I trust both you and Anna."

  " Alright. I understand. Just don't get too crazy, either of you. Please."

  "Understood!"

  They both answered in unison to my small request. And just like yesterday, Trish summoned us to the dining room. As we entered the room, 2 figures sat next to each other on the long dining hall table. The first one to stand was a girl with soft yellow eyes and long strawberry blonde hair. She looked like the prototype for a Noblewoman. She began to speak, her voice was controlled, but you could tell she was excited.

  " Oh, Sarah I'm so glad you're looking so well!"

  Noticing where the girl who spoke was staring, the other girl also stood up with a warm smile on her face. She had short black hair in a pixie cut fashion, she was wearing a military uniform. Her light blue eyes took much of my attention of her though, they looked so cold, but when they saw Sarah, warmth washed away the cold quickly. After she saw Sarah, she immediately ran over and hugged her. As she was embraced by Sarah, she began to speak in relief.

  " I'm sooo glad you're ok Sarah! I wanted to visit so badly! I worked overtime to beat my old man to see you!"

  " Now, now, Sharon, we said to wait till we were all alone. Oh, I can't hold back if you won't either."

  " Asha, Sharon!"

  And like that, a scene of a group hug of 3 crying Noblewomen happened in front of me. After they all cooled down, they began to smile at each other. After a few minutes, perhaps noticing me, Asha and Sharon looked at Sarah and began whispering to each other. With their eyes darting back and forth between Sarah and I, Asha and Sharon both stepped forward to me. After taking a bow, the strawberry blonde began to speak.

  " Hello Marquess Matthew, my name is Asha Clearfield. The Eldest Daughter of Duke Clearfield. Allow me to extend my thanks to you, for saving the life of my Dear Friend, Princess Sarah."

  " You're welcome, though I simply did what I thought was right, so your thanks, while appreciated, aren't necessary, but thank you none the less, Lady Asha. Also, I would usually not correct anyone but, seeing as how you are both Dear Friends to Sarah, I'll make an exception. My name isn't Matthew, its John Ericsson. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Asha. The same exception applies to Ms. Ashblade as well. I'm keeping my name a secret for a few reasons, I hope you can respect my privacy."

  I then did the best bow I could muster. It seemed to have gone well, Sarah gave me a thumbs up behind Asha and Sharon. Both of the girls nodded, then Asha stepped back and Sharon began to introduce herself.

  " A pleasure to meet you, Marquess John! I am Sharon Ashblade. Thank you so much for saving Sarah. I know you said you only did it because you thought it was the right thing to do. But that is also commendable in of itself! It's truly the actions of a Noble Knight!"

  " Your thanks is appreciated, Ms. Ashblade. I've actually been wanting to meet you both for around a month now, ever since I was told about you by Sarah. Please, by all means refer to me as John in private, you only need call me Matthew in public. But I reiterate please keep my real name a secret."

  Both girls looked at me for a moment. Then at each other, they began to giggle. Asha spoke after laughing.

  " As it is the wish of a Marquess, as well as our Friend's Savior, we can grant such a modest request."

  Sharon simply nodded her head to Asha's words. At this point Sarah came to my side, she then began to speak.

  " As you all have now introduced yourselves, allow me to also introduce him to you both of you!"

  Asha and Sharon both looked confused at what Sarah had just said. I had an idea where she was going, and I was correct.

  " This is John Ericsson, My Savior. But more importantly, I am Proud to say that he is my Fiancé!"

  Sarah, with a proud look on her face, raised her head up, puffed out her chest and smiled with pride. Asha and Sharon looked even more confused. Sharon spoke after a few moments.

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  " So, it is true, that romance ignoring Sarah, really did accept an Engagement."

  " Well, when a person saves your life, a Betrothal does seem natural."

  Asha's response caused a shift in Sarah's emotions, and she begins to speak.

  " I'm not Marrying John because he saved me! I am Marrying him because I fell in Love with him!"

  Asha and Sharon showed shock and confusion to Sarah's statement. Noticing the disbelief, she first asked them to sit and then told them the story of how I saved her. Once she had finished her story, Sarah proceeded to hold my hand that was on top of the table. She smiled as she gripped it. To this sight, Asha and Sharon just looked at Sarah with a side eye. Sharon spoke.

  " We get it, you love him, you don't have to show off to us!"

  To Sharon's words, Sarah continued to hold onto me while looking at them with a smug smile on her face. Asha then began to speak.

  " We understand your feelings for John run deep, Sarah. But showing off for the sake of it in front of 2 single Ladies is seen as poor taste in Noble Society. Even more so if it is a union of True Love between High-Class Nobles."

  So, Sharon tried to state the obvious and Asha uses common sense and etiquette to persuade others. I'm starting to get a read on them. At the moment of my realization, Thomas and Cynthia both entered the dining hall. They came over to the table and greeted everyone. Thomas sat to the right of me, and Cynthia sat to the left of Sarah. Asha sat opposite of Sarah and Sharon sat opposite of Cynthia.

  " Sorry about this, Ladies. We were going to sit this lunch out, but Cyn wanted to speak to Asha and Sharon since it's been a while since the last time you were all together. I hope you can forgive us."

  To Tommy's explanation, Asha and Sharon said it was fine and began conversating with the Royal Sisters. Which left Tommy and I as the only men, so we naturally began to talk to each other. After the conversations continued for a while, I couldn't help but notice all 4 of the girls were taking side glances at us as Tommy and I spoke. Maybe Asha or Sharon had feelings for their teacher? Regardless, the food eventually came, and I ate lunch. It seems that the way Demons eat food isn't reserved to the Royal Family. Even Asha, the most Ladylike, packed food away like a competitive eater. Where do they put it all? As I continued to think on this mystery, I noticed the girls staring at me as they ate. Wondering what was wrong I asked.

  " Is everything ok? Did I do something wrong?"

  To my question the girls all finished chewing and wiped their mouths with napkins. Sharon was the one to ask me the question.

  " We were just wondering are you really full? You ate such a small amount."

  " Ah! I see. Well, I think in terms of Humans, I eat a bit more than most. But looking at the amount's Demons eat; I think you guys eat somewhere close to 9 times what a Human would eat. Honestly, I find it impressive! And also, a great mystery, I mean, everyone here is taller than I am, but the amount you all eat should burst your stomachs... Ah! This isn't probably something appropriate to speak about to High Noble Ladies! My apologies."

  As I started to fuss about my mistake, Sarah grabbed my hand and smiled. I then noticed that every other person at the table was laughing. Well, I guess it's better than being angry. After they calmed down from the laughter. Asha began to speak.

  " While it may be seen as a bit uncouth to talk about where the food a Lady eats goes. Considering you are a Otherworlder, it would make sense that you 'd have a few questions, John. As for our appetites, it is just the way Demonkin work, I would assume?"

  " I see. Thank you, Lady Asha."

  Finishing the meal, Surprisingly, Cynthia spoke in a louder voice than yesterday. She spoke to Sarah.

  " Sister, is it true that you are going to be fighting the Hero Party in around 2 months?"

  The table went silent, Asha and Sharon eyes went wide, Tommy on the other hand simply shook his head, Tommy began to speak.

  " Cyn, that was supposed to be kept secret. Father told us not to tell anyone."

  " Sorry, Tommy."

  Cynthia looked a little guilty. I turned to Tommy to ask him how they knew.

  " This morning, we met our Parents to talk about future plans. They mentioned how Sarah was planning on joining you in your fight against the invading Hero Party 2 months from now. I know little of you, John, but I trust if you have a problem with the Hero, he did something to deserve a good thrashing. However, our Parents wanted to keep this a secret. Seeing as how a Princess of a nation is going to fight a Hero for Humanity, it may cause a stir. Even more so when that Princess is one that just got done fighting for her life from a Curse."

  "I see. I assumed something like that was happening. But Sarah wants to fight of her own free will and has a goal in mind, I would prefer her not putting herself in danger, but I'd be a hypocrite to stop her, seeing as I'm the one who wants to fight the Hero."

  As I explained my thoughts on the subject, Sarah's fingers interlocked with mine. Then she simply said.

  " Where My Love goes, I go!"

  The girls went red to her statement. Tommy just rubbed his head like he was tired. Cynthia looked at Sarah and began to speak.

  " If Big Sis is going, I'm going to!"

  " Absolutely not!"

  I responded to Cynthia. She recoiled from me into the other side of her seat. Realizing I scared her, I spoke calmly to her.

  " Ms. Cynthia, I understand you are worried about your sister. But I can't have the lives of 2 Princesses rest on my shoulders for a selfish grudge I have. I will go to your parents and tell them about this if you try to come with us."

  Cynthia puffed her cheeks and looked sullen, I felt bad, but I can't let 2 Princesses risk their lives, all because I want to settle a feud with someone. At that moment, Sharon spoke up.

  " If you can't allow another Princess, then a Baron's daughter should be allowed to go."

  " Again, I don't want to put more lives in danger simply because I want to selfishly go and fight somebody."

  To my response, Sharon said nothing, but her light blue eyes were still filled with determination. At this moment, Asha spoke with irritation in her yellow eyes.

  " While I can appreciate not wanting to endanger a person due to a selfish revenge quest. I'm afraid it is out of your control now, Marquess John."

  " What do you mean, Lady Asha?"

  " Simply put, Sarah has been involved in this, Sharon and I won't simply rest on our laurels. We nearly lost our Dear Friend once, we are not going to sit by as she risks her life against an invading force on Our Land! Neither Sarah, nor Sharon or I, are Noblewomen incapable of defending ourselves or Our Home. We are Warriors, the reason our Families even became Nobles is because of our Battle Prowess!"

  " I never thought of any of you as people who can't fight, I simply don't want to put more people in danger because of my vendetta."

  " Whether you accept it or not. It matters not! Sharon and I will simply petition His Highness to go with you and Sarah."

  Getting irritated by Asha trying to take on unnecessary danger, I readied myself to say I'll convince Warrick to say no. But I was stopped. Sarah put her finger on my lips to hush me. She then spoke.

  " John, let them join us."

  " Why!?"

  Surprised at her acceptance of her friend's idea, I couldn't help but ask why.

  " My parents and I were looking for trustworthy teammates to bring with us in 2 months. So far, there is 1 besides us that I would bring.

  " Who?"

  " Anna."

  " What!? Anna! Why?"

  I turned to look at Anna, she stepped forward and spoke.

  " Where my Master goes, his Maid follows. Simple as that."

  I started to rub the bridge of my nose. Sarah began to speak again.

  " I understand, you don't want anyone to get hurt. I am simply trying to grant you your wish. Anna is a Druid, that along with her Dodomeki heritage, fills in many gaps we have between the 2 of us. As for Asha and Sharon. Well, would you both like to explain your Jobs?"

  Sharon stepped forward; she was most likely waiting for this moment.

  " My Job is Dark Knight! It is like the Human's Sword Master Job! I have many Combat Skills that make me ideal when fighting someone in a head-on clash! Like you plan on doing in 2 months!"

  After Sharon was done, Asha stepped forward and spoke.

  " I am a Black Demon Mage. Queen Aqua was once the same, when she became a Demon Queen Job holder, her Job was Black Demon Sage, the pinnacle of my Job."

  I started having a full-on headache. I closed my eyes, soon after I felt a tap on my right shoulder. Tommy was looking at me, then he began to speak to me.

  " John, just accept their help, even if you say no, they will go to my Parents and my Parents will say yes. Just skip the drawing out of it and work on your teamwork with the time you have left. Besides if by some miracle you convince my Parents to say no, Cyn will find some way to go. She's stubborn like a bull."

  I looked at the ceiling. I sighed as everyone looked at me. I gave up and said yes. Each of them was satisfied except for Cynthia. Her mood bettered when Sharon, Asha and Anna promised to protect her. I wonder if Tylenol exists in Gaia, so I have relief for this headache I now have? I then left with Anna to do my sword practice and Meditation. Anna started to stick even closer to me then before from that day on. It was almost like she was watching over me for some reason?