The Humble Noble Wanderer 41 The Suitor

He said, "Come in."

It was Rachel. She carried a pot of flowers and a letter. She sat down in the chair next to his bed that his visitors would sit in, and she clutched the letter behind her back, while she placed the pot of flowers on the bedside table next to his bed.

She took the letter from behind her and presented it to Leo with her extended hand and said, "Here, I wrote you something."

Leo wondered what it was for a second, and he realized it was from Rachel. He wasn't expecting a letter from her. Or maybe, I should say that he didn't know how to accept a letter from her. In his mind, the face of "Rachel" from Little Vicious Village overlapped with the Rachel before him, from Sodom. He remembered how awful he felt after Solomon reprimanded him for deceiving her.

He wasn't going to deceive this Rachel, but he didn't know how he felt about her, or whether he should accept her feelings. Over the past six months, he could tell she was developing something for him. He just couldn't tell what, but this letter would reveal her true intentions surely and quickly.

He opened the letter. It wasn't sealed, probably since Rachel delivered it herself, and the envelope contained parchment in it with fine handwriting.

The letter said:

"Dear Leo,

I've enjoyed getting to understand you these past six months. Whether it be our talks or hearing the stories your mother told you.

Anyway, I'm writing this letter to express my feelings for you. Sometimes you'll look at me with the kindest eyes, and I'll feel at peace. Sometimes, I can see a deep anger within them as well. At other times, I'll see you toos and turn in your sleep. And sometimes, I'll hear you call my name in your sleep, ever so softly. I wanted to let you know that if you do love me, I feel the same.

Sincerely,

Rachel"

Leo heard a knock at the main door to the house. He heard a small commotion throughout the house, once the knock was made. He heard horses snorting their noses and a short neigh thrugh the wooden walls. Rachel, who was by his side, stood up with a frown on her face.

She said, "I'll be back soon."

Leo waited and listened as hard as he could, but he could only here the vague sound of Deborah enthusiastically greeting someone. He saw Lappidoth walk past his door and stop for a moment, then stare directly into Leo's eyes. He saw that Leo looked puzzled, and sighed.

Leo heard a great murmuring and saw a crowd forming outside the house from his window.

And then he heard silence. He heard angry voices—one unfamiliar, and one from Deborah.

He then saw Rachel run into his room and shut the door. She slumped down onto the back of the door and started crying. She started sobbing.

Deborah came to the door and said, "Rachel! How could you? This was the last suitor from the village, and you rejected him."

She said, "Of course! Of course I rejected him! I didn't ask for this, not that Nabal!"

Something lurched in Leo's throat: he wanted to say something to comfort her. He wanted to stop her from crying.

He saw her tear-stained face, and the other "Rachel" faded away. He decided to live in the moment. He decided to wipe away her tears. 'Who cares if I'm a Blackcloth!' he said in his heart, 'I-I love her!' Her six months of caring for him finally melted his heart.

So, Leo climbed out of bed. His weak legs couldn't fully support him, so he collapsed and lay sprawled on the floor.

Rachel got up and hurried over to his side and said, "You know you can't get up! You're too weak!"

He stretched one hand out towards Rachel and said, "Rachel... I read your letter. If you'll have me, will you marry me? I have nothing to offer, but please... will you marry me?"

Rachel started to cry again. She hugged Leo, weak as he was, and brought his head to her chest and hugged him.
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She said, "Of course! Of course, I'll marry you."

Deborah came in after Rachel stopped blocking he door, and heard her daughter say those words.

She sighed and said, "I hope your happy. After shaming Nabal like that, your job as Deborah will only be harder once I pa.s.s away."

Rachel looked up at her mother and said, "I am happy."

And when she thought about how Leo was a Blackcloth, she realized that the only way to provide for themselves would for her to become Deborah or continue her training to become Deborah. No one would hire a Blackcloth like Leo, even if he could work, and she didn't want him to be a mercenary; the worm was too dangerous.

"I'll become the next Deborah," she said, "All I ask for is your blessing."

"You have it, my daughter," Deborah said, "But the training will only get harder."

Deborah left the doorway, leaving Leo and Rachel to stay rooted in place for a while.

Eventually, Leo said, "You don't have to do this."

Rachel said, "But I want to."

Rachel helped Leo back into bed, and she left the room, while Leo stared at the picture of children playing in the plains.

The clouds above the sea grew hostile, while rain started to pour along the coast.

The demons were coming, and Rachel and Leo were none the wiser.