Oh My, I Messed Up the Story

Kirienne's parents had eight children, most of which lived in the same port town they did, and that was the only reason they were willing to let their daughter go off to live in a foreign land. They were so surrounded by family that they would hardly notice she was gone.

They had liked Jae well enough before he left because he was respectful and hardworking even if he was a foreigner. But they refused his suit due to the unpredictability of what life would have in store for their daughter.

Those reservations faded as time went on and word got around about how advanced the Kanta had become for such a tiny nation. Plus Kirienne had been sulking ever since Jae left, claiming she would never forgive her parents for keeping them apart.

Blaise got the impression that she had been driving them so crazy that at this point they would be happy to be rid of her to have some peace and quiet again. He had only known her for a few hours but she had been talking the entire time.

It immediately reminded him of Abby. Unlike Kirienne, she knew how and when to keep her mouth shut but the general energy they put out as they talked was similar.

This made him miss her more than he already had. He rubbed the ribbon tied around his wrist subconsciously as the meal progressed.

"So you folks are friends of the clan leader?" Daran asked casually.

Marcy nodded. "Yes. Edmund here is his brother-in-law and I was quite friendly with him and his wife when they lived in the palace. We've stayed in touch. It is an honor to be a part of the first diplomatic delegation for the Kanta."

He mulled this over before addressing Blaise. "Then how did you get mixed up in all of this?"

His question was a valid one. He wondered that himself all the time. He had never intended to get involved in foreign affairs when he first became a Warrior. Traveling as part of his job was one thing; helping people he didn't know because of a woman was another.

"I am a Warrior; I escorted a relative of the clan leader's wife from here to the Kanta Mountains."

Blaise left out not getting paid for it so Daran would think it had been a legitimate job. He didn't want to explain his conflicted feelings to someone he barely met.

Daran frowned. "What was a woman from Annalaias doing in Shibatsu?"

"…it is a long story. But I fulfilled my duty and now and I am assisting these people to meet with members of the king's cabinet."

He let it go after that because it seemed like Blaise was doing another job he had been hired for and would remain home after that. That wasn't his plan. If they succeeded in convincing the cabinet he was going right back to the mountains to help start a training camp.

After that was the problem. He was afraid he would be tempted to stay forever because of a certain amusing young woman with beautiful blue eyes.

He hadn't seen nearly enough of the world to settle down, even if she did like him. He had been thoroughly convinced she didn't right up until she handed him the ribbon. That had undeniable romantic connotations.

===

The following morning Blaise made the journey back to the Warrior camp where his commanding officer, Emil, stayed alone. He figured this would go over better if he didn't have foreigners trying to butt in right away.

He was pleased to see him at first. "Blaise! You made it back; excellent. You wanted merchant protection jobs, did you not? There is a caravan setting out to the other side of the country in less than a week looking for a small band of Warriors."

"I am not here to take on another job," Blaise informed him regretfully. "Forgive my impertinence but I am here to ask for your assistance."

The higher ranked Warrior frowned but indicated for him to proceed. He detailed his entire plan and ended with mentioning that the delegation was already staying in the port city less than a day's ride from the capital.

"I do not know if the cabinet will be interested in what the Kanta have to offer them in return," Emil said skeptically once Blaise finished.

"They will," he replied with confidence. "I am very impressed with what they have managed to create. It is far greater than the rumors would suggest."

A thoughtful expression crossed Emil's face. "You are not one who is impressed easily. Alright. I will speak to my brother but there is no guarantee this matter will reach the king. Your party may have wasted their time coming here."

Even if their plan failed coming here couldn't be considered a complete waste. At the very least a young couple in love had been reunited. Blaise wasn't sour about that at all. Or so he tried to convince himself.

"It will work," he said firmly.

It had to. If it didn't he would have no reason to go back and return Abby her ribbon. He had already endured two months of discomfort for this; he could endure more to see that smile again.

Emil laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "I always envied your confidence. Stay here at the camp with us until I receive word from my brother. It might take a few days because he works in the capital."

"Thank you, sir."

They exchanged salutes before parting ways. Right outside of Emil's tent he ran into Hugo, who was preparing for the next tier's exam. He gave Blaise a hard time about Abby and refused to let him leave or stop teasing, pulling him toward the tent functioning as the mess hall to show everyone else he came back.

It was going to be a very long few days.