If I had had something in my hand I would have probably dropped it. I was sure that I had dreamed. It was impossible that Payne would be in love. Rubia wasn't here yet. Not that he fell in love with her the first time around. Unfortunately, Adaranth seemed to have heard the same thing as me and he looked at me with round eyes:
"I told you that he wanted to marry you!"
I quickly motioned him to stay silent but it was too late. Payne immediately felt the presence behind the door and in a second he was in front of me. He seemed surprised seeing me and his muscles immediately relaxed:
"Mister Zeidan? Do you need something?"
I quickly shook my head:
"No! I was just looking for the kitchen. I must have gotten lost. I will just go."
Payne smiled:
"Are you hungry? Please come in. We were just getting started."
I noticed Payne's family behind him. They must have been in the middle of a very serious conversation judging by Essence's frown as well as their cooled down plates that they hadn't touched.
"No, I'm fine, thank you. I'll let you enjoy this family time."
Yureka stood up:
"What are you saying? You are part of the family now."
I thought I would cry.
"You can sit next to your fiancé."
Yureka moved away and I didn't have the heart to tell her no. I forced myself to walk inside and Payne pulled my chair for me. I stared at it for a second before slowly sitting down. Payne put a plate in front of me and there was so much meat on it that I thought it would fall off. I could immediately feel my saliva flow out of my mouth and I didn't have any problem being there anymore. I completely forgot about the people around me and started eating.
"Is it to your liking?"
I quickly nodded:
"It's delicious! What is this?"
Essence frowned:
"Have you never eaten lamb before?"
I shook my head:
"No."
The air grew cold for some reason but I just focused on eating. Feeling the same change, Yureka smiled:
"We were just talking about you.
-I heard."
Payne turned to me:
"You heard?"
I froze:
"I just heard your voice. I didn't hear what you said.."
Payne was staring right into my soul at that point:
"Aren't you curious?
-Not at all.
-I told them that I fell in love with you at first sight."
I almost spit my food out:
"What?
-I fell in love with you at first sight."
What was he doing? In front of his family moreover. I couldn't pretend that it didn't happen if he just admitted it.
"But I am the Marquis of Gnash's son."
Payne blinked a few times:
"What does that have to do with love?"
I should have turned the question back to him. That was what he had told me several times the first time I came here.
"Our families hate each other.
-I only care about you.
-I... But how could you fall in love with me?
-You are sparkling.
-What the hell does that mean?"
This was way too much.
"You must be joking. Just tell me what you want from me.
-I wouldn't joke with such things.
-But how... Why... What?"
I quickly shook my head:
"That's not important. No matter what happens I don't want to marry you anyway."
Payen focused back on his plate:
"We can talk about it later.
-No, let's talk about it now. I don't have anything to hide from your family. I told you that I didn't want to marry you."
I looked at Essence for some support:
"All I ask for is for me to stay here for a few weeks. I will leave soon and you won't see me ever again."
Payne put his fork down loudly:
"You will like it here.
-I am sure I won't.
-We have the second best doctor after the Queen's. You won't have to worry about getting sick.
-That doesn't mean that I have to marry you.
-You won't find a better party than me.
-Once again, I don't like you.
-If you give me a chance, I will do my best to make you like me."
I thought I would faint. Why was he being so stubborn? Yureka raised her hand as if she was in class:
"May I ask a question? I thought you already signed the engagement papers, didn't you?"
Payne immediately snapped at her:
"Yureka.
-What? He signed the paper. You just need the Church's approval now."
I turned to Payne:
"I didn't sign any papers. What the hell is she talking about?"
Payne sighed before taking out something from his coat. When I saw what it was, I froze. How the hell did he get that? Payne had in his hands the wedding papers that he forced me to sign before I died.