Vessel X OC/reader

Chapter 3

I sit opposite him at his table, and he pours us both a glass of wine.

"Poison?" I ask, and like clockwork, he takes a sip of my wine, and puts it back.

"Well, isn't this a treat?" He says. " I never get to see you, or your lovely family. I haven't been able to get rid of you for the past couple of days."

"Hilarious."

"To what do I owe this visit?" He asks.

"I wanted to talk. About Eric."

"Of course, yes. Anything."

"Why did Eric hit you, Vessel?"

"I suggested that it would be good, in this life and next, to convert from his current religion."

"What happened, after?"

"I was calm, refused to hit him back, and he stormed out."

"And you didn't see him again?"

"I did not. My guards went after him, but I shouted at them to stop. I hate having guards, anyway."

"Okay."

"Is that all?" He asks.

"On the subject of Eric. That's everything."

"What else can I help with?"

"In exchange for peace, the ceasing of all persecution of my family, and support with finding Eric, I will marry you."

"Now, now. That is unexpected." He says, with a smile. "Almost suspiciously so."

"You can choose to be suspicious if you'd like. But I'm not waiting around for you to be paranoid."

"Of course. Any other terms?"

I nod.
"I want a separate room. Peace, when I would like it, too."

"That's fine. I'm not sure I would sleep well next to someone that wants me dead as much as you do, anyway."

"I would struggle to sleep next to someone I want dead, too." I reply, and he smiles.

"Oh, I'm really going to like you." He says, smiling.

"Do you have terms?" I ask him, and he thinks.

"Keep up the attitude, keep my days interesting. And I'd like you moved in as soon as possible."

"When's that?" I ask.

"I'll have all of your possessions collected tomorrow. Gives you a chance to pack."

"Tomorrow?!"

"Yes. But I won't organise the wedding. If you can't cope, living with me, then I want you to have the option to back out."

Wow. The first nice thing I've actually heard from him.

"You'll back out before I do." I say staring straight at him.

"Interesting. We'll see, won't we?"

I stand up, and sigh.
"I guess that's all."

"Have a good day. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

I nod, and leave.

I go home, and pack everything up. My mom is crying her eyes out, and my dad is silent.
"Why are you crying, mom?" I ask her, a little annoyed. It's me that's got to deal with him.

"I wanted you to marry for love. Break the nasty cycle of our society."

"I'm not interested in marrying for love. It's my choice. I see this choice being beneficial for everyone."