Growing Pains ~Cullen Romance~ Book 1

Secrets

Cullen's mom called him and his eyes grew wide when he seen Maric. "You have grown boy!" Maric said laughing and hugging Cullen. He was shocked to see the king in his house so late at night. Cullen didn't think he would have contact with Maric again.

"What can I help with my Majesty?" Maric laughed. "Please don't be so formal, you're still a hero to me. I will never forget that event two years ago! But I'm afraid I need to ask something drastic. And I can't afford for you to say no. I feel this is a huge burden upon anyone." Cullen looked confused but he knew this was huge. He heard his siblings come in the room and Maric stopped speaking.

"I can't tell you what is at stake right now. But I need your word that if you decide to help you won't back out." Maric looked around and none of them said anything. He watched Cullen look around and nobody spoke up.

Maric got down on his knees and looked up at Cullen. "I beg you Cullen. Please. I would have never came if I thought you wouldn't help." Maric pleaded. After a couple minutes Cullen spoke up. "Yes." Maric shot up and took Cullen's hands in his. "Thank you my boy. Thank you. Oh thank you."

Maric sat down on a nearby couch and everyone sat down around him. "Okay let me start from the beginning." Cullen and his family listened to Maric explain what happened to his daughter and how he raced over here. "I knew you were training to be a Templar and knew you were perfect. You saved Aryanna and I could tell she felt safe around you." He paused. "What I ask is if you will be the watcher of my daughter. Think of it as practice till The Order wants you. I can even put a good word in for you!"

Cullen looked shocked. He was a normal eleven year old. It was hard to take so much in. "It would ruin me entirely if my daughter was taken from me. I will truly be in you and your family's debt." Maric looked around and Sonyq looked deeply saddened. Maric spoke up. "If your son comes with me I can promise he will be safe. I will feed him, give him a good education, he will be happy, I can send money and he can visit once a month! I will treat him as my own."

He waited and watched the family think. "How bout this. I leave and come back in the morning for an answer. I truly hope you think hard about this." Maric spoke up. They nodded and Maric said his goodbyes and went back to the inn.

*******

Maric awoke to a knock at his door. "My king you have a visitor." Maric quickly got dressed and walked to the front of the inn. He seen Cullen and smiled. Cullen scratched the back of his head. "Yes. My family and I have agreed sir." Maric smiled and laughed loudly. "You are truly a magnificent man Cullen Rutherford. Come let's get you ready!"

They had gathered Cullen's things and said their goodbyes. Maric was very excited and knew he was going to keep his daughter. Along the way home Maric explained to Cullen his duties.

*******
It was mid day when they returned back to Denerim and Maric was ecstatic to give the good news. As they arrived Cullen seemed nervous. Maric put his hand on his shoulder and smiled at him to calm him. Maric called for servants to get Cullen's stuff and get a room ready in the royal hallway.

Cailan came rushing out holding Aryanna, yet shocked to see Cullen. Maric grabbed his daughter and ushered them into the den. He gave his daughter a kiss and set her down. Maric gave Cailan a run down while Cullen stepped away.

Cullen sat down in front of Aryanna and smiled. She smiled hugely and ran to her toy box in the back of the room. She came back with a stuffed Halla and handed it to him. He pretended to act shocked. "For me?" She nodded and hugged him tightly, Cullen hugged her back.

Maric looked over and smiled. "Cullen." He watched the young man instantly stand up. "Cailan has happily accepted your services. And it's official." Maric explained. "I am truly grateful you have decided to help my sister. Thank you!" Cailan exclamied. "To outsiders you will be Aryanna's bodyguard but to us you will be her templar. But even more a friend to our family."

Aryanna ran to Cullen and pulled on his pant legs. "Up!" And Cullen happily picked her up. She was small for a two year old he thought. "She's a sweetheart huh?" Cailan asked. Cullen smiled and nodded. Maric spoke up. "It's amazing how happy she is around you. It's a special bond, I knew even when you saved her. You truly make her feel safe I feel." Maric kissed his daughter's cheek. "Now how bout dinner?"