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Overstaying Her Welcome (and loving every second of it)

Listening quietly to the conversation about what household tasks she would be in charge of, Eve smiled and nodded as she listened to each, committing them to memory. None were too difficult for the demon to perform, if anything it would give her some time alone to think in privacy, reflecting over her thoughts. The comments of the dresses she would just smile too, for she wasn’t familiar with each dress Alessia owned, for she had just briefly seen the close the night before, but was certain that the woman’s gowns were all extravagant. Her husband did seem to like pleasing her fine tastes.

Eve nodded swiftly to Marcus’ question and gave him a soft smile. “Yes everything should fit fine on a large horse. I don’t want to bring back everything I own, just the essentials.” Eve began to think about her undergarments, a few of her dresses and other garb, her chest, and perhaps some of the old books she enjoyed keeping around to read in her spare time. She had grown rather docile over the years, so the idea of being a trouble maker again was slowly warming up in her mind.

“I can leave whenever you wish me to Master Corwin, and I can walk along side your horse. I’m actually used to having long walks, and father’s manor isn’t that far from here.” She glanced around at Alessia and gave her a soft smile as well before sipping at the milk she’d been given with her meal. The look that had been passed between the two worried her, but she was confident that things would be alright. After finishing her milk, she set the glass upon the table and wiped her lips.
 
Marcus didn't spend a whole lot of money on himself so there was a lot left over for Alessia to spend on whatever she liked. Really, with how much Marcus made she wasn't spending all that much, especially since Marcus's business often allowed him to come by good deals. It paid to know a lot of merchants, and knowing them well enough to know when you were getting screwed on a deal.

Marcus was glad to hear it. He doubted her weight would change much for the large horse in the event they needed to make haste from Lord Byron's manor. Really, he figured that he was being far more paranoid than was necessary, but he preferred the option that didn't add unnecessary risk to his family. Of course, he was forgoing the safety of bringing a sword. But that was a good reason to watch out for Marcus. If you attacked him while he had a sword he was liable to wing you and knock your sword from your hand. If you came at him while he had no weapon he was liable to take your sword from you and make you regret your previous action.

"You don't have to walk, you can ride with me." He told her, finishing up the rest of his breakfast before standing up. He moved over to Alessia and gave her a little kiss. "Don't worry, your daughter will be in the most capable of hands." Alessia smiled at the comment. "I do hope you aren't expecting today's activities to come down to how capable you are with your hands." She added with a little smirk. "They aren't my only strong point." Marcus retorted before looking to Eve. "Ready to get going?" He asked.
 
Eve nodded slowly when Marcus mentioned that she could ride with him. "That sounds fine Master Corwin." She was used to being on a horse with a man, for it was something many did to woo her back before she had been won over by Byron. For some reason the thought of doing it with Marcus didn’t have the same allure. It was probably the fact that the couple always referred to her as their daughter. It didn’t matter though, she was intrigued by them and that was all that mattered.

The fair haired demon followed the human man out of the mansion and toward the stables. She smiled softly as they walked out in the sunlight, for it was a rather good day for a ride and she was enjoying the good weather. “Pardon me if I get scared, it’s been awhile since I rode.” She said in a soft voice as they walked to the stables. Glancing around at all the fine horses, the demon couldn’t help but think that some looked rather tasty, but kept her thoughts quiet. The animals weren’t disturbed by her presence, just a little nervous. Her scent was completely bathed in that of a human’s, so she blended in rather well. The fact that she appeared fully human also assisted her cause. Once Marcus was done readying the stallion, Eve admired the strong animal and smiled softly. “Did you pick him yourself Master Corwin?” she asked before staring at the horse’s beautiful coat.
 
Marcus was glad to hear that she wasn't going to be asking for her own horse. If they got attacked by bandits (an admittedly very rare occurrence for this region) or any other problems presented themselves it wouldn't have been able to keep up with the stallion. Which, of course, meant he'd probably have to kill whatever presented the problem. They weren't really carrying enough money to buy their way out of trouble.

He strode up to the stables and pushed open the door. As he walked down the line he examined a few of the horses. The servants certainly were taking care of them quite well. He noticed a few empty stalls which had probably gone to the carriage. When they reached the last stall on the right he gave Eve a little grin. "If you're not a little scared of this one you're crazy." He told her before looking up at that animal with the practiced hint of malice that told the beast it was either going to behave or be in for a very bad day. "No, a friend told me that the king's cavalry was going to be getting rid of a horse I might be interested in, I was dumb enough to listen to him, and I spent a couple of months trying to get this monster to behave. He still kicks just about anyone else. But he's gonna behave for you or I swear I'm gonna run him till he falls over dead, understand?" The last word was directed at the stallion. If he hadn't understood the content he understood the tone and came out of the stall like a perfect gentleman when Marcus lead him out. "Do you need any help?" He asked Eve, not sure if she could actually get onto the large animal.
 
Eve listened to Marcus mention that if she wasn’t scared she’d have to be crazy, and truth be told she knew that the stallion was a beast. She could see it in the animal’s eyes; Marcus’ story only confirmed it. But the truth of things was that she was a beast as well, just a different kind. Tilting her head a bit, she listened to the last of Marcus’ words addressed to the horse and couldn’t help but smirk. It was rather comical to see a human talking to an animal in that manner. The animal’s obedience pleased Eve; Marcus truly could oppress those against him it seemed.

That made him an even better candidate for her bargain.

Admiring the animal for a few moments, Eve turned her head when she was asked if she would need help. Indeed the animal was rather tall, but she’d been able to get up on horses of this height before. Shaking her head politely, she smiled up at Marcus. “No Master Corwin, if you mount I will only require your hand to get on myself.”

Once the man was up on the stallion, Eve hiked up her dress and placed her foot in the stirrup, exposing a bit of her leg. With a quick hop, she grabbed onto Marcus’ outstretched hand and quickly swung her leg over the animal’s back. Not caring that she was riding like a man, she smoothed her dress over the back of the animal and tucked her feet up close to her thighs. She was rather good at riding horses, but didn’t want to show off and ruin her innocent persona. Wrapping her hands around Marcus’ sides, the fair haired demon smiled at him sweetly before speaking. “I am ready to leave Master Corwin.”

They left the stables and soon were on their way to the estate that Lord Byron owned. It wasn’t that far away, for Eve had almost walked the whole distance the night before in the rain before Marcus had found her. The young woman’s eyes flicked around the road they were on, taking in all the sights. She really did enjoy going out and observing the world, Byron had kept her indoors for far too long. Eventually they arrived at the manor and stood in the courtyard upon the stallion. Eve easily slipped off of the horse and landed on her feet, appearing to be rather agile. She smiled up at Marcus and stepped aside so he could dismount before entering the manor.

They weren’t even at the door before they flew open. Byron ran out, clearly hysterical and immediately fell to his knees, pressing his frantic face to Eve’s belly. “I was so worried! You never came back Eve! Please don’t ever-“ his words were cut short when the man caught sight of Marcus. Byron was a good deal older than the younger man, and clearly knew that something else was amuck. He glared up at Eve before standing, dusting his vest and jacket. “Young Master Corwin I presume?” he said with a bit of venom in his voice. Clearly Byron wasn’t pleased with the fact that Marcus had been so close to Eve, and was doing his best to remain courteous. “Thank you for returning my daughter to me.” Byron’s eyes flicked down to Eve possessively before returning to Marcus. “How shall I compensate you for bringing back my naïve daughter? Appears she went out for a night walk last night and got lost in the storm. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for bringing me back my most prized treasure.” Clearly Marcus was going to have his hands full with this one.
 
Marcus considered himself a decently good judge of character. At the same time, he didn't see any more of a beast in her than he did in his own wife. It was his mistake, though one that he'd indulge in a little while longer. Eve was, after all, his innocent adopted daughter. The thought that she might have been anything other than a pure young girl had never crossed his mind. Well, at worst he suspected she might be after some of their money until he found out that she was lord Byron's daughter. Byron happened to have about twice as much money as the Corwins. Admittedly, in the man's twilight years, his capital was declining while the Corwin's was increasing.

Marcus gave Eve a hand up onto the stallion, catching a good bit of leg. He had to admit, the man that she pursued was a man to envy. He gave her a little smile before telling her simple. "Just so you know, this horse doesn't ever trot. It's a gallop or a sprint with this one. If it's tired after that you simply don't go anywhere till it's had a rest." With that he spurned the horse onward, and it took off like a lightning bolt.

When they reached Lord Byron's Estate he dismounted and helped her off. Marcus gave the man a little smile when he was noticed. "You must be Eve's father. It's a pleasure to meet you." He meant that when he first said it, extending his hand to the man, though admittedly, Marcus as the type to shake at the wrist with his best friend. It was force of habit to check for daggers. The nice thing about best friends is that you never actually expected you might find a dagger hidden up their sleeve. Marcus wasn't quite sure that Byron had an accurate grip on the situation at hand but he still answered him truthfully. "Give me a bit of your daughter's time. She's requested to serve as a lady in waiting to my wife and I think it'd do the girl well. It's no secret that she doesn't have a mother living with her. She could use a woman to learn from." Marcus would have killed a man for any number of reasons but lying wasn't in his nature.
 
Byron slowly shook Marcus’ hand, clearly no dagger up his sleeve. It was clear that the man did not carry a weapon, his pale complexion clearly demonstrated that he wasn’t much to go outdoors often. It also explained Eve’s rather pale appearance. Byron’s eyes widened when Marcus mentioned Eve studying to become his wife’s lady in waiting, and immediately turned to Eve, holding her wrists tightly as he shook her gently. “Is this true?! Do you wish to leave!? Will you come back!?” Clearly the man was crazed, hysterical almost. Eve’s eyes narrowed at Byron for a few moments before softening. She had to keep her guise up of being an innocent lady.

“Yes Father, it is true. I desire to study under Mistress Corwin to further my knowledge. I have come to gather my things, Father. It is true, I have no mother and Mistress Corwin has taken me in to be her daughter. I desire to further my knowledge, and I know that you will allow it. do not fret my Dearest Father, will come back to see you.” The last of what Eve said seemed to comfort Byron, a glaze almost going across his eyes. He nodded slowly and gently released her wrists, smiling to Marcus.

“I-I see...” he turned and grabbed Marcus’ hands once more, his grip firm. “Promise me you’ll have her write, and visit. Take care of her and remember to always, always indulge her.” There was something serious in Byron’s eyes, something that could be seen as obsession, authority, or pure concern for his ‘daughter’.
 
That was just how you thought when you made your money in a business that often involved having swords pointed at you. Well, initially. Once you got as good at it as Marcus was armed men tended to jump out of bushes into your path and then immediately realize that this was not, in fact, where the had left their horse, apologize for the inconvenience and leave you to your business.

He listened as the daughter and father talked. Some of what Eve said seemed a little off, not really the way that someone ought to talk to their father. Still, the fact that she promised to come back to see Lord Byron brought a smile to his face. He was glad to see that this seemed to ease the man's mind. Byron didn't seem the bad sort. He could see why people called the man crazy though. He wouldn't have doubted for a moment that that was the case. Still, any man who worried about his daughter couldn't be all bad.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure she writes often. I'll have a servant bring her letters over the day she writes them if she does so early enough. We'll also be by now and then to show you how she's progressing. I'll bring Alessia with us next time too. You should meet the woman that's going to be teaching your daughter." Really, Marcus wasn't sure whether that was a good idea or a bad idea all things considered, but it was a fair idea. Besides, most men enjoyed Alessia's company, whether or not they wanted their daughters emulating her. When told to indulge Eve her adoptive father smiled. "I'll spoil her as if she was my own daughter." He told the man. Eve wouldn't go wanting on his watch.
 
Byron was pleased with the thought of Marcus spoiling Eve, but not too greatly. Granted he knew that she had many needs that would have to be addressed, but he also didn’t want her getting treated better in the Corwin’s home than his. If that were the case, then it’s possible that he may lose Eve to them and he simply couldn’t have that. Nodding his head to Marcus, he spoke softly. “Bringing your wife would be excellent Mr. Corwin. I would love to meet the woman who will be instructing my daughter on how to be a proper woman.”

Eve was standing between the two men the entire time, watching them both with that innocent expression she had down so well. Once it appeared the exchange between the two was done, she turned to Byron and spoke softly to him. “Father, may we enter so I may pack my things? I’m sure you could entertain Master Corwin with the gallery or your hunting trophies.” Byron’s face suddenly glinted with excitement when Eve mentioned that, taking Marcus by the shoulder and escorting him inside.

“Yes yes come in Mr. Corwin! I simply must show you everything!” Byron immediately began to give Marcus a tour of his lavish manor while Eve detoured from their path and ascended the staircase. She quickly went to her bedchambers on the south wing and entered her room. After making sure that none of her things had been disturbed, she sighed with relief and began to go through her things. Quickly packing dresses and other clothing into a large sack, she continued to pilfer through her closet. Occasionally going to her dresser to grab a few articles of clothing, she also placed them into the sack.

Eve put her cosmetics, trinkets, and other trivial items into the small wood chest that was kept in a secret spot in her room. She knew that inside a secret compartment that only she knew how to get too that her secrets were securely locked away. Once she was done, she smiled letting the servants carry the bags down for her, but she kept the wood chest to her belly. They entered the room where Marcus was with Byron and politely interrupted the conversation. “I have my things ready to go Master Corwin.” She said politely before bowing her head to Byron, appearing to signal to her father that she would be leaving now.
 
Marcus would be seeing to all of her needs, but in return she'd be doing quite a bit of work around the house, doubly so since Alessia planned on teaching her both the normal things she'd need to know as a lady and Alessia's own personal tricks. "Perhaps next week after Eve has settled in. I'm certain that my wife is going to be working her hard until she's sure how much Eve already knows. I think she'll do quite fine though." He said confidently, Eve already seemed to have a good grasp of what she'd need to learn.

Marcus smiled when Eve suggested that the lord give him a tour. "Perhaps I'll have to come learn from you while your daughter learns from Alessia. I digress, I'm rubbish against any beast which doesn't walk on two legs and respond poorly to a well constructed taunt." He told Byron. It was true, Marcus wasn't a particularly good hunter. Then again, you can't be good at everything.

Marcus enjoyed the tour of the house. It was nice to get a little insight into Eve's upbringing. Byron had certainly lead an interesting life. When she returned he gave her a little smile. "My wife will be expecting us back soon." Marcus agreed, looking to Byron and extending his hand. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, sir. I'll take good care of your daughter, I promise you that." He said with a smile.
 
Byron immediately shook Marcus’ hand tightly, a wide smile on his face. “Just promise me you’ll take care of her and that you will bring her to visit. I understand that she needs to learn first from your wife.” The older man was rather excited but the thought of Marcus wanting to learn from him. It’d be like a trade off system, and that comforted the man’s trembling insecurities. Byron then held Eve tightly to him for what seemed like an eternity before releasing her. The girl smiled brightly to him then to Marcus, going outside as the servants carried the sacks of her things. Once they were firmly tied to the horse, Eve accepted Marcus’ help back onto the stallion and waved goodbye to Bryon. She seemed to be in higher spirits, and quickly went back to holding onto Marcus’ coat.

“That went much better than expected. I hope that you two had a decent conversation when I was packing.” She smiled sweetly at Marcus before resting her cheek against his back, staring at the countryside as they walked past it. Eve rather enjoyed going outside, she hadn’t been allowed too for quite some time.
 
He nodded as Byron shook his hand. "I'll bring her home often, and see that she writes home when visiting isn't an option." The man had a good firm grip that made Marcus wonder if he'd been a student of fencing as well. It was hard to disarm a man with a good grip unless you had the talent for it. Marcus smiled as he watched the nobleman embrace his daughter. The rumors of Byron being kind of crazy were shaping up to be totally false. Sure, a little rough around the edges but that was a perfect description of Marcus and Alessia as far as most of the local land owners were concerned. They probably just didn't get bumped up to crazy because they attended enough events that the other nobles had to worry about being overheard by them.

"Indeed we did. Your father is an interesting man." Marcus told Eve as they began home. They were probably going to miss lunch but that could be made up for by a big dinner. As she rested his cheek on his back he was reminded of how Alessia had done the same thing quite often in the past. Eve was certainly going to make a wonderful wife for some lucky man.
 
“I’m glad,” she said softly as her hazel eyes flicked across the country side. Part of her was worried that Byron had said something about her that would have made Marcus second guess her intentions, but it appeared that nothing had. Glancing up at him, she tightened her grip a bit around his waist as the horse’s speed increased. She knew that they had taken longer than expected and didn’t doubt that Marcus wanted to have an early dinner. Once they arrived back at the Corwin estate, Eve accepted the help dismounting and carried the wood chest into the house. After they greeted Alessia and told her that everything had gone well, Eve quickly excused herself to put things away before dinner.

After hanging her dresses in the closet and putting her other clothes into a drawer, she started to wash up and eyed the wooden chest she had carried with her. Deciding to not deal with it now, she shoved it underneath her bed and walked downstairs. Greeting Alessia and Marcus, she took her seat at the table and waited for dinner to be served, idly listening to them talk about trivial things.

She was growing rather fond of their company, and couldn’t help but wonder if she should handle them differently than she had with other humans in the past. They were after all rather kind and trusting, and had treated her rather well considering she was still a stranger. The young demon wouldn’t admit it, but her cold demure heart was slowly warming up and wanting a change of scenery.
 
Marcus never heard any such thing from Byron, otherwise he might have been a little bit more wary of his wife's latest lady in waiting. Marcus felt her arms tighten around his waist and smiled a little. It reminded him of going on rides with Alessia. Well, except for the part that he didn't expect this one to end at some secluded spot with just the two of them. Really, they'd pretty much been asking to get caught messing around when they were younger. Thankfully that was a scandal that had been avoided, not that many people would publicly call a couple a pair of sex fiends when the husband was known for his dueling prowess.

When they reached the house he helped Eve down from the horse and entered the house, greeting his wife before allowing their adopted daughter to tell her about their trip. Once it had ended he strode up to her, kissing her softly, though like usual the Corwins rarely had a kiss that began soft and ended the same way. When it was broken the two of them headed into the dining room, where their seats had been set so that, as before, Eve was on the side of Marcus opposite of Alessia.

Dinner was soon served. As usual, a good chunk of it was meat. Marcus wasn't really the type for fancy desserts from far off lands. Give him a few semi-expensive spices and a nice hunk of either beef or pork and he was a happy man. Still, the sides, mostly vegetables were just as well prepared as the main entree.
 
Eve ate the meat and vegetables before her, making sure that the servants gave her smaller portions. She savored the taste of the meat, wishing it was a bit rawer but that would rise suspicion. She happily spoke whenever she was addressed, and made sure to maintain her elegance as she ate. It was important for this guise to be kept up, especially if they were not deemed trustworthy to know what she really was and what she could do for them. Eventually Eve had her fill and say back in her chair, sipping at the wine that had been given to her. She smiled and idly chatted with her new caretakers and quickly memorized what Alessia had designated her to do for their home. Being stronger than a normal girl of her build, it didn’t bother her at all to do more strenuous tasks. It would actually probably do more good than harm to the demon; she hadn’t really been on a true hunt for quite some time. Perhaps she would sneak out once she got used to Marcus and Alessia’s night time schedules more.

Leaning forward on the table slowly, Eve spoke quietly once there was a pause in the conversation. “Master Corwin, I wanted to thank you again for escorting me to my father’s estate to get my goods. I am in your debt,” she said bowing her head before lifting it once more. “It means a great deal to me that you and Mistress Corwin have taken me in and provided me with food and shelter like this. I promise to hold my end of the bargain and do what is asked of me without complaint.” Her words were on the more formal side, but the couple would be able to feel the sincerity in Eve’s voice.
 
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