Chapter Text
The wind was biting, and it screamed against the carriage, making it rock even more so than the trail under it. Poppy could hear the horses becoming irritable, but it was not much further. Peeking out the curtains, she saw the y’all building looming overhead. It was not her first time here, but it was her first time being the sole representative of the Wilkes Family. Sighing, she let the curtain fall back into place and sat back.
“My lady?” Her lady in waiting, Erdene, looked over at her nervously, reaching out and placing her hand on top of Poppy’s. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Poppy breathed, and suddenly felt like her corset was way too tight. Her heart was hammering against her chest, and she could feel a cold sweat break out along her spine. “I am quite nervous.”
“My lady, you will do great!” She assured her, offering up an encouraging smile. “They can hardly refuse your generous offer. Especially any of the Clans.”
Poppy doubted that. While the Clans were below the royal families, their pride was like no other. She knew the Lang Clan was especially prideful in their numbers and independence. There was the Ma Family, who had just risen out of being a Clan, and while they’re family wasn’t nearly as ancient as the Wilkes or Balthuman’s, they weren’t any less impressive. Their silent confidence and impressive stability was nothing to laugh over.
The newest Clan in the territory was what Poppy was most anxious to see. They had settled on No Man’s lands to the east of the Wilkes property, and had grown at an astounding speed. She wasn’t quite sure where they came from, but there were rumors about their own war torn countries, many miles from here. The thought of that being her own people brought her great sadness. But, that was why they were here.
She heard her knights call on the drawbridge, and the rumbling of chains as it was let down. After a moment of waiting, the carriage began to move again. Poppy steeled herself from peeking out of the blinds again, and waited patiently until the carriage once again stopped.
The carriage driver opened the door, and Poppy took a deep breath as she took his offered hand and she stepped down.
The Castle of Syn, an ancient castle that had belonged to the first Family, stood as bleak and miserable as she remembered. It was in the middle of all the territories, and therefore had a fifty mile radius around the grounds that were to be unclaimed by any one Clan or Family. While there were few guards and maids, the place always seemed abandoned to Poppy.
Her knights took up position next to her as Erdene stepped out of the carriage, and together they entered the main entrance. Stone walls and stone floors held many ancient memories, and brought her no comfort as she heard her heels click as they made their way to the Gathering Hall.
Two men opened the solid stone doors, and they tumbled as it was forced open it what seemed like sometime. That was false, but they sounded as if it was strained to just swing open.
The Clans that were present stood as she entered. While they always had an abundance of Clans scattered through, she saw fewer and fewer each time a Gathering was called. She recognized some faces, but the two she was hoping for were indeed there.
Ma and Lang heads.
And no Balthumans.
Poppy breathed a bit easier.
Erdene stayed on her heels as Poppy moved swiftly to Shing Ma, the newly crowned head of the Ma family. He watched her with even eyes as she approached, and Poppy slowed as she neared.
She dipped her head in courtesy. “Shing Ma of the Ma Family. It is great to see you.”
The man dipped his head a tad lower than she had. “Poppylan Wilkes. I’m glad to see you in such character.”
Poppy stifled a huff, but smiled. “Thank you, my lord. Now, I’m sure you know as to why this Gathering was called…”
At this Shing Ma inhaled. “Indeed. But Lady Wilkes, I will have to decline any offer.”
Not a surprise. “And what do you think I will be offering, my lord?”
“I will not fight the Balthuman’s at this time,” Shing Ma said with such certainty that Poppy’s hope for convincing him deflated. “We are a new Family, and as a new Head of Family, the first thing I will not do is to send my people into a war until it is absolutely necessary. I do not agree with what Vincent Balthuman is doing, but I’m in no position to rise against him.”
Cause all his troops are focused on mine, and not yours, at the moment . Poppy bit back her comment, and dipped her head. “I hope peace will continue to thrive in your lands, Shing Ma.”
“And I hope you are victorious,” he said coolly back. Poppy thanked him and turned, waiting to be out of his sight before rubbing her temples.
“He’s… and interesting fellow,” Erdene murmured, rolling her eyes. “You would think a man of such renounced intelligence would understand that bringing our two Families together would be beneficial to all.”
“He knows that,” Poppy sighed. “He would be worried that I would try to take advantage of him, due to their Family being so young.”
“He is quite mistaken,” Erdene huffed, and Poppy smiled. True, Erdene was her Lady in Waiting, but Poppy considered her a friend. The best she ever had. They had nearly grown up together, and rarely were they separated.
“We still have Lang,” Poppy said, determination in her voice. “I think he will be easier to sway.”
Upon approaching Claude Lang, he coaxed out of her the exact arrangements of their possible alignment. Horses, cattle, food… And then Lang declined, stating that they were in the works of a treaty with Balthuman, where he would marry a daughter to be born.
Erdene was fuming as they walked away. “What a lousy, uneducated, despicable man…!”
“Very uneducated,” Poppy sighed. “He doesn’t realize Vincent vowed to never remarry after the death of his wife, leaving only the Crowned Prince as the sole heir.”
Erdene gaped at her. “My Lady…! And you did not see fit to tell him?”
“I need no man like that in my ranks,” Poppy shrugged.
As the night proceeded, Poppy mingled with the other lower Clans. Mom had many men to offer, but she did manage to receive some treaties. Not enough to give her a leg up, but she wouldn’t turn away any help she could get.
Poppy nibbled on her lip. While Shing Ma declining wasn’t surprising, Claude Lang was , in a sense. She figured the Clansman would have a better head on his shoulders, and she assumed that Balthuman wasn’t writing treaties, but just invading.
The heavy entrance doors swung open, and everyone looked in that direction. Even Poppy, suddenly worried it would be Vincent Balthuman.
It was… two men she had never seen. They wore thick cloaks, and while they’re clothing didn’t scream a Family Head or Clan Leader, their air of authority was just the same.
“Who are those two…?” Poppy questioned out loud.
“Should we go introduce you?” Erdene added. They did end up approaching them soon after, since a few curious people went and made conversation.
They appeared the same age, a tad older than Poppy. One’s hair was a shocking blue color. Poppy had never seen anything like it. Was it a wig? It couldn’t possibly be natural. The other one was shorter, but he seemed to do most of the serious talking. His hair was curly, and his face was kind.
Finally, in a break of conversation, Poppy approached. Her skirts swirled around her legs as she came to a halt, and the two men instantly bowed. Clansmen .
“I’m Poppylan Wilkes, is the Wilkes Family,” she stated. “I was curious as to who you two were…?”
“I’m Gyu, of the Taiga Clan,” the curly haired one said, straightening. “It is an honor to finally meet you, Lady Wilkes.”
“Goliath, of the Taiga Clan,” the blue haired one said, a cocky smile on his face. “So you’re the Lady whose fightin’ back against the Balthuman Family?”
Poppy blinked in surprise. She wasn’t quite used to how relaxed he spoke, as if they had known each other years, not just a few moments. Erdene and her could talk in a much relaxed tone when they were alone, but would never dare speak like that in front of others.
“Please show some respect, sir,” Erdene said haughtily.
“What-“ Goliath was cut off by an elbow in his ribs by Gyu.
“My apologies, My Lady,” Gyu said, smiling nervously. “My partner here was never… raised, I guess you could say, in a society like this one.” Goliath huffed, looking away almost irritatedly.
“No apology necessary,” Poppy assured. “I must say, I’ve been wanting to meet someone from Taiga Clan. Is the Head of your clan…?”
“He regrettably could not make it,” Gyu sighed. “But, I assure you, he trusts me in every matter. Goliath is his brother, as well, and the Captain of our troops.”
Poppy took a moment to seize Goliath up more thoroughly. His cloak hid a lot, but she could see the thick shoulders, and muscular forearms. There was also a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and Poppy’s father always claimed that was a good trait for a man of battle to have.
“Is your leader like his brother?” Poppy joked lightly, smiling.
Goliath smirked, and Gyu couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Much quieter, thankfully,”
“What a relief,” Erdene said, none too quietly. Poppy gave her a look, but Erdene gave a slight shoulder shrug. You know it’s true .
“Have you made any treaties, by chance?” Poppy ventured. While the Clan was fairly hush hush and new, it seemed common knowledge by word of mouth that the Taiga Clan despised the Balthuman Family. But Poppy wasn’t going to make assumptions, especially right to their faces.
Goliath and Gyu both seemed to perk up at the word, and stood straighter. “No, my Lady, we have not. We were coming to this Gathering in hopes of maybe forming one.”
“Forming any, or with anyone in particular?”
“Our leader definitely has a Family in mind,” Gyu mused. Poppy has seen this before. Playing around the topic, and it seemed to be a man thing. She, for one, didn’t like this game. She had seen her late fiancé drag them out, and she detested it.
“Is it the Wilkes Family, by chance?” Poppy asked, smiling.
Gyu blinked, and let out a light chuckle. “You see through me, my Lady. It is indeed the Wilkes Family. Our Leader has taken a liking to how you are meeting the Balthuman’s head on, Esther than cowering like most of the Clans and Family.”
“I don’t have much of an option,” Poppy stated. “They’ve been killing my men and trying to take my ancestral lands.”
“He’s more impressed with how you’re the only Wilkes left, and yet you’ve stepped up without hesitation,” Gyu pointed out. “He finds it quite admirable.”
Poppy tried not to let the praise go to her head. It was her duty, and therefore there was no other option for her to do so.
The night proceeded, with food and drinks. By the time it was time to make the journey home, Poppy had agreed to a meeting with the Taiga Clan leader, and invited them to her home in six days' time. Gyu accepted, and they rode out as soon as it was decided.
“Are you quite sure?” Erdene asked as they had settled back into the carriage. “You didn’t even meet the leader. What if they try something when they come into the Wilkes lands while most of our troops are out to battle?”
“At some point we have to trust someone ,” Poppy sighed. All the other carriages were unmoved, so she assumed all the other leaders and Head were spending the night in the gods awful castle. “And I’m at that point. I need an ally, and I need more troops. The Taiga Clan is my best bet at the moment.”
In the morning, Poppy sent a messenger back to the castle with the news of the Taiga Clan coming for treaty arrangements, and to have the castle and grounds prepped for visitors.
They arrived home the following morning, where a Taiga messenger arrived an hour after her. The man was stocky, with muscular arms. He had the same build as Goliath, but a tad shorter. He was absolutely filthy, and the maids were fussing over his appearance as Poppy hurried down the stairs.
“Lady Poppylan!” He maids bowed, and the messenger glanced up and quickly bowed in return.
“Lady Poppylan,” the man said, and Poppy had to make sure her mouth didn’t fall open as he pushed his hood back to reveal pink hair. How did these men change their hair colors? He straightened, and Poppy made sure to look him in the face rather than his unusual hair. “I’m Damien, of the Taiga Clan. I have a message from my leader.”
He stuck the letter out, and Erdene stepped forward to take it. Poppy noted the blush on his face at the sight of her Lady in Waiting, but Poppy was much more focused on the letter.
“Thank you, Damien,” Poppy said. And then, to the maids, “They can show you to your room and bring you some food, and I’ll also make sure your horse is taken to the stables. If you intend to stay, that is.”
“I would be most grateful, my Lady,” Damien said, and she could see the exhaustion on his face. “The rest of the men should be here in a couple of days.”
Poppy blinked. “... a couple of days?”
“Y-yes,” Damien said hesitantly. “I believe he addressed it in the letter, my Lady.”
At that, Poppy excused herself and started towards the study. Erdene seemed to be buzzing with excitement as she followed her. The woman had come around to the fact that the Taiga Clan was coming, seeking more rumors and answers about the Clan. She seemed to have liked what she heard, and therefore assisted in the preparation of their arrival.
The smell of old books and leather hit her as she opened the doors. Her father had spent a lot of time in here, and she remembered playing on the large carpet in front of the desk as a young girl. She smiled at the sight of a stain in the corner of the carpet, that she had made by sneaking candies in there. Her father helped her try and clean it, and then put a vase over it in an attempt to hide the evidence from her mother. After her father died and she became the new Head of the Family, Poppy had moved that vase back to its original spot.
She sat behind the desk, and Erdene leaned against the side as Poppy broke the wax seal - a gold colored wax with a frontal view of a Tiger Face, clashed swords above its head - and unfolded the letter.
Poppylan Wilkes,
I am sending a letter in regards to the upcoming possible treaty. My men were already gathered, so we were able to set out the very same day Gyu arrived with your answer. We will be there two days ahead of your invitation. Please excuse me, and I hope that it doesn’t make you feel rushed. I’m looking forward to meeting the Head of the Wilkes Family.
Tora, of the Taiga Clan
Poppy let Erdene read the letter, and she couldn’t help but chuckle. “And here I was thinking he was sending a list of conditions.”
“Me, as well,” Erdene agreed as she placed the letter down. “Instead he’s apologizing for arriving so soon.”
Poppy tapped her chin with one finger, standing. She wandered over to the large window in the study, looking out of the poppy garden, and the fields of the land beyond. She was quite excited to see what the man was like.
***
The day arrived, with one of her messengers announcing the Taiga Clan was just hours away. The castle was abuzz, preparing a feast for the visitors, preparing rooms for those that would stay in the castle, and the rest staying in tents along the side of the castle.
Erdene did the finishing touches to Poppy’s hair, bringing some curls over her shoulders. Her gown was her family colors, black and red. The main parts of the dress a deep crimson red, and the trim and her sleeves black. While she loved the look it gave her - one of elegance and power - it was probably one of her more uncomfortable. Hopefully Tora would be okay with a quick introduction, and then they could start talks of alliances and treaties tomorrow.
But of course, things never go as planned.
The Taiga Clan arrived just after midday. Poppy watched as they arrived from the second story window, since Erdene insisted that she make a grand entrance upon their arrival. If she would really stick to that plan or not… that was another matter.
She watched as the Clan wound their way down the main path, and was quite surprised to see them all on horseback. Was all his men on horseback? Troops on horseback were much more valuable than on foot. Then again, no wonder they had arrived here so quickly.
“Erdene, I simply cannot wait,” Poppy said to her Lady in Waiting, and dashed to the stairs before the woman could stop her. She let out a giggle as she heard Erdene string out curses. A steward opened the main doors for her, so she could step out and greet the Clan properly. Damien was standing at the base of the stairs, seemingly excited to see his friends again.
Poppy spotted Gyu, to the left of the one leading. Goliath was to the right. And in the middle…
The horse alone was a beast, and the rider seemed to match. Not in some feral way, but one of power. The man was huge, and had the most gorgeous long black hair, which was swept up into a half ponytail. His eyes were the same, strange color of Goliath’s, a golden topaz. Even at this distance she could see them clearly.
They all came to a halt at the base of the stairs, where Damien stepped forward to take the man’s reins. The man, who she could only assume was Tora, dismounted, and gave a nod to the younger man.
Gyu and Goliath also dismounted, and all the horses seemed thankful for the rest. The men then bowed to her, and Poppy instantly gestured for them to rise. While it was customary at Gatherings, Poppy always felt strange about being bowed to singularly.
“Lady Poppylan,” Gyu greeted, straightening along with the others. “May I introduce you to Tora, the leader of the Taiga Clan.”
Poppy had started her descent down the stairs as Gyu talked, and stopped a yard or two away. Tora was tall . Perhaps the tallest man Poppy had been in the presence of. And he was much more intimidating up close.
“It’s wonderful to meet you in person, sir,” Poppy said, offering a smile.
“Pleasure is all mine,” Tora said, stepping forward. Poppy had to steel herself from taking a step back, and just merely tilted her head back so she could look up, meeting his gaze. Whatever he was searching for, he seemed to find it. “I’ve heard of your army’s feats against the Balthuman Family. It’s most… impressive.”
After the introductions concluded, she assured food would be ready soon, and the maids and butlers would show them to the rooms.
“What do you think, Erdene?” Poppy asked, as they made it to the poppy gardens. Poppy had left them to their own devices, and to rest and clean up for dinner later.
“They all look quite fearsome,” Erdene mused, picking up a poppy flower that had broken. “I think they would make very essential allies.”
“As do I,” Poppy agreed. Hopefully their demands are within my power . They may be Poppy’s last hope. She sighed, wishing she could take the dress off. Maybe she could get Erdene to redo the laces in the back and on her corset so she could breathe…
The door to the garden swung open, and the two women jumped at the sudden sound of it hitting the wall. Goliath flinched, and offered an embarrassed smile. “My apologies. I wasn’t expecting it to swing so easily.”
“N-No need,” Poppy assured, trying to slow her heart beat. She didn’t realize she was so on edge about the Taiga Clan being there. Not that she was worried about them doing anything, but more she wanted to present someone who knew what they were doing.
Tora stopped out behind his brother, giving him a look, and then looked at the women. Poppy felt pinned under those eyes, and she always felt like he was studying her in depth. She wasn’t sure if in a good way or bad.
“Are your rooms not to your liking?” Poppy questioned.
“They are!” Goliath assured. “My brother here was wondering if you’d give us a tour, My Lady.”
“My apologies, I did tell the maids to show you around the castle - “
“Of the grounds,” Tora clarified. He had taken off his traveling cloak, and Poppy could see the way his shirt clung to his shoulders. She averted her eyes, feeling a blush creep up her neck.
Poppy usually would’ve left something so small to the maids, but she wanted to talk to Tora more. At some point, Erdene and Goliath had fallen behind them as Poppy took the lead, Tora on her heel. She showed them the rest of the poppy gardens, and the starting of their orchard, the green house, the courtyard. The entire time Tora mostly kept quiet, and nearly every time Poppy looked to him, the Taiga leader was already staring at her. Erdene and Goliath seemed to be making jabs at each other behind them, but Poppy ignored them as best she could.
At the very last, they visited the stables. With the sudden abundance of horses, most of the Wilkes horses were put in the pasture. They were still situating all the horses, giving clean feed and stalls, but they were making quick work of it.
“Oh, this is your horse, correct?” Poppy stopped, walking over to the large buckskin horse. Tora nodded, reaching up and petting the velvet nose.
“Best listener I’ve come across,” Tora smiled softly as the horse snorted. Poppy giggled, and she noted Tora looked down at her as she did so. He offered a hand. “Would you like to pet her?”
Poppy nodded excitedly, and gingerly put her hand in Tora’s. He raised their hands up to place them between the mare’s eyes, and she neighed softly, before pulling her head away.
“Not the most affectionate, it seems,” Poppy chuckled, dropping her hand. She did faintly notice how warm her hand was now.
“Not at all,” Tora grinned, and Poppy literally had to turn away before he could see how red her face became. The way he looked when he smiled . Even she didn’t feel so succumbed when she had been engaged. Maybe she had been so focused on the war she didn’t think if she felt lonely.
Seeming to think they were looking at the stables more than paying attention to her, Poppy made sure to check the horses as discreetly as she could. They seemed very healthy and taken care of, which was a huge sign for her. Healthy horses meant strong horses, and their owners took care of the beasts.
“We pride ourselves on our horses.” Poppy jumped at Tora’s voice right beside her. He was smirking, and Poppy knew she had been caught.
“I’m sure you’ve been surveying my home,” Poppy tried to gather back her thoughts quickly. “So we have been sizing each other up.”
“Correct,” Tora said, and they started back to where it seemed Erdene and Goliath had gotten into some kind of argument.
“I don’t think your Lady in Waiting thinks of my brother in high regards,” Tora mused lightly, and Poppy would’ve tried to deny that fact, if it had not been for Erdene wagging her finger in the blue haired man’s face as he laughed.
“She’s very outspoken, compared to other Ladies in Waiting,” Poppy agreed bashfully. “She means well.”
“My brother is a pain, so it’s not offending me,” Tora said, seemingly to put her at ease. Which it did, since she wanted to make sure this treaty went as smoothly as possible.
“Shall we head back? You two must be tired,” Poppy asked. Tora agreed, and they made their way back to the castle.
Before dinner, Poppy made sure to have Erdene loosen her dress, and Poppy sighed gratefully. She would actually have room to eat now.
The dining hall was packed to the brim, the smells of meats and potatoes and spices wafting about the hall. The wine was brought out, and the clansmen seemed to be most appreciative.
As the Head of the Family, she sat at the table in the front. While it wasn’t preferred to her, it was expected. She usually chose to dine with just Erdene and herself in the smaller dining area, but that wasn’t possible for tonight.
The table had been arranged so her chair sat middle, with the largest back etched in intricate designs. Her counselor, Gil, sat to her left, and dipped his head as she stepped up on the platform.
“My Lady,” he said. A butler pulled her chair out for her, and she sat. To the right of her, Poppy had made a few seats. She wasn’t sure if Goliath and Gyu would be joining Tora or not, so she felt it was better safe than sorry.
Tora joined them momentarily, along with Goliath and Gyu. Tora sat next to Poppy after bowing. He had changed, into a nicer tunic of black and deep orange. He had washed his hair, and if Poppy thought it was beautiful before…
Dinner went by mostly uneventful. Even Tora seemed quieter than earlier. She was afraid that maybe he didn’t want a big feast, and maybe just some time to recover from the journey. It was too late now, but his men did seem to appreciate the food.
Once dinner was starting to calm down, all the food eaten, and some stragglers going off to their rooms, Poppy decided to retire for the night as well. She made sure to tell the three men at her table if they needed anything, they could ask for her or for Gil.
Erdene helped her get the dress off, and Poppy sighed, itching her back. The end of the day when she got to take off her dresses and corsets was the best part of her day lately.
“Well, I must say,” Erdene grinned mischievously. “Tora seemed to be quite taken with you.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Poppy raised her brow in the mirror at her friend. She was taking the pins out of her hair from the day, and her hair fell all the way down her back.
“The way he was looking at you, Poppy!” Erdene laughed. “You didn’t notice?” She didn’t admit she had seen the fleeting glances, but she took them more for getting to know her or, if he was impressed as he said about her withstanding the Balthuman’s, a look of admiration. But taken with her?
“You’re mistaken,” Poppy insisted. “We have just met. He just… admires.”
“Mhm,” Erdene said, and Poppy knew she still didn’t agree. Once her hair was down and everything for bed was ready, Poppy sent Erdene to get some sleep. She seemed exhausted from the day’s events, and seemed happy to be able to go retire.
Poppy ventured to her window, and saw the Taiga camp alight with torches still. If she listened close, she could hear the faint rumbling of voices and laughter. It seemed for them the party had only begun. Shaking her head, and smiling, Poppy went to go lay down.
And turned. And tossed. It seemed like hours later Poppy sat up, seemingly still not unwound from the day's events. Slipping out of bed, she grabbed her plush red robe and pulled it on. Tying it tightly across the middle, she lit a candle before venturing out down the hall.
A butler and a maid saw her, made sure she didn’t need anything, and went on their way. The halls were still dimly lit, a torch lit every three cresset. She had always felt at home in these walls, and she could probably walk throughout the castle with her eyes closed and never be lost.
At long last she made it to the study, and left the door cracked a bit, just in case someone was to come looking for her. Sitting down at the desk, Poppy lit the other candles with her own, and grabbed the ink and quill, along with a sheet of parchment.
If I can’t sleep, I should get along with treaty preparations .
Poppy dipped her quill in ink, and just as she was about to start writing someone cleared their throat. She managed to freeze her hand, so she didn’t mess up the blank page, and looked up.
Tora stood, still in his attire from dinner, and was leaning against the door frame, arms crossed. His eyes were trained on her, and Poppy suddenly felt embarrassed.
It’s your castle, don’t be embarrassed .
Poppy placed her quill back in the well and straightened. “Tora, do you need help with something?”
“Just… curious,” he said slowly, still studying her. She lifted a brow, and almost asked him what he was so curious about, when he continued. “I thought you would be in bed for the evening.”
“Sleep evades me,” she sighed, and motioned to the paper with her hand. “So, I decided to try and get started on treaty points I’d like to discuss.”
At that, his eyes lit up, and he straightened as he started walking over. Poppy watched as he fetched a spare chair, and placed it on the other side of the desk from her (with her nod of permission) and sat.
“It’s blank,” he said bluntly.
“I was just about to start.”
“Do you… wish to just discuss it, and we can write down some agreed upon terms?” Tora asked, leaning back in the chair, as if getting comfortable.
Poppy wasn’t entirely sure on the matter, but it would’ve felt rude to deny him. Besides, it was a treaty between the Taiga Clan and the Wilkes Family. It only seemed fitting they would discuss it together now. She preferred to get her thoughts on paper, so she could read them and decide if it was the best course of action before presenting it to the intended.
“Well, for one, I am willing to give you a bit of land that lies on the borders between us,” Poppy started. “And horses, if you so desire. Along with cattle. I’m also willing to feed your men as our harvest was bountiful this year….”
Tora listened as she talked, and she was becoming nervous. He was silent, and had yet to make a demand or change and amount she stated. Was it not good enough for him? Was he regretting coming all the way out -
“There’s one thing,” he said slowly when she finished. Poppy looked at him, waiting for him to finish. He seemed to be struggling to find the correct words, and at one point it seemed he gave up. “I would like to unite the Taiga Clan and the Wilkes Family.”
Poppy stared at him dumbly. “... unite?”
“As in marriage,” he said. Poppy still stared at him, and he sighed. “I have a marriage proposition. For you, my Lady.”