Love is Worth Waiting for

Sunny had managed to keep the majority of his information shrouded in mystery, and now that he had Weaver's Mask on, the rest were safe.

Negotiations progressed smoothly, a lot of the things Morgan had chosen to discuss he already had an idea about beforehand. He didn't have to focus too much, not talking unless he needed to.

Morgan was smiling. She was evidently happy with his cooperation, he was happy with the opportunity she presented him too. However, what she said next truly surprised him.

"Now, as insurance for both sides, Valor would like to offer my hand in marriage." Sunny's expression underneath his mask cracked, and he took a few moments to compose himself.

'What? Why?' Logically it made sense, and the more he thought about it, the more he realised how important it was for it to happen. He had nothing to give Valor as collateral except for people.

It was the only way Valor was going to forge an agreement with him and was the turning point for a lot of his plans. There was one problem. 'But I'm the only person.' Sunny really didn't want to marry himself off.

Not only was he somewhat put off by Morgan, he also held someone else in his heart. Sunny thought of Nephis, and a twinge of many bitter emotions afflicted him. 

Sunny didn't know how to feel about Nephis anymore. He definitely loved her, but she didn't know him. He also felt guilty for what he had done towards her, and felt a mixture of emotions at what she had done to him.

Most of all, he felt empty. The gaping hole she had left in his heart plagued him constantly, but he knew she'd never remember.

Maybe he could develop a relationship with her once again, but he couldn't bring himself to. Nephis was everything to him, but he was nothing to her. All Sunny wanted to do was to stay away from her, knowing the immense pain it would bring him if he had to be around her when she didn't remember him.

He truly didn't feel he could ever love again, nor did he wish to try.

"Valor has made its choice, who do you intend to send forwards." Sunny's mood suddenly switched from melancholic to mortified as Morgan's question shocked him out of his reverie. He was wearing Weaver's Mask, the only truthful answer was nobody, but he couldn't say it.

Morgan silently stared at him as the pressure of his flaw built. He desperately tried to think of a way to avoid it, but he knew that not only could he physically not, but he couldn't afford to either. After a long pause he finally said, "We would like to send Saint Sunless."

'I really did it. sorry main body…' Back in the cafe, Sunny nearly fell, his eyes wide. Aiko gave him a strange look, but as he mentioned her paycheck, she suddenly wasn't very interested anymore.

Morgan gave him a wide smile, "Wonderful! where shall I hold the ceremony?" He stared bitterly at her enthusiastic reaction .

Sunny slunk back in his chair before disappearing into the shadows. He wanted to do nothing more than disappear, so he did.

His voice rang out again, seemingly from all directions. "You decide."

***

Morgan was overjoyed, she had successfully managed to form an alliance with the elusive Shadow Clan. They also were sincere enough to send one of their saints as collateral. 

The terms they had discussed involved the Shadow Clan participating in the domain war on Valor's side and the use of their citadel in Godgrave. There were a few more details about Valor's use of the Shadow Clan's resources and vice versa, but those were the main part.

The Shadow Clan had agreed to continue to support Valor after the domain war, although it wasn't much of a choice for them. Either way, once the war was won or lost, Anvil or Ki Song would rise to unrivaled power, and all would come under them.

Morgan was also happy for a different reason. Sunny had really grown on her during the week they interacted, he was especially dear to her.

She suspected that during her period of heightened emotions, the feelings she formed were equally as intense. As they weren't a part of her immediate emotions, they lingered even after the influence was gone. This was why she had an unnaturally strong attachment to the charming shopkeeper.

Morgan was still a bit conflicted with her emotions after finding out Sunny's true identity, but she knew one thing for sure.

Before he revealed his identity to her, she had managed to pry out that running a small cafe and memory store like this was his dream. He may have had another purpose in coming to Bastion, but his actions there were mainly driven by his dreams.

The polite and charming shopkeeper was his true unbridled self, and the fearsome saint was the persona he assumed when he had to fulfill his duties. He was a warm person at heart, but the world made him a cold killer.

The thought comforted her, because she had been enchanted by the charming master that ran a small cafe, and not the cold-blooded saint of the Shadow Clan.

'That side of him is enchanting in its own way.' Morgan was a true connoisseur of the blade, and somewhat of a cold-blooded warrior herself. 'I'm excited to spar with him.'

There weren't many saints she had the pleasure of sparring with, there were even less that of such a high caliber.

Morgan had deduced that Sunny was definitely important in the Shadow Clan, possibly even second only to the Lord of Shadows himself. This spoke volumes of his strength, because someone with just a utility aspect wouldn't rise that high in such a clan.

Overall, Morgan was very happy with the situation. The last thing she needed to do to seal Valor's relationship with the Shadow Clan, was to organise the marriage.

Morgan caught herself with an uncharacteristic grin on her face and pulled on her Anchor.

'What a lovely day.'