Meeting the family

As the door was pushed open, the sounds of the main room flooded out. 'It seems the party was already further along than I thought.' Looking around, I could most certainly see the factions formed around the room. Many little clumps of people were around the room, all crowded around their respective members of the family and with an almost theme amongst them. There was a gathering of people in holy garb, a gathering of people in leather armors, and lastly a group of stereotypical nobles.

"I forgot to mention," Norman said as he walked away. "My eldest daughter, Norma. Her congregation is the classic noble type." He nodded back to me as he went into the gathering.

I turned back to Oliver. "So, what does one usually do in these places?"

Oliver looked to me, "To be honest, I always just stood around and waited until something was announced or someone called me."

I chuckled, and was about to respond when a voice called out. "Ah, Mathew! I'm so glad you cloud make it!"

I glanced to see Millana approaching with Isabell in tow. I glanced back to Oliver, "It seems you had the right plan," he gave a chuckle as I turned back to Millana. "Yes, it would have been rude to refuse. It is nice to see you are doing well."

She gave a feminine chuckle. "All thanks to you, Mathew." She glanced to Oliver with a difficult to read expression. "And who is your companion here?"

I glanced to Oliver again and considered before answering. "A friend, one I met recently who has proven quite trustworthy."

"I see..." She seemed almost disappointed. Before I could get a proper read on her, she shook her head to regain her composure. "Well, it's so great you came! After I told father about you, he assured me he would prepare a proper reward! As well... It's nice to have my own guest here, I don't commonly gather a following as much as my siblings do." She twirled her hair, clearly putting on an act to appear cute. 'I see now. She's that kind of woman, the one that uses her looks to manipulate feeble minded men to do all the work for her. Let's see how she reacts to someone who can see the bigger picture.'

I tilted my head quizzically. "Your father told me you commonly refused followers." I could feel Oliver watching closely. 'I will show him I know how to handle anyone, regardless of our respective stations.'

She managed to maintain her composure this time. "Thats true, but mainly because I feel all of them looking at my body, seeing me as some toy for pleasure. It's just so unsettling, but I trust you. You're different from the rest, you truly are a saint."

I chuckled, "A saint? No, most certainly not. A saint would not have a closet full of skeletons."

That got her with a confused expression. Before she could respond, my timing proved correct as Norman tapped his glass to get everyone's attention. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming to this great occasion. I understand the reasons for this banquet are somewhat vague, but I shall clear it up now. We celebrate tonight, a man who has done a great favor to our family." He held his hand forward towards me, the crowds all turning to look where he was gesturing. "Mathew Kiegan, a priest who saved my youngest daughter from some bandits on her way home from the talks with the neighboring lands. I thank you, Mathew, and wish you a glorious future." I smirked, 'If only you could understand just what you have foreshadowed.'

I could feel the people's eyes upon me, but it did not make me panic. This was exactly what I had needed. I did a gracious bow. "Thank you, Baron Norman. It was my honor to help the lord of these lands." The people around murmured. I could get a general sense of their attitudes. The holy group was inquisitive as to my lord, as they would be of another priest. The ones in armor seemed to be considering my strength, and the man with me. The nobles were having some discussion I couldn't read. But all of them seemed to be interested about why I was with Millana.

Norman smiled to me, "Indeed. Now, you may all return to your activities." With that, he disappeared back into the crowd, and that left me with one major question in mind.