08.Jul.22, 03:48 AM
Quilriana sipped her cocoa and thought about what she was told. It seemed like a straightforward enough tale. Geric went to a party via a friend's invitation, met a woman, gave his brother's name, and accidentally got her pregnant. Still, there were so many questions. Why didn't he use his real name or even this Ullie fellow's name? Why didn't the girl drink the tea after, especially if she was trying to be married off? Why the random encounter to begin with? Geric didn't seem the sort and that had her wondering if he was trying to prove something to someone. She didn't ask any of those questions since they would no doubt upset Geric and she didn't want to add to his breakdown when she was trying to help him.
"Geric, if nothing else, you have to tell her your real name. Word will reach your brother soon enough and that will only create a bigger issue and put more focus on you." She knew he preferred to stay in the background and that he was happier bookbinding and forging his own path but once Gangleri caught wind of it, that would be the end of the solitude. Everyone would know about the lying brother that didn't want to raise his own son and Gangleri would be there throwing his disappointment onto Geric along with their parents. Yes, Geric had messed up but that didn't mean the world had to turn on him.
"What has she told her parents? Do they want you two to marry?" That would be a disaster. She was lucky that her parents matched her with a man she was able to love and create a good life together but this? Quilriana couldn't imagine such a union being a happy one on multiple levels. Her parents would probably have more of an issue with him being a Harper than a child out of wedlock. She reached over and placed one hand over Geric's and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We can take in the boy, Geric. If it's a choice between marriage or taking the child and letting her marry another without worry, we can raise him."
"Geric, if nothing else, you have to tell her your real name. Word will reach your brother soon enough and that will only create a bigger issue and put more focus on you." She knew he preferred to stay in the background and that he was happier bookbinding and forging his own path but once Gangleri caught wind of it, that would be the end of the solitude. Everyone would know about the lying brother that didn't want to raise his own son and Gangleri would be there throwing his disappointment onto Geric along with their parents. Yes, Geric had messed up but that didn't mean the world had to turn on him.
"What has she told her parents? Do they want you two to marry?" That would be a disaster. She was lucky that her parents matched her with a man she was able to love and create a good life together but this? Quilriana couldn't imagine such a union being a happy one on multiple levels. Her parents would probably have more of an issue with him being a Harper than a child out of wedlock. She reached over and placed one hand over Geric's and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We can take in the boy, Geric. If it's a choice between marriage or taking the child and letting her marry another without worry, we can raise him."