That would be the count’s gentle way of saying why the hell did you kiss my Serah and beat up my future son-in-law and your best friend after you told me you had no feelings for her?

“Um . . .” Out of the corner of his eye, Kylar saw someone pass the window quickly, and a moment later, the old porter toddled after, looking upset.

The front door banged open. A moment later, the door to the dining room slammed open with such force that the dishes on the table rattled.

“Milord,” the porter protested.

Logan stormed into the room, red-eyed but regal. He held a claymore the size of Alitaera in his hand.

Kylar jumped to his feet, sending his chair crashing into the wall. He was pinned in a corner. Count Drake was rising, shouting something, but he was too slow. Nothing could stop Logan now.

Logan hefted the claymore. Kylar hefted a butter knife.

“I’m engaged!” Logan shouted. He swept Kylar into a massive hug.

By the time Logan released him, Kylar’s heart had started beating again. Count Drake collapsed into his chair in relief.

“You big bastard!” Kylar said. “Congratulations! I told you it would work, didn’t I?”

“Work?” Count Drake asked, recovering his voice.

Logan plowed forward, ignoring the count. “Well, you didn’t have to hit me so hard.”

“I had to convince her,” Kylar said.

“You nearly widowed her! I haven’t been beaten so badly since that fight in the arena.”

“Excuse me,” the count said. “Work? Convince her?”

They stopped and looked at the count guiltily. “Well,” Logan said, “Kylar said Serah really did love me and she only needed to be reminded, and . . .” he trailed off.

“Kylar, are you telling me your fight was staged? You made a fool of yourself in public, deceived my daughter, and traded her affections like a cheap trinket?”

“That’s not exactly . . .” He couldn’t match the count’s stare. “Yes, sir.”

“And you dragged Logan into this? Logan, who ought to know better?” the count asked.

“Yes, sir,” Kylar said. At least Logan was looking as pained as he felt.

The count looked from one of them to the other, then broke into a grin. “God bless you!” he said, sweeping Kylar into a hug.

After he released Kylar, Count Drake turned. There were tears in his eyes as he gripped Logan’s forearms, “And God bless you. Son.”

Lord General Agon stormed into the castle, flanked by his bodyguards. The day had already been long, and the sun had only been up three hours.

Seeing the look on his face, the men guarding doors in the castle made sure he didn’t have to wait for them to open. Servants quickly disappeared out of the halls.