C8 A New Land II

For a swift moment, Eustace was dazed, taken aback by the question. Mel couldn't fail to notice it and she paled, wondering if she had offended the woman.

Eustace immediately shook her head, an odd expression Mel couldn't place on her features. Whether it was pity, relief, or surprise, the young woman couldn't tell.

"I don't know if I should be pleased or relieved about the fact that you do not know the answer to that question," Eustace eventually said.

Mel relaxed a bit, but still puzzled, she asked, "What do you mean?"

"Mel. I am afraid I am not in a position to answer that. Even if I did, I am not certain I would still tell you." She took Mel's hand in her slightly wrinkled one and gave her a soft, gentle squeeze. "It is not a mental burden you should carry. Just know that we won't blame you for the sins of your father."

Mel watched Eustace's hand. "But I am… I could have married someone else…"

Eustace sighed and averted her gaze. "It saddens me but you're right. My brother and I tried persuading my late husband and this was the most lenient "instruction" he could give." She swallowed. "We truly wish you no harm. And you shouldn't worry. Your husband-to-be is a very good man. He will take good care of you. We all will."

Mel's heart couldn't help but flutter at those last words. She was marrying a good man. If his own mother said so, then that must be true.

But…

"Why wait this long? I almost gave up. Thought you weren't coming," Mel whispered.

A fond smile graced Eustace's lips. "Well, my son was nervous to a long extent, plus he was busy taking over the clan after his father's passing. He wouldn't have been able to tend to you amidst all that."

Mel smiled, relieved. All those worries might have just been in her head after all. She looked up at Eustace. "But I am still curious and I would like to know, if you're not in the position to tell me, then is it…?"

Before Eustace could answer, they heard a few light taps on the body of the wooden carriage.

"Yes?" For some reason, Eustace's smile widened.

"The Lord has arrived."

Mel's heart thumped hard in her chest. The lord had to refer to her husband, right? Come to think of it, she had never even bothered to know his name. Eustace was a sweet woman, but would she be pleased to know that her daughter-in-law to be didn't even know her betrothed's name?

The carriage was still moving, or was he right outside riding with them? Mel clamped her hands on her thigh, nervous all of a sudden.

"Is he—" she dared to ask Eustace, pausing before continuing to speak. "Is he right outside?" her voice came out in a light squeak.

Eustace looked back at Mel. "No. It just means he and the men are back from hunting… We will get to his residence before him, don't you worry."

"I—pardon me for asking but… I don't want to assume your clan is small or anything, but I saw a considerable large number of people compared to the houses on land… and you have such mighty ships…"

Eustace relaxed in her seat and she beamed. "Majority of our settlements are underground."

Mel's eyes immediately grew wide and she tried to fathom how that could be.

Eustace continued, amused by Mel's surprise. "We have a few markets above ground, but even more down below. It is a beautiful sight down there, and most sections of some houses reside just beneath them. That explains the large spacing between each building."

Mel's mouth opened and closed several times, unable to properly get the words out. "I—I—I do not know what to say. That is beyond… how do you see in the dark—" She immediately shook her head, berating herself for such a foolish thought. Most creatures had night vision and the bear kin were no exception.

"Do not worry. We have light sources down there. In addition, the winters are heavy and harsh, so we usually hibernate or rest underground."

Mel felt the coat still around her. Come to think of it, it had been somewhat cooler than when she was in Urn. It hadn't occurred to her to take off her coat and Eustace hadn't bothered to ask her to remove it. She thought of Anna. Her maidservant had quickly become friends with a few others working under Eustace and she had gone ahead with the others to prepare Mel's new home.

Eustace regarded her warmly. "You will find everything you need here, Mel."

Mel hid a sheepish smile that was about to surface. It seemed she would still have some of the freedom she had at home and she would love to explore this new world. The underground dwellings of the Grime clan were something to look forward to.

She looked closely at Eustace. Aside from her tall height and immense build, she didn't look that much different from Mel. This led to an immediate thought of her husband. How big would he be? Would he be taller than his mother the same way Enmel was taller than his sister?

A discomforting wave came over Mel and she swallowed. "I apologize if I seem adequate. I learned what I could about Orion, but not about individual clans. My mother wouldn't give me such detailed knowledge—"

Eustace raised her hand and shook her head. "It's not a problem, Mel. It honestly saddens me you are more sheltered than I was told, but this is how it is in every nation. We know of each other's general traditions, but not too much of the ones precise to each clan. And you don't need to apologize for anything. Your mother was the one who told me herself that she had neglected to teach you anything after you came of age. It's us who should take the blame for taking this long to inform you about the union," she finished in a whisper.

Mel cast a nervous gaze at the window. Anything to look away from Eustace. Her mother had only given the woman the half-truth. Mel had never been serious with what she learned, even regarding lessons about her own clan. If she had been attentive enough, she would have remembered whatever was necessary even four years after.

"Well, here we are!" Eustace announced and the moment she finished those words, the carriage halted. She held Mel's hand, giving it a warm squeeze as the carriage door swung open.