"Did you... just 'tsk' me?" Ria asked in confusion, bordering on anger. 

"No- of course not. That is just the most 'god-awful' thing to say to a man while asking for... assistance, and I offer you the best words I can give, and this is the thanks I get? I was just testing your wit - maybe you ought to consider having better taste," he shot back at her, attempting to hide the flush filling his cheeks.

"T-thank you, Sir Roth. I will do my best to improve your palette, " she said, following his honeyed words while biting her cheeks. This man was clearly a snake, but if he was willing to help her, anything was better than the great serpent she ran from.

"Glad to see you can take some advice." He pulled a small book from his front and nodded at her. He flipped through it, sketched something into it, then clasped it closed before shoving it into his pocket. "If we can come to an agreement and resolve that satisfies both parties, then we can proceed smoothly. It changes my original plans slightly, but it's better than revenge."  

"You... have an interesting way with words, Sir..." Ria responded, worry building. The paladin looked up at the tree, attempting to avoid looking at her face. 

"Some people would comment on it as having a playful personality."

"You just seem straight-up sassy to me." She fired back. His eyes widened before he roared in laughter and finally looked at her face.

"You're... quite lovely, Lady Ria. A charming little flower, to be sure. I think you're well-suited to me, what with such a daring and courageous spirit." He spun so his face hovered over hers, and her heart jumped out of her chest. He was so tall, and she had to look directly up to see his eyes, which were most captivating - like the ocean at dawn in the middle of the most treacherous storm with a spark of the sun at dawn specked inside them.

"Are you a wizard by any chance, sir?" She asked slowly, staring at his face with pure intercity. He cocked his head to the side, curiosity swarming in the eyes she was trying not to get lost within.

"Why do you ask?" He prodded. She swallowed deeply as the curls drooped down over his face and quickly wet her lips.

"Your face... does not seem real. That's all." She commented in full honestly. Garroth's eyes quickly widened before chuckling. He reached out for her hand and brought it up to his face for her to touch.

"Have no fear, my lady. It is of no fantasy." He smiled at her between her fingertips. Her face turned a brilliant shade of red, and she snatched her hand back. 

"Are you sure? Because that face is freaking fantastic." She blurted out before covering her mouth in embarrassment. "Just to get this out of the way... Are you a mercenary, bounty hunter, or the like, perchance?"

"I'm not an assassin!" He chuckled some more.

"Only an assassin would say that unprompted..." She replied confidently. 

"I guess I have no other choice but to take you up on your offer and give you a reprieve from your troubles as I ply you with finer adventures. " He bowed his head low before looking up, boring his eyes into hers - ending the previous conversation. She noted internally how he disliked sidetracked conversations and heaved a sigh.  

"What do you suggest then?" She inquired, wondering if his plans to help her follow her own plans of escape. A wide and wicked smile spread across his face as he held his hand to her.

"Why, my dear lady, nothing but matrimony." He whispered into her ear with his baritone voice, sending shivers across Ria's skin.

"If a paladin marries, they can no longer reside with the church..." She reminded him with caution. If she was going to land a hot man with the strength of a paladin, she was going to make sure he agreed to lock himself in with her by his own choice.

"You have no worries to give in that regard. I have worked enough that I have my own residence and staff and no longer in need of working in such a manner." 

"Then... why would you agree to marry me? I am a stranger with an unknown background."

"A beautiful lady with wit and courage. Desperation to live. A strong personality that doesn't back down - a bit foolish in my eyes, though."

"As if..." She scoffed. He smiled flatly in response. His eyes scared her a little with how emotionless they were. 

"I, too, am being forced to marry. The bride is an idiot who will get me killed and have someone else in control of me. I refuse to be controlled in any manner. But if I can take control of the matter by marrying, even in this type of circumstance - I will happily grasp the straws to have the conquest of my choosing." 

"But..." She glanced around, looked back at his straight face, and sighed. "Fine. I agree. Thank you for also agreeing to my madness."

"Good!" He clapped his hands together.

"I feel like choosing you will actually cause me more trouble than I'm hoping for..." She sighed. A smirk appeared on his lips, and his eyes were glowing with the reflection of the red setting sun. 

"Trouble attracts trouble, my lady..." He said as he reached for her hand and kissed her fingertips. She sucked in a breath, doing her best to hide the new blush spreading across her cheeks up to her ears. Garroth smiled wickedly in response.  "I hope you will find the company I have given you adequately.  I do have room for you in my own chambers."

"...And I really hope that the company you have given me becomes more than adequate, as I cannot continue my own life in the manner I would wish if I remain an object of amusement." She responded after some thought, ignoring his comment about his chambers for the time being. 

"Then may I have the honor of escorting you to the alter?" He held out his elbow to her, bowing and moving over to her with all the grace and charm of a man far above his station.

"The honor would be all mine..." She replied, winking at him and then curtsying before providing the edge of his elbow with her hand. 

They walked slowly, her heart racing even faster around the fire in his eyes. He held out a hand to her, a small object in the palm. "What could you be giving me?"

"A ring. A promise." He replied. She looked back up at him.

"How do you already have a ring...?" She asked, her voice filled with suspicion.

"Surprisingly, I went to the church for the same reason as you... to find my wife in escape." He said, waving his free hand. Shall we find the priest?"

Ria nodded slowly, trying hard to not look at his face any more than she should. It was distracting, to the point she almost forgot how he mentioned revenge earlier. How can a man be this damn pretty? They both stopped in front of the father's office and knocked. The door opened, and the holy man looked at them in surprise. 

"I have found my savior, Father. And he's agreed to help me," she opened with. The priest looked at Sir Roth in confusion.

"Are you sure, my lady? This knight had only just come to the church not long before yourself—I cannot verify his identity..." He rushed his words. Ria glanced at the man beside her, and he smiled at her with closed eyes and patted her hand. She frowned before turning to the holy man.

"I am sure, your grace." She confirmed. "I trust him, and my life is in his hands."

"I understand. What's his name?" the priest asked her, his eyes meeting Roth's once more to ask for his approval. Ria took a breath and gathered her thoughts before answering. She wished she had a smarter way to answer him, but she was determined to get this done and get this man under her authority, so she decided to face the music.

"Sir Roth is his name, father." She confirmed again, nodding at the man before her. He simply nodded in agreement and gestured for the two of them to enter.

"Fine, let us proceed to the commencement hall." He invited.