Over the course of the next week, the two had subtly begun to grow closer to one another. Lon'qu's lessons had a rather unexpected and rapid leap in how close he allowed himself to get to Maribelle, physically at least. Emotionally, well, Lon'qu's heart kept pounding each and every time they held their session together.

When they were but a foot away, the swordsman was sure that she could hear the thudding. No woman nor battle had ever caused him to have this kind of anxiety, it lasted even after leaving Maribelle for the day. It was a sense of longing that occupied his thoughts day in and day out, it went so far as to affect his sword practice as well.

"Whenever you're ready, Lon'qu," Maribelle said, interrupting his thoughts. She was as patient as ever with him, more than he felt a woman should with someone like him.

Hesitantly, Lon'qu lifted his hand and moved it towards Maribelle. "R-Right…" Could he do it? Touch the woman who took him in to help him? These feelings felt like a betrayal of the trust the two had been building. Harboring feelings for a teacher, no matter the subject matter, was a recipe for disaster.

"You're almost there. Stay focused." And so he was. With a grunt, his hand met her cheek, sending what felt like electricity through his system. "Excellent! You finally managed to touch me, and with almost no simpering to boot." His calloused hand was in stark contrast to her soft cheek, the sheer difference in status easily noted in but a touch. "Mmm, your hand runs cool."

That remark almost made him collapse from shock, and he had to fumble out his next sentence, "Your cheek is… warm."

Once he pried his hand off of her cheek, Maribelle continued, "Let's break here for today, yes? Steadily decreasing the distance day by day seems to be working."

"I expected you to fill a tiger pit with women and push me in," The moment that left Lon'qu's mouth, he knew he was most likely the world's foremost idiot when it comes to women.

To her credit, Maribelle only smiled. "Gentlemen have likened me to many things before, Lon'qu, but never a sharp spike. Besides, you asked for a "normal" method. I think this one is quite reasonable."

Lon'qu ran the hand that, for but a moment, held her cheek though his hair. "It is. But we've been at it for so long, and I've only just managed to touch your cheek. I have taken so much of your time." The guilt from that set in rapidly, mixed with the shame for having fallen for her.

"Oh, pish! It's no bother at all!" The noblewoman continued to smile at him, and then immediately through him off guard. "Still, I suppose you have a point. Perhaps we ought to make arrangements for the long term, mmm?"

Lon'qu didn't dare to hope it meant what he thought it did. "Meaning…?"

"Well," Maribelle began, "I could continue to train you indefinitely if we were married."

"You have no obligation to do that," Lon'qu countered all too quickly. He did not wish to bring her down to his level just to continue teaching him these lessons.

"Gods, but you can be dreadfully dense at times. Do you think I would propose marriage out of a sense of obligation?"

"Er, no," Once more, Lon'qu felt as the expert on misreading women in the world.

"So then! We've now established how I feel about you, albeit somewhat painfully..." Lon'qu's face flushed in embarrassment, "Perhaps you would return the favor."

There was a brief pause before Lon'qu began, "I… feel something for you as well, though I do not have the words for it," Or, more accurately, he dared not say the words as though they were some damning curse, "I yearn to keep you safe in my arms until the breath leaves my body. And yet, I can barely touch you. It is shameful. I have no right to ask your hand."

The moment seemed to crystalized as his love spoke, "Oh, Lon'qu, there's no hurry. We have the rest of our lives! And you, my dear, are a catch worth waiting for." The anxiety that he had been feeling over the past few days seemed to dissipate with these words. The stress of having these words unspoken for so long seemed a distant memory.

"Perhaps we could practice one more time," Lon'qu smiled at Maribelle, "I would very much like to hold your hand as we walk to town. We will need a ring, after all."

"With you, my dear, I would walk anywhere. Now get those colds hands over here!" The two locked hands as they left Maribelle's manor towards the marketplace. And although the two remained a small distance from one another as they walked, with enough time, this gap would close.