I won't give you some long explanation or apology. There's little to say. But here it is… The final chapter of Wagers, Anyone!

It was but two nights after the announcement of the official wager that King Jonathan yet again called for the attention of the mess hall.

"The Champion has finally finished counting the wagers, and Keladry of Mindelan has told her the winners of the bet. I ask that the winners keep Keladry's choice to his or herself if she wishes it. If I hear of any trouble for her as a result, be sure there will be consequences," the King warned.

Kel squirmed in her seat. The King didn't realize that just by having this bet she was being forced to tell her special someone what she felt for him prematurely. Still…

If that note really was written by Dom, there was the tiniest chance…

Alanna came up and stood next to him. "Will the following named please come see me before you eat? Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Marjorie's Peak!"

Raoul stood, grinning widely at Kel. She kept her face Yamani straight, embarrassed. He always had loved betting on her and winning. It hadn't surprised her when his slip had said Dom's name, but now he could lord this over her. Oh, was she ever looking forward to the teasing...

"I'll joust him till he dies," she muttered. Neal overheard and chuckled.

Alanna read another name. "Sir Nealan of Queenscove!"

Neal stood up, staring at Kel. "Which one? I bet at least twenty gold nobles!" he asked. Kel shook her head, but had to smile slightly. She couldn't say anything. Neal had actually bet on Dom? He must have bet on the entire palace for that to be true!

"And finally, King's Own Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle!"

Kel's eyes darted to and rested on the man standing on the other side of the hall. He looked extremely puzzled as he stared back at Kel, wondering.

Wolset stood up next to him, looking angry. The room was silent enough that Kel could hear him speak. "I thought you didn't place a bet!"

"I didn't…" Dom replied, still looking at Kel, puzzled. Her Yamani mask didn't let up at all, but just seeing those bright blue eyes searching her made her heart speed up.

"So, the three of you please come with me to collect your winnings, and Keladry, please come as well. The rest of you, enjoy your meal."

A voice shouted, "What, we don't even get to find out who it is?"

Kel glared at him. Alanna spoke for her. "No. Nobody finds out until Keladry of Mindelan is willing to tell without all the conservatives bashing on her like a pack of hounds!" she yelled. "Uh, sorry." She left the center of attention, letting King Jonathan take over.

Kel gulped. This was it. Either he wrote that note, or he didn't. Or maybe he wrote it as a joke… The horrifying thought put any part of her mind not panicking into panic. She wasn't sure what would happen then…

Neal, who was walking over towards Alanna beside her, shook her out of it.

"Don't worry. Nobody's going to tell anybody, or anything. All of us like you too much to spill the beans. You don't even have to tell me which one of my guesses was right if you don't want to."

"Thanks, Neal," Kel muttered, only slightly relieved. It was true – none of them would tell. But still, Dom... "But I think it's too late to keep a secret."

His look was quizzical. He didn't reply.

Alanna briskly led the four of them to a room where they couldn't be spied on. Raoul was grinning madly, still amused. Neal was simply going along, wondering why Kel was so anxious, and Dom was constantly questioning her with his eyes, which didn't help her nerves at all.

Finally they reached the room. Alanna locked it from the inside, and used her magic. Then, she broke into a wry smile.

"Somehow, Goldenlake, I'm not surprised you're here. Care to share the joke?" she asked dryly.

Raoul shook his head. "No. I just know Kel better than I thought I did. And I'm winning money off of her, again, as a result. She'll have paid for her squire days fully by the time she's done."

"How many bets did you place? I never saw your name, but I had help with the counting," Alanna asked again.

"Only one," he said, still grinning. Kel gave him a glare, but he only laughed it off. "Alright, Dom, ask your burning question already."

Dom glared lightly at Raoul as well. "You're impossible, Sir. How did I win? I didn't pay a single noble for this silly bet!"

Neal shook his head. "Dom, you? Not betting? What happened to your lack of honor? And here I thought you were a true nobleman. I don't believe it."

"Oh, quit the cousin squabble," Kel muttered.

"Fine. But for your information, Meathead," Dom began, winking at Kel, "I respect milady Kel too much to win money off her love interest. Oh, and because I knew she'd behead me if I did."

Kel was flushed, she knew it. "No doubt I would. I'm still considering impaling the other two on my jousting stick," she replied.

"Well, how did he win, Kel?" Alanna asked, trying to get back on topic.

Oh, no… This was it. Kel took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She couldn't bear to look at Dom as she spoke. "Actually, Dom… You didn't pay anything, but you still placed a bet. You didn't have to make your wager because you didn't put your name on it, just your guess. I recognized your handwriting easily. That's how you won. Unless it was Wolset playing a joke, you deserve to stand here as a winner as much as Sir Meathead and my immodest old former knightmaster."

"You recognized his writing?" Alanna asked.

Kel bit her lip. She still didn't dare to open her eyes. Still… Kel held up her hand. In it was a small folded up piece of paper, which she had been holding all along. "Here. Read it."

Alanna took the piece of paper and read it.

Mithros, please let it be me.

She remembered the words immediately. "You're sure this is Sergeant Domitan's handwriting?" Alanna asked.

"Ask him yourself."

Kel heard Alanna toss the little bit of paper to Dom, who caught it and opened it again. Raoul watched, amused, while Neal simply stared, wondering what on earth Dom had written on his anonymous bet.

Finally, Dom spoke. "Y-Yes… I wrote this. It's true. I guess I am a winner, then, but I didn't even pay for it. Just split it between Meathead and my Lord here. It wouldn't be fair of me to take more of the winnings than I deserve."

"Sure?" Alanna asked again. "Alright, then. Raoul, Neal, follow me, will you? Kel, Dom, you can go back to the mess if you want to."

They left. Kel still didn't dare open her eyes. Had that just happened? Had he actually said that? Did he admit to having written that one little bet? Was she dreaming?

"You can open your eyes now, Kel," Dom said quietly.

She shivered slightly, and obeyed.

He was grinning at her as he might when he was, yet again, flirting with her. But he wasn't flirting, and his eyes told a different story. They weren't dark blue, they were lighter. Brighter. It seemed to Kel that he looked happier than she had ever seen him before.

"It wasn't a joke?" Kel asked timidly.

He shook his head. "I-I was kind of hoping you wouldn't recognize my handwriting… But I'm glad you did. And you're not joking about me being a winner?"

"How could I possibly joke about that?" Kel asked, shaking slightly in anticipation. "I always had a bit of a crush on you, Dom… But… Owen caught me daydreaming not long ago, and guessed correctly that I was daydreaming about somebody whom I loved. I was thinking of you," she admitted shyly. "But I always thought you liked all the court ladies, and the flirting was just practice…"

"I never flirt unless I want to flirt, Lady Knight. You know, it's kind of funny. A similar thing happened to me a little while ago. I was daydreaming, and Wolset wondered which latest court lady it was. But it wasn't a court lady, I told him. Next thing I know, all the men are betting on my secret love, and then they're all disappointed and angry when your immodest old former knightmaster wins the bet. He knew I've been daydreaming about you, Kel, for a long time now."

"Dom… Why me?"

"Why not you? I'd go into detail, but then I'd sound as poetic as Meathead. Neither of us want that to happen." He winked at her again. She just smiled back blissfully.

"Definitely not," she replied. For a change, she let herself go by instinct and leapt towards him. He caught and held her warmly, kissing her cheek.

It was the start of a long and beautiful relationship.

.o0o.

Epilogue soon to come!