Liya knew that she had been spotted by the people she was running from. It was only a matter of days until they come to get her. It must be because of Yul the men outside hadn't yet made a move. Or maybe they were trying to verify something, like the presence of Inu. Anyway her peacetime was finally over. Liya now had two imminent threats in front of her. It was only a matter of choosing the lesser evil.
Liya needed protection, and a safe place to stay with Inu. Since she can't run away anymore, Yul Amarok was her best choice now. At least she can stay safely with Inu for the time being. As for what she saw in the vision, there was still time to deal with that. Staying alive is after all more important than anything else. And thus she was here, back in Poonj, where it all started.
Liya was staring at the rain through the glass and lost in her thoughts. By that time, Devin had kept some papers in front of Liya and had even brought coffee for both of them.
"So, I guess Miss Liya has made the decision. I must warn you that there won't be any going back, once you sign the marriage papers." Yul said while sipping the coffee that got served.
"As long as I can stay with Inu and you keep your word, I won't regret anything." Liya replied with determination. Unknown to Yul, she needed this marriage now, more than Yul.
"Fine then. Here is the itinerary. You two will register your marriage today itself and take some photographs tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, you will have the wedding at the 'Hill Palace'. And Liya will move in with Inu, the same day itself. You both will have to stay at 'Hill Palace' for two days, and then can move to your house in the town later." Devin explained as if it was some project meeting to both Liya and Yul.
Liya nodded at everything and agreed to the plans. But then she asked, "Can I ask something?"
"You can ask anything ma'am." It was Devin who replied to that.
"I have heard that the Amaroks are strict with their customs and rituals, following everything from the royal period. Then doesn't your family object to marrying a single mother like me?" Liya asked in doubt.
"Of course ma'am. There will be many objections if anyone knew, you have young master Yaniv's child and is now marrying master Yul. It will be a huge scandal too. That's why we have a plan beforehand." Devin said with a mischievous smile.
Liya looked with a confused face at Yul. Yul saw her and said, "If the elders in the family and public comes to know that Yaniv had a son out of wedlock, how do you think, they will react?"
Liya knew the answer to that question but she didn't reply to that. Yul slanted back in his chair and continued, "What you and Yaniv had with each other was your personal affair. But others won't be as tolerant as I am. Moreover, we want Inu to grow as an Amarok, and not as a fatherless child. Though we can't say he is Yaniv's son in public, he will have a father and family, when you marry me. And we will cover up for Inu's age by a story of secret marriage."
Liya was stunned at how meticulously Yul had planned everything. By this, Yul will get Inu to be recognised as his son and thus all respect and privileges will follow. On the other hand, he can also protect his brother's as well as his family's reputation. Liya was really impressed by Yul's long vision.
"Then what if I hadn't agreed to this? What was the plan?" Liya asked again as she was curious to find out what other plans they had prepared.
"Well ma'am, in such a case, we would surely take the child without you. Then the same story follows but with a different lady, of course." Devin replied with an awkward expression and then looked at Yul for some help.
Yul interfered by saying, "Well we were betting on the fact that since you never contacted us for anything until now, you were a person of good character. And that you will do anything for your son."
Now Liya was out of words to ask further. She got really worried on thinking how to get out this cunning fox's den in the future!
Seeing Liya had no more doubts, Devin passed an application form to her and asked her to sign it. It was the marriage registration form.
Liya looked at the form. Seeing that it was already filled and signed by Yul, she asked, "Don't we have to go the registration office?"
Devin smiled at Liya's naivety and said, "No, ma'am. I will handle the rest. You just need to sign and give me your documents."
Liya complied and signed the papers. She then gave her documents to Devin.
Yul watched her signing the papers and said, "From now on, you are my wife and daughter in law of the Amarok family. So every action and word of yours should be carefully chosen, so as to not harm the name and reputation of our family. I won't be lenient if you do anything to tarnish my family."
His words were more like a warning than information. Liya could expect that much from Yul. In order to save the reputation of his brother and family he chose to do something no man would do – marry the women who had a child with his brother. He was surely someone hard to understand but one thing was clear, he would do anything for his family. Liya looked at Yul and nodded at him in agreement. She had no objection as long she was not chained; she was a lonely soul to begin with.