Oddly enough Evard spared a glance toward his daughter before answering Acton's request.  Only at her slight nod did he give a long suffering sigh accompanied by a shrug as he stood up from the wide wooden desk.  "Very well, I have a few other matters to check in on ...." as he moved past toward the door he muttered something which sounded suspiciously like 'play nice' under his breath drawing a quick grin from Kali.  Apparently speaking under one's breath was a family trait.<br/><br/>Her head tilted upward as the wizard addressed her, his words causing her mouth to fall open slightly in shock.  Never, or at least not in the last six years, had another man been so terribly concerned with her thoughts and wants it was ... both disconcerting and lovely all at the same time.  Her tongue flicked out wetting her oddly dry lower lip. "I ... Warlock ... Acton .... I am not sure what it is you want me to say, so you'll have to forgive me if I ramble for a moment in an attempt to be perfectly clear. I was madly in love once.  Seventeen, engaged, blissfully happy with my life spread out before me in a pleasing arrangement.  Since then I have discovered that love, the love that people write sonnets and plays over, is a rather fleeting and fragile thing.  I am twenty three and have little need for romance and flattery, I am well aware of the many reasons that our marriage will be benifitial to everyone.  I will take your name, bear your children, manage your household and try to not be too much of a burden..." a faint self deprecating smile curved at her mouth.<br/><br/>"I do not require flowers and pretty speeches .... that said, well .. I meant it when I said it pleased me you were neither old nor ugly, you have shown an unexpected kindness in our dealings thus far, I am not ... adverse to there being more in our interactions than duty, but I beg that you not attempt to ... force it, and I shall repay in kind.  I much prefer honesty to artifice..."<br/><br/>