Chapter 12: 12: The Proposition [3]
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I woke up from my power nap to the sound of a persistent knocking on the door. Groaning a little, I rolled out of bed and made my way to the entrance.
Opening the door, I found Sandra standing there in her classic red outfit.
"Master has summoned you for supper." She informed me, handing me an invitation to the dinner.
I followed her to the dining room, which was huge, probably bigger than some people's entire homes.
Letting out a sigh, I realised this was the moment of truth. I glanced at Ra's, who was seated at the head of the table, with Talia sitting next to him, all composed and collected.
There was a spread of food that looked like a feast from a mediaeval movie—some dishes steaming hot, others icy cold. Ra's looked at me as I walked in.
"Take a seat, Wayne." He said, pointing to a chair on his right. I didn't bother responding, just did what he said.
"Perhaps we should continue our discussion after the meal." Ra's proposed. "Let's not allow the food to grow cold."
I nodded in agreement and began to partake in the meal. The feast passed in an almost eerie silence, which only added to the awkwardness of the situation. Dining with them was a novel experience, with Sandra as the sole other presence in the room.
Eventually, after dessert was served, Sandra signalled for the servants to clear the table, leaving us to converse in private.
Ra's wiped his hands on a towel and turned his gaze toward me, his expression hopeful.
"I assume you have reached a decision." He ventured, holding his head high and waiting for my response.
I offered a smile and a nod. "Yes, I have."
Pausing briefly, I repeated to myself that this was the point of no return. No backing out now.
"I accept." I declared. Ra's lips curled into a satisfied smile, his smirk growing wider at my answer. "I accept the role of your successor."
"Marvelous." Ra's exclaimed, clapping his hands in approval.
"But I have a condition." My words abruptly halted his jubilation. Ra's furrowed his brows, and Talia mirrored the same expression.
"The fact that I've accepted your offer should stay within this room." I said, as this had been on my mind since Ra's presented his proposal.
Ra's leaned back, intrigued. He linked his fingers together, resting his hands on the table and focused those sharp eyes on me.
"Tell me Bruce, I'm curious about why you want to keep this a secret?"
"You have been on your mission for a perfect world for centuries and I believe you would give your everything to achieve it." I calmly answered. "But I doubt if I can expect the same from the other members of the League."
"You question their loyalty to the League?" Sandra questioned, almost sounding offended by my insinuation.
"I question their motives." I replied without taking my eyes off Ra's.
My intention wasn't to throw them under the bus or spark some internal chaos. I just needed Ra's to trust me more than the rest. I know I can earn his trust with time, but for now, a little push in the right direction would do the trick.
If I remember anything about Ra's al Ghul from my barely clinging comic knowledge is that he was paranoid just like Bruce.
"The world is shifting." I started, gaining the attention of both al Ghuls. "In my travels around the globe, I've seen people do things that were impossible before."
I stared at Ra's as I emphasised my point. "And I know you've seen it too."
Ra's nodded slowly, his face getting more serious. Of course, he'd know. For his mission, he's got to keep tabs on variables all around the world. And these days, metahumans are cropping up all over the place.
"People who don't understand the league's purpose will always stand against it and the only way for us to achieve the goal is by owning both sides of the board." I smirked as I finished.
If I knew Ra's as I do, he would do anything for the League and for his mission, so using it as a leverage against him is the perfect way to utilise him for my needs.
"I accept your condition, Bruce." He stated before adding. "I too have a condition of my own."
I blinked, and suddenly I remembered, 'Right, there's this whole other issue.'
"I have found a worthy successor in you." Ra's said pointing at me. "In doing so, I have found a worthy son-in-law." He shifted his finger to Talia.
My gaze landed on her, and she met my eyes with a kind of smile that I could easily find enticing. But I didn't show any reaction. That took her by surprise; she blinked a couple of times, looking a tad puzzled. Meanwhile, Ra's stood up.
"I ask your hand in marriage for my daughter, Bruce Wayne." He declared, pride evident in his eyes.
I rose, taking a deep breath. The next words I utter will either be accepted or shatter the carefully constructed equilibrium.
"Before I give my answer for this-." I glanced at Talia, who was looking at our interaction with gleaming interest. "I would like to speak with your daughter, alone."
Ra's scrutinized me for a moment before acquiescing. "Very well."
He pushed his chair back, motioning for Sandra to follow him. He began to depart but paused before exiting the room.
"I don't know how you reached that conclusion." Ra's said, making me raise an eyebrow. "But it's true that lately, some of the League's masters have been giving me reason to doubt their motives. One of them even challenged my authority."
"Who'd dare go against you, Master?" Sandra's fists clenched as she questioned, her tone almost outraged.
Ra's didn't answer her directly. Instead, he kept his eyes on me. "David Cain, also known as Orphan, has challenged you."
At the mention of that name, my eyes flicked over to Sandra. She seemed to tremble, her eyes betraying a hint of unease.
"He's called for a fight to the death. You've got six months to prepare." Ra's stated, pointing at Wu-san. "She'll be your trainer. Get ready for combat and show the masters you're worthy."
"I will." I nodded, and soon Ra's and Sandra left.
I turned my attention back to Talia, who was waiting expectantly for my words. Her brown eyes met my gray ones, and they were captivating, just as much as she was.
I coughed, breaking the silence that had stretched on a bit too long.
"Shall we?" I asked, motioning toward the balcony.
Talia nodded, and we headed that way. I walked out first and as the open space unfolded, I gazed up at the moon above the hill. It cast an enchanting glow over the ocean. I looked down as Talia joined me, and she came into view.
Her white dress fluttered in the wind, her long brown hair swaying with it. She stood confidently, though she was still a few inches shorter than me. Under the moonlight, she was perfect.
Resting against the wall, she regarded me with a mixture of enthusiasm and a hint of disapproval in her gaze.
"Do you not find me attractive, Mr. Wayne?" She inquired, getting straight to the point.
"Before I answer that, tell me something." I responded, not immediately giving her what she wanted. "Are you okay with this marriage?"
"I am." She said with conviction.
"And what is your reason for doing so?"
"I don't get it." She replied, a little confused.
"I'm asking, what is the reason for consenting to this marriage?" I explained clearly.
"Because my father said so." She said, without really seeing the flaw in her logic.
"That's what I was afraid of." I sighed, a touch of sadness creeping in. She looked at me, puzzled by my reaction.
This was the reason I'd been hesitant about agreeing to this match.
Talia al Ghul had been groomed to follow her dad's orders since day one. She never really had a childhood, never got to experience much beyond her father's mission. And all she cared about was making him happy.
She's like a puppet dancing to his tune, and for all her smarts, she doesn't even realise it.
"To answer your question, no, I find you very attractive." I replied with a charming smile, she gulped down as she blushed a little. "But finding someone just attractive is not enough of a reason to marry them, there are a lot of other aspects."
"Like what?" She asked, genuinely curious about the topic.
"First of all, likes, dislikes, ideals, motives, bondings." I sighed, that list was long and I wasn't planning on listing everything on it.
"Talia, a marriage without love is a recipe for a disaster." I concluded. "And love takes time."
"You don't believe in love at first sight?" She asked with a smile.
"No, I don't, maybe infatuation at first sight, but love? Love is built upon experiences." I explained.
"Love is like this palace." I said, opening my arms wide. "It can be strong or weak, it all depends on the material and foundation you use to build that love."
Talia went quiet for a moment, soaking in everything I'd said. I knew this was just a tiny chink in the armor of her father's influence, but it was a start.
"So what do you suggest?" She asked, breaking the silence.
"Well, in royal terms." I said, dropping down on one knee and extending my hand toward her. "I would like to get to know you better, so Ms.al Ghul, would you allow me to court you?"
Talia suppressed a chuckle as she observed me down on one knee. She extended her hand slowly, interlocking her fingers with mine. As I gradually rose to my feet, her laughter subsided.
"Sure, Mr.Wayne." She moved closer and leaned against me, her arms locked over my neck and her chest pressed against mine, she looked up into my eyes as her's shone with a glint of mischief. "If you think you can handle me."
A smirk crept onto my face as I met her gaze.
"I know I can, Ms.al Ghul."
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