Chapter 94 Why do you keep pressuring me to get married?
“Our elven race has been cut off from the outside world for many years.” He looked at the distant forest.
“Your views should have changed long ago,” I said. “Hundreds of years ago, this place did belong to the elves, but hundreds of years later, with the arrival of other races, this continent has long been divided into several parts. The eastern border is occupied by the silver-haired race, the western border by the tall race, the southern border by the dark-skinned race, and the northern border by the white race. They are all different races, so why can they coexist on this land? Why can’t you?”
There are also orcs, giants, etc., but I didn't mention them because they are small races.
"Instead of dwelling on the fact that this land used to belong to the elves and therefore resolutely refusing to associate with them, we should consider how to coexist with them and then, through mutual checks and balances, maximize our own survival."
Recalling the history books I used to read, I couldn't help but say again: "Isolationism only leads to backwardness and being bullied. Utilizing the power of other countries to promote national development and adapting to change are the only ways to strengthen ourselves and survive better."
Then, without waiting to see if he understood or not, I left.
——
Three days later, he found me again. I was by the lake feeding the rainbow finches breadcrumbs.
He seems to have nothing to do and is quite idle every day.
"I've thought it through very carefully." His long, dark gray hair was neatly combed, his chin was clean-shaven, without a single stubble, and he was dressed in a magnificent white robe, looking very serious.
"What are you considering?" I asked, surprised, putting down the breadcrumbs—had I given him a choice before?
He suddenly stepped forward, presented me with an extremely beautiful rose ruby and diamond necklace that almost blinded me, and held it out to me. "I've decided to formally propose to you. I hope you will accept my proposal gift and become my wife."
I hurriedly took a step back. "Didn't I already reject you?"
“You need to reconsider,” he said.
I said hastily, and somewhat amusedly, "Don't even think about it, I definitely won't agree."
What's wrong with the people here? They're either forcing me to be a mistress or forcing me to get married. What's wrong with me being single? Does it bother them?
“I need a wife like you.” He took a step closer to me, and I took a step back. He smiled. “A brave, insightful wife, unlike any other woman we have here.”
"But why should I marry you?" I countered.
“Although I am not a king, I come from a top-tier noble family,” he smiled gently. “By marrying me, you will automatically gain noble status. Although I do not own an entire kingdom like a king, I do own a considerable amount of land on this continent. The deeds are in my name only, and I also have many private treasures, enough to allow you to live a life of luxury. I will not let you and your descendants suffer.”
Good heavens, they even thought about future generations!
He made me blush completely, this...this is just too much...
“I told you I don’t want to get married yet,” I stammered. “I, I don’t want to. I like being single and I enjoy being single.”
“I won’t restrict your freedom,” he said. “We can discuss whatever you want to do.”
"Can't I just stay single?" I pleaded.
He smiled slyly and mischievously, "No way, you'll be coveted wherever you go. It would be so unreasonable for a girl like you to be single."
They made me sound like a heartthrob, which made me feel embarrassed, so I had no choice but to flee in a fluster.
But the news of his marriage proposal spread, and from that day on, the clansmen treated me with utmost respect. I was extremely embarrassed and could only quickly avoid them.
That night, I sat alone in front of the cabin when Daio came to see me. He spoke in a sarcastic tone, saying that I had suddenly risen to a high position and become a phoenix. "No wonder you didn't agree to marry me. It turns out you had your eye on my uncle."
"I...I..."
I was about to say that I hadn't agreed yet, but Daio had already turned and left, leaving behind the words, "My uncle has three mistresses. Let's see how you compete for his favor."
I sat frozen in place.
Yes, how could I forget that men with even a little power and status here all have women? If they don't have wives, they definitely have mistresses and illegitimate children. Isn't that commonplace here?
I thought of Bernard and Mamboa again.
Do I really want to keep getting entangled with the men here? I haven't even sorted out the first two issues yet, and I don't want to fall into another emotional whirlpool.
I don't want a third one.
I had a sleepless night, and I got out of bed before dawn. I wandered outside for more than an hour, and after the sun rose, I wandered around for another half hour before arriving at the beach. I found Daio doing his morning exercise and told him directly that I was willing to be his wife and asked him if he would marry me.
Daio was startled by me. "Why are you suddenly willing to marry me?"
“You are a king, you have power and influence,” I said.
The reason is actually because—the gilded key was in his hands.
But Daio clearly hadn't expected this, and chuckled, "I'd be more than happy if you were willing to marry me."
And so, we decided to get married, just like it was a game.
The news quickly caused a sensation throughout the tribe: the king had just been married a few days ago, and now he was getting married again. But it was normal for the king to have two wives. After cheering loudly, they began to busy themselves with the preparations for the king's wedding.
"How many mistresses and illegitimate children do you have?" I asked Daio.
Daio just laughed, "Not a single one, I'm still young."
I had my doubts, but considering he was only a teenager, I thought it might be true. He should be more naive than those "worldly" older men, and since he was currently fleeing, he couldn't possibly have brought any mistresses with him; in other words, he "didn't have any."
The night before the wedding, I barely slept. Even if the wedding is simple, there are still things to do, like trying on dresses, shoes, jewelry, and hairstyles.
I was busy all night and couldn't get a break until almost dawn.
While the maids were having tea, I sneaked out to get some fresh air.
It was still dark, dewdrops clung to the green leaves, and the air was slightly cool. I pulled my thick scarf tighter around my neck.
"Do you think Daio is really right for you?" The voice of "Uncle" suddenly came from behind.
I froze, too afraid to turn around.
After I agreed to marry Daio, I avoided him at all times, not because I was afraid to see him again, but because I didn't want to explain my "change of heart".
I never expected him to be waiting for me here this morning.
He walked up to me, smiled slightly, and said, "I didn't expect to run into you here. I was just out for a stroll."
Nobody would believe that.
"Hello," I replied stiffly.
“You should marry a man who truly appreciates you and sees your good qualities,” he said.
“Daio saw my strengths,” I said.
“He’s still young and his mind is not yet settled,” he added.
I forced a smile. "I have to go. I'm getting married in a few hours."
"I'm getting married today too," he suddenly said.
I looked at him in astonishment; no one had told me about this.
He said, "This was originally intended as the second bride for Daio, who, like me, came from a top noble family and brought a generous dowry."
"Congratulations!" I said. This made me a little embarrassed, because I had married the king empty-handed.
"Congratulations to you too!" he said with a smile.
I left without looking back. To be precise, I ran away, and ran very fast—in a rather disheveled manner.
——
Soothing music played, and the priest offered blessings. Although it was a simple wedding, important procedures were still included, such as signing the marriage certificate in the presence of the priest.
I was wearing a heavy veil, so I couldn't see the groom's face at all.
When the marriage certificate was handed to me, I picked up the pen, about to sign my name, when I suddenly remembered that I only knew the language of the Eastern Territory where Bernot lived. I could read their books and quickly learned to write their characters. Perhaps it was because of my time with Bernot.
But I can't understand the words on the Elven marriage certificate at all.
The hand holding the pen froze in mid-air.
"What's wrong?" the priest asked me in a low voice.
“I only know the language of the Eastern Territory,” I replied.
The priest seemed to look at my groom, who said something in an almost inaudible voice. The priest immediately said to me, "Then let's use the Eastern script for the divination."
I felt something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it, so I signed my name anyway.
After signing the final document, I vaguely sensed that the groom beside me seemed subtly relaxed.
Suddenly it felt even stranger, but I still couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong.
After signing the marriage certificate, I was led back to a larger wooden house by two maids. The king's residence must have been larger and more luxurious than my previous house.
The entire house was covered with a red carpet, and the walls were covered with silver-blue wallpaper. Purple curtains fluttered in the wind in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a beautiful and elegant scene.
The bed was laid on the floor, with the mattress a few meters higher than the ground, gently enveloped by a deep blue canopy hanging from the ceiling.
Two maids helped me change out of my dress, removed the veil, closed the floor-to-ceiling windows, and then left.
I fell asleep in the soft rocking chair in front of the fireplace.
I don't know how long I slept, but when I woke up, the adobe fireplace was already lit to ward off the chill of the night.
Suddenly remembering something, he quickly rummaged through drawers and cabinets looking for it.
He searched every corner of the wardrobe, crawled under the bed, opened the mattress, turned over the pillows, and even found a piece of firewood to rummage through in the fireplace.
Just as I was getting into the search, a gold-plated key was suddenly handed to me, and I was dumbfounded.
Looking up, I saw my "uncle" dressed in a snow-white groom's robe.
His long, dark gray hair fell naturally over his shoulders, highlighting his striking features, making him look like a handsome man sculpted in ancient Rome.
I paused for a couple of seconds, not knowing that his long hair, which he usually kept tied up, would look so good when it was down.
"How...how did you get here?" I asked slowly.
This is my new house with Daio.
He didn't answer, but instead placed the gilded key in my palm, smiled, and asked, "Is this what you're looking for?"
I gripped the key tightly in my hand, and an absurd thought welled up in my mind.
He helped me up from the carpet and asked with a smile, "Aren't you tired of squatting for so long?"
I took a few steps away from him and stood close to the wall. "What are you doing here?"
He moved two steps closer to me, and I pressed myself even closer to the wall.
“You already guessed it, didn’t you?” He smiled gently.
Tears welled up in my eyes. Yes, I guessed it.
"Your behavior is a form of deception."
He and his nephew Daio switched identities and signed their names on the same marriage certificate as me.
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