-Thud!
With the final swing, the wooden sword slipped out of my hand. Twirling in the air, it landed at a distance.
Phew...
Gallias exhaled deeply at the sa mont.
...Who is your master? he asked, pointing the wooden sword at my bare neck.
Accepting my defeat, I slumped to the ground.
250 years of experience proved insurmountable. I had never encountered such skillful swordsmanship.
The last ti I felt up against a wall like this was long ago, when I fought with Adam Hyung.
...Our captain.
Gallias took another deep breath and sat beside , his expressions were far from pleased.
...Talent really is unfair. You, who have held a sword for barely ten years, have given this much trouble.
He glared at his own hand, clearly frustrated but not trying to make empty excuses for my benefit.
Nevertheless, I couldnt help but feel deflated.
Youve been holding back all this ti, so why...
I thought I could afford to hold back more. What has all my past years amounted to?
...
Is it because youve faced more life-or-death situations?
I offered no reply to Gallias words.
I didnt have the audacity to offer advice after losing the duel.
...
As I catch my breath in silence, Gallias lightly patted my back.
It was fun, vice-captain. Lets have another match if the opportunity arises. Who knows? I might even visit your village.
With that, Gallias cleanly concluded our encounter.
He seed like soone who thinks of nothing but the sword.
I nodded my head.
It was indeed a valuable experience. New techniques to emulate and perspectives to consider had erged.
Picking up his wooden sword, Gallias said,
And congratulations on your marriage. Arwin and...
And then, he closed his mouth abruptly.
...?
Live happily with Arwin, without any problems. Its easy to misunderstand her, but... shes a good person.
Soon after, he left with an unexpected piece of advice woven into his farewell.
...Thank you.
I accepted his parting words and watched Gallias retreating back.
****
Just like that, the day turned to evening.
The estate of Celebrien was quiet. Since it was a small, private wedding, there was no crowd gathered for spectating.
Perhaps the sowhat independent disposition of the elves also played a part.
Or maybe, from an elfs perspective, soone marrying a human wasnt necessarily a cause for celebration.
Regardless, every ti the elves saw , they expressed their gratitude for protecting the World Tree.
In any case, I head back to my temporary lodging to make final preparations.
-Knock, knock.
In the lodging, Ner sat quietly, gazing out the window.
Youre here, Berg?
Ner raised from her seat upon my arrival.
The wedding ceremony will be soon, wont it? I saw Arwin-nim earlier; she looked beautiful.
For so reason, her mood appeared elevated. Her expression wasnt bad, and her voice had a certain strength to it.
...
Perhaps I had been worrying too much.
Continuing to chat, Ner even approached to adjust my clothing.
Youve got sothing on you here.
...
Well be living with Arwin-nim from now on. Its exciting. Ill gain another close friend, right? Ah, but youre my first friend, Berg.
But as her words continued, an awkward tension beca evident.
Given that she usually didnt talk this way, the strangeness felt even more pronounced.
Curious, my eyes found her white tail.
...
As expected, her drooping tail was sweeping the floor
Ner seed to be straining herself, in her own way.
She wasnt expressing dissatisfaction, given that it was her own choice, but... she clearly had reservations about the polygamous situation.
Maybe it was more pronounced because she belonged to a werewolf tribe, traditionally inclined to love just one person.
A faint smile escaped my lips.
There was sothing poignant about her failing to hide her true feelings while pretending to be cheerful.
I kept realizing just how inept Ner was at disguising her emotions.
Unaware that Id caught on, she continued her faade of cheerfulness.
Ah, but I dont have to attend the wedding, right? That would be a bit weird... the main characters are you and Arwin-nim, after all
Ner.
...
Her mouth stopped at the sound of her na.
She couldnt et my eyes and looked at the floor instead.
I let out a long sigh, and flicked her nose upward.
Ugh...!
Startled by the playful gesture, she finally looked up at .
I chose not to bring up Arwin.
Is there anything you want to do once Im back?
Instead, I asked her about her future plans.
...Huh?
Like, is there sothing you want to eat, or sothing you want to learn, or a place youd like to visit?
Aside from the polygamy, Ner seed to have no qualms about being here.
She even wrote a diary just yesterday.
All of a sudden...?
Its not sudden... Ive been thinking about it.
I have been working on making so changes lately.
Ner herself had expressed feeling stifled. I couldnt let her suffocate like that.
I wanted to do sothing that would pique her interest.
Ners eyes rolled around, filled with uncertainty.
...I dont... really know.
Only now did her true emotions begin to surface, evident in the listlessness of her voice.
Take your ti. Think about it. Anything you want.
...Anything?
Yes. Anything.
...
Ner finally nodded her head.
The wedding ceremony was drawing near.
It was the mont when I would have to leave her behind.
We felt each others presence but maintained a silence.
I was unsure how to bring this to a close.
However, It was Ner who broke the silence.
...As I said yesterday, you dont have to feel sorry. Im fine.
Perhaps this was her way of indirectly saying that she didnt yet love .
But her drooping white tail seed to more accurately reflect her true feelings.
She said she was fine, but she didnt look like it.
Ner looked at and spoke.
It was my choice, wasnt it?
...
...But, Ill stay here anyway. Attending the wedding ceremony would be weird.
Hearing that, I let out a long sigh.
Worrying about it now wouldnt change anything.
What was done was done; I decided to accept it with a clear mind.
Alright. Got it. Just take it easy.
Okay. See you la
...
For a mont, Ner seed to forget that I wouldnt be coming back later.
Today, I would spend the night with Arwin.
I didnt feel the need to vocalize this fact aloud.
...No, lets see each other tomorrow.
Ner concluded as such, staring at the ground.
Almost as if guided by instinct, her perked-up ears turned toward .
...
-Shhh, shhh.
Just like last night, I gently stroked her hair.
If I were to think of her as Lady Blackwood, it would be inappropriate...but such formalities didnt matter to .
Because she was Ner, my wife, so I could do this.
Ners body flinched slightly.
However, she didnt push away.
A smile crossed my face.
After stroking her one last ti, I turned and left the room.
****
The wedding ceremony would take place in front of the World Tree.
Given our decision for a simple ceremony, only Adam Hyung and I attended from our side.
From the Celebrien side, only Ascal and Arwin would attend.
Whether we would go through a more complicated process following a human marriage ritual later on, we werent sure. But for now, we agreed to proceed in the Elf way.
Before the ceremony began, Adam Hyung and I had a brief conversation.
So, did you do well in the duel?
Hyung asked.
...Gallias?
Yes.
I lost. I dont think I could ever beat him with a sword, no matter how long I train.
At that, Hyung burst into laughter.
Hey, the fact that you even tried to win is hilarious. The man has devoted 250 years solely to the sword.
I shrugged my shoulders.
Looking up at the sky, I noticed the sunset.
Perhaps because it was the day of the wedding, even these trivial things seed worth rembering.
It was certain to beco a day to reminisce about in the distant future.
...Hyung, this is the last ti, I muttered, gazing at that sky.
Last ti for what?
...Taking a wife.
I could feel Hyungs gaze land on the side of my face. Slowly nodding his head, he chuckled and promised, Alright, I got it.
My gaze shifted back to the World Tree.
It was a simple ceremony, but getting married under this tree felt profoundly significant to .
Not everyone gets to marry here, after all.
Like the sunset I had seen earlier, it was going to be an unforgettable mont.
...Here they co, Adam Hyung whispered.
Turning my head, I saw two figures walking towards us, just as Hyung had said.
One was Ascal Celebrien, the elf elder.
Next to him was the woman who would beco my new wife.
Arwin Celebrien.
She approached, dressed in flowing attire.
We had never spoken even once before, yet here we were, about to be bound in a marriage.
Her beauty, befitting an elf, was evident. The more closely I looked, the more striking it beca.
Arwins gaze very slowly found mine.
Our eyes t.
...
...
This ti, she didnt look away. For a long while, our eyes remained locked.
At the sa mont, I was etching into my heart that this was the woman for whom I would be responsible for the rest of my life.
Even if there was no mutual affection between us, it was my duty to protect her now that she had beco my wife.
While I was lost in such thoughts, Ascal touched his forehead lightly as he greeted us.
Arwin followed suit, offering us her first greeting.
Both Adam Hyung and I slightly bowed our heads to accept the greeting.
Vice-captain, no...Berg, Ascal called out to .
How are you feeling?
Im fine.
Then he said with a kind smile.
Good. If theres anything uncomfortable, let know. The procedures might be simpler and more modest compared to those among humans, but they carry deep aning. On a day when youre becoming a couple, its important to proceed with the ceremony without any discomfort.
For a mont, I sensed the leisurely pace of the elves, as if they felt there was no rush to hold the ceremony.
Given that the ceremony was special even within their long lifespans...they must choose the best day for it.
Today, the weather is good, everything is good. Arwin, if you have any discomfort, speak up.
Arwin shook her head. Her eyes were still focused on .
None.
Very well. Lets proceed with the wedding ceremony.
Adam Hyung stood next to Ascal, following his lead.
The two of them agreed to oversee our ceremony.
Co stand facing each other.
Ascal directed the ceremony.
Following his instructions, I stood near the World Tree and looked at Arwin.
She continued to et my gaze.
Soon, the elf elder standing next to us reached into his robe and pulled out two fresh leaves as if conducting a ritual.
One leaf was handed to , the other to Arwin.
The leaf he handed radiated a warm heat.
Catching his eye at this curiosity, he spoke.
These are leaves from the World Tree. Hold the leaves youve both received in your right hands.
Briefly setting aside my wonder, I followed his instructions and placed the leaf in my hand.
Arwin did the sa.
It was as if we were exchanging these leaves, standing face to face.
Now, hold each others hands.
Following the procedure, I took Arwins right hand with my left.
Between our clasped hands was nestled the leaf from the World Tree.
Perhaps it was because the leaf from the World Tree was warm, but her hand felt even colder by contrast.
Arwin similarly placed her left hand over my right.
Maintain this posture until the ceremony concludes, Ascal advised.
Understood.
Arwin lightly nodded, as if she already knew.
Then, Ascal moved on to the next step.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke softly.
...Before the World Tree, the seeds of a new couple have been planted. Berg of the humans, and Arwin Celebrien of the elves.
Arwins clasped hand twitches nervously. Sensing this, I grip her hand even more firmly.
May this couple grow healthy and upright through the fertilizer of happiness and laughter. Berg, as the husband, you must be the root, and Arwin, as the wife, you must be the flower. May the fruits that co forth between the two soday make the world a better place.
I steady my heart, taking Ascals words to heart. I needed to understand that there was now another person I must cherish.
The two will beco a single entity, bound together in destiny. You both must vow to deeply love and cherish each other until death does you part.
Ascal then turned to .
Berg?
Yes.
Make your own vow to Arwin. The World Tree is watching, so no lies.
I looked up montarily at the World Tree.
Then my gaze fell back on Arwin.
Her eyes, cold and slightly downcast, et mine.
It was awkward, but this was part of the process, so I had to speak my vow.
... As long as I live, I vow to make you happy and to protect you.
I etched this vow, which felt unreal, into my heart. These were the things that one must naturally do when married.
Ascal nodded his head and turned to look at Arwin.
Arwin?
...
Its your turn.
...
For the first ti, Arwins gaze left . For a mont, she looked down at the ground.
Through our joined hands, I felt as if her emotions were being conveyed to . They seed far from happy.
Then Arwin spoke quietly, yet simply.
...I will live for you.
Ascal closed his eyes and began chanting sothing. His hand radiated a blue light, and a small magical circle filled with intricate runes materialized before him.
Recalling Ascals instructions to maintain our posture until the ceremony concluded, I stood still, focusing solely on Arwins eyes.
She did the sa.
She had avoided my gaze for days, but she didnt look away during this sacred mont.
...Whew.
Finally, Ascals incantation ca to an end.
He explained, The ceremony is now complete. The two of you are now husband and wife. You may let go of each others hands and inspect the leaves from the World Tree.
The ceremony concluded more easily than Id thought. Following Ascals instruction, I released Arwins cold hand.
My leaf, unlike when I first received it, had little tears here and there.
From now on, you can gauge each others conditions through these leaves. Depending on your partners mood or health, the leaf will also change.
According to him, the state of my leaf seed to reflect my physical condition. It had changed in response to the wear and tear from battles.
Now, its ti to exchange the leaves.
Ascal announced.
It was sowhat like our culture of exchanging rings, although decidedly more practical.
I handed my World Tree leaf to Arwin, and she gave hers.
...
I caught my breath for a mont as I observed the form of Arwins World Tree leaf.
It had withered, entirely dried up.
Even at a glance, she appeared to be struggling.
My eyes found Arwin.
Once again, she looked at with steady eyes.
But now, after seeing the leaf, her eyes seed lifeless.
Whether she was struggling because of this marriage or whether there was so issue before that, I couldnt tell.
...
What was certain was that a surge of compassion for her welled up within .
It might have been the leaf, looking as if it would crumble at any mont, that was the problem.
Or perhaps it was the coldness of her hand.
Though I didnt yet harbor any deep emotional attachnt to her, she was now my wife.
I didnt want to leave her in this deteriorating state.
But I buried those feelings deep within my chest.
I pretended not to have seen the leaf, tucking it away.
After all, there was nothing I could do right now.
I didnt even know why she was in such a state.
I looked up at the sky.
The sunset had faded, and darkness was setting in.
...Lets go inside, I suggested.
Adam Hyung and Ascal nodded.
Arwin also looked up at and, with a nod, turned away.
The End of The Chapter
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