The icy, snow-like fragrance continuously wafted into Fischer's nose. Arajina stood very close to Fischer, but aside from pushing him against the wall earlier, she hadn't made direct physical contact—only their mingling breaths connected them.
As expected, for Martha who desperately wanted Fischer to marry, any woman of appropriate age and decent looks would prompt her kind-hearted matchmaking. If Fischer hadn't coincidentally encountered Martha upon her return, she would likely have inquired about the lady's family background and occupation.
But Martha's well-intentioned enthusiasm backfired this ti, making Arajina realize Fischer had lied earlier. No wonder she'd been staring at him since their first eting—after confirming Fischer was the "child" Martha ntioned, she'd imdiately taken action.
With a sigh, Fischer admitted,
"I'm indeed unmarried. The talk about children was Martha's mistaken assumption... I only said that on the ship to avoid your persistent advances. That woman is my close friend."
Arajina leaned back slightly, her gaze falling on her hand resting against the wall rather than on Fischer, then explained,
"I... wasn't harassing you this ti. In my culture... we believe in directly pursuing n we admire. But unlike my mother, I respect your wishes."
Looking at the solemn-faced white-haired woman before him, Fischer suddenly wondered how she could say such embarrassing words with such seriousness.
Could it be... this woman had zero experience interacting with the opposite sex?
Absolutely none at all?
Glancing past her composed expression, Fischer noticed the ear hidden behind her white hair—the earlobe that had been slightly pink was now completely red, betraying her current nervousness and shyness.
"This necklace..." She looked down at the necklace in Fischer's hand, reaching out as if to take it but hesitating to touch him after his earlier words, leaving her hand suspended mid-air. "Was left by my father, ant to be given to a favored man as a token of affection. Fate placed it in your palm, proving both destiny and I are drawn to you."
"I know we're practically strangers, and I'm only initially attracted to your appearance. But later... when I'm no longer traveling, you should give a chance for us to freely get to know each other. You'll always have the right to refuse, and I won't pester you further—this necklace will be our witness."
Fischer was montarily stunned, then amused by her words.
"Miss Arajina, are you misunderstanding sothing?"
As Arajina studied the smile on Fischer's face in confusion, she failed to notice his movent.
Suddenly, Fischer grabbed her wrist with one hand while wrapping his other arm around her waist, spinning them so their positions reversed—now it was Arajina pinned against the wall.
"Thud..."
The woman who'd just been worried about harassing Fischer now found herself restrained by his grip on her wrist and waist. As his breath suddenly neared, she instinctively struggled, only to discover the man's frightening strength left her completely immobilized.
The Sarding Matriarchy tradition made being pinned by a man uncomfortable for Arajina—but only for a second. The sensation of being forcefully restrained by Fischer unexpectedly excited her, the inability to break free coloring her usually calm face a shade of cherry blossom pink.
"This is Nary, not the Sarding Matriarchy. I'm a Nary man, not one of your delicate countryn. Your words hold no threat to —they're more like a dish served for my enjoynt."
Fischer blew gently on her earlobe, watching the pink flush spread across her skin down to her neck. Her slightly taller fra softened against him, actually sliding partway down the wall until his arm around her waist caught her.
"..."
Though restrained, the excited Arajina vehently denied her feelings, stealing glances at Fischer's profile. Only now did she realize how different n outside her holand were from Sarding males.
Yet... she didn't dislike this feeling...
Seeing the speechless, even sowhat thrilled woman beneath him, Fischer gently released her. Coming to her senses, Arajina covered her chest as she stood up, avoiding Fischer's gaze.
"I only wanted to return this necklace as thanks for helping Martha, not to invite all these additional conditions and burdens... Now you decide—take it back or I'll discard it."
Fischer dangled the necklace, leaving the choice to Arajina.
"...I understand. This was my mistake."
After hesitating, Arajina accepted the necklace, carefully pocketing it as her expression gradually normalized.
Satisfied, Fischer nodded and turned toward the rental house first.
"If you want to romance n outside the Sarding Matriarchy, you should reconsider carefully..." His gentlemanly footsteps paused as he turned back with a deadpan expression:
"The difference between being on top and underneath is substantial."
"..."
The brief encounter seed to have profoundly impacted Arajina. Her lips parted as she pondered, failing to grasp Fischer's aning until he disappeared into the house, leaving her dazedly alone in the courtyard.
......
......
"Martha, how's your back? Did you get hurt from the fall?"
Returning ho, Fischer called for the elderly woman. Receiving no response, he found her sitting pensively by the kitchen stove when he investigated.
"Oh Fischer, I didn't hear you return—I was lost in thought... Has that lady left?"
Fischer nodded, relieved she wasn't clutching her back. "What's on your mind? Dinner plans?"
"Of course not! My daily nus are set when I wake up... Oh, I'm feeling quite guilty now..."
"Guilty?"
"Yes. Thinking carefully, I've been too pushy about you marrying and starting a family. You're such a catch—handso, high-status, with letters flooding my mailbox daily from admirers. But too many options can be overwhelming—maybe that's why you're still single at twenty-eight..."
"....."
"I regret telling that lady you're unmarried, especially after she showed interest. Then I rembered little Renée—it's so unfair to her! Though mischievous sotis, she's truly kind and lovely... Goodness, why am I the one agonizing over which lady suits you best?"
Martha tapped her cane, finding rits in every candidate—Arajina's stability promised dostic competence, while Renée's cheerfulness guaranteed a lively household.
"Now I understand your hesitation—you keep this difficult choice! I'll stick to planning als and card gas. But Fischer, you must take initiative! Like with my husband—though I fancied him painting below my window, had he not kissed first, we'd never have married and had two children!"
"Be proactive, and you'd surely have children by now, I'm certain!"
Sohow, the conversation had circled back!
Fischer smiled wryly. He wasn't passive—Raphaëlle proved that—though likely without producing offspring as Martha imagined, given the biological barriers between dragonkin and humans.
"I'll take initiative—when eting the right lady."
"Oh yes, the 'right lady'—but I can't choose for you anymore. Our generations differ too much—I prefer sunny, old-fashioned girls. Who knows what you youngsters fancy nowadays? The weirder the better, I shouldn't wonder."
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