Chapter 20: Marriage (4)

Chapter 20: Marriage (4)

Ner and I sat at the head table of the feast, observing the joyous and lively crowd of humans and werewolves enjoying themselves.

Laughter and blessings continued to pour toward us.

We both responded to those cheers without much enthusiasm.

Getting married felt strange.

It still didn't feel real.

Ner Blackwood sitting next to me was now my lifelong companion.

Now, she was someone who should be cherished more than anyone else.

...Right now, it feels so awkward, but I suppose we will grow closer over time.

I wasnt sure either.

Ner sat with her tail tucked, resting her hands on her thighs.

This beautiful werewolf woman seemed even more reserved in her chair.

Looking at her, I had various thoughts.

After our marriage, Ner and I didn't share any significant conversations.

Silence persisted between us.

My lack of conversation skills contributed to it, and Ner Blackwood seemed frightened.

I didnt dare to try to get closer right away.

We had decades ahead of us.

But surely, some kind of interaction would be necessary before that.

Soon, the celebration, whether short or long, would come to an end.

As we couldn't have a grand feast, the food quickly disappeared.

Soon, we would have to engage in battle with the monsters, so everyone showed restraint in drinking.

Gibson seemed to have the same thought as he approached us.

Berg, Ner.

Ner trembled at Gibson's call. Being right next to her, I noticed her every small gesture and movement.

Gibson spoke to us in that manner.

Lets go for the soul binding.

We were approaching the final step of marriage before the first night.

****

A group of people guided us to a small forest within the Blackwood Territory.

Gibson and Ner's brothers, werewolf soldiers, Adam Hyung and Baron, uur honcho team soldiers surrounded us as our escorts.

I walked one step ahead of Ner, and she followed slowly behind me.

When I turned my head slightly, I caught sight of her tail.

I didn't know the exact meaning behind her tail's movements, but I heard that when it was tucked, it signified melancholy.

She seemed melancholic now.

"Please, come this way."

Gidon led us to the entrance of the forest.

It was the time to resolve the conflicts from yesterday's skirmish and today's marriage.

Since I had accepted his warning in the first place, there was no reason to fight anymore.

The entrance of the forest, guided by Gidon, was shrouded in darkness as the night grew deeper.

Baron instinctively handed me a sword.

I also put the sword on my waist and finish my preparations.

In the forest, you never know what will appear or what problems will arise. However, the two of you can resolve the situation through dialogue, kneel in front of the tree you have decided on together, and make another vow while looking at the moon.

Gibson slowly explained to us about the Werewolfs Soul binding once again.

Even as I listened to his explanation, my attention kept shifting to Ner by my side.

Was it because she was my wife now? I couldn't help but be concerned about her mood.

If you have any doubts, Ner will explain it to you.

Gibson's explanation came to an end like that.

I nodded my head and turned to Ner.

Then, I extended my hand to her and spoke.

Lets go.

Ner alternated her gaze between my hand and my face before slowly reaching out her hand.

The girl held my fingertips very lightly.

But that was enough.

I took the steps toward the forest, and she followed me.

.

.

.

We moved inward step by step.

The light began to fade away, hastening its pace and swiftly vanishing, concealing any remnants.

The moon took its place.

Soon, the surroundings grew so dark that nothing could be seen.

Thud.

Uh.

Something caught my foot, and I momentarily lost my balance.

I let go of Ner Blackwood's hand.

"Are you okay?"

When I turned back to her, a yellow glow shimmered in the darkness.

As a result, the beauty of her eyes became more prominent.

I had momentarily forgotten that the werewolves people were not affected by darkness.

Even in the slum, it was quite difficult to fight the werewolves people because of that feature.

I'm fine.

For the first time, I spoke to her casually.

Since she had bypassed them, it couldn't be said that their souls were bound.

Ner was feeling complex emotions.

She was still afraid of Berg, but he had never performed any actions that would cause fear.

She had not yet witnessed any cruelty, strictness, or belittling of women from him.

He spoke with polite words.

Of course, the situation in which he would go on a rampage hadnt happened in the first place.

If he became her husband, and immediately reveal his true nature like flipping his palms and starting treating her as he pleases and playing with her That would break the alliance between Red Flames and Blackwood.

It was said that even in a long-term relationship, one discovers unknown aspects.

It was unknown how well he was hiding his true self.

So she didnt foolishly let go of her guard against him from the beginning.

...There were still challenges ahead.

Once this soul-binding ceremony was over, the first night awaited.

The moment would come when she must offer her purity to him.

Berg already knew that fact, so she didnt even know why he was this calm.

.

When Ner thought about the first night, tears welled up in her eyes already.

She didn't know how many screams she would let out or how much she would cry.

She was also afraid of seeing the side of Berg that he had been hiding.

She didn't want to give herself to a stranger like him, not her destined partner.

Nevertheless, there was a glimmer of hope.

When it came time to kiss, she remembered Berg's hesitation.

He was the one who pretended to kiss and only touched her nose.

She didn't know if such an expression of affection existed in human culture, but for Ner, it was much easier to bear than a kiss.

But if by any chance he was pretending and adjusting himself to her preferences.

If there was no expression of affection like touching noses, and even that was a considerate action towards her.

...It created an opportunity to somehow get through the first night.

Ner had to infuse all her hope into that possibility.

Ner briefly opened her eyes and glanced to the side.

Berg, with a resolute expression, still had his eyes closed, holding her hands.

Ner didn't believe that serious demeanor.

She had already heard it before.

There was no way she would live with this person for the rest of her life.

Ner turned her eyes back to the sky.

She saw her friend, the bright moon.

She pondered for a moment on what she could vow or wish for in the future.

She didn't need much time.

Ner wished for the one thing she desired most at the present moment.

I hope I can come back here again.

.

.

.

After the ritual ended, Berg stood up from his seat.

Ner also stood up, following him.

Her mind was completely focused on the next step.

The first night.

A heavy sense of oppression weighed her down.

The ring on her left ring finger felt uncomfortable.

Lets go back.

But it was something that could not be postponed. Ner said that and turned her body around.

"Just a moment."

And at that moment, Berg pulled out his sword.

Ner was momentarily startled and collapsed into place.

Are you okay?

Berg looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Ner briefly alternated her gaze between the sword and Berg.

It was terrifying to see a large, scary human mercenary holding a sword.

Ah.

Berg seemed to understand her reaction and slowly closed his mouth.

Without further explanation, he approached the tree where he had just offered his prayers.

-Swish! Swish!

He then swung his sword, leaving marks on the tree.

Afterward, Berg promptly sheathed the sword in its scabbard.

"...This way, I know in front of which tree I kneeled."

It was a reason Ner hadn't even considered.

She looked at the tree where Berg left marks.

There were prominent, difficult-to-heal marks.

Did Berg want to commemorate it, even though she wanted to overlook it?

Ner looked at Berg again.

"...Let's go. Get up."

He said.

Ner nodded her head with difficulty.

The time had come.

End of Chapter

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