Chapter 156: Traitors (1)

Chapter 156: Traitors (1)

As I gazed upon my frozen wives, I turned away and sighed.

“....Haa.”

Even though I have made up my mind, speaking was difficult.

The incident with Adam Hyung must have also had an impact.

I received much support from my wives during the separation from him.

Frankly, I can’t even imagine how tough it would have been without them.

I might have drowned myself in alcohol, as I had in the past.

It was about having to send away those who had been such a support.

I must kill my desires and act solely for their sake.

Even though I know it’s the right thing to do....it’s hard.

I opened my mouth but remained silent for a long time.

All the words I had prepared refused to leave my lips.

“...”

I closed my mouth again.

My wives still maintained their silence.

Once more, I looked towards Ner and Arwin.

Who should I send away?

Even this choice remains unmade.

Finally, with a sigh, I spoke.

“...so it has come to this.”

I struggled to start the conversation.

“I promised to always cherish you. But even if we part like this...I’ll keep that promise. If any problem arises, contact me. I’ll....”

As I spoke, I doubted my words.

Are these really words of parting? Even to my ears, they sound full of regret.

And why does it seem the order of things is all mixed up?

“...”

It was a difficult conversation.

I don’t know what to say first or how to say it.

And what will happen to the one who stays by my side?

It might feel like losing freedom right before their eyes.

Can I manage to regain that feeling?

Ner had her tail drooping, slightly opening her mouth.

Arwin’s eyes were still fixed on the letter.

Slowly, I began to reveal my inner thoughts.

“.............I...”

“...”

“...”

“...don’t know who to send away.”

Before my wives could turn it into a mess with their words, I continued.

“Ner. Should I send you away?”

Ner’s eyes trembled faintly.

“.........................What.........?”

Ner’s barely audible retort came as her fingers fidgeted nervously.

“This marriage might be for a lifetime for you, but for Arwin, it’s just a moment. And if you, who loves only one, end up not liking me... there would be no greater torture.”

I said, looking at Arwin.

“....Or maybe Arwin. Should I send you away?”

“...................Ber....”

“But if you were to like me... then what follows would be the issue, right? You said it would last a millennium. And you, who longed for freedom.”

I recalled the memories shared with them.

Leaning my elbows on my knees, I let out a sigh.

I fiddled with the rings on each of my ring fingers.

Finally shaking my head, I said,

“...........I can’t choose.”

I continued without looking at them.

“Honestly, I don’t want to send either of you away. So, as difficult as it is, please talk it out between yourselves. Decide who will leave me. If no conclusion is reached, I will have to make the choice myself. Who knows, maybe your conversation might turn out well?”

It felt wrong to make this decision alone.

Their thoughts also needed to be included.

Just as Ner and Arwin seemed about to speak, I raised my hand to stop them.

The conversation wasn’t over yet.

Seeing them more confused than I had anticipated, I said,

“....Just remember one thing, if one of you decides to stay with me.”

I straightened up, setting aside my pride and opening my heart.

“If by any chance... you want to envision a future with me...”

Looking directly into both Arwin and Ner’s eyes, I promised.

“...then I will love you for a lifetime.”

Words of love I had never uttered before.

At that word, Ner and Arwin hesitated.

“I will cherish and care for you for a lifetime. I’ll do what I can, and try for what I can’t... I would like you to stay, even if it’s just one of you.”

What would happen if both decided to stay?

...Truthfully, that’s like a dream. Just weeks ago, they were asking to abolish polygamy.

They had pushed me away and refused.

Since they had shared their true feelings with me.

So, it was a bit pathetic, but it couldn’t be helped.

Especially now, with the situation involving Adam Hyung, it was overwhelming.

I needed someone to support me now more than ever.

She knew too well how heavy the word ‘love’ was for Ner’s race.

A race that loves only one person for their entire lifetime.

Ner was declaring her love for Berg.

“I don’t know why I’m saying this to you first instead of Berg... Ah, Arwin-nim... I love Berg. I can’t be apart from him. I...”

Ner’s hands trembled as she clung to Arwin.

She forced a smile and said,

“....Arwin-nim, you’ve always said it.”

“...”

“That you can’t really love short-lived species.... I, I think that’s the right idea... You should love someone who lives as long as you... That’s...no, so... please... find someone else...”

Arwin shook off Ner’s hand, insisting as she tried to think through this frightening situation.

“...You can be happy without Berg.”

“.....What?”

“....Somewhere out there, your destined one is waiting. If you miss out... you’ll be unhappy, prophecy said that. You said you were afraid of becoming unhappy... that you couldn’t love anyone else...”

Ner let out a weak, incredulous laugh.

“....How can I do that when I’m already in love...?”

“...”

“Even if a future with Berg turns out to be unhappy... I can’t be without him now...”

Arwin’s frustration grew as the conversation seemed to go in circles.

It felt like continually sinking deeper into water.

Could she have ever imagined that Ner would become so detestable in an instant?

She was finally ready to confront the secrets she had been hiding.

Information written in the diary... about the Red Flames. It could be seen as a weakness.

She had wanted to accuse her of what exactly that was.

It was information that couldn’t be used alone.

Surely someone else was involved.

Perhaps a family, or another mercenary group.

Ner had been contemplating betrayal.

“You.......”

Then, Arwin stopped herself.

...Upon reflection.

Upon reflection, might she not hold a leverage over Ner?

What would happen to Ner if Berg learned of this information?

Who would remain by her side?

...Even seeing all this... could Berg still cherish Ner?

Such a contradictory woman.

Pretending to be innocent and cute while harboring thoughts of betrayal.

Especially given Berg’s deep affection for the Red Flames group, he would not be able to look at Ner the same way again.

No matter how much Ner swished her tail, Berg would treat her coldly.

It wasn’t hard to imagine that even the kind Berg could come to intensely despise Ner.

The fight they were having now would seem meaningless.

Assuming that the demeanor Ner showed was genuine... Ner would suffer.

She would struggle with the loss of someone she thought she could love forever.

...And Arwin might feel compassion for that fact.

...But there was no other way.

It seemed they were on the verge of parting ways with Berg.

That terrifying future could indeed become reality.

There was no choosing between fire and water now.

Wasn’t it Ner’s fault to begin with?

Arwin then remembered the existence of Mel’s tears for the first time in a while.

...But who could know the true nature of that liquid?

Who would know that it becomes poison when mixed with Bardi liquor, known only to a few elves?

It was hidden deep within her things to begin with.

For now, Ner was the center of this story.

She had already asked her bird to keep an eye on Ner.

She hadn’t heard anything unusual from that bird yet.

The diary would still be the same.

It meant that she had a tight grip on Ner’s lifeline.

“....Ha.”

Thus, Arwin naturally sighed.

“Enough.”

“...”

“...I don’t want to keep repeating the same story. If it’s going to be like this, let’s give the choice to Berg.”

Perhaps this was no different than previous opportunities.

An opportunity to monopolize Berg’s love completely.

Berg might struggle with Ner’s betrayal.

But in the meantime... she could simply ensure her presence was more solidly by Berg’s side.

Ner, who had been silent, nodded her head.

“Okay.”

A certain assertiveness could even be glimpsed in her demeanor.

There was even a hint of arrogance, as if she was sure Berg would choose her.

Arwin scoffed to herself at Ner’s demeanor.

She could not let Berg go to Ner alone.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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