Chapter 71: [71] Marriage proposal

Just as how human nobles in fantasy stories were always told how marriage was a responsibility that must be taken seriously, it was even more so when it came to the elves.

It was simple.

Elven nobles needed marriage to survive.

As strange as it sounded, it was true and the reason for this was connected to a fundamental flaw the wood elves had, their low aptitude for magic.

Nobles were the only ones capable of using magic properly, so they served as the backbones of the wood elf community.

Because of this, nobles were often encouraged to marry and have many children, so that the number of magic uses can increase as the generation goes on.

That was how the twelve chiefs were born, they all originated from the same noble line, albeit countless centuries ago.

Eliron had expected the topic to come up at some point, but never in his wildest imaginations did he think it would come up today!

’Marry Artie…?’

Artie was someone every elf would die to have. She was a peerless beauty, stronger than nearly everyone in the village, and to them, she was benevolent and kind.

Only a few people knew her true nature which was well hidden behind the facade.

’But do I really care?’

Eliron had never seen or treated her differently even when he knew her.

Artie was Artie, that was all there was to it.

Throughout the week, they had fought side by side, conquered impossible odds together and somehow made it out of the forest in one piece.

It was not strange that during that time, he had developed a certain fondness for her.

But that fondness was still immature. Maybe it would bloom into something else in the future, but now, that was all it was.

Yet, Lazarus’ request had caused his mind to run ahead of him, moving to various possibilities.

Eliron’s mind wandered to the first time he saw her smile genuinely, and that gentle laughter that followed.

His heartbeat picked up and he buried his face in his cup, his cheeks turning rosy.

“I’m listening…”

Lazarus nodded. “You already know that the elven lord is required to marry five wives right?”

“Keh—!”

Eliron nearly choked on his drink, the chamomile tea burning its way through his trachea and out of his nostrils.

“Are you alright?”

Eliron coughed a few times, and raised his hand to say he was okay.

“F-five what?”

Back on earth, he was so busy that he never even had time to date a single woman.

How was a broke builder, drowning in debt going to pay for a date?

And now, this man was telling him that he was mandated to marry five!

Lazarus stared at him blankly. “Why are you surprised? These are basic rules…”

Eliron sighed. ’It’s not like I’m being forced to get married right now, I can figure it out along the way…’

There was one thing that was certain though, even if he ended up having multiple partners, it would not be at the expense of the other.

He hated when novel characters would cheat on their partners all for the sake of having a harem, if he was going to have one, then he would do it the right way.

“As I was saying…” Lazarus continued.

“Think of it from a political sense. Artie has arguably the best reputation in Artaris, an announcement of your engagement will not only secure even more votes from the people, it might even be enough to sway some elders.”

Eliron sighed and placed the cup on the table.

“You have good points, but aren’t you moving a little too fast? An engagement cannot happen in such a short time.”

“I will not marry someone without having to properly know them, that is unfair to both me and Artie. I’m afraid the space of one week is far too little.”

He hadn’t even heard what Artie had to say about the entire situation, and Lazarus was already talking about an engagement?

Although this was typical for noble houses, Eliron was not too keen on following the flawed practice.

Lazarus chuckled. “Forgive me, I think I went ahead of myself…”

“Well, you do not need to get engaged right away, all I need is a promise that she will be considered, when you are ready for marriage that is…”

“Oh?”

’If that is what he is asking for, then he is basically asking for nothing…’

“Alright then, I agree to your—”

“I see you guys have gotten cozy. Discussing my marriage behind my back, hmm? Dad?” A cold voice came from behind them.

Lazarus visibly shook, then he swallowed.

“Ahh, Artie! Hahaha, it’s just a little men’s talk between us, it’s nothing to concern yourself about.”

Eliron turned around just in time to see Artie rest her shoulders on the edge of his chair.

She was now right next to him, her eyes locked on her father.

Her red hair was untamed, the curled strands splaying over her face, and she was in a simple green gown that matched her alluring eyes.

“So?” She asked.

Lazarus seemed confused. “Um, what do you mean?”

Artie turned her attention to Eliron, then what he could only describe as an evil smile painted her lips.

“What did he say? Are we to be wed soon?”

“Uhum! I need to use the bathroom! Please, Artie, walk Eliron back home will you?” Lazarus swiftly said as he disappeared from the living room.

Leaving Eliron alone with her.

’That bastard!’

He dug a pit and now he was leaving Eliron to sink.

Artie still had that smile on her face which was way too close to his own.

It was so close that he could count her red lashes if he wished to, and trace out every beautiful pattern in her iris.

He could even see every single light blemish, which was how he knew there were none, her skin was spotless, her face effortlessly beautiful.

She cocked her head slightly to the side. “Don’t tell me you think I’ll make a bad wife?

Eliron steeled his heart.

He took a deep breath then frowned slightly. “Don’t try to tease me…”

“Tease you? It’s the joy of every young girl to get married, you know? Even I think about it sometimes, no matter how cold I may seem.”

She leaned even closer and observed his face closely.

“But there has never been anyone that remotely exciting enough for me to consider the possibility.” Her voice was now airy and smooth.

Then she pushed away some strands of hair on his face and smiled. “But you…”

“You’re different. You’re odd, almost like a puzzle. Each time I think I have you figured out…”

“You show another side. Now, that… that is exciting.”

Her face was so close to his that he could feel her warm breath brush against his cheeks, and the only thing in her line of vision was her.

Eliron’s cold exterior finally cracked and the tips of his ears blushed red.

But he refused to be the only loser today.

Artie was having her fun teasing him, that much was obvious.

So desperate to have his pay back, Eliron placed his forehead on hers, causing her eyes to widen.

“Don’t tempt me Artie. God knows… you’re not the only one that likes unraveling puzzles.”

Artie’s face remained stoic, a small smile playing on her lips.

’Ah, what did I expect from her?’ Eliron complained internally.

“Well played.” She said as she stood up walking to lean on a wall.

“We’ll talk about the confluence tomorrow, I’m guessing you know your way out?”

Eliron took in a deep breath and stood up. “Tomorrow they—then…” he blurted out, feeling his heart about to leap out of his chest.

The moment Eliron left, Artie slid down the wall, to her floor.

Badump—Badump—-

’What is wrong with me? What is that sound?’ She thought, placing her hand on her chest.

Yet, the sound only intensified.

’I-is that… my heart?’

Artie’s face blossomed in an intense shade of red that went all the way to her dainty ears.

It was as though a fire had been lit up within her.

Her mind went back to what had happened a few minutes ago.

“What did he mean by that?” She mumbled quietly.

Touching of foreheads was a sign of affection among the elves, and yet he had done it so casually.

Artie placed her hand on the spot, her heart beat intensifying even more.

“It’s still warm…”

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