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Here we are again, in a wild storm. I see pictures, fractions of my relationship with him passing by, as feelings burst out of my chest. The very chest trembling at his touch.
He certainly didn't expect it, because he's very lopsided in his insights. Because he can never imagine that someone would think dear of him. He certainly makes it hard for anyone to do.
The feelings inside my beating heart are overflowing. Those may be a lie, but the moment Rine-chan showed another way to deal with them—to accept them in the present—I envied her conviction. Ever since then, whenever I saw the two of them together, I thought: Me too.
I'm such a shallow woman.
There is no jealousy though, this may also be because of the ring. Yet I wanted to be in there as well, share moments with him as well. The ring asking me to do the same didn't certainly help.
Still, I didn't want to admit defeat. Because of my pride. Despite knowing exactly how I felt.
I'm happy for Rine-chan, but I failed to be content with just that. Growing irritated, I watched over them, seeing how he took the mantle of protector of this place, despite his complaints.
Like Rine-chan says, he can be so cool.
The more irritated I grew, the more desperate I became. Thinking of him while cooking, secretly enjoying treating his injuries, though the reason he got hurt so often genuinely annoyed me. Because I kept thinking of him, I looked for solitary places to relieve myself.
There was Miria-nee. When I saw her, I was angry, as it was like a mirror. A mirror without the taint. I told myself it was kindness to use my [Persuasion] to convince her to not indulge those thoughts further, to rearrange her emotions, but I know that tidbit was jealousy.
I'm first, I need to be the one! Rine-chan doesn't count! Especially since I married him before her, I've been in the relationship longer.
So shallow.
At that moment, I saw myself and was ashamed. That's why I needed to talk to Rine-chan, yet she made that impossible request. I had a lot of thoughts, and in the end, I couldn't stand how pathetic I've become and steeled my resolve.
We talked. I told them my plight, I told them my pain. It was surprisingly easy.
Rine-chan embraced me. She welcomed me, and this is much more than I deserved. It goes against everything our countries are thinking, but for me it was salvation.
Then we discussed it. If I just confessed to him, he could reject me. Because he thinks things over, because he sticks to his guns, because he's just such a massive moron. This scares me, being rejected. Especially by him, who was the one to accept me when I was at my lowest point.
So seduction it was. This is something I was more confident in, because I would not need to bare my feelings before I captured him.
Of course, Arako proposed to sleep with him. She even got out of her way, explaining that this would clear the way for Rine-chan, as when he gets used to the female body, he wouldn't... let's call it 'trigger' at small stimulation.
Quickly, this blew out of proportions, and with all the emotional support Rine-chan was giving me, I wasn't able to say that this would be going too far. I even drank the alfr tea.
When I told him that I wanted to talk to him, I actually planned to abort the plan and try to talk with him about Rine-chan for real. Slowly go over our relationship and either get a positive response I could build upon or confess to him, even though I initially didn't plan to do that.
The moment we were alone, I got cold feet. Was I just sexually frustrated? Was Arako right all along? How genuine are my feelings towards him? I needed to reassess them. I needed to look at him, not the hero with the nice body, but the boy I met at school.
Maybe I was just enamored by his strength and physique.
His real body isn't attractive at all. It looks unhealthy which is even more emphasized by the film of dirt we all have since coming here, as we can only wipe ourselves for hygiene.
Yet even in this form, I could only see him.
I wanted to touch his lips, but then a dam broke. My body heated up and every touch of his skin felt electrifying. I wanted him, and I wanted to be his.
He accepted.
Now I'm gasping for air, as my face is framed by my sweaty hair, lying next to Ken. I feel like fainting, and I have the same question as any girl who just had her first time had to ask: Did something break down there? I still feel him!
As I watch his face, which lost all composure, all coldness, I rest my head on his arm. I saw that in a video, yet while Ken didn't mind touching when we were... engaged, he seems to shirk away a bit now.
We haven't talked at all, it was more a series of grunting and nodding. I'm still overwhelmed by everything. I mean, it's supposed to hurt the first time. But it only feels like it will hurt if I continue.
Should I wipe myself right now? The magazines wrote that it will start to harden and smell quickly. Still, I want to indulge into this moment, the strange satisfaction, the adoration, the beating heart.
Oh well, it will be fine for now. I calm down and look at Ken, who also seems to relax a bit, then I pet my stomach. “What do we call it?” I ask him playfully.
“Keiko if it's a girl, Kyota if it's a boy.” Unexpectedly, he answers without missing a beat. The second I was surprised, he adds: “You know that your status says you're under contraception?”
I gently pinch his side to show my discontent with him seeing through my prank. “You checked my status during it?”
He looks away while answering: “Phew... I wanted to make sure to, well...” I wait this out, not letting him go by interrupting him: “...I read that girls have a hard time during the first time.” So he wanted to make sure whether he hurt me or not? Well, that's acceptable.
“So you read up on this?”
“Barely. Totally underprepared.” Me too. Health class should include some more techniques to make it not that awkward.
Oh well, we're both exhausted and unable to--- I look down at his body and see something I know much better now. “...monster.” I mean, how!? After all I did, and while I didn't count, it's probably in the double-digits! “Well, I can't take it in, but-”
I'm about to reach out, yet he puts his arm on my shoulder: “Don't go out of your way. It's really enough, and I think it's because of the ring.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“...so you're telling me, you have enough endurance for three now?” So you won't ever be fully satisfied with just me!?
“I don't know.” Why aren't you denying it outright!? I mean, it felt really good for me, but the reason why was his endurance in the first place, as everyone will succeed with enough tries.
The thought of what will be after he actually gets more experience... It's exciting and scary at the same time.
I let my hand sink, and put it on his chest. I feel him shuddering slightly, even after we did all of that, he's still... “Ken?”
“Hm?”
“We need to talk about our relationship.” You don't have to click your tongue! Why do you need to remind me of your worst traits!?
“Phew... we've already been husband and wife for a while. We get along well enough, so there is no need for crass changes.” I know, and that makes it worse. I mean, I'm pretty much loving you, but we skipped the whole 'fall in love' step, and I feel like I missed out!
I want ‘living through my first crush’ back! “I'm a needy girl.”
“Wow, I never knew.” Tone down the sarcasm, jerk! “So what do you want?”
If I need to sum that up, I want to be even worse than Rine-chan, but I know that this isn't possible with the two of us. “If it's just the two of us, I want you to indulge me a bit. I know that you won't like it, but I need at least some affection. I'm not asking for much, maybe some kisses here and there, some cuddling, but never more than you're willing to give. I won't ask you to tell me sweet nothings or the like.” Though I certainly wouldn’t mind.
“Phew... alright. I also have to say one thing.”
I steel my resolve, as I have no idea what he's going to say. “Tell me.”
“...” He's also steeling his resolve: “I don't know if I love you or not, but I know that you constantly grind my gears and annoy me to no end, and I'm somewhat OK with that. I also want to make the same deal with you as with Rine: We'll be in a relationship until we have broken the curse and then we will see how things will turn out.”
I'm a bit afraid of it, as he and I know that the both of us wouldn't be together under any other circumstances. If the curse gets broken, it may turn out that all of my feelings are false, and I may be shallow enough to blame him for everything which will happen from now on. But instead of suffering from repressed emotions, I’d rather choose to take this risk and have a good time until then.
“Alright. Now let me say something.”
“Phew... yes?”
I muster the last of my strength and lift myself up a bit to look directly into his face from above: “I'm really happy right now.” With this, I kiss him.
Later I will act like nothing happened, but now we're alone, and I need to make up some flirting time.
―○●○―
Is sex the greatest thing ever? No. If I compare it to the sheer joy of playing games, it does fall short. Sorry to disappoint you, virgins.
However, it's like scratching an itch I carried for years, and the satisfaction and calmness that comes from it does help its reputation. While Kyou-san and I cleaned ourselves—which takes a while, you may not believe how sticky everything gets—my thoughts wander around in my brainpan.
First, I need to accept what just happened, as strange and unbelievable as it is. In Japan, everyone would say that Kyou-san is way out of my league, and even though I don't care about others much, I'm aware that we're an unlikely pair. She's sending me a smug and satisfied smile, as she's donning her corset. Without that attitude I'd think this was purely by the power of the curse, but as headstrong as she is and looking at how long it took for us to reach this point, maybe there is some genuineness there?
Pair that with how Rine and I became a real couple... Shit, we need to figure that out. I mean, I'm sure that Rine knows what happened here, and she was all for Kyou-san and Ara-san being like that, but I never spent a single thought of how to deal with it if it really happened.
The conversation earlier made clear that Kyou-san’s not that clingy, though I guess only time will tell. At least she won’t accidentally hit me, which really calms serious doubts I have compared to how things are going with Rine.
On the other hand, Rine is direct while Kyou-san is underhanded. So the latter may make me suffer through other means, and as long as we're cursed, I can't cut all ties with her. ...let's enjoy the good things as long as they last, I guess. Especially as undeserved as they are.
I quickly raise my hand to catch my shirt, which Kyou-san throws my way after she finished putting her clothes on: “I won't say 'Stop thinking', but you don't need to look so gloomy when you're with me.” Somehow I pissed her off again.
“Phew...” I shrug my shoulders, check if I got everything cleaned up, and start getting into my clothes after swapping back to [Ranger]. I don't like Kyou-san watching, but on the other hand, I did get my eyeful earlier. Also handful. And especially chestful.
After I'm finished, she links her arm with mine: “Let's sit down a bit, get another WP by doing so, while I get my share of you for a while.” She sounds like we've been a couple for years! How to describe it... like it's not that special, but also like it's important as hell!
I do as she says, she lies her head on my shoulder, and I get to feel her breast against my arm. OK, why does it feel even more arousing after having sex? I don't know what to say, and she doesn't say anything either, so the minutes are passing quietly.
You gain 1 WP. After your special moment, you calm down by linking your arms, creating a link between your hearts.
How can our hearts link if I have no idea what is going on with her? I mean, she now stands up, facing me again with the sweetest smile imaginable, before asking: “Can I have a final kiss?” I nod, and she closes in. It's just light, but long. She separates, licks her lips once, then she breathes in and out once: “Alright, back to normal now. Come, Ken.” She's back to her slightly annoyed self.
I'm just baffled, and while I know that Kyou-san can act any emotion she wants, I begin to doubt whether I've ever seen her true self at all.
After opening the door, both of us become aware of how the bedroom must smell now, as the air is so much fresher. I open the windows slightly before leaving, then follow Kyou-san. She's not an inch closer to me than usual.
Shit, I'm way too conscious about everything right now! Just calm down, it was just sex! I seriously need to get my mind back to the present. Just think about current events and what to do- I think I want to throw up, as the current events are pretty shitty.
Where is Kyou-san heading anyway? Ah, she’s probably looking for the rest. With [Spouse Location] I can tell that they're in the eating area, or at least in that direction, and it appears that Kyou-san just follows a hunch and is also heading there.
Well, I'll probably never learn whether this is all part of Kyou-san's masterplan or not. Let's just assume that for the time being, so of course she knows where to look for the rest.
We walk through the door, and despite the temperature outside and the lack of heating here, the amount of people here more than make up for it. And I thought my room was sweaty!
Of course, Ara-san notices us first, and she seems to be cautious... or rather suspecting? Seriously, I can't tell, it's strange enough for me to be able to feel anything from her! I'm still figuring things out, dammit!
From her reaction, Rine catches up, jumps from her chair and jumps into our arms... well, Kyou-san's arms, as I take two steps back to avoid my girlfr---erm... my blonde girlfriend.
Oh god, why do I feel so fucked by a fate others would envy me for? Maybe because I can already feel that this will explode in my face sooner rather than later, while most others won't think about any long term implications and are so fed up with their lives that they would jump at any chance of something that seems remotely special?
Wait, I told myself earlier to try to enjoy it as long as it lasts. So I need to push aside the thirty ways it will kill me and concentrate on the now... wait, I made that mistake already!
For starters, let's split up the two, as Rine is silently hugging Kyou-san so hard she’s already taking damage. Literally, her HP are falling, and I don't think she can breathe right now, and the flailing of her arms is growing weaker. I really was self-centered here, I should have thought about how this two-timing also has a chance to kill one of the girls involved.
I get back to my original position and tap Rine's arm, whose face is strangely red, as if she's holding her breath herself: “Rine?”
Bad decision, as she just swaps targets. Now she silently does her best to snap my spine. Luckily, her arms are under mine, so I force my way with my fingers through the small gap between my body and her armpits, then my hands and wrists, forcing her hug to loosen by sheer force. “Hm?” She looks up to me, and cocks her head, puzzled.
“You---are---suffocating---me!” I say between my teeth, trying to keep the tension in my body. I may be superior in brutal force, but it's hard to use it from this position.
She blinks two times and then slowly takes her own body tension away, allowing this to resolve without anyone getting hurt. “Phew...” Following my example, Rine also exhales deeply and then inhales again. “What is this about?” I ask her.
Ara-san joins in, Jii-san directly behind her: “As it would be unwise to speak about certain matters here, it seems that Katarine-san found her own solution to not ask the questions which would harm us in any settlement.”
What does she mean? Given that she knows what happened between Kyou-san and me, I guess she wants to talk about it. But why can—ah, the stupid Divine Laws. The farmers think Rine is my lover, so if they learn what happened, they will assume that I'm seeing Kyou-san—who thankfully isn't my sister in our cover-story here—as well, which comes uncomfortably close to the 'don't be married to multiple spouses' part of these shitty laws.
I found another way how this whole relationship can kill us. Yay!
Ara-san speaks in a low voice, the usual way for us two to communicate without anyone else able to hear it: “I'm still surprised. I mean, the stories talk about how humans engage in oral sexual activities, and-”
As she continues, my mind barely keeps up, as it's too busy asking 'What the fuck!? How do you know!?' Then it dawns on me that during the sex, I was seeing several WP-messages which I pushed aside without reading them, as I was engaged otherwise.
Back then, I totally forgot that Rine and Ara-san do get an update about every WP as well. So they basically got a status report of everything that happened.
“Ken, what is wrong?” Kyou-san, you will learn of it soon enough. “Why are you smirking?” I tried my best to give you an envious smile, as you still live in a world of ignorance.
At least I'm distracted about the incoming doom.
―○●○―
Brumm is checking on the guards he set up around the farmstead the Northwind Clan uses as their quarter. He made sure to choose those with enhanced senses for this task, so that they keep watchful even when playing around with their pals.
Still, the cider they found here may prove fatal if they think Brumm wouldn't check every now and then. “Anything going on, Gunnar?”
“Nothing unusual.” Gunnar scratches his fire-red beard, as he counts his sightings: “A hind, a flock of ravens, and a hare.” He points at the carcass of said animal. “Not much of a snack, but could be enough for a boot for my daughter.” Said daughter is playing with other children four corners close by, their skins blue due to being topless during this weather, but if they don't harden up now, then they become whiny little babies later.
“Keep up the work.” Brumm was about to turn around, when Gunnar made a gesture to stop him. “What?”
“A group of people are running towards us. I think it's Harkon.” Running a day or two long isn't unusual for a warrior band, barbarians are just that tough.
After a few seconds, a group emerges from the light morning mist, and it's indeed Harkon with his people. But some are missing...
“Chief!” Harkon says after arriving, he has a huge scar across his shoulder: “We lost!” He spits these words out with shame and disgust, but it shows his barbarian spirit to say the painful things outright.
“Come with me, we'll talk inside.” Brumm asks the next person he sees to get his father. Soon, Harkon, Bramm, and Brumm are sitting in the chieftain's room, together with Bjonn—who was with Harkon—and Polr, another veteran.
Harkon tells his story, and the details are worrying. Traces of farmers banding together? A bother. A ranger who protects him? A danger. A girl who could fight off several warriors? A problem. Yet the worse was: “It was someone from the lizards. He was old as fuck, but with a single strike, he... he exploded Tjim!”
A lizard-tribemember? Old? Able to shatter Tjim's ultimate defense with ease? A certain name floats around the room, everyone thinks of the story of Brimm, Brumm’s grandfather, who was beaten by his own leg after that calamity ripped it off him.
Grekk.
“He should have died by now!” Bramm—who saw that event first-hand—utters this in-between fear and anger. “He was already old back then!” Even today, his father sometimes hears the maniacal laughter in his dreams.
“Does this mean the lizards are here?” Every tribe that had an encounter with Grekk altered their route to keep away from the lizards. So did they change it now because nobody wants to 'play' with Grekk?
Brumm thinks about this for a moment: “We just had the last skirmishes, we can't risk another fight with another tribe right now. Yet we also can't let this stain our honor.” Aside from his father, the rest nods in approval: “Everyone will pack their things. We will move as a clan, make camp at some distance, and then I will take a look for myself. Let them see our might.”
As soon as this message travels, the mood of the younger warriors mirror Brumm's. Even if it's Grekk, he's old and being the one to kill him would bring them highest praise, honor, and even a starting point to write their own legends. It would also be revenge for Brumm's grandfather, everyone knows of his fate.
On the other hand, the older warriors like Bramm would have decided to cut their losses and change their route, as they do remember those old days still too well...