PART 4 - SHALGANA
“That’s interesting,” Shalgana mumbled as she read the text provided with the exhibit.
Martel quietly followed along as they continued to explore the museum. Shalgana had quickly developed an interest in history, especially that of the Mongols, as they had many similarities with her world. Because of this, Martel chose to begin their museum dating spree here as they had an exhibit focused on Mongolia.
Martel wasn’t particularly interested in the exhibits himself because he already had or had quick access to the information provided. Instead, he simply enjoyed watching Shalgana. She was quite a beautiful young lady. Internally he sighed as he never really appreciated her, but at least it was not too late. Absorbed in his thoughts, he did not notice the strange and sly smile on her face.
“Honorable husband, I think I found one of your past lives.”
Martel slightly rolled his eyes as he did not believe that those on Earth could reincarnate on Earth. Humoring her, he looked at the exhibit before his eyebrow twitched.
“Genghis Khan was thought to have impregnated between 500 and 1,000 women; nearly half the population have a claim to be’s descendants. Honorable Husband, you have some big shoes to fill.” Shalgana said teasingly.
Martel rolled his eyes. “Please, don’t compare me with someone like that. He went around forcing women, something I will never do.”
Shalgana made a slight nod. “Yes, I do have a hard time seeing you do that. However, don’t you find some of it appealing? With your strength conquering lands and taking your prize.” She said over her shoulder, coquettishly.
[This girl, when did she get so aggressive seducing me?] He wondered. “If you’re trying to make me a dictator or warlord, you should save your breath. I don’t want to deal with such troublesome things, nor do I enjoy conflict. I want to gather strength as efficiently as I can.”
Shalgana paused for a moment. “I don’t know if those two areas can be kept separate.” She said seriously.
“Perhaps, but I won’t go down that route unless it is absolutely necessary.”
Shalgana made a slightly awkward pause before she broke out into a smile. “Well, at that point, I volunteer to take care of your Imperial harem.” She teased.
Martel rolled his eyes once again. He really couldn’t see himself with that kind of harem where the women only existed for his physical satisfaction and vanity. At this point, he wasn’t one to care about numbers, but having only a physical relationship with a woman was a waste of time to him. He already had so many wonderful women he could emotionally connect to and would rather spend his time with.
However, these thoughts only briefly flashed through his mind as he had noticed Shalgana was acting a little strangely. As such, he gave her body a clean sweep before his eyebrow twitched, and he quickly reached for her ear and retrieved an earpiece made of SRIN. < “Miyuki, I see this was why he requested some SRIN for a private project. I’m going to punish you later. Don’t even think about running away.”>
Martel rolled his eyes before he turned his attention back to the flustered Shalgana. His expression gradually relaxed. “Shalgana, this is the date between you and me. I don’t want any unnecessary interruptions.”
Shalgana relaxed slightly. “Yes, Honorable Husband, I’m sorry. However, I want you to know that I meant it.”
“Meant what?”
Shalgana made a slight smile as she took on a coquettish posture. “That you should claim your prize.”
Martel involuntarily made a small gulp as he was not used to Shalgana being on the offensive. Usually, she would support him from behind. However, he wasn’t the type of person to take that teasing lying down. He gently lifted her chin with his finger. “Well, in that case, I should take my prize as soon as I find it.” He said as he slowly approached her.
Shalgana could feel her heart suddenly start to pound in her ears. Was he finally going to kiss her? In slight panic in anticipation, she couldn’t help but close her eyes as she waited…
“Well, let’s keep going then.” Martel suddenly said as he turned around.
Shalgana stood there frozen as if she’d been struck by lightning. She couldn’t help but grind her teeth that Martel had intentionally given up such a perfect opportunity to tease her. With a slight huff, she followed behind him. In a slight protest, she proceeded to ignore him as she gave her full attention to the exhibits.
The two of them traveled to several museums around the world, only stopping for food.
“Was today to your liking?” Martel asked after they shared a wonderful dinner and had one more museum stop.
“Yes, but it’s missing two things.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
Well, first, let’s go down to the training area.”
Martel, who had an idea of what she was thinking, gave her a smile before he teleported them down into his shelter.
Not skipping a beat, Shalgana went over to the spare weapon area and produced two scimitars. Martel gave her a smile before he produced two black short swords.
Not a word was spoken between them for a short time. Then, Shalgana took the initiative.
They sparred for quite some time, and Shalgana did not go easy at all. She used every trick she could think of, even though Martel successfully diffused them. Even when she had run out of tricks, she didn’t give up. Instead of trying to catch him off guard, she started to focus on pure swordsmanship.
It was at this time Martel noticed something. He was having a slight amount of déjà vu from when they had fought at the end of the tournament, where she became his nominal wife. She had entered some state that almost made her seem as if she was not present, and a strange aura began to surround her sword.
Martel suddenly started to get pushed back. Not willing to lose, Martel began to focus on his swordsmanship. Like Shalgana, Martel also entered a sort of trance. Around Shalgana’s sword was a sharp and precise beauty. From Martel’s sword came a rough and crude aura, which brought despair to those who saw it. In the next moment, the aura Martel’s blade began to fluctuate wildly before he finally managed to break Shalgana’s swordsmanship.
Martel’s sword stopped just shy of the panting and
Shalgana, who was panting heavily, gave him a smile. “Honorable Husband, I think it’s time for you to take your prize.”
Martel swords disappeared within his ring, and Shalgana’s struck the ground as they passionately hugged and kissed. As it was her first kiss, Martel wanted to make it memorable. Eventually, they separated.
Martel gently brushed her tears. “Are you all right?” He asked her gently.
Shalgana nodded. “Yes, I’m just so happy. I was so afraid that you didn’t like me enough.” She said as she desperately tried to hold back the tears.
Martel gave her a gentle smile. “Shalgana, I think you feel responsible towards me, I think you idolize me, and part of me thinks you even worship me. Even after I showed you my ugly side, my weakness. Well, perhaps you saw me as a human at that point. I know that you correctly think that I brought you with me out of responsibility. However, what I’m about to ask you is not my being responsible, but out of my desire. So, I hope your answer is based purely on what you want.”
Shalgana’s jaw slightly trembled as she nodded.
“Shalgana, will you marry me?”
Shalgana didn’t answer with words but kissed him again. This time, she was a complete aggressor as if to express all the feelings she had bottled up that she previously felt inappropriate to express.
After they separated, Martel slipped a ring on her finger engraved with ‘My Love, My Trophy, My Honorable Wife, ‘much to Shalgana’s glee. Then, he picked her up, but Shalgana soon became a little flustered as she knew what was to come next.
“Honorable Husband, can you wait for me first? There is something I want to do, and the other girls already agreed to help me so that I will be quick. Please?”
Martel smiled. “Of course. Are you going to take a bath?” He teased, knowing full well that she was still slightly averse to the concept, though she still bathed regularly.
“No, not that, unless you want me to.”
Martel shook his head. “However you want to present yourself for me, I will accept it. Would you like me to take a bath?”
“No!” Shalgana quickly said before she embarrassingly looked away.
Martel internally chuckled as he set her down. It seemed as if Shalgana had an interesting tendency. However, instead of teasing her further, he quietly escorted her back to her room before he went back to his own alone. About half an hour went by until he was finally called to Shalgana’s room. Upon seeing her, he gently smiled. She had dressed as she was the night of the tournament.
Martel smiled happily. It seemed as if she still had a desire for that night to have gone differently. At least, now they could make up for past regrets.
“Shalgana, I-” Martel began before Shalgana placed a finger on his lips.
“Martel, tonight, I want you to become my Honorable Husband. Tonight, I want to become your woman, your wife, your trophy. Will you please accept me?”
Martel smiled as he gently kissed the back of her hand. “For the rest of my life.” He gently said before they kissed and slowly fell onto the bed together.
End of Day 49
REMINISCENCE – SHALGANA
I do not remember when I, Shalgana, accepted my role, my Fate. Perhaps, having grown up with it, I took it as a truth. I would become the wife of the next Kaquan, the position currently filled by my father. However, even if I accepted that role, that didn’t mean I didn’t want to have some freedom. I wasn’t happy with the fact that women could only be resigned to work at home, doing the chores and birthing and raising the next generation. Not that there was anything wrong with someone who wanted to do that, but I wasn’t content with only that.
Growing up, I often watched the men training and wanted to join them. I saw swordsmanship as a kind of dance, one that I could fully enjoy, so I trained in secret. However, I was discovered a couple of times, both of which I was admonished for doing something not becoming of a woman. I quietly accepted, but I still wanted to train. However, I could not break away from my Fate.
One day, as we were preparing to start the tournament that would decide the next Kaquan, my future husband, a stranger appeared. His name was Marco, and he showed a feat of strength that surprised even my father. It was then my father insisted that he joined the tournament, which Marco reluctantly agreed. It wasn’t until later that I found out the reason why my father was so insistent was that he did not wish for me to marry Ganzorig, the expected winner, as he was a known wife-beater.
Time passed, and I finally managed to find some time to train alone. I was so focused that I did not notice someone had come to watch. When he spoke, out of surprise, I nearly attacked him, but I was able to stop. It was Marco, and I was discovered. I expected some chastisement, but instead, he appreciated me. He was even willing to become my sparring partner, my first sparring partner. Not only did he not look down on me, but he encouraged me and helped me improve.
After we sparred, I confirmed that he had no intention of winning the tournament, no intention for me. I went to bed that night with a strange feeling, one of disappointment.
I must’ve been more tired than I thought as I slept in the next morning. Even though I was only half awake, I heard the sound of something breaking. I opened my eyes just in time to see the ceiling falling onto me. I soon became pinned underneath the debris as I watched in horror as the rest of the ceiling began to fall. It was then that Marco saved me.
Marco used magic to heal my wounds and save me. In my hazy consciousness, I wondered why he looked so panicked when he saw my injuries. It was not until later that I found out his fiancée had died from similar ones.
Then, the tournament began. Marco had gone out of his way to train Abaka, a decent man of my father’s tribe, to win the tournament to help Abaka win the hand of his beloved. His beloved was not me, but my friend. This was the decision Marco had made. However, his plans didn’t come to fruition. Ganzorig beat Abaka and entered the finals with Marco.
Just before the fight, Ganzorig had nearly killed his third wife. In righteous anger, Marco destroyed the man and won the tournament. However, he didn’t immediately claim his victory. Instead, Marco insisted that I also fight and, should he be weaker than me, I would have the right to choose who my husband would be. My father, who took advantage of the situation for my sake, immediately agreed, and we would fight a short hour later.
After I’d gotten into more appropriate clothing, I sat in silence as I pondered the upcoming fight. I knew I couldn’t win, but I also knew he would probably throw the match. Who would I pick? There was only one face that passed through my mind. However, since the answer was the same regardless, why fight? I had no motivation.
With my lack of motivation, Marco and I began to fight. However, this did not escape his eyes, and I could tell he was very disappointed in me. It was because I was submitting to my Fate instead of taking control of it. It was because I did not voice my desire to be with him. In the middle of the fight, I realized that I wanted him.
Though it was a bit begrudgingly, Marco won the fight, and we would have a quick celebration before we consummated our marriage. That night, it didn’t happen. However, we got to know and understand each other far more than we did before (I only then found out his name was Marty). He was someone that I idolized; I could even say I worshiped. However, I found out that he was also human. He was someone that I could get to know and be on equal grounds with, something I always wanted and would forever treasure.
Time passed, and many things happened. I went with him back to Earth and met the rest of his cohabitants; all of them were lovely girls. More time went by and, all of a sudden, he managed to bring back his fiancée. I was happy for him but also worried. Now that she was back, would I be abandoned? I didn’t think he would do it, but I could tell that his relationships with the others were all built on the heavy affection they shared. I couldn’t help but feel inferior to them. After all, I was little more than a trophy. Luckily, he didn’t see me that way.
When I found out that he had saved Freyja at the cost of his own life, I was mortified. I wished I could do something, but I was powerless. Luckily, Miyuki had the idea to save him, and we were successful.
Eventually, we all went back home, and he finally committed to us. Our date was wonderful. I truly enjoyed it; I enjoyed the time we spent together. On that day, we affirmed our feelings for one another; that I was more than just a prize to be won.
Initially, I wanted freedom from my Fate. I wanted to be more than a wife. He gave that to me. My marriage to him was more freedom than without. I could learn, train, do whatever I wanted, and he would support me. One day, it dawned on me. If I had to choose between freedom and marrying him, I would pick him. Through him, I got the best of both worlds. From then on, I knew I truly loved my Honorable Husband.
PART 5 - MORGAN
Morgan slowly shifted in bed as she wondered why it did not seem as comfortable. It was then that she heard and felt a *thud* at the foot of her bed.
“Dim the lights.” She said in an attempt to voice activate the lights. However, no lights came on. She felt strange as to why she had even said that in the first place. Still a little confused, she used magic to light a flame in her hand to illuminate the surroundings. To her squinting eyes, everything seemed to be in order. She was in her room in her mansion back in Camelot. Wasn’t that right? She couldn’t help but feel that something was slightly off. It was then she noticed movement at the foot of her bed only to see a youth sit up.
[... He’s kind of handsome.] Morgan groggily thought before the situation finally sunk in.
The youth slowly raised his hand “Excuse m-”
“Hiii!” Morgan shouted as she sent the violent flame towards the youth.
“Hey, that’s dangerous.” The youth said as he quickly dodged, the flame harmlessly dissipated.
Morgan couldn’t help but tilt her head in confusion. [Wasn’t my flame supposed to hit him? Why am I relieved it missed?] She could not help but think.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
While her awakening mind was preoccupied, a sly grin appeared on the youth’s face. “You’re such a bad Princess for attacking someone you just met. You need to be punished.” He said as he swiftly pinned her to the bed.
Panicked, Morgan tried to struggle only to find that she could no longer move her body. She closed her eyes as the youth began to touch her body. Scared, she closed her eyes. “Martel, Martel.” She said. For some reason, that name and through her mind.
“Yes? What is it, my lovely wife?” The youth asked.
Morgan opened her eyes and found herself in her room in Martel’s mansion. When she looked at the youth, she discovered that he was Martel. Why she hadn’t realized this before, she did not know.
[Wife?] She thought as she looked at the ring on her finger. While that sounded nice and made her happy, she couldn’t help but feel something was off.
Martel smiled wolfishly. “Morgan, it is time to consummate our marriage. Give me a kiss.” He said as he approached her.
Startled by the abruptness, Morgan finally acted like Morgan. “Pervert!” She shouted as she punched him in the face.
“Morgan, that’s no way to treat someone who went out of their way to give you a wake-up call,” Martel said as he rubbed his nose.
Morgan blinked several times. The room was similar to how it was a moment ago, but several things were different, including the lack of a ring on her finger.
“Goldie, don’t blame me if you had perverted dreams about me. I already made breakfast; let’s go and eat.” He said as he turned around to exit the room.
“Who had perverted dreams about you?” She shouted at him incessantly as she gritted her teeth. Then, she froze in realization. “You pervert! Did you go into my dream!”
Martel didn’t reply but quickly hastened his footsteps leaving the fuming Morgan behind.
...
“Are you taking me on the same date as Freyja?” Morgan complained after they entered the shopping mall.
Martel shrugged his shoulders. “The place I’m going to take you is in the same building. Rest assured, our date is different.”
Morgan huffed but obediently followed. This wasn’t her first time at the shopping mall, but they had come previously for necessities, and she did not understand sufficient English, so her previous visit was somewhat subdued. This time, she became more engrossed in the situation around her. It was when they stopped in front of a particular stop that her eyes lit up.
Martel, who noticed this change, gave her a smile. “This is our first stop.” He said as they stopped in front of a store that specializes in dolls.
Morgan, who realized that Martel had seen the change in her expression, quickly hid her smile. “Humph, this doesn’t make me happy.”
Martel took on a solemn expression. “Is that so? Well, in that case, I’m sure there’s something around here that will probably-” he began before he paused as Morgan had grabbed his sleeve.
“W-well, since we are already here, we might as well go in,” Morgan said with a hint of embarrassment.
“Of course,” Martel said, not willing to call her out on it as they entered the store. “I’ll get you whatever you want.”
“… I might as well humor you.” Morgan said, trying to grumble, but she could not hide the light in her eyes as she looked around. She spent the next half an hour carefully looking at the dolls, and she wasn’t humble in her choices.
Martel didn’t complain in the slightest. Instead, he thoroughly enjoyed watching her. Doll collecting was her hobby, but she was unable to fully commit to it due to her position and the lack of dolls. However, that would no longer be an issue.
“Goldie, is everything to your liking?” Martel asked.
“I’ve told you, don’t call me Goldie.”
Martel nodded. “Fine, I’ll never call you Goldie again.” He replied seriously.
Morgan clenched her teeth. “Well, maybe not never…”
“I understand, Princess,” Martel said as he ignored the sudden glare she gave him. “You know, they make custom dolls too.”
“Really?” Morgan asked as her eyes lit up.
Martel nodded. “Of course, it’s at the far end of the store.”
“Let’s go!” Morgan shouted, made her way to that part of the store.
Martel smiled as he followed her.
When the two of them reached the store’s area for custom dolls, Morgan noticed a familiar figure. “Freyja?” She asked in disbelief.
Freyja turned around and looked at her, showing her surprise. “Oh, so he did take you here after all.”
“What are you doing here?” She asked.
Freyja gave her a smile. “I was here picking up your congratulatory gift after tonight.”
Morgan froze as she realized what Freyja meant. “I’m not going to do anything worth congratulating today, though,” She denied.
Freyja smiled as she took the bag on the counter. “Well, in that case, I might as well get this to you now,” She said as she withdrew to dolls from the bag.
Morgan froze when she saw the uncanny resemblance of the dolls.
Freyja smiled as she handed Morgan the doll that looked exactly like herself. “This is for you.” She said as she still clutched the remaining doll that looked very similar to Morgan.
“This… Why?” Morgan asked, a little confused.
Freyja smiled. “Because I love you, and I know you always liked dolls. Part of the reason why I took up knitting was an attempt to figure out how to make dolls so I can make something similar for you back when we were still in Camelot. I believed that, eventually, we would be separated. I wanted to be able to make you a doll that could resemble the two of us so that we could always see each other even when we were apart. However, it seems that my good intentions were all for not. I’m delighted that I’ll be able to spend the rest of my life with you, my precious family.”
“Freyja, I... I…” Morgan began as tears formed in her eyes. The memory of what she said when she was mana drunk began to surface.
Freyja, who knew quite well what she was thinking, turned to Martel. “Would you mind giving us two sisters some girl time?”
Martel nodded and quickly gave the two sisters their space.
Freyja gently wiped tears off Morgan’s face. “Morgan, I know you feel bad about what you said, but please don’t. I really can’t imagine how hard it was for you to see the man you love with your sister.”
“I don’t love him,” Morgan said.
Freyja pinched her cheek. “Morgan, please stop lying. I know you denied out of embarrassment, but please don’t, especially not today. Morgan, if you act like you always have from today, you might forever lose him. If you reject him, he might take it seriously. Please don’t hold back for my sake.”
Morgan didn’t reply but looked down.
“I love you, Morgan,” Freya said gently. “I’ll go get Martel.” She said as she walked away.
“Did you go well?” Martel asked her.
Freya pouted as she pinched his side. “I can’t believe you asked me to be a wingman for my sister.”
Martel shrugged. “Given her personality, if I were going to seal the deal tonight, some drastic measures would have to be taken.”
Freyja huffed and pinched him even harder before she walked away.
[You are such an amazing woman, My Love; My Goddess.] Martel thought to her.
Freyja flinched for a moment before she waved without looking behind her.
Martel went and joined back up with Morgan. “Everything alright?” He asked as she was busy talking to the employee.
“Everything’s fine!” Morgan said hurriedly, as she was obviously trying to ensure the employee wouldn’t say anything.
“That’s good. I’m going to go to the bathroom, so I’ll be back shortly.” He replied as he was quickly able to read that she did not want him present for what she was ordering.
“Okay.” A relieved Morgan replied.
After Martel returned from a relatively long bathroom break, Morgan told him she would like to come back in several hours. Of course, Martel obliged, and the two of them spent the next couple hours going around the mall. Out of respect for her, Martel did not inquire as to what she had ordered, but he knew she couldn’t wait for it as she continued to glance in the store’s direction. Eventually, she received a text, which made Martel happy as she had been adapting to technology and quickly brought him back to the doll store.
“Wait here for a second.” She said before she immediately went into the store.
Martel, of course, obliged and patiently waited for her. A short time later, Morgan reappeared carrying a bag with a slightly red face.
“Can I see?” Martel asked, fully intending to tease her.
Morgan flinched as her face turned redder, but she eventually reached into the bag and pulled out two dolls.
Martel smiled as he saw the dolls as they were clearly dolls of the two of them.
“I… I got this, so you can think of me if you miss me when we’re not together.” She said as she handed him the doll version of herself.
Martel accepted it happily. “Well, I’ve never been fond of dolls, but I’ll happily accept it.”
Morgan looked a little crestfallen. “Well, I’m sorry you don’t like it.” She said with a pout
Martel vehemently shook his head. “That’s not it at all. I would just much rather hold the real thing.” He said sincerely.
Morgan tried to keep a poker face, but she couldn’t hide her blush. “Well, I’m much more expensive than some doll.” She said, trying to sound haughty.
Martel wholeheartedly knowledge. “Indeed, you are priceless.”
“At least you know it.”
“You’re right, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to find a price.” He said as a case appeared in his hand, and he went down to one knee.
Morgan froze when she saw this.
“Goldie, will you marry me?”
A surge of emotions flowed through Morgan, who wasn’t expecting him to do such a thing in such a public place.
“I… I…” She stammered.
“Say, yes!” A random passerby suddenly shouted.
This brought Morgan to a new height of embarrassment. “Who’d want to marry you!” She said as she Morgan-punched him in the face.
Morgan then proceeded to flinch when she realized what she had done, and quickly turned around and ran away as tears began to form in her eyes.
Martel watched her run away and didn’t move a muscle.
A few dozen seconds later, a red face and teary-eyed Morgan finally stopped. Her emotions slowly began to wind down. It was then she remembered put Freyja had told her. “What have I done?” She mumbled to herself. It was then she was hit with a different emotion then embarrassment, fear. Fear that she had just made a mistake she would never be able to fix. She wiped her tears as she turned around and quickly went back. [Why couldn’t I be honest? Why couldn’t I say it?]
Morgan returned where she left Martel and frantically began to look for him… Or she would have if he wasn’t in the same spot and position she had left him in.
“Young man, don’t let it bother you.” One of the few passersby that had stopped to console Martel said.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Martel replied with a smile.
“Don’t let this failure that you down.”
Martel smiled at the man. “Sir, thank you for your thoughts, but they are unwarranted. I know my Goldie very well. In front of the people she cares about, she has a hard time controlling her emotions, especially embarrassment. In her embarrassment, she tends to act a bit violently and says things that she doesn’t mean. I believe, when she calms down, she’ll come back here. So I am going to wait here for her to come back, and I won’t move until she says yes.”
“Who are you calling violent?” Morgan suddenly said as she approached him. Her ears were red from the stares and what Martel had said about her, which she had heard entirely.
“I knew you’d come back.”
Morgan quickly grabbed his arm and tried to pull him up, but he wouldn’t budge. “Let’s go.”
“If you want me to go, you need to either completely refuse me or wholeheartedly accept and tell me you love me. So, which will it be?”
“You… You…” Morgan stuttered.
“You better tell me you do, or else I give you a ‘wake-up call.’” Martel said with a sly smile.
“Fine!” Morgan shouted as she definitely did not want to be kissed in front of so many strangers, while tears began to fill her eyes again. “I’ll say it! I’ll say it! I love you, okay! I love you so much! I just don’t think I’m wor-” she said before Martel violently took her lips.
“Don’t you ever finish that statement. You don’t get to decide that.”
“You pervert,” Morgan mumbled as she buried her head in his chest.
Martel smiled. “So, then, yes.”
“Of course it is, dummy.”
While the onlookers clapped, Martel slipped a ring engraved with ‘My Love, My Princess, My Goldie’ on her finger.
After accepting the congratulations from the onlookers, the two of them eventually went to a secluded area. Morgan expected Martel to teleport them away but was surprised when a Dimension Door suddenly appeared. She didn’t overthink it as she went through, but the surroundings were not what she expected. She immediately identified her new location as her bedroom in her mansion back in Camelot.
Morgan’s thoughts briefly flashed back to the dream she had in the morning, but she brushed those out of her mind as she turned to Martel. “Why are we here?”
Martel gently smiled. “Because this is where I want to be with you. This was the place where my life changed. I can tell you I would’ve been so excited if you told me that one day I would call the beautiful young woman whose bed I fell into my wife, I would’ve been ecstatic.”
“Pervert,” Morgan mumbled under her breath, but she could not help but give a slight smile.
Martel gave her a wolfish grin. “Goldie, you have no idea.”
Martel didn’t even give her a chance to protest, and the hero took his Princess.
End of Day 51
REMINISCENCE - MORGAN
I remember when I, Morgan, was growing up. My mother and elder sister, Freyja, would often talk about the Hero’s Prophecy. Compared to my sister, I didn’t care too much about it. After all, I didn’t think it would happen in my lifetime or that I would be affected in any way. Oh, how I was so wrong.
One night, I awoke as something had fallen at the foot of my bed. Groggily, I lit a flame in my hand to check my surroundings. There, I saw a young man pick himself up for my bed. My first thought was how he was a little handsome, and then reality set in. The young man tried to say something, but, in my panic, I sent an explosive flame in his direction, which catapulted him against the wall, and he passed out.
At this point, I completely panicked. Not only had a strange man suddenly appeared in my room, but I killed him!… Or not. He was temporarily detained while unconscious but wasn’t harmed due to the peculiar situation. My room only had one entrance, which was guarded. This should have made it impossible for him to enter. Coupled with the fact that it seemed as if he had fallen directly into my bed, the running theory was he was the hero. I couldn’t help but feel startled that the hero had come from nowhere, from elsewhere, and into my bed.
In my guilt, I stealthily went and checked on him. There I found him asleep, and obviously in pain as he was sweating profusely. This only made me feel worse, so I stayed with him for a short time. He was relatively plain-looking, but that was also nice. Eventually, I had to leave as I couldn’t stay too long.
When the hero awoke, and we found his name is Martel, he had an audience with us. I couldn’t look him in the eyes out of my embarrassment, but I also knew that I didn’t want him to feel bad about me. It was a strange feeling as I was not one who particularly cared what other people thought of me. Of course, this did not affect I acted. On the outside, I always tried to be the perfect princess that was expected. I had a responsibility to do so. However, it was only acting; that wasn’t the real me.
After the audience, Freyja took him aside to talk to him. I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. He fell onto my bed, so why is he with Freyja? I knew he didn’t have the best impression of me, but I didn’t want him to hate me. So, I decided I want to make up with him, but I didn’t know when to interject as he and Freyja were happily conversing. At some point, I was noticed. Instead of making up, I seemed only to make it worse, but he didn’t care. I don’t know why, but I could never act around him, and only be myself. It was a straight sense of comfort that I could be myself around him because he would always accept me, which she did. However, the typical me could never express how I felt.
Time went on, and he became closer to Freyja. I could only take some solace in that he was living in my mansion. I would have an excuse to see him, but I never told him how I felt. Eventually, it was too late.
One night, I accidentally overheard Martel and Freyja talking about my mother’s engagement. When I heard Martel joke about it being with me, my brain went blank with shock. It was then that I realized something as a sense of happiness washed over me, that I loved him; I loved the man who could accept me for who I was, and not as a Princess. However, it was only a joke. He had become engaged with Freyja. Heartbroken, tears fell out of my eyes. Of course, he would pick Freyja. She is more beautiful than me; She is more talented than me; She is smarter than me; She didn’t punch him in the face whenever she was embarrassed. Of course, he would want to be with her and not me. Heartbroken, I could only turn around and leave so I would not be discovered, not knowing that it was already too late.
Time went by, and I accidentally saw Freya and Martel sharing secret intimate moments. Part of me was jealous as I wanted to be in Freyja’s position. However, I was eventually able to come to terms with it and be happy for them. Then, something unexpected happened.
My parents and Freyja were killed. I was heartbroken. After a little time, I finally calmed down enough to think about something I would regret. Now that Freyja was gone, did that mean that I could take her place? Once that thought crossed my mind, I immediately chastised myself. I would rather have Martel hate me if it meant that I could have my sister back.
Out of my depression and guilt, I went to find Martel, who I knew was suffering as I was. To appease ourselves, I offered him the only thing I could, my body. It was brash and foolish, and I was so scared. However, he did not take advantage of me nor give in to his weakness. Instead, he told me he loved me, and we finally managed to get a good night’s sleep together.
When we ran into the Red Dragon and Freed, I had a panic attack. I couldn’t control myself. To snap me out of it, Martel did something drastic. He kissed me! The jerk! If you’re going to take my first kiss, at least make it a little romantic! However, before I could convey my thoughts and feelings, I was sent away with the other girls as he went to fight the Red Dragon.
My heart continued to drop as Martel did not appear after two days. It was then that I realized how much I’d come to depend on him. Luckily, he managed to come and save me at the last moment from Freed. I was so happy he came back.
Sometime after, we went to his world. When he said we would have to pretend to be his wives, I acted like it was the last thing I wanted. However, I was secretly happy. Perhaps, one day, it would become true. However, I couldn’t help but feel that it was becoming less and less likely.
The reason was simple; he kept disappearing and bringing home new girls! However, I didn’t do anything besides voice my complaint. If Freyja were here, I think she would accept them, especially when she heard their stories. I also didn’t want to drive any of them away because I was afraid Martel would hate me for it.
Eventually, the day came where we would fight the Black Dragon, Nidhogg.
I went to Shalgana’s world and more to help drum up support for the fight. It was there that Shalgana and I had our first argument. Shalgana did not like my attitude, and I could not help but feel a bit affronted. After all, Martel didn’t mind it, so why should she? However, there was some truth in what she said. I could also tell she was a little jealous of our relationship. However, it was hard for me to wrap my brain around. After all, if anything, I was more jealous of his relationship with Caelia and Freyja. However, it did subtly change my perspective. Then, we returned to Albion.
In my shock, I suddenly found Freyja alive. I was so tired at the time, and also so happy, I didn’t question it in the slightest as I bawled out in her arms. Just as I was both happy that Freyja was back, and worried that Martel wouldn’t want me anymore because of that, we found something terrible. To save Freyja, he had made a deal with Yggdrasil that required him to kill Nidhogg. However, while he might defeat the body, he couldn’t overcome the soul. He would have to die else his body and soul be swallowed with no hope of recovery.
In desperation, we all decided to follow through Miyuki’s plan and try to save him. There’s no way I will let that jerk get off without paying me back for the rest of my life! Luckily, everyone lived.
Eventually, we made it back to Earth, and some more nonsense happened, and he brought home another girl. Finally, he started to take us out on dates. Although it wasn’t bluntly stated, I could tell he was consummating our relationships; officially asking everyone to marry him. I couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous and worried as every time he took out another girl, it wasn’t me. However, finally, it was my turn.
I had butterflies in my stomach, and my mind was a mess. I was pleased when he took me to the doll store. I was also surprised when Freyja showed up, although I figured out later it was intentional. Freyja gave me a doll version of herself and told me some things which made my mind spin before she went back home. Liking Freyja’s idea, I decided to utilize it myself, and I got a doll version of Martel made. Then, when I gave him another doll version of myself, he did something crazy.
Martel decided to propose to me in public! I was happy, I panicked in embarrassment, and I ran away. It didn’t take me long to realize I made a big mistake. It was what I had always wanted, yet I had refused it. I quickly went back, afraid that Martel had left, only to find that he didn’t. There, he was saying things that, while embarrassing, was also heartwarming. I know he wasn’t angry at me, and he trusted me. I still can’t believe he made me confess in public, right before he kissed me.
Afterward, he used Dimension Door to bring me back into my old home in Camelot. I had a wave of nostalgia come over me as I remembered when we first met. It was the night I could not forget; the night our lives became intertwined. Tonight was the night our lives would be inseparable; the Princess and her Hero.