Returning to the school was a short trip for Sein since the village was not that big. Winds were blowing nicely and fluttered his hair as he moved. However, to his surprise, the first person he met after returning to the training ground was none other than the flower of the village.
The two youth was staring at each other with their own thoughts. The battle between them ended up in the girl's victor thus she won the bet as the agreement between them went.
Sein looked around and saw no one was present except her. Not even Sana nor the others, as if the gods above had set this atmosphere for him.
"Nia, you won."
His warm voice was full of kindness and sincere. His eyes were gazing into hers and no slight of nervousness revealed from his body language.
Nia closed her eyes before putting her hand on her chest. She had won, the decision now rested on to her shoulders. The fate that was linking them together, was only an arranged marriage. Unlike most stories where the male forcefully went on with the plan, this time she had full control.
"Don't worry, I will say to Grandpa Jing that I wanted to abolish it. I will tell him to keep the deal he was giving your parents if there were any."
Nia opened her eyes as she was surprised at the proposition he was giving on his own. Normally the proposition the taker give was demanding but this time, was not.
"However, if you want to keep it, don't do it out of pity, I have my pride."
The wind was blowing and fluttered their hair but the smile the young man gave was as visible as the sun.
Her head slightly bowed as she averted her gaze from the face he was giving. The hand on her chest tightened as he bit her lower lip. She thought it would be an easy decision that she could just say it right out loud however that was not the case.
"Please, don't say anything else."
Sein was held back before he looked down and said, "Sorry, I-I didn't mean to."
The two youth had complicated feelings inside them as they stood there and let the gentle wind crashed on to them. Two were born in this world. Two were raised in this village. Two had different fate set out to them. One was blessed, the other was cursed.
Nia took a deep breath before bracing herself and looked at him in the eyes. She felt that whatever decision she was going to make will be impactful to her future later on.
Her lips moved, "Let's abolish it."
His body slightly jerked when the words entered his heart. The gentle wind seemed to become slightly colder but empty at the same time. He knew the decision would be as such, it's the most logical out of everything. He thought he was prepared but.
She knew the decision would hurt his feelings. She knew it would. However, she got not much choice in the matter. She had to weight the future, she knew she wouldn't be in the village before long.
"I understand."
Nia nodded before walking past by him without uttering a word, leaving the youth alone on the training ground. He pressed his lips together as he closed his eyes and faced the sky. Though it was for a short time, he did feel joy for half a day.
The sun immediately set as dusk ordained the village. Sein was in the living room sitting across his grandfather who looked at him gently as if he was his own grandson.
"... That's why I want to abolish the arranged marriage."
Grandpa Jing nodded with a smile, "I see, don't worry, I don't promise them anything so you don't have to be worried, I will come to their house right now, meanwhile you need to cook me something nice in return hahaha."
Sein was surprised by his casual acceptance of the bullshit he was explaining. The sound of the door closing woke him up from his stupor before he headed to the kitchen.
Outside the house, Old Jing was smiling as he faced the sky before he muttered, "Your grandson is a kind kid."
While enjoying the little stroll Old Jing walked toward Nia's parents' house. Standing in front of the door he lightly tapped it.
"Ah', Old Jing, I was just about to go to your house for a visit."
A middle-aged man with a fair figure greeted him from behind. It seemed that he was also strolling before coming here.
"Mada, that's really rare of you to take a stroll."
"I am the chief's son, so I need to get to know my surrounding for when the time comes."
Mada laughed before coming up to him and opened the door, "Come come, let's go inside."
"Honey, prepare a tea for Old Jing."
"Okay."
The two of them immediately sat across each other before a beautiful middle-aged woman came to the living room and serve the tea for three.
"I came here to talk about the arranged marriage between your daughter and my grandson."
Old Jing didn't beat around the bush before taking a sip of the tea while the couple confused.
Mada's wife furrowed her eyebrows with a slight twitch on her mouth, "W-what is it about Old Jing?" (I already agreed of giving my daughter to your useless grandson, what more do you want?!).
If not for being that Old Jing was a hidden expert, they wouldn't have agreed of something ridiculous.
"I'm canceling it, Nasha."
The couple was struck by his words. They were already seeking ways of abolishing the arranged marriage in secret but suddenly things went around for the better. Though they were excited they must hide their emotion.
"W-Why? Are they not compatible?" asked Mada.
"Yes, it looks like my grandson wants a more mature woman like that new teacher."
"A-Ah I see, that's too bad then."
"Nasha, if you are single he might take interest in you hahaha."
"Surely you jest Old Jing."
Giggled Nasha but her thought ran differently (Just go die old man).
"Welp, that will be all, my grandson is cooking my favorite meal for dinner I'll be going."
After all the necessary pleasantries, Old Jing left the house.
The couples inside the house were excited by the news.
"We need to tell Nia the good news!" shouted Nasha.
"We will tell her later at dinner, she is currently training."
"Ah what a wonderful kid we got, she is definitely no match for that useless kid."
"Yeah, soon she will be a student in the capital and fly her wings."
The two celebrated on their own as time goes by and the sun's lover was at the highest peak. The stars garnered the dark sky as it illuminated the village. Sein in his room was standing by the window as he stared at the full moon.