The Marriage Proposal
Lord Garion cleared his throat and said in his sharp voice: "I am presenting you with an official proposal from Duke Garion Elfior. Please respond, Kiyoshi."
Kiyoshi's fingers twitched at his sides as he answered very politely: "Ah.... mmm...I need time to think, Lord."
Lord Garion's gaze didn't waver: "One day is your allotted time. Don't worry. The marriage will be after a year, you can get the 30 gold from the second princess Evani."
Kiyoshi bowed his head, his shoulders tense: "Thank you, my Lord."
In the Treehouse
After some time in the tree house, Kiyoshi explains the situation to Sakura.
Sakura's eyes widened: "What? Do you know who she is? She is one of the strongest hunters in this country, the gang leader of the Elfin gang and older than you. Are you into older women?" Her voice rose slightly. "And we are here to get A rank and see that disappearing maid and get back to our world and save the world. That is our main plan, but as we are in the fantasy world, we can have fun, but this is crossing the line."
Kiyoshi shook his head rapidly: "No no no. It's not that. How can I say no to a duke in the face? He will kill me on the spot."
Sakura crossed her arms: "Here is a good chance If we get help, we can save mankind with ease. The choice is yours"
Kiyoshi looked down at his hands: "I want to think about it."
Night in the Treehouse
On one side of the bed, Sakura thought, her chest feeling tight: "What is this feeling? I feel heavy in my heart. I would be alone and out of his life after the engagement. There's no way I can sleep alone, so Kiyoshi, please say 'NO'. Maybe it's good for him to be with her. she can protect him better than me. Then why am I feeling these?"
On the other side of the bed, Kiyoshi stared at the ceiling, his stomach in knots: "I can't just say no like that. He is a duke. Rejecting a duke's proposal may kill me and Sakura. As Sakura said, this is not a bad deal, but my heart aches thinking about leaving Sakura alone. What if she gets hurt while going overboard? She is careless. Who will heal her? She couldn't even sleep alone. Whenever I kiss her on the hands for healing, I want to see her face turn red.
Morning
Kiyoshi wakes up first and prepares for his meeting with the duke. Sakura was still lying in bed, and her eyes were wet. His fingers hesitated before he carefully moved the blanket up to her neck because it was cold. He smiled weakly at her sleeping form and left to see the Duke.
In the Garden
Duke Garion's voice cut through the morning air: "Kiyoshi, what is your decision about the marriage? You will be noble too after the engagement. Don't rush things. Nanime is here to talk to you."
Nanime came near his ear, her breath cold against his skin: "You both will be killed if you say 'no'. This marriage is only to make use of your blessing, our family needs that. You will be my pet for 60 or 70 years until you die. So you can enjoy your one-year period of freedom."
The Duke's eyes narrowed: "What is your answer?"
Kiyoshi's throat felt dry: "I have a girlfriend, and I promised her I would only marry her under the death magic contract (it is a contract contracted with magic and if the contract is broken there will be a price. Here the price is the death of Kiyoshi)"
Duke Garion leaned forward: "Who is she? Bring her to me. is that Sakura?"
Kiyoshi's hands trembled slightly: "Yes, my Lord". He lied to him. There is no such contract between them.
Nanime brings Sakura and asks if it's true.
Sakura stares at Kiyoshi in anger, her jaw clenched.
"Please say yes" Kiyoshi shows with his eyes, his expression pleading.
Sakura said through gritted teeth, "Yes, it is true"
Duke Garion waved his hand dismissively. "Okay then, you both may leave."
After They Leave
Nanime to Garion: "They are lying."
Duke Garion's face darkened as he turned to Nanime: "I want the heads of both of them before tomorrow morning."
Nanime's hands balled into fists: "How dare he reject me? They both will die by tonight." She called the most elite assassins, her voice sharp: "Kill them without any fight or sound."
Unseen behind a brush, Evani's breath caught in her throat as she listened.