Undone the knot, at the moment the lid of the box was lifted, a panting elf girl stood up from the suitcase, her face flushed red as she began to rant loudly:
"Sister, just say it out loud to that stick! I can't bear to listen anymore! If you aren't interested, I'm going to run away first!!"
Li Lin couldn't comprehend the strange words that came out of Freya's mouth, which sounded like some sort of code or signal. Phrases such as "that stick", "not interested", and "run away" were all unclear and weird words.
From start to finish, Li Lin did not feel there was an issue with his conversation with Brynhild, nor could he identify any linguistic problems or points of contention in it even after rechecking. Thus, the criticism was utterly mind-boggling, a peculiar reaction devoid of logic.
In the end, the key point wasn't the bewildering accusation, but rather why Freya was in the suitcase held more investigatory value.
"Fre-Fre-Freya! How are you in there!!!!!"
The dumbfounded Brynhild eventually let out a shrill scream. Though a step slower, the elder sister seemed to finally realize the problem.
In fact, it was not difficult to guess the whole process--in order to venture out of the valley, which she had never left since the day she was born, and experience the wonder of the "outside world", Freya took drastic measures.
Children have a curiosity much stronger than adults, and driven by her inherently bold nature, Freya took advantage of the moment when everyone was occupied with the farewell ceremony, avoided the adults' sight, climbed onto the wagon, opened the suitcase, and her slight body easily hid within it.
With a logical plan, bold action, and a well-chosen opportunity, and with support from someone who decided to turn a blind eye to this situation, Freya's daring escape was successful.
From the wry smiles and distressed expressions, it could be judged that the intended ignorance had achieved its purpose, not only preventing a suffocation accident but also avoiding misunderstandings such as "abducting a girl" or "conspiracy".
Both parties achieved their respective goals; it could be considered a win-win result.
"Grandpa must be panicking! Return with me immediately!!"
"I don't want to, sister, you're the most cunning one, you went out twice without taking me with you!"
"We have important tasks to complete, we are not out here to play!!!"
"I am not out here to make a fuss either, I have a very — important task in hand ya know!"
Pouting in rebuttal to her sister's distressed plea, ignoring the taller and older spectators around her, she turned her small body to one side, clearing her throat as if imitating an adult, puffed up her chest that barely differed from a boy's, pointed out a finger from above and declared loudly:
"You're Li Lin, right? I have decided...may you be my husband!! Let's have children and prosper the elf clan!!!"
No applause, no shock, no uproar, and not even whispers.
The silent spectators - the Elf folks, widened their eyes and stared at Freya who declared the surprising statement with a proud air. After a while, they turned their focus to Li Lin.
Sympathy, surprise, confusion, envy, doubt, ambiguity, recollections… Eyes filled with various emotions and thoughts, subtly fused into a tangible group of vision that exuded warmth. The focus was on Li Lin, who was standing next to the wheel, arms crossed, seeming completely unrelated to the declaration.
"Although the feeling of being flattered isn't bad...this one-sided declaration really doesn't have any chance of becoming a reality, does it?"
A pair of hands spread in resignation, the curve of his smile was for placating the discomfort of others, Li Lin's calm demeanor seemed less of a rejection and more of encouragement for a small girl throwing a tantrum.
If there were something to be granted in such a situation, eight out of ten times it would be a card with an exquisite design and elegant font spelling "Good Person".
"You're a good girl."
With sincere regret that mirrors countless heartbroken girls in the same scenario, Li Lin uttered classic phrases that turn countless love-struck boys pale:
"You're still too young, it's not appropriate for you – or for the things you just mentioned."
From a physiological or societal perspective, Freya's declaration wasn't quite fitting.
All organisms have the instinct to reproduce, and intimacy between couples is unavoidable. However, the requirements before reaching a conclusion are inconsistent. There are wisdom species who like plump young women, but also those leaning towards the opposite: those who like only women who are older, who are around the same age or younger, and also those drawn towards criminal behaviors.
Li Lin wasn't denying the unique charm that Freya holds as a female. However, he didn't want to be related to peculiar groups like those who fulfill their needs through secondary means, or criminals who abuse young girls using money or violence. He did not have such strange fetishes and should keep himself distanced from becoming the protagonist in terrible rumors which will lower his social standing.
The last fatal blow was the status of Freya herself. Even if Li Lin decided to ignore all ethical, moral, and societal constraints. A ten-year-old girl couldn't become an appropriate maternity candidate. With the current medical standards, childbirth at this age was extremely perilous. The risk of both mother and child's life drastically outweighs the acquisition, constituting a high cost, low-profit behavior.
After analyzing these various aspects, there is only one answer to Freya's declaration of life.
[No.]
There was no room or value for compromise, only outright refusal.
"Does a direct approach really not work?"
With a gentle tsk, an unpleasant sound of mischief being exposed emitted from the face at his side.
The minor annoyance could not escape various detection methods, snatching the opportunity before the kitten-like girl managed to issue any strange proclamation, he sent forth a statement making the long ears perk up with a smile akin to that of a helpless brother dealing with a naughty sister:
"That said, there is still a consolation prize. How about it, want to join us for a stroll around the market?"
What a terribly lame consolation prize.
"That's not acceptable."
Standing atop the ambiguous and peculiar competition relationship as well as the responsibility of being an older sister, Brynhild decisively rejected Li Lin's consolation prize proposal, reiterating her unwavering stance with a heavier voice:
"We can't take action with Freya."
Nobody else among the elves echoed or opposed this. However, the agreement in their eyes was clear even without words.
"We indeed can't take action with Freya."
Tyr was the one expressing clear opposition. Ignoring the flushed face and puffed cheeks of the redhead resembling an angry kitten, he explained his reasoning matter-of-factly.
"Not to mention Emil's grandfather...his health isn't very good, and now with Freya running off on her own, the old man must be extremely worried, which isn't good for his health. Furthermore, from the beginning of our departure to our return to Niflheim, we have to maintain our covert identities. If humans discovered that elves have entered their area and managed to surround us, it would be far from amusing. So I think it's best if Freya returns."
His analysis was exceptionally clear and reasonable, pointing out the major contention. Next to no arguments could rebut Tyr's statements. If this were a debate, he would have already garnered a wave of applause and cheers.
It seemed Freya's audacious and reckless escape plan was about to result in failure.
"How mean..."
The threatening posture of the teenage kitten quickly dispersed. Her shoulders began to shrug increasingly frequent and the trembling of her body amplified. She bit her lower lip and adopted a pleading tone, words coming out as though begging for leniency, with tears welling up in her eyes.
The tactic all women have prepared for a turnaround in a desperate situation--the assault of tears.
In the face of the so-called invincible secret weapon of the females, which had often led to veritable turnarounds in contention, Tyr began to show signs of unease and his normally expressionless face started to appear somewhat awkward.
If the standoff continued, the pitiful and seemingly bullied Freya would commence a loud crying fit. The grand noise and the uneasy scene would undoubtedly escalate the small problem into a disaster--a disaster that would ruin the moods of all the traveling elves.
"Ah, Tyr does make a good point, however, I proposed to have Freya accompany us for some very good reasons."
Regardless of the commotion or the disaster, Li Lin had no intention of letting the situation escalate into a mess.
——Things would only progress according to his script at his pace.
"We've already traveled for more than half the journey, turning back now would be a waste of a day's time, and miss the market hour. It was also impossible to spare any companion to escort Freya back with our chariot. Two old horses alone could not pull the chariot filled beyond its carrying capacity, and it was too dangerous for a small group with insufficient numbers to trek such a long way on foot. Lastly..."
He spread his hands once again, forced to present his bitter smile and address the somber elves.
"Returning home empty-handed after such a blunder during our first outing, how would the villagers react? What would the Emil Clan Leader think?"
The young elves felt increasingly gloomy. The villagers would be disappointed, upset, and angry to see the chariots returning as they had departed. As for the Emil Clan Leader who was against the trip until the last moment, he would gloat at the sight of the disheartened youngsters, laughing until he was short of breath before, with a serious face, proclaiming that such foolish behavior would not be tolerated a second time and that all elves should stay in Niflheim--forever.
Even though this might have been a bit exaggerated, these youths had not forgotten how firmly the Elder Chieftain had attempted to stop them, even at the cost of his life. Thus, no one doubted the real situation could even turn out worse than imagined.
"I understand, I'll have Owen report the situation here to grandfather right away, at least put his mind at ease."
Brynhild sighed as if giving up, her slumped shoulders embodying her fatigue.
"Thank you for your trouble, Brynhild. And...thank you."
With a smile of understanding, Li Lin silently presented the same card to the sister that he had already given to the younger one.
"You really are a good girl, truly."