"Well...?"
The entire room fell silent as everyone stared at the Beast clan leader, eager to hear what solution he had to offer. Fiya Hatsuse, visibly nervous, fidgeted and resisted the urge to pull on her grandfather's beard, her anxious gaze fixed on him. She had no idea what he was about to say, but the tension in the air told her it was big.
"The solution," the Beast clan leader finally said, a growing smile stretching across his face, "is for Fiya and Riku to get married."
The room erupted in shock, and Fiya's face flushed a deep crimson almost instantly. Her red eyes widened in disbelief as she gawked at the old man.
"W-What?!"
"Yes, this way, our Beast tribe will secure its future," the leader continued, his grin widening. "If Fiya and Riku marry, it will be nearly impossible for us to be cast aside. In fact, we may even gain a stronger standing."
"Are you serious?" one of the elders exclaimed, caught between surprise and approval. "But we don't even know if Riku likes Fiya!"
"Why wouldn't he? Fiya is strong, skilled, and beautiful," another elder chimed in, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Any man would be lucky to have her!"
The conversation quickly spiraled as the previously stoic elders transformed into matchmaking enthusiasts, excitedly discussing the potential union. Some debated the lack of precedents for intermarriage between different races, while others dismissed it as unimportant in the current situation.
"We're at a critical juncture," one elder said with a wave of his hand. "Just because there's no precedent doesn't mean it can't be done. Their combined potential and strength make them a perfect match!"
Fiya, who had been listening in stunned silence, finally snapped out of her daze. Her blush deepened, and she stormed over to her grandfather, tugging hard on his beard. "Grandpa, what are you even saying?! You can't just sell me off like this!"
The Beast clan leader winced, his smile turning into a pained grimace. "Our little princess, please... let go of my beard," he said, laughing awkwardly. "This may be a bit unconventional, but it's the best path forward!"
"But I'm only 12!" Fiya protested, her embarrassment and frustration clear on her face. She couldn't believe the elders were already planning her marriage. Sure, she admired Riku, but this was a huge step. Too huge, too fast.
"You like him, don't you?" her grandfather asked, softening his tone. "There's not much difference between Beasts and humans. Besides, this marriage will ensure a bright future for both of our races."
Fiya hesitated, her fox tail twitching nervously behind her. It was true—she did like Riku. He was strong, brave, and mysterious, and she couldn't deny her curiosity about him. But marriage? That was on a whole different level. After a long pause, she sighed, her face still burning red.
"...Fine," she muttered, barely audible, her red eyes flashing with determination. "This princess will try."
The moment those words left her mouth, the elders burst into laughter and cheers, their approval clear. They had gotten what they wanted.
Fiya turned her head away, her pride stinging as she glared at the grinning old men. I'll pull out all of their beards one day for this.
.....
Meanwhile, Riku emerged from the bath, his body feeling lighter after finally relieving the strain from using the Eight Inner Gates. The Beast maid who had been assisting him handed him a clean kimono, which he accepted with a nod of gratitude. Although he could have used the clothes from his treasure chest system, it felt more appropriate to follow the local customs for now.
"Mr. Riku, please follow me," the maid said with a curious yet respectful look. She led him through the Beast tribe's grand halls, where Riku caught glimpses of the tribe members eyeing him with curiosity. It wasn't every day that a human was treated with such reverence, especially by a tribe as proud as the Beasts.
Riku, however, was more focused on the situation with Fiya and the elders. He hadn't expected things to move so quickly. "How did Fiya manage to persuade the elders so fast?" he wondered, scanning the ornate surroundings as they walked. "I thought it'd take days, maybe even weeks."
They finally reached a grand door, more luxurious than the others, and the maid stopped. "The princess and the elders are waiting for you inside, Mr. Riku. I'll take my leave here."
Riku nodded, watching as she turned to leave. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door.
Inside was a grand dining hall, with a long table at its center. Seated around it were the Beast elders, their eyes all turning toward him as he entered. At the head of the table, two ornate chairs sat side by side. Fiya was already seated in the left one, dressed in an elegant kimono. The chair to her right was empty—clearly reserved for him.
The sight of her, looking so composed yet slightly flushed, made Riku's heart skip a beat. So, this is what they decided.
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