Riku stood silently, feeling increasingly strange. When he first met the old Beast Leader, the man was serious and commanding. Now, though, that impression was fading fast as the old leader rambled on. Was it really okay for him to sell out Fiya like this?
Although, Riku had to admit, this unsolicited "assist" from the elder did nudge his thoughts in unexpected directions.
"—!" As the strongest Werebeast, Fiya naturally heard the leader's words. Her face, hidden beneath the white veil, flushed from a gentle pink to a deep red. Her delicate body trembled slightly as she stared shyly but sharply at the old man, clearly embarrassed and enraged.
"Cough, don't worry. Our Werebeasts are very strong. Fiya here is the strongest among us, so there's nothing to fear. Just be bold and, you know... go for it!" The leader's words hung awkwardly in the air, and Fiya's piercing gaze burned into his back, but he stubbornly finished his thought.
Before she could fully unleash her fury, the elder quickly shuffled away, clearly aware that if he lingered too long, he might leave with more than just a bruised ego. He practically vanished before Fiya's simmering rage could boil over.
"This guy..." Riku muttered, watching the elder scurry off. He understood what the old man was trying to do. He just wanted Riku and Fiya to solidify their alliance in every way possible—especially with children. The idea was to strengthen their bond and secure the future of the Werebeasts. But in doing so, the elder completely disregarded Fiya's feelings, treating her like a pawn in a game.
Besides, does Riku really look like the kind of guy who would force things? In his past life, something like this would be a criminal offense, minimum three years in prison, max death penalty!
"Humph." Fiya gritted her teeth, still glaring at the elder's retreating back. "Once this wedding is over, I'll make sure he regrets that." She snorted, promising herself that the old man would learn the meaning of pain.
"Well, let's keep going." Riku took Fiya's hand gently, and the two of them bowed their heads under the watchful eyes of everyone present. Despite the awkwardness of the moment, the ceremony had to continue.
"Mm-hmm..." Fiya's earlier frustration faded. At Riku's words, her expression softened, and she gave a shy nod, her gaze falling to the floor. However, the way her tail swayed betrayed her true feelings, revealing a mix of excitement and nervousness.
With no further interruptions, the wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly. Under the encouraging cheers of the Werebeasts, Riku and Fiya walked into their wedding chamber and closed the door behind them.
Meanwhile, the Beasts outside celebrated deep into the night, gulping down wine and laughing heartily. It was a rare day of joy—something they hadn't experienced in a long time. The mood was infectious.
"Fiya, come on, the future of the Werebeasts depends on you!" The Beast Leader, along with several elders, stood outside the room, gazing at the closed door with hopeful sighs. Though they felt a twinge of guilt for forcing Fiya into this, they believed it was necessary for the survival of their race.
Inside the wedding chamber, Riku sat on the bed, holding Fiya's trembling hand. For a moment, he hesitated. Then, with a gentle touch, he lifted the white veil that had hidden her face.
In an instant, Fiya's beautiful features were revealed. Her soft, pale skin was flushed with color, her golden eyes shining beneath long lashes. Her ears twitched nervously, and without thinking, Riku reached out to stroke one.
"Don't touch... it's ticklish," Fiya whispered softly, blushing even more. A small, comfortable smile appeared on her face despite her protests.
"Sorry, but you're just too cute today," Riku said with a chuckle, still unable to stop himself from caressing her head. Fiya's expression wavered between embarrassment and enjoyment, her tail wagging faster with every stroke.
"Fiya, do those... racial rules really apply here?" Riku asked awkwardly after a moment, touching his nose to hide his discomfort. The idea of having to follow those customs felt strange, to say the least.
Fiya's body stiffened. She nodded silently, avoiding his gaze.
Riku sighed. "Look, if you don't want to, we can just pretend. We've got plenty of time to figure everything out later." Despite how awkward the situation was, Riku didn't want to pressure her into anything.
However, Fiya's response surprised him.
"...It's okay." Her voice was soft but steady as she met his gaze with determination. "This is my choice. It has nothing to do with them. If we don't go through with this now, I might regret it for the rest of my life."
Her face was still bright red with embarrassment, but her resolve was clear. She leaned her head gently on Riku's shoulder, her breath warm against his neck. "Riku, sometimes... being too gentle isn't the best choice."
Riku was stunned for a moment, then he smiled wryly. "I guess I was overthinking it."
Fiya was right. Neither of them were ordinary people, and this wasn't his old world. It was foolish to cling to those outdated ideals now.
Resolved, Riku moved closer, pulling Fiya into his arms. Their clothing quickly fell away as they embraced each other, and soon the sounds of their intimacy filled the room. The creaking bed, the soft gasps, the rhythm of their bodies—it was a sleepless night for them both.
As dawn approached, Riku lay awake, holding Fiya close as she slept soundly in his arms. He stared at the ceiling with a small smile on his lips. Life really was unpredictable. All he had wanted was a platinum treasure chest, and instead, he ended up winning the loyalty of an entire race and gaining a wonderful wife.
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