"Look! It's starting"
Someone exclaimed and Luca and his group looked towards the right side of the side from where the main characters were arriving.
There were five people. 3 boys and 2 girls and in the middle was a young girl with the symbolic white hair of the Ingrid tribe wearing a white color long dress and adorned in beautiful blue flowers.
Just looking at her marvelous beauty, anyone could tell that she was the most beautiful girl in the tribe, Elenor.
"Wow, sister Elenor is sooo beautiful today"
"I know, right? She most definitely deserves the most beautiful saint in the Ingrid tribe"
"Whoever marries her must have saved a country in his previous life in order to deserve such a beautiful wife in this life"
"I heard many suitors from various kingdoms and empires are sending gifts and invitations in order in curry favor with her"
"We must protect sister from any weird guys who try to approach her!"
As the group was discussing about this problem, Luca's eyes were glued to Elenor
There may be some truth in Abby's words about him having a crush on her.
But first and foremost, he had utmost respect for her due to her saving him in the darkest moments of his life.
At one point, he ran away from home when he was five because nobody was willing to answer him about his mother and also the pressure of being suddenly reincarnated.
That day, Elenor was the first to find him. She just sat beside him and they were sitting there sitting there for a long time.
Luca didn't wanna talk but her just her sitting next to him was all he could ask for. Finally, when asked why she didn't question him she just said this,
"When you want to talk about it, just call me. I will always be there to listen"
....
Since then Elenor will always come and talk to whenever he was down.
In fact, she might have realized that I have reincarnated or at least that I am not a normal kid. So she has always treated me like an adult and shares her worries with me.
'But now her getting married and going away with her husband saddens me a bit'
Luca thought in his mind but he was happy for her and will support whatever she takes.
"...so like that. Are you listening Luca?"
"Uhh, yeah"
"He's definitely not listening"
"He's too busy looking looking at big sis Elenor"
Everybody gave Luca a know-it-all look. Even the guy from before started patting his shoulder.
"You guys! Where did you even these things?"
Are all kids like this these days? Where are they even learning this...
"Abby taught us"
"..." Luca was speechless.
The culprit was found.
'I better not let her mingle with the kids lest she corrupts them too'
Luca made a firm decision in order to protect the innocent children of this world...
The five people who had entered must first receive blessings and gifts from their relatives and loved ones.
Elenor after receiving her parents' blessing approached Luca and his group.
"Congrats on your coming-of-age ceremony sis!"
"Congrats!"
"Here. I brought some cookies so that you won't get hungry"
"Hahaha! Accept my awesome gift!"
Everyone starting showering Elenor with gifts and best wishes.
Seeing herself getting various gifts, Elenor gave a gentle smile to everyone.
"Thank you everyone for your best wishes. I hope moving forward, good luck will accompany you in all walks of life"
'She really is a living angel. Just by looking at her, one's soul will be healed'
Luca thought silently in his mind.
"Luca! What are you waiting for? Give her your gift"
A girl called out and everyone including Elenor looked at Luca. Suddenly receiving so much attention startled Luca a little.
"I-I will give it to her when no one is looking!"
Luca said shyly while looking in another direction.
"Come on! Don't be such a wuss"
"Yeah. Give her the gift already!"
Everyone started booing and told Luca to quickly give his gift.
"Even I am excited to see what you have prepared. Uncle Bruce told me to look forward to it"
Elenor said in a gentle voice but you could feel a little bit of excitement and expectations in her voice.
"O-Oh! A-Al-Alright...."
'Old man! you better not have spouted nonsense in front of her!'
After a bit of hesitation, Luca slowly brought out the wooden doll. Everyone exclaimed looking such a delicate and beautiful artwork. Even Elenor was mesmerized by it.
"...Is this for me?"
"Y-Yeah. I made it while thinking about the day we went near the Alsaan waterfalls. You standing near the waterfall while gazing at the sky looked so mesmerizing and precious that I just had to bring that image into this world!" said Luca but now his entire face was as red as a tomato.
Everyone started looking at each other and then at the duo with a knowing look.
Even a five year old could tell this is a indirect confession. In fact, many had already proposed to Elenor and were rejected all the same by her.
If it was someone else, they would definitely get rejected. But everybody knew Luca and Elenor had a 'special' relationship so it was hottest topic of today's event.
Whether other suitors still had a chance at winning her heart or would they return home heartbroken?
Everyone including Luca were waiting for Elenor's reaction.
Elenor looked at the doll delightedly and held it her bosom carefully afraid that it would break.
"Thank you Luca! I'll cherish it deeply. As for what you said..."
Everybody held their breath. Any minute now and Elenor will give her reply.
Even Luca was strangely nervous. He had already decided to accept any outcome but was still curious about Elenor's answer.
"I-"
"It's time for the ceremony. The participants must gather near the altar"
'Damn it! Soooo close...'
This was the thought running through everyone's mind.
Luca breathed a sigh of relief. It seems he was still not mentally prepared for Elenor's answer.
But Elenor suddenly pulled him to her and whispered in his ear,
"I guess my answer will have to wait..."
she said with a playful smile and quickly left for the altar.
But Luca who was left behind was in a turmoil. He placed his hand on his chest where his heart was pounding as if he had ran a 10km marathon at full speed.
'Ahhh...this is really bad for my heart'
Is it a yes or a no? He was really confused right now.
...But that was not the other people.
"Luca! what did she say? It's a yes right?!"
"Why are you not answering?!"
"Hurry up! We are dying from curiosity!"
He was instantly bombarded with questions from all sides leaving no space to breathe.
All the suitors were enviously looking at Luca. Some even started crying on the spot and ran away from the venue.
"Uhh...guys...can't...breathe..."
Luca now really was at a loss as to what to do...
....
"Phew! I finally escaped!"
Luca was now in a small alleyway after escaping the onslaught of his clansmen.
'Better to stay low for a while...'
"....do this"
He suddenly saw some people from the clan talking about something. He slowly approached to see what they were doing.
"...Are the preparations complete?"
"Don't worry. I have already set them up"
"Everything must be perfect. 'That person' will be here any second now"
'preparations...setup...some person...what the hell are they talking about?'
'Are they talking about some surprise? Doesn't seem like it. Let's go a little closer...'
"What are you doing here?"
Startled, Luca looked behind and saw his father standing behind him.
'Wait...'
As expected the shady people had heard Bruce and looked in his direction, their eyes filled with fear.
"No time to waste. Activate the device!"
The guy in the middle said bringing out a ominous thing which looked like an eyeball. The group instantly started chanting some strange and it definitely didn't look good.
Even Bruce felt threatened by that thing. He didn't know what it was, but was sure he couldn't let them complete whetever they were doing. A lance appeared in his hand as he charged towards the group. Huge amount of energy was gathering on the tip of the lance capable of destroying the whole area.
"STOP THIS INSTANT!!"
...But it was too late.
The eyeball emitted a huge shockwave which dissipated all of Bruce's energy and pushed him back.
"Dammit! I was too late!"
The energy of the eyeball exploded covering the whole area. The originally orangish sky due to the sunset had turned purple in color as far as the eye could see giving a eerie feeling.
Luca felt as if a huge block of boulder has been placed on him, suffocating him.
'What is this?'
He definitely doesn't like how things are playing out.
"O-Our job here is done. Let's go"
The shady group quickly escaped from the opposite direction.
"Hey, where are you..."
"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"
Suddenly, they heard a painful cry from the venue.
"What was that?"
"Let's go check it out!"
Both the father and son duo quickly ran from the alleys to the open ground and the scene there was shocking.
"What the hell happened here?!"
....