Marriage??!

"Dost thou feel well now?"

Drussera's voice carried a note of concern as she sat beside me.

I exhaled, testing my limbs. "I'm feeling good now."

It had been a while since I woke up in Drussera's room. She had brought me here after I collapsed from my encounter with the demon. My wounds—both the deep gash on my chest and my stitched-up hand—had fully healed, though a faint, glowing purple scar now marked where the worst of them had been.

Before I could dwell on it, a soft voice called from the entrance.

"Is he well, Mother?"

I turned toward the doorway. A girl, around my age, stood there, her hood drawn up, obscuring most of her features.

Drussera nodded. "Aye, he is well."

Then she turned to me. "This is my daughter, Mira."

Mira pulled back her hood, shaking her head slightly as she adjusted her hair.

My breath caught.

Her hair—a deep, glowing violet—cascaded over her shoulders like flowing silk, almost luminescent in the dim light. Her features were chiseled, almost otherworldly. She was breathtaking, no denying it.

"Hello, I'm Mira," she said, her voice smooth and confident.

Wait… she spoke normally?

I blinked. "I'm Nathan."

Mira smirked, her gaze lingering. "I know. I've been watching you."

My body stiffened. Watching me? Since when?

Before I could react, Drussera interjected, her tone a shade colder than before. "May we resume this at a later time?"

Mira huffed but didn't argue.

Drussera turned to me, her expression unreadable, almost calculating.

"Canst thou tell us what transpired within the chamber?"

I met her deep green eyes—kind, yet sharp. I could feel the weight of her gaze, the unspoken calculations behind it. She had saved my life, sure, but that didn't mean I trusted her entirely. My instincts screamed that she wanted something from me, something more than just my survival.

Still, I couldn't afford to make an enemy of her, especially after my encounter with the demon, I could feel it—the immense power she possessed. She wasn't someone to cross lightly.

I gave her a vague summary of the events—how I met the demon, the warning to stay out of the gods' sight, the violet energy, and then… the blackout.

Drussera listened intently, her gaze narrowing slightly as I spoke. When I finished, she gave a thoughtful nod, though her eyes still burned with a strange intensity. "It doth make sense. I can sense the taint of demonic energy upon thee, though it has been veiled with great cunning."

Demonic energy?

I blinked. "Does this mean I can finally resonate with mana?"

She shook her head. "The shackles of Ather remain fast upon thy body."

"What is Shakes of Ather?" I asked, the confusion making my chest tighten.

"'Tis a shackle wrought to forbid one from wielding mana. Only the one who hath placed it may remove it." Her gaze lingered on me, piercing. "In thy current state, 'tis a boon. Shouldst thou resonate with mana whilst bearing demonic energy within thee, the gods shall be made aware at once."

My heart sank. So, I can't even attempt to resonate with mana without attracting the gods' attention? Why am I supposed to be running from them in the first place? Was this entire thing some sort of elaborate trap?

But, as I focused inward, I could feel the surge of violent energy pressing against my chest, like a flood desperate to break free. Is this what they call demonic energy? Both mana and demonic energy were just remnants of the power left behind by gods and demons after their endless war. Does this mean I can now absorb the demonic energy in the air?

"Can I absorb demonic energy instead of mana from the air?" I asked, locking my gaze with Drussera's eyes, needing something more than just vague answers.

"'Tis not possible," she replied, her tone calm but firm. "Unlike mana, demonic energy may linger within the very air, twisting itself into fiendish beasts."

"So how can I cultivate this demonic energy?" I pressed.

Her eyes flickered, betraying a hint of discomfort. "I know not. Demonic energy and mana are but two sides of the same coin. Thou shalt find thine answers through practice."

Practice? How could I practice something so unknown? I could tell by her expression that she had no further answers to give. This was a path I'd have to walk alone, and that uncertainty gnawed at me.

I clenched my fists, the power within me urging me forward. That demon bastard—he could've told me how this power was supposed to work. Well, at least now there was a chance to improve myself.

Drussera's voice cut through my thoughts. "Nathan, I have yet another favor to beseech of thee."

A favor? I had already promised to help them escape, but now with this newfound power coursing through me, it felt like it might not be enough. A strange weight settled in my chest.

Drussera's eyes, calculating and unreadable, fixed on me as she spoke.

"I beseech thee, marry my daughter."

I blinked, my mind reeling as I processed the words. What? My breath hitched, and my gaze snapped to Mira. She stood beside her mother, her expression calm, but her eyes held something… determined. Something I couldn't quite decipher.

"What is the reason for this favor?" I asked, my voice betraying my confusion and hesitation.

Drussera's tone remained steady, as though this were the most natural request in the world. "The demonic energy coursing within thee is akin to that of the demon who wrought this place. But it is not sufficient to free us all from here. And with Mira by thy side, she shall protect thee from any dangers that may arise."

I paused, considering her words carefully. There was no hiding it—she was playing a game, a dangerous one. But was it one I could win?

It made sense, in a way. They wanted me to grow my power to help them escape. But why marriage..? There was more to it than just alliance or power. They wanted me to tie my fate to theirs, to make their struggle mine.

Then it clicked. They wanted me to be bound by this... and by Mira. I could sense the immense power behind her beautiful face.

I met Mira's gaze again. The tension in the air shifted, a silent agreement forming between us. No, not an agreement—a partnership of necessity.

I sighed inwardly. I had been so focused on Drussera's kindness that I failed to see the calculating mind beneath her soft demeanor.

There's nothing for her to lose. She could drag me into her revenge, and I couldn't even lay a finger on Mira with my current power—not without her permission.

"I accept," I said, my voice steady, though my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

This is too good of an offer for me to refuse. I get a beautiful wife and a powerful ally—something only a fool would turn it down.

A smile broke across Drussera's face, too quick, too satisfied. "Then, I shall prepare for the marriage forthwith," she said, rising from her seat. "Mira, come with me."

As they turned to leave, I couldn't help but watch them go, the weight of my decision settling heavily on my shoulders.

Hah... Life is definitely a box full of chocolates. I could only hope that this particular piece didn't bite back.