Chapter 399: Be Strong, Nicole
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 399: Be Strong, Nicole
“Nicole!”
“Y-Yoora!”
“Is it true?”
“Y-Yeah… I’m not really sure myself…”
“Have you decided what to do?”
“I don’t really know about that either… Apparently, there was some other reason for it. Sigh…”
“What? Really?”
“Yes. I only heard the details briefly, but it seemed Ratga had been ensnared by a vixen.”
“A vixen?”
“That’s certainly how Lady Jang Ye Ri described her.”
Nicole let out a sigh as she looked at Kim Yoora, whose eyes were sparkling with curiosity.
It had all been so sudden. She’d thought there must be some reason, but she never imagined a backstory like this was hiding behind it all. She had been dragged to the Eastern Continent in the middle of the night, and before she could even catch her breath, she was hit by a storm of information that left her completely drained. The problem seemed both trivial and incredibly serious at the same time: Blood Dagger’s third heir, Ratga, was caught in the clutches of a wicked woman.
Jang Ye Ri’s solution for Ratga, who was stubbornly insisting on getting engaged, was simple. The condition was that she would permit it only if he took another partner alongside his existing one. He had refused at first, of course, but after his mother’s unyielding persistence, he had reportedly agreed to at least meet the other candidate. And while Jang Ye Ri was searching for candidates, her eyes had fallen upon Nicole. Ratga himself probably had no idea that she was the one he was supposed to meet.
It’s because of his mother.
It wasn’t that she was a bad person, but because Ratga’s mother had decided things so arbitrarily, the situation had become complicated.
It was a foregone conclusion that she would attend the arranged meeting with Ratga. The problem was what came after.
What should I do…
She was overjoyed that Blood Dagger and Ratga’s mother, Jang Ye Ri, had chosen her as a candidate, but it was also a heavy burden. As soon as Nicole explained the situation, Kim Yoora spoke up.
“So, you’ll just be with him for a little while?”
“I don’t think so. That’s what I thought at first, but for some reason, Lord Blood Dagger said he’d like me to become a true member of the family… It’s true that I’m supposed to decide after meeting him, but it’s a little overwhelming. I’ve never thought of Ratga in that way before…”
“I see…”
“Sigh. I think the Queen of the East is trying to create a balance. Since Lord Ratga is soft-hearted… she’s probably worried he might fall for that vixen and be led down the wrong path.”
“So what do you think, Nicole?”
At Kim Yoora’s question, Nicole began to think deeply. Things had gotten tangled, but it was for the good of the clan. Her father would have been overjoyed. Still, it wasn’t without its problems. Before they could even discuss their feelings for each other, there was the issue that Ratga was not even three years old yet. If they were to become mates, she would have to wait six years. Of course, she wasn’t in any hurry, so waiting six years wasn’t a problem, but…
“If things work out and we somehow become mates, I suppose it could happen, but no matter how I think about it, the age gap seems too big.”
“Not really. Age doesn’t matter, does it?” Kim Yoora immediately refuted Nicole’s quiet mumble.
“Ah. Sorry, Yoora. You’re right! Age doesn’t matter!”
“…”
Seeing her blush after that belated encouragement was adorable, even to another girl. She must be thinking of the age gap between herself and Blood Dagger.
“Anyway, when are you supposed to meet him?”
“Probably in a little while. Everything’s already been prepared.”
She glanced down and saw the ceremonial robes unique to Green Skins. It was the first time she had ever worn such clothes. A lot of her skin was exposed, and she could see the patterns drawn by the elder goblin women. Kim Yoora was watching her with a fascinated expression, as if she wasn’t used to seeing her like this. Feeling embarrassed, Nicole quickly averted her gaze.
“You look really pretty today, Nicole. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in clothes like that.”
“M-Me? You’re such a liar, Yoora.”
“It’s true. I’m telling you, you’re really pretty.”
“I-I’m not happy even if you flatter me like that.”
“I’m telling you, it’s not flattery. Fine, don’t believe me if you don’t want to.”
In truth, a compliment like that felt very nice. She hadn’t thought she looked particularly pretty when she looked in the mirror, but if Yoora was praising her this much, it must mean the clothes suited her. Just as the corners of her mouth began to curl into a smile, Kim Yoora’s voice rang out again.
“Still, thanks to you, I get to see the Eastern Continent.”
“You won the card game, Yoora, so you would have been able to see it even without me!”
“But I got to come a little sooner, right? Hehe. I hope it goes well, Nicole.”
“I-I don’t know about that, Yoora. We’re just meeting once, that’s all.”
“Still, I’m a little envious. To think Lord Blood Dagger said he wanted you to join his family…”
“Lord Blood Dagger didn’t originally like having children, but his thinking must have changed over time. After all, there’s a clear difference between having an heir and not having one. That’s probably why he wants to find mates for Ratga quickly, and many of them. I think he wants to bring more stability to the clan. It’s a little surprising that I’m the one he chose, but… ahem…”
“You think so?”
“Yes! And this is just my guess…”
“Yeah?”
“I think Lord Blood Dagger might take a new bride.”
“R-Really? You think so?”
“Yes! The clan has many mistresses, but only three heirs, so there might be a chance for you too, Yoora!”
“I… I told you I’m not interested.”
Watching Kim Yoora quietly blush, Nicole smiled. She was pretending not to be, but she was clearly thinking about all sorts of things. As they were passing the time with such idle chatter, they heard a knock on the door.
She answered reflexively, and the door opened to reveal someone entering. It was the Great Tribe Leader who ruled the Land of Glory and stood above all Green Skins, Blood Dagger. Beside him was the ruler of the great eastern metropolis of Garia, Jang Ye Ri, the mother of his third heir. Nicole instinctively glanced at Kim Yoora.
“Ch-Chieftain!”
“For Blood Dagger.”
“Hm? Yoora, you’re here too. I wasn’t told… It’s been a while.”
“Ah! Y-Yes. I’m glad to see you’re looking well.”
“I should be the one saying that. Have you been well lately?”
“Yes… thanks to you…”
The way she blushed and lowered her head made her look just like a girl in love.
Could I ever make a face like that?
She thought about it, but it didn’t seem likely.
“You look beautiful, Nicole.”
“Th-Thank you! Chieftain. And… and Lady Jang Ye Ri.”
It was unlikely, but if this marriage proposal went through, this woman would become her mother-in-law. It was only natural that she felt a tremor of nervousness. As Nicole swallowed hard, she felt a large hand stroking her head. She looked up and saw the owner of the hand. It was Blood Dagger.
“I’m sorry about this. It shouldn’t have been brought up so suddenly.”
“No! If it’s for the c-clan…”
“No. After today, if you don’t like him, it’s perfectly fine to refuse. I want you to make a choice that will make you happy, Nicole. Still, my wish for you to become part of my family is sincere.”
“Ah.”
As she looked up at Blood Dagger in surprise, another voice came from the side. It was the Queen of the East, Jang Ye Ri.
“Did Nicole’s father not throw his life away for you? If not for this child’s father, you would not be here today. And that’s not all. This child is beautiful, intelligent, and worthy. If she is willing, I would have them marry immediately. This child is a more fitting mate for Ratga than some strange girl I’ve never seen or heard of. I’ve thought so from the beginning; the timing has just been moved up a bit.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you will understand my feelings. Please take good care of our Ratga.”
Blood Dagger had said she could back out anytime if she didn’t like it, but the atmosphere somehow made it impossible to refuse. In truth, she was very grateful that they thought so highly of her. She had never been praised as beautiful and intelligent before.
However, this was a decision about her lifelong partner; it wasn’t something she could decide simply out of gratitude. Besides, she didn’t think Ratga, who was currently infatuated with a vixen, would even look her way.
Even she didn’t think she was that attractive. She was grateful for the high praise from Blood Dagger and the Queen of the East, but it takes two to clap. Even if they were to become mates, it would be meaningless if she wasn’t loved.
First, I need to see who I’m dealing with.
Sacrificing herself for the stability of the clan was a simple matter. If she determined the situation was truly serious, she could step in then.
She wished time would pass as slowly as her complicated thoughts, but the moment to meet Ratga was drawing ever closer. After talking at length with Jang Ye Ri, Blood Dagger, and Kim Yoora, she freshened up once more and was now in a room in the castle on the Eastern Continent. Sitting in the same room with Jang Ye Ri, with whom she hadn’t spoken much, was quite overwhelming, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable feeling. As she was lost in thought for a moment, she heard a voice.
It was the Queen of the East, sitting beside her.
“Were you surprised?”
“To be honest, it was a bit sudden… sir. That Ratga was already looking for a mate was sudden, and… receiving this offer was also a little… surprising.”
The unfamiliar formal speech felt awkward.
“Actually, when I first said he would have to take another mate, he was against the idea. But when he realized that mate was you, he was overjoyed.”
“The Ch-Chieftain was?”
“Yes.”
That was very pleasant news. It was no different from being told how much he trusted and believed in her, so of course she was happy. The thought that Blood Dagger, who had been passive about this matter, had so actively pushed for her made her feel a sense of pride. Nicole began to look around the room.
It was built in a human style, but it seemed to have been influenced by Green Skins, as there were many eye-catching decorations scattered about.
Not a bad place.
She was more used to tents and dirt floors, but a place like this wasn’t bad once in a while.
She had only thought of Ratga as a little kid, but now that the situation was like this, she was incredibly nervous. The atmosphere felt different from usual.
After the sound of footsteps, the door burst open, and Ratga appeared. He, too, seemed surprised as he stared at her.
“Nicole?”
“Ratga…”
Beside him stood Wanhee, the one Jang Ye Ri had called a vixen.
She’s beautiful.