East Meet West

134- Confessions

“So, the reason I called you here is related to your marriage. I just wanted to ask both of you, do you want to proceed with the marriage or not? Both of you should be honest as this is an important decision related to your life. And making a wrong choice can be harmful to both of you. I just want to know if you are happy to be tied with this marriage knot?”

The surroundings went silent for few seconds,

Both Bertha and Sheela were watching us (Armelia and me), while Armelia kept her head low and not daring to look or answer anyone.

I don’t understand whether she is hesitant about accepting the marriage or she is shy about it or something else.

If it was any normal time, I would never get involved in matters related to marriage but since I have promised two conditions to Sheela and Bertha each and am bound by ‘Vishwa sakshi’ Oath, and since Sheela has used the first condition as a marriage between Armelia and I, then I have to accept the marriage.

It seems that Armelia doesn’t know that this marriage is just a deal between Sheela and I, and by exposing it to Armelia would make things worse for me [Like Armelia might disagree with marriage]. Since the first condition has already been issued, so I just have to complete the first condition quickly.

Since Armelia is reluctant to answer, I took the lead in answering,

“Of course, I don’t have any problem. I am just waiting for the day of the marriage. But, Armelia if you have any problem with the marriage, then please tell me, I promise that even if you disagree with the marriage then our friendship will still remain because even if I love you, that doesn’t mean I should ignore your happiness.”

Just as I finished speaking, Armelia quickly replied,

“NONONO... you have misunderstood me. I have no problem with the marriage and I am also looking forward to it, but I would like to ask you something. And promise me that you will honestly answer me.”

I know where this is going...

“Of course, I promise you.”

Armelia took a deep breath and then spoke,

“Did my mother put forward a condition where in exchange for the treatment, you have to marry me?”

I KNEW IT- I screamed internally.

Meanwhile, Sheela and Bertha, who were sitting peacefully and drinking tea as if all this is not happening, almost dropped their cup when they heard Armelia.

I knew that Armelia would ask me something like this. If she was so dense to not realize something like this, then I would have to brace myself for all the naïve things that Armelia would commit in the future.

Well, at least she is smart enough to realize.

But how am I going to answer this?

Should I lie?

Or be honest?

But I have already prepared the answer to this. And the answer is, to be honest with her.

I got up from my chair and stood opposite Armelia. Then I took Armelia’s hand and placed them between my palms.

“Armelia I will be honest with you. So, promise me that you will listen to whatever I have to say and if you are still not convinced then whatever decision you make, I won't object. Is that ok?”

Armelia nodded.

“Yes, your mother put forward the condition that if I want her help, then I will have to marry you.”

“But honestly, I am glad that she put forward this condition. Because during the time we spent in the forest, I already developed feelings for you but at that time, I did not know what those feelings were, and or even if I knew, I wanted to stay ignorant to them.”

“I was born in a small clan, where we had to show our talents and strengths to gain resources from the clan. I was considered a genius in the clan. But when I was 12 years old, my cultivation stopped at the peak of the Refinement Stage. I or anyone was unable to find the reason for that, and everyone thought that I was a waste and have no future in the path of cultivation.”

“And so, I lost all my glory, respect, house and even the servants started ridiculing behind my back. I had a fiancée who also belonged to a small clan similar to ours, and when they knew about my situation, she canceled the marriage and my family did not even support me in this matter. So, in frustration, I left my clan and the next thing I know, I was in the [Dark forest] with extreme body pain and the preparators revealed that I was poisoned.”

“Do you know who poisoned me? It was my fiancée and my friends, whom I loved and trusted. I don’t know the reason why they poisoned me but they left me half dead in the [Dark forest] and let me become food for the monsters. I was filled with despair and I decided to never trust anyone.”

“But luckily, I found I possess a special physique with innate strength, so I was barely able to defend myself in the forest and I stumbled upon some injured guy who after seeing me attacked and I managed to kill him. It was my first kill and I felt very awful. And when I was trying to find some food, the subordinates of the man whom I killed, came after me and I had to escape them from outer area to inner area.”

“After I reached the inner area, I hid and when they could not find me, they scattered around. So, I took the chance and killed a few of them. Coincidentally, one of the guards was fighting you and I ambushed him.”

“There I met you.”

“In the beginning, I did not want to help you, even if it was just a small task to escort you out of the forest, as I have already gone through so many betrayals and hardships that I could not even trust my shadow. But I don’t know why I finally agreed to take you out of the forest.”

“When we were being chased by the [White Fang wolf and its pack], I jumped along with you from a waterfall, for that you accidentally hit me and I received internal injury. At that time, I felt that I was once again made mistake by trusting and helping you. And I was extremely angry at my stupidity.”

“But when you risked your life to get me the [Purple dome mushroom], that anger was all gone. And when I fainted because of the poison, you looked after me without any rest, I was touched. Maybe, it was only a small action from you or maybe you did it out from the guilt, but for me, that action was like a lit candle that brought small light, in a room full of darkness.’

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Author's Announcement:

I am going to release 2-3 chapters tomorrow as those chapters will have some adult content, so I would request people below 18 to t skip those but rest assured that I will provide a summary so that you people do not miss any important points.

Let's make a few goals.

Mass Release on Monday:

350 Power stones = 3 Chapters

420 Power stones = 4 Chapters

500 Power stones = 5 Chapters

(Only if I reach this goal, will I be Mass releasing the chapters. Because If I could see your support through this, I can reassure myself that ‘Yeah, I can still work on this novel and can also start new works’ for my readers. And I am a graduate who is required to find a job; hence your support can give encouragement. I hope you people understand and continue your support.)