As Zhen Liu was mentally griping that he was somehow broadcasting romantic background music with nobody but Bellona being the wiser, two rather different but equally intense meetings were taking place in different parts of the city.
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Zhen Yan, Zhen Hou and Prince Carlos Ecaredies we’re sitting around a tea table on the Zhen Clan estate with a freshly brewed pot of Golden Jasmine tea steaming before them. Granted, none of them except Zhen Hou had a desire to drink tea, the other two were locked in a rather... stupidly heated debate.
"Carlos, because you’re my brother’s...old friend, I am willing to let you graciously step away," Zhen Yan said sternly.
"What a strange coincidence," Carlos retorted condescendingly, "I was about to offer the same thing, due to you being Zhen Hou’s younger brother."
"Guys...does it really matter who ties the knot with Zhen Liu first?," Zhen Hou asked while drinking a cup of tea.
"Yes, it does!," Zhen Yan and Carlos yelled back in unison.
For context, years ago, Zhen Yan had made a similar promise that Zhen Hou did, in regards to promising that their future child( Zhen Liu) would become the fiancee to Alexander Goldshire’s future child (Alicia). They tried to make it official on the Zhen Clan’s previous trip to Emerald Eye city, but then the circus incident occured(also the kidnapping, but they didn’t know that). However,they did at least confirm that Alicia had develop some level of interest in Zhen Liu.
"Respectfully Carlos, but you should understand that a promise between blood brothers is a matter of honor that must be upheld."
To which the Prince replied, "Well respectfully, fuck you, I care more about my daughter’s happiness then a promise you made with some random merchant."
"Carlos!," Zhen Hou said in shock.
"What? This is the first time in years I’ve seen her shown attractive interest to anyone, I refuse to have her be second fiddle."
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Please note that on the world of Valresta, polygamy, polyamory and homosexuality were all considered normal and wasn’t cracked down by any major powers in any meaningful way. Kinda hard to enforce societal rules and/or oppression when several members of the society could easily throw mountains like baseballs.
One man with multiples wives or husbands, one woman with multiple husbands or wives, and every combination in-between could be found and accepted.
It should also be noted that the last time someone attempted to enforce rules on how people could love each other, it ended with the aforementioned tyrant having their head ripped clean off their shoulders and then used to beat the headless torso to a pulp, but that’s a story for another day.
Hell hath no wrath like a woman’s scorn, especially one in love.
But on that note, there is a urban myth as it were that in a polygamous relationship that the first ones to tie the knot together have the strongest bonds of love, or something like that.
Practically it makes no sense, but spiritually, it kinda does?
It was still a weird argument.
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"Guys," Zhen Hou interjected while pouring himself another cup of tea, "you do realize at the end of the day, it’s very much dependent on who Zhen Liu proposes to first, right? So...wouldn’t it be easier to just have both girls present and have him, make the decision?"
Zhen Hou had already secured his daughter’s future, so he had less of a shit to give in this moment, but what he said technically made sense.
Zhen Yan and Carlos looked at each either for a moment before speaking.
"My friend’s daughter has academy lessons up until the end of next month but will then be available to visit."
"What a coincidence, my daughter has private tutoring sessions until then as well. And I’m sure she’d be more than happy to visit her future sister-in-law."
An implicit understanding was established between the two men, both aiming for the marital bliss of another.
’Bunch of fucking weirdos,’ Zhen Hou thought to himself while going back to his tea,’Not sure if I should be jealous of Xiao Liu’s future prospects, or relieved that none of my children will have to go through this drama...’
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[Bless you, maestro.]
’Thank you, Hurricroak. Think someone is talking about me...,’ Zhen Liu thought while wiping his nose with a handkerchief.
[Milord...how long have those two been sitting there?]
"Before you ask, I lost track of time after they kept talking for about ten minutes straight."
"...fucking cringe ass idiot couple."
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One of the unspoken rules of the Wolfe Family is that the patriarch commands the absolute respect of the household, and must kneel to no one. That said, there was exactly one exception.
As of this moment, Jacob was in the manor’s main office, kneeling before an old man who looked very much like him. This man was none other than this father, the Grand Elder of the Wolfes.
"It is good to see you again, Grand Elder."
"There’s no need to be so polite, my boy. You don’t have to use such titles while we’re in private," the Grand Elder rumbled, "Please, stand so I may have a better look at you."
"Of course, father," Jacob said while rising to his feet.
It was hard to believe that a man as intimidating Jacob would act so...obedient.
"Tell me, how is your son progressing?"
"Donovan’s cultivation is going quite smoothly, father. He has already reached the limit of the Acolyte level and just needs a little push to reach Master level."
After hearing this news, the Grand Elder reached into his robe and pulled out a small jade bottle and tossed it towards Jacob, who grabbed it out of the air.
"That bottle contains a Desert Wolf Pill. I have no need for it, but it should prove to be immensely useful for little Donovan."
"Thank you father! This is most generous."
"Think nothing of it," the Grand Elder said casually.
However, after he said these words, the air suddenly grew a lot sharper and tense, as the Grand Elder’s thoughts shifted to something a bit more...dire. The pressure was enough to cause Jacob to uncomfortably fiddle with his could
"I have heard my cousin, the Marquis, had fallen in battle. Do you have any news as to who did the deed?"
"Unfortunately, we don’t have anything concrete father. We had a lead, but it ended with a good portion of our forces succumbing to some sort of madness inducing curse. Elder Gio is still recovering from the effects."
"However, we do have...one possibility."
"One of the men we sent to try and scout the area happened upon a bar where an old musician, a Grand Master of all things, was drinking and trading stories with other travellers. During one of his drunken tirades, he mentioned an odd encounter he had with a boy from Roaring Tide."
"In what way did he have this encounter with this pi...Roaring Tide boy?"
"The kind that had them team up and kill the Marquis."