Ever Ever After - Chapter 37

The Knights Order we’re returning from the party. They watched Tarren strangle Kaiton bemusedly. Kaiton made a grab for the air, his pain exaggerated. None had successfully found a date at the party. Everyone thought they would never be able to find a proper woman to spend their life with, so after a talk with one another, they agreed to head back to the Outer Castle.

Ailea quickly wiped away her tears with her two hands. The knights would find it strange if she and Clint walked out together, so she came out of the library first.

She greeted the knights who had recently entered the Outer Castle. The smell of wine and alcohol wafted through the air. They looked like they had been dumped and drank the night away.

“Was the party fun?” she asked, smiling.

“Hardly worth anything. While Commander Clint was around, we were thrown in the backlights – background characters we were. And when he left, the interests died down and we were ignored. Didn’t work out, simply put,” the young and handsome Kaiton gagged and belched out somber words.

“Ah…” Ailea nodded.

The knights looked stupefied, staring blankly at Ailea. Odd. She looked unusually happy tonight. Was it the blue moon? Her red eyes, due to her tears, stimulated their protective instinct to safeguard and shelter.

“Should I tell you what we ate?” Shantee asked.

“That’s atrociously dull! What person in their right mind would want to know what we are? The architectural style and design of the Imperial Castle are more fascinating,” Kaiton harrumphed and stuck out his chest.

Bewildered, Shantee responded, “If you talk about the architecture style, women will loathe you. No wonder you couldn’t find a date.”

“You didn’t either. What’s your point? You know we’re not famous.”

“Didn’t you see that woman earlier, though? She found me delightfully pleasing to the eye. Said I was a cute apple.”

Kaiton snickered; he covered his mouth. “Oh? You think it’s a compliment when a woman calls you cute?”

The duo argued back and forth, their voices drowning out the wolves’ howl. Meanwhile, the drunken Clint walked out staggering. He grabbed Ailea’s arm and pulled her towards him.

“I’ll tell you about the party,” Clint murmured.

“…Yes?”

He could smell the sweet scent of her hair wafting below his nose. He turned to Kaiton. “Why would you talk about architectural designs to her? You’re no fun as well, buddy.”

“Pardon? If I recall, you looked left and right at the designs of the castle wondering how much it cost, Commander!” Kaiton scoffed.

Clint snickered and brought Ailea to her room, pretending deaf to Kaiton’s resentful words. He noticed Ailea’s eyes darting and shaking.

“You’re to marry me, Ailea. Will you continue pretending to be a maid?”

Her innocent eyes grew big and laughed lightly. “…It seems like it’s become a habit.”

Clint grumbled. “No, being a maid is a secondary role. Those brats think you’re their mother or something. I oughtta give them punishment. Haaa… why must they chatter loudly?”

Entering her room, Clint closed the door behind them. Blue slept comfortably in the basket with a soft cushion. There were cute props laying beside the basket.

It was only them. Clint was silent, thinking of words to say.

“By the way… what were you asking to take back?” Ailea broke the silence.

“Oh? It’s the words in which you asked me to marry you,” Clint smiled.

“Pardon? Aren’t we going to marry?” she asked, shocked.

A naughty gaze danced across his eyes. He walked close to her and untied the blue ribbon bounding her silky blonde hair. Ailea watched him. Clint straightened out the wrinkles in his clothing and tied the blue ribbon around his collar; he made a bow tie from the blue ribbon right after.

Clearing his throat, he knelt on one knee and said, “The proposal is something a man does. Not that there’s anything wrong with a woman proposing, but I want to do it. Let me do it. Ok?”

“How ridiculous is that?” Ailea smiled, tears forming on the corner of her eyes.

This man knew nothing about manners. He hated neckties, too, but he’ll stick to formalities for her sake.

Clint stretched out his hand.

“Ailea Elgar Euliana.”

“Yes?”

“Please marry me.”

Ailea smiled with her pretty eyes. Chaotic tears simmered up. She bit her lips. She had dreamed like a princess waiting for her prince charming. She would have liked to marry, even raise a family of her own. But instead, she became a hideous beast locked up in the castle. For seven years… no… if she counted the two years when time turned back, it would be nine years in total. A happy ever after was her goal for so many years.

She wished to be bound by a contract of marriage with someone kind. After a while, the little dream she had when she was a little girl faded. If she was to marry, it was fine if he did not love her. He did not need to.

Looking at Clint, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world. To be tied with a dazzlingly attractive man…

“…I accept,”

The drunk Clint smiled. Glorious stars glimmered in his eyes.

“Now, I belong to you, Ailea. No other woman shall have me but you.”

Clint untied the blue ribbon around his neck. He held her wrist and gently tied the blue ribbon.

“Wow… it’s pretty…” Ailea burst with wonders watching skillful ribbon binding.

Clint, incredulous, looked at her. How can she be so happy at the littlest things in life?