Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1835
Ricardo's only son from Marilin, 13-year-old Richard Kislavein, had been brought to Mah-Ehrem under the tight protection of tens of thousands of soldiers.
Richard felt a sweet excitement at the thought of seeing his father and mother after years.
The long journey lasting months was finally over. Richard could see his father from his carriage.
"Father, I want to run and hug you right away, but I can't do that. As the Kislavein Dynasty Heir, I must behave respectfully and nobly."
When the carriage stopped in front of the palace, a soldier opened the carriage door. Richard descended from the carriage and knelt before his father.
"I present my respects to Krael II Kislavein, Dynasty Lord of the Kislavein Dynasty."
"Rise, my son."
When Richard stood up, father and son saw each other after years.
"When I left you at the palace, you were so small. Now you've become a grown man."
Richard felt proud at his father's words.
"I am grateful for your compliments, Dynasty Lord."
Ricardo placed his hand on the shoulder of Aishe, who was standing behind him, and encouraged her to step forward.
When Aishe stepped forward a few paces, she made eye contact with Richard for the first time. Both children were amazed by each other's appearance.
"Very beautiful. The most beautiful girl I've seen after my mother."
"Very handsome. Even more handsome than Krael, the Kislavein Dynasty Lord."
Ricardo noticed the spark between the children.
Without missing the opportunity, he decided to introduce Richard and Aishe.
"My son, this young lady's name is Aishe Cyrus. She was the first and last Dynasty Lady of the Arfas Dynasty. From this day forward, she will be your First Wife."
Richard was surprised. "A girl this beautiful will be my wife?" he thought.
"Now that the young people have met, we can hold the wedding in a few days," said Ricardo.
"We're getting married immediately? But we aren't even adults yet," Richard objected.
Ricardo conceded his son's objection was valid.
"Even if he's a child, I must treat him like an individual. He will govern the Dynasty after me," Ricardo thought.
Ricardo began to explain the political situation and why the wedding was being rushed to his son Richard.
"My son, right now in the Southern Lands, marriages are very important for establishing legitimacy. I took a wife, but that's not enough. You need to take a wife too. If you marry the sister of the last Dynasty Lord, the people will accept you and our Dynasty's rule."
Richard couldn't understand the word "legitimacy" he kept hearing.
"Father, why do we need to gain legitimacy? We conquered all our Lands by fighting. Isn't that a source of legitimacy in itself? On the other hand, why do we need the people's approval? If they rebel, isn't cutting off their heads enough?"
Both Ricardo and the commoners and nobles witnessing this conversation around them were both surprised and admired the intelligence and the ruthless words, despite his young age, of the Kislavein Dynasty Heir.
"This is what you'd expect from the first child of the world's most powerful, intelligent, and handsome man and the most beautiful, intelligent, and powerful woman."
"Despite his age, even his demeanor is a true Kislavein."
"It seems the next generation of the Kislavein Dynasty is in safe hands."
Ricardo was pleased with the positive words and praises the people showered on his son, himself, and his wife.
"Wow, so this is what it feels like for a father to be proud of his son. Now I understand what my father felt when he said he was proud of me."
Ricardo looked at his son.
"I'm proud of you, son."
Even with just these few words from his father, Richard felt like he could fly with joy.
No matter the status or time, a father telling his son "I'm proud of you" is every man's greatest dream and joy.
"Thanks, Dad."
Ricardo decided to answer his son's question.
"You asked why legitimacy is important. Let me explain. If you conquer a land with blood, you plunder and massacre the people. But if you take it peacefully, the people of that region become your people. You become responsible for protecting them and making them prosper. At the same time, you must earn their approval and love. That's why for a thousand years, every dynasty, every dynasty lord, when conquering a region, chooses the path of marriage to gain the people's approval. It's the shortest and most guaranteed way. It prevents bloody rebellions, maintains order, and stops the Dynasty from losing blood. Now do you understand, Richard, how important marriages are?"
Richard listened attentively to his father's teachings, carving them all into his memory.
"I understand, Father. As your son and Heir, I will fulfill my duty. I will marry Aishe Cyrus."
Ricardo smiled.
"Good job, son. I'm proud of you once again. You are much more mature and conscious than your peers."
As Richard once again felt the joy of making his father proud, Aishe watched the loving conversation between father and son with jealousy and anger.
"Why do these people act as if nothing happened, ignoring me, and behave like this right in front of my eyes, while I lost my father and brothers? Why?"
Aishe was struggling to hold back her tears. Just as she was about to cry, Richard extended his hand.
Aishe looked at Richard in surprise.
"My Lady, our meeting and our marriage happened very suddenly and as a result of bad events. I wish we could have met under different circumstances. Please know, I say this very sincerely: I genuinely like you. I hope our marriage doesn't remain just a duty."
Aishe felt her heart beating very fast.
"What's happening? Am I falling in love with this boy? Handsome, mature, and intelligent... but still..."
"Well, you don't have to answer me immediately or approve of me. I would just be very happy if you talked to me normally and tried to get along."
Aishe began to blush, and her breathing became uncontrolled. Naturally, Marilin and the women near her were the first to notice this.
"Look at them, they don't hold back from flirting right in front of our eyes. Though, I wasn't much different either. I guess Richard got this boldness from me."
That evening, everyone was busy with the final preparations for the new couple's wedding and gossiping.
"Did you see the children?"
"As if I wouldn't! They became such a cute couple."
"But wasn't this wedding too rushed? They could have at least gotten engaged first."
"There's nothing to be done. This is the Dynasty Lords' decision. It's not for people like us to speak."
"But even now, they're such a sweet couple. If they were a little older, they would be such a beautiful couple we couldn't get enough of looking at."
Of course, not everyone spoke positively.
There were also those who viewed this marriage negatively or criticized it.
"Hey, these are still children! They should be running and playing, living their childhood, but they're being married off?"
"Seriously, are we in the Ancient Empire? Child marriage?"
"Hey, if the Dynasty Lord plans to bring back child marriages, maybe he's trying to psychologically prepare people with this wedding?"
"Shut up, may the wind take your words!"
"May the ancestors forbid! Such a thing?"
"Though, anything can be expected from this genocidal Dynasty Lord."
"Speak properly! If they hear us, they'll cut off our heads!"
"HEY, IS IT A LIE? ONE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE OF THE WAR THIS BASTARD STARTED! ONE HUNDRED MILLION!"
A man punched the shouting man hard.
"SPEAK WITHOUT SHOUTING! Do you want to get us killed along with yourself?"
At that very moment, Kislavein soldiers who heard the shouting and talking entered through the door.
"Damn it!"
A Kislavein soldier drew his sword and pointed it at the gossips.
"You are sentenced to immediate execution for insulting the Dynasty Lord."
The gossips knelt and began to beg to survive.
"NO! STOP! PLEASE!"
"MERCY!"
"PLEASE, I HAVE CHILDREN!"
Despite all the pleas, the Kislavein soldiers showed no mercy and cold-bloodedly slaughtered everyone before them.
Around the same time, Richard and Aishe were chatting privately in a room, letting no one else in.
"So, you sat on the throne and became the first and last Arfas Dynasty Lady before the Arfas Dynasty was dissolved? Wow."
Aishe was overwhelmed by Richard's gaze, watching her with admiring eyes and listening attentively.
"Why can't I look at him?" she kept thinking.
"My Lady, why aren't you looking at me? Am I disturbing you?"
"No! Ugh... how should I answer?"
Richard silently stood up, came beside Aishe, knelt down, and took her hand.
This action shocked Aishe.
"Wh-what are you doing? Please stand up! This is very inappropriate for someone of your status!"
Richard continued kneeling and spoke.
"I will never get up until you forgive me. Because of the war my father started, you lost not only your father and brother but also millions of your people and relatives. Hating me and my family is your most natural right."
Richard looked directly into Aishe's eyes and spoke with his most sincere feelings.
"I truly, truly like you. I've fallen in love with you. Please, I haven't done anything to you, and I never will. Please don't hate me."
Aishe turned crimson with embarrassment. She didn't know what to say from excitement and shock.
"GET UP, PLEASE! I DON'T HATE YOU! I LIKE YOU TOO!"
When Aishe realized she had made a confession of love beyond her control, she wanted to sink into the ground with embarrassment. Richard's face lit up with joy.
"REALLY? YOU LOVE ME?"
Aishe bowed her head and replied in a low voice.
"Yes... I think so."
Richard hugged Aishe joyfully.
Aishe froze in shock and panic.
"Wh-what are you doing? We aren't even married yet!"
"I'm just hugging you. Besides, we're getting married in a few days anyway. Nothing will happen from a little hug."
Aishe found Richard's words logical but couldn't overcome her embarrassment.
"OKAY, IF YOUR HUG IS OVER, PLEASE LET ME GO."
"Never. If you don't hug me back, I won't let you go."
Aishe finally surrendered to Richard's persistence.
"Ugh, why are you so stubborn and romantic?"
When Aishe hugged Richard, she felt an unexpected peace.
"Somehow, it feels very nice."
Aishe closed her eyes and surrendered herself to this pleasant and soothing flood of emotion. After a while, when their hug ended, Aishe wasn't as embarrassed as before.
"Well... would you... sleep with me... hugging?"
Richard was initially surprised by the unexpected proposal from Aishe but accepted.
"With pleasure."
That night, Richard and Aishe slept in the same bed, hugging each other.
The young couple's wedding would take place in a few days.