Terms and Conditions

After what felt like an eternity, she retracts both her hands and lips, looking at me for any comment...but I say nothing.

Because let's be honest...how can I say something when she kissed me so passionately?! It was...it was breathtaking, and now I truly can't focus. She only looks at me with more confusion, as if she never expected me to be this braindead.

"Well, now that we've settled that...let me remind you of what will happen between us," She rests on her chair with a contemplative attitude, saving space for me beside her.

It makes me curious how easily she can retract to her extremely straightforward self after just giving the best kiss I have ever got.

She has a robotic expression, sure, but I don't do or say anything else except nod and sit. 

Exactly like a good dog. Woof woof.

"First, you are to abide by the promise of not taking any other woman in your harem aside from me," She says with eloquence and pride, which is a testament to why she was the only known NPC whose conditions were something as limiting as this.

"Second, you may use as many resources I have-- including wealth, materials, or soldiers, as you want. However, you must not disrespect or show any debaucherous behavior to any woman in the continent of Cathelia," This time, I could sense a hidden feeling of hatred that was hidden beneath the intensity of her words.

It's as they say. She is uptight in maintaining order for her continent.

"As an additional condition, that rule applies to your own wife," She stares intensely waiting for my sign of approval...but I'm flabbergasted, wondering why she even says something like that to begin with. I

t's true that high-tiered NPCs can't be controlled by the player unless the player is stronger or more empowered than the NPC, but the bigger issue is...

Do I look like a bastard who would do as he wished with girls? Like some lecherous playboy?

If so, then sh*t, I really inherited my father's genes...

"Third, whenever you plan to kiss me or do intimate things to me, then you should inform me first," She says with a mixture of seriousness and anxiousness, causing me to laugh inwardly.

She looks like she regrets her decision to marry, but she still proceeds with it anyway...but then, to give her an affirmation that I understood, I only nod each time she tells me another condition or term.

The room stays still and silent after she tells me her 3 rules, causing me a momentary moment of respite and contemplation...a contradiction to what my wife feels right at this very moment.

She's gripping her hands tightly against the chair, glaring at me straight in the eyes, her expression screaming "inner turmoil". 

"Well? What do you want in our marriage?" She breaks the silence and catches me off guard. I unintentionally avert my gaze from her, not expecting her to say anything of the sort.

"I don't have any terms or conditions." I say to her with absolute calmness, knowing that any fidgeting or uneasiness would only cause her to be wary of what I "truly want".

But in reality, there...there is nothing I want.

She looks at me puzzled, and she only asks follow-up questions, not believing my words. "You don't want any kisses? You don't want me to warm your bed? You don't want children?" She asks, my cheeks reddening to that deep tomato shade from earlier...

I can't possibly have kids or even do that thing just as I please!

That would be an abuse of my title as her husband...and besides, I c-can't just do that to her when this is all contractual!

I would be ashamed if I forced her to do this against her wishes! And my mother would be too if she ever knew I did!

"No...I don't need any of that Rosvyliana," I respond with a degree of firmness, as appeasing her would be better than acting like a fool.

I don't need any more moments when she sees me act like a fool!

"Ros-vil-yan-a," She corrects my pronunciation, a slight smile playing on her lips. A subtle smile, one that would never be noticed unless you're close to her.

I fake a cough, knowing that I made myself a fool in front of her again...it's a mystery why she tolerates this behavior, but to save myself from more disgrace, I say her name again.

This time, with the correct pronunciation.

As soon as I'm done speaking, the expression on her face turns stoic again. She shakes her head and partly opens her mouth.

"Rosalina. Just call me Rosalina. Enunciating my formal name is not easy for men accustomed to different cultures," She sighs, causing me to smile sheepishly. 

"Rosalina it is," I say, doing my best to act like a dignified husband...right now, my brain is working overtime. It's looking through the depths of my memories, and scavenging for the moments when my family was still happy.

It's the only way I can use my father as my role model...and it's also the only thing that contains memories of when I'll personally understand the concept of a husband...and of course, of a father.

She then nods, and stands up, about to say something else, but I cut her off...by accident. "Umm, wife, do you have any spare beginner equipment?" I ask as she tilts her head with curiosity.

"The west courtyard of this pagoda should have a small shed that contains some spare beginner equipment.," She answers, and I take a mental note of that.

She then looked at me and continued what she was saying before I cut her off. "I'll be off to my duty in patrolling the villages of Catelia. Don't look for me." She says coldly, reminding me of our situation as husband and wife.

It's all contractual. I married her for the convenience of a harem limitation...and she married me for some unknown reason...which, I do not plan to know if she doesn't want to tell me.

Nonetheless, this was her true nature: a high-tier NPC who holds responsibilities and duties that have to be fulfilled to keep the reputation they built from the ground.

...but I do wonder what her true combat capabilities are. Maybe I'll only get to know when I am seen as someone she can see eye-to-eye with.

"Alright," I say, as the vision of her silhouette grows dimmer...the distance between us growing palpably large.

It's a symbol of the strong intensity felt in our connection of convenience.

"I must do better, I'll be a husband that she will be proud of," I mutter, as I walk to the west courtyard of her...no, our pagoda. 

And now, my actual journey in this world will begin...and it will all starts with a spear.

Oh, and of course, with my beautiful wife.